Rsbc 7/16/00
Sunday Night
The Book of Isaiah
Subject- “ Doing That Which God Commands”
Text- Isaiah 20-1-6
Intro- Throughout the bible we see God often giving his Prophets what we would consider very unusual instruction to be carried out. None of the things that God told his men to do were unusual with God but only with men...
Examples ..........
Noah build an Ark....Abraham take your only Son and offer him to me.... Moses speak to a rock and water will come out... Ezekiel speak to the valley of dry bones... Elijah & Elisha likewise...were told to do unusual things and yet not unusual to the Lord.. Likewise in this text tonight we see God telling a prophet what would be very unusual to us....
I...... “THE COMMAND OF GOD TO ISAIAH...VS 2
It is important not to interpret this chapter in the light of our American culture, most people in this country go naked anyway are at least very little to cover the human body. But in the culture of the time of Isaiah and even in many countries of the world for a person to go bare chested is to be naked.
The great man of God was called upon to do what appeared in the eyes of the public what a prisoner might be made to wear, what a beggar would have on, or someone who had been robbed and disgraced.
He was to do this for three years, what a challenge this was to this man of the Lord, how it must really dealt with his pride and humbled him. Can you imagine the laughter, the hooting, the town criers as he walked barefooted and uncovered.
This is God’s appointed means to show what was going to happen to Egypt and the Ethiopians ..vs 4-6
Why does God do such things?
1 Corinthians 1:27‑29 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
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II.... “ THE APPOINTED MEANS OF GOD IS TEACH US SOMETHING IF WE BUT LEARN IT...
This is the sign that I am giving to these heathen nations..
1ST. LET US LEARN THAT IT IS ALWAYS TO OUR BEST INTEREST IF WE WOULD BUT OBEY THE LORD NO MATTER HOW IT SEEMS TO US.
Over and over we see men and yes even Christians who ask the question as Pharaoh did...Exodus 5:2 And Pharaoh said, Who [is] the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
The nation of Israel was told by Moses...that God said..Deuteronomy 11:27‑28 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: 28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
What seems right to us may be total disaster...
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
2ND. LET US LEARN THAT THE LORD NEVER CONSULTS US IN THE MATTER HE WISHES TO USE IN OUR LIVES.
Paul illustrated like this..
Romans 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed [it], Why hast thou made me thus?
The question is asked in Job...Job 33:13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
Job 38:1‑3 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 2 Who [is] this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
It is in our best interest to not question the Lord, not complain about what he ask us to do, where he ask us to serve, why he wants us to do a certain thing, we should just bow to him. When we are confessed up, prayed up, then we want act as if God doesn’t know what he is doing in our life or the life of our love ones.
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3RD. LEARN THAT THE MANY THINGS THAT GOD HAS USED HISTORICALLY RARELY DOES HE CALL UPON US TO DO THEM...OURS IS MORE OF A SPIRITUAL TASK TODAY AND IT IS EASIER...
The Lord does not speak to us audibly as he did these old testament men and people, but rather speaks to us through his word and makes it clear what he wants us to do. I would like to look at some of the things he calls upon us to do and see if it is hard, see if it is ridiculous, see if it is something that will shame us...
1st. Follow me Christ said...
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1 Peter 2:22‑23 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:
2nd. Love one another...
John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Paul said...
1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
3rd. Be Kind one to another...
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Many more things the bible teaches us to do.. Pray, read and study your bible, come to church on a regular basis, support the church with tithes and offerings, pray for the pastor, obey the pastor in the Lord, server one another..