Preacher without a Pulpit Podcast

ISAIAH - THE VISION - PART THREE: “CONTRASTING KINGDOMS” ISAIAH 32:9-20 1.    The Kingdom of Humanity - vs. 9-14 Two Foundational Principles of Humanity’s Kingdom: A.     False Security * Notice, in the first three verses the women of Judah feel secure; thus they are complacent and confident about their situation. * In Isaiah 3:16, Isaiah addressed the ‘daughters of Zion’ because he found them the epitome of their mother’s character. * They are content with their situation. * Complacency is a destructive human trait spoken of by Jesus:Mt. 24:38-3 * The men failed to listen; thus, maybe the women can make a difference. (rise up and listen) Repentance:  Isaiah 31:6 B.Destruction * Destruction is on the way; The Assyrian invasion of 701 B.C. is little more than a year away, the the people are to carefree to see it coming. * Take off your dress clothes and prepare for enslavement; You are not heading to a party: Nahum 2:7 * This is a false escapist joy which can be seen in Isaiah 24:7-11 * The Assyrian invasion is a warning for the future. 2.    The Kingdom of God - vs. 15-20 Two Foundational Principles of God’s Kingdom: A. Restoration (Instead of Disaster) * Salvation is beyond all human capability. * The first fruits of the Spirit was inaugurated at Pentecost and will be complete when Jesus returns: Acts 2:16-17 * The one who is spirit not only defends his people but enriches them with new life. * Humanity and the Earth will be restored: Rom 8:19-22 B.     True Security * It is this abundant righteousness which will produce true peace and Security. He has given them the antidote to their problems: Isaiah 30:15 Isaiah concludes the vision of the contrasting Kingdoms with two metaphors: 1) The Destruction of Assyria and the humbling of Jerusalem   -    V. 19 * The forest represents Assyria, while the City represents Jerusalem. 2)The Undisturbed Peace of the Messianic Kingdom    -    V-20 * Both Judgment and glory lie ahead and now is the time to choose!  1 Pet 3:9 * Which Kingdom do you want to be associated with? * Which foundation?  Mt. 7:24-27 Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/AnthonyMartino66?fan_landing=true]Email the Broadcast at: amart65@gmail.com

ISAIAH - THE VISION - PART THREE: “KINGDOM LEADERSHIP” ISAIAH 32:1-8 * The Messianic Age is again in view: Isaiah 9:7 * This is the state of affairs we pray for in the words of the prayer Jesus taught us: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Mt. 6:10) * Kingdom leadership is characterized by Righteousness and Justice. Three results of Kingdom Leadership: 1.        Security * Complete security is expressed by the two contrasting dangersof wind and storm;       there is protection from every threat. Isaiah 25:4 * God has promise to send good shepherds: Jeremiah 23:4 * Water and shadow are the two components of provision and refreshment, therefore symbolizing every beneficial care.  Ps. 23:1-4 2.        Insight and Understanding * It is best to take the blindness and deafness of verse 3 in the same    metaphorical sense as in Isaiah 29:11, namely, unresponsiveness    to the word of God especially among the nations leaders. * Spiritual clarity is the result of walking the path of God:  Proverbs 4:18-19 * Grasping the truth leads to proclamation. Psalm 40:9-10 3.         Prestige based on Noble Character * An imperfect society imperfectly accords honors. * It accords honors, regardless of character to the rich and powerful; Social Ideas are redefined so that prestige goes only to the truly Noble. * ‘Seldom are the significant famous and seldom are the famous significant.’ (Dennis Prager) * The fool is amoral while the scoundrel is unscrupulous. * Verses 6 & 7 further define the fool and the scoundrel. * Again, the fool denies God and thus spreads error about God: Psalm 53:1 * Instead of heeding the just plea of the needy bad leaders  refuse to do what God has instructed them to do: Isaiah 1:17 * The worlds values are that the rich are the winners and the poor are the losers. * In God’s economy moral behavior gives us a firm place to stand:  Psalm 20:7-8 * Leave with encouragement:  Psalm 24:3-4 Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/AnthonyMartino66?fan_landing=true]Email the Broadcast at: amart65@gmail.com

ISAIAH - THE VISION - PART THREE: “THE FIRE AND FURNACE” ISAIAH 31:1-9 * The fire denotes both Gods Holiness and his Judgment: Isaiah 33:14 Three ways to Escape God’s Judgment: 1.       Consult the Lord * Judah has completely overlooked God’s counsel, which God provided through his prophet. * They are overlooking his word and His way. * Judah had questioned God’s wisdom: Isaiah 29:15-16 * Those who thought they were wiser than God are about to learn otherwise: Isaiah 5:21 * Consult God’s Holy Word: 2 Tim 3:16-17 2.      Trust in God, Not in Man * God is so sovereign that he just has to stretch out his hand. * We have to understand that God cannot be manipulated before we are ready to throw ourselves upon his mercy. * God is not your personal Genie! * You can trust God to protect you: 1 John 5:18 * These two illustrations point to the fact that the Lord, himself is ready to fight and defend his people if they would only humble themselves. * This promise was in effect to the bitter end (King Hezekiah Prayed for deliverance): Isaiah 37:33-35 3.        Repent * God is always ready to forgive, even in the midst of an all out revolt: Isaiah 1:2 * Repentance is more than mental; it involves the redirection of life: Isaiah 2:20, 22 * The Assyrian army was no match for God: Is. 37:36 * His Rock refers to the king of Assyria, in contrast with the Rock of Israel: Isaiah 30:29 * When Assyria attacked Jerusalem they walked into a furnace: Is. 30:33 Conclusion: Three ways to Escape God’s Judgment: 1.   Consult the Lord, 2.   Trust in God, not in man, and 3.   Repent: Rom 12:2 Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/AnthonyMartino66?fan_landing=true]Email the Broadcast at: amart65@gmail.com

ISAIAH - THE VISION - PART THREE: “Universal Judgment” Isaiah 30:27-33 * The Lord’s action as Judge is the final expression of his grace to those who have cried out to him for salvation: Isaiah 30:19 * The distance points to their believe that he is disconnected from them; It also points to the fact that although God seems far off,  He is wholly involved in world history. * You may feel alone, but you are not: Dt. 31:6 * Jesus made the same promise: Mt. 28:20 Three Metaphors: 1.The Torrent: An overflowing torrent speaks to a desert community that understood                         the   issue of flash floods; thus, God’s judgment will be sudden and without warning:                       Nahum 1:8 * Rising up to the neck: If Assyria had come in upon Judah like a torrent, God would sweep over them: Isaiah 8:5-8 2.     The Sieve; It separates the true believer from the false: Am.9:9 3.      The Bit;Its purpose is to control and direct: Isaiah 37:29 * The coming defeat of the Assyrians will be a foretaste of that final victory and just as the victory at the Red Sea was celebrated in song, so will his final victory be celebrated: Ex. 15:1-4 * His Arm recalls his promise to his people: Ex. 6:6 * Again, it comes swiftly without warning: 1Thes 5:2 * The voice that created can also destroy: Psalm 29:5-9 * Topheth: a region outside Jerusalem where children were sacrificed to Molech in the fire: 2 Kings 23:10 Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/AnthonyMartino66?fan_landing=true]Email the Broadcast at: amart65@gmail.com

ISAIAH - THE VISION - PART THREE: “Effective Grace” Isaiah 30:18-26 Four Effects of God’s Grace: 1.       Compassion - He demonstrates compassion in his waiting! * Earlier Isaiah realizes that he must wait and trust:Is. 8:16-17 * He can’t dispense grace without their recognition of their rebellion, but there is always a remnant who are waiting and trusting in the Lord as evidenced in Isaiah 8:16-17. * To be given time to repent is a great mercy which should be grasped with profound gratitude: Romans 2:4 * God does not want anyone to parish: 2 Pet 3:8-9 2. Comfort - He comforts through answered prayer. * After punishing Israel God will once again bless them:  Isaiah 40:2 * God’s judgment is tempered by grace and ultimately fulfilled through the cross of Christ: Col. 1:21-22 3.        Clarity - He is recognized as their teacher. * Because of judgment their eyes and ears will be opened to what it is he has been trying to say: Isaiah 26:9 * God’s Spirit will guide us: John 16:13 * We are defined by who we follow: Rom 8:14 * The casting away of idols is the natural consequence of a vibrant relationship with God; For idols speak of divided loyalties: Ex. 20:3 4.       Covenant Blessing Restored * If chapter 1 refers to the devastation caused by Assyria's invasion, this present passage refers to the restored covenant blessing promised in  Dt. 28:11-12 * Remember first comes Judgment and then the blessing: Isaiah 1:7 * The outpouring of creation’s bounty speaks, of the end of sin and the curse and of the return Eden: Amos 9:13 * When the towers of Judah’s pride are smashed, she may expect a new era of unbelievable fruitfulness: Isaiah 2:12-17 * Instead of the darkness of despair, uncertainty and sin, and the misery of the pains resulting from running into God in the darkness, there will be perfect clarity  and the tender ministry of the Father bandaging our  wounds and bruises: Isaiah 60:19-20 Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/AnthonyMartino66?fan_landing=true]Email the Broadcast at: amart65@gmail.com