FEBRUARY’S
2008 SERMONS
FEBRUARY 3
“WHEN A CHILD OF GOD WALKS IN DARKNESS”
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 50:1-11
SCRIPTURE TEXT: Isaiah 50:10 (KJV)
Who is among you that feareth the
Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant,
that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?
let him trust in the name of the Lord, and
stay upon his God.
INTRO:
We ministers often miss-speak the Gospel of
Jesus Christ.
We paint a picture of the Christian walk
being filled with peace, joy and love.
There are those who would contend that
you spiritual life is revealed through you
physical life.
Our text shows to us that this is not
true.
There are three things our text is saying
to us.
I. TO WHOM IS THIS TEXT ADDRESSED?
“Who is among you that feareth the
Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his
servant,”
NOTE:
This is spoken, not to the heathen or
ungodly, but rather to those who are
believers.
Proverbs 1:7 (NLT)
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of
knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and
discipline.
NOTE:
The word fear has two meanings:
·
To be afraid of
·
To reverence, hold in highest esteem.
The more we reverence God, the less we
will be afraid of Him.
Psalm 25:12 (NLT)
Who are those who fear the Lord? He will
show them the path they should choose.
Those who reverence God allow God to lead
them.
Psalm 103:13 (NLT)
The Lord is like a father to his
children, tender and compassionate to those
who fear him.
Those who reverence God know that God loves
them.
Psalm 147:11 (NIV)
the Lord delights in those who fear him, who
put their hope in his unfailing love.
Those who reverence God put their trust
in Him.
-
They are in obedience to the Word of
God.
NOTE:
Those who fear the Lord do not choose which
path to walk in; they follow the direction
of the Lord.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do
not depend on your own understanding. Seek
his will in all you do, and he will direct
your paths.
God is more concerned with our obedience
than with our worship or service.
1 Samuel 15:22-23a (NLT)
But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing
to the Lord: your burnt offerings and
sacrifices or your obedience to his voice?
Obedience is far better than sacrifice.
Listening to him is much better than
offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as
bad as the sin of witchcraft, and
stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols…
NOTE: This was spoken to those who feared
God and were obedient to His Word.
II. WHAT IS THE CONDITION THEY ARE FACING?
“…that walketh in darkness, and hath no
light?”
NOTE:
There are times when the Children of Light
walk in darkness.
-
Joseph; thirteen years in slavery and
prison.
-
Job
-
David (Saul & Absalom)
-
The disciples in the storm.
-
Peter following his denial
Mark 4:35-38
And the same day, when the even was come, he
saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the
other side. And when they had sent away the
multitude, they took him even as he was in
the ship. And there were also with him other
little ships. And there arose a great storm
of wind, and the waves beat into the ship,
so that it was now full. And he was in the
hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow:
and they awake him, and say unto him,
Master, carest thou not that we perish?
NOTE:
There are many true believers who are
walking in darkness. The darkness of:
-
Fear
-
Regret
-
Loneliness
-
Abandonment
-
Failure
-
Sickness
-
Death
-
Separation
-
Poverty
-
Helplessness
-
Rejection
-
Misunderstanding
Those who never seem to walk in darkness
often judge and condemn those who are
walking in darkness.
III. WHAT ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO
THEM?
“…let him trust in the name of the Lord, and
stay upon his God.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NLT)
Dear friends, don't be surprised at the
fiery trials you are going through, as if
something strange were happening to you.
Instead, be very glad—because these trials
will make you partners with Christ in his
suffering, and afterward you will have the
wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it
is displayed to all the world.
James 1:2-3 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble
comes your way, let it be an opportunity for
joy. For when your faith is tested, your
endurance has a chance to grow.
A. TRUST IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.
Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the
righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
NOTE:
Think of eighty plus names of God and how
each one reveals the power and love of God
for His children in a different way to met
whatever circumstance they are facing.
B. TO STAY (RELY OR REST) UPON HIS GOD.
NOTE:
We are not to struggle in our own strength
or seek to find the solution in our own
wisdom but to totally place ourselves in the
arms of God.
Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is thy refuge, and
underneath are the everlasting arms: and he
shall thrust out the enemy from before thee;
and shall say, Destroy them.
CONCLUSION:
Vs. 11 warns us against using our own light
to guide us in our way.
Isaiah 50:11 (NLT)
But watch out, you who live in your own
light and warm yourselves by your own fires.
This is the reward you will receive from me:
You will soon lie down in great torment.
FEBRUARY 10
“ARE WE LISTENING WITH BOTH EARS?”
SCRIPTURE READING: ISAIAH 51:1-8
SCRIPTURE TEXT: Isaiah 51:7 (GW)
Listen to me, you people who know
righteousness, you people who have my
teachings in your hearts. Don't be afraid
of being insulted by people. Don't be
discouraged by their ridicule.
INTRO:
Learning to listen is one of the most
difficult things we do.
James 1:19 (KJV)
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every
man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to
wrath:
NOTE:
There are many who do not want to hear the
voice of God.
Jeremiah 6:10 (KJV)
To whom shall I speak, and give warning,
that they may hear? behold, their ear is
uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken:
behold, the word of the Lord is unto them a
reproach; they have no delight in it.
Zechariah 7:11 (KJV)
But they refused to hearken, and pulled away
the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that
they should not hear.
2 Timothy 4:4 (KJV)
And they shall turn away their ears from the
truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Three times God calls us to hearken.
NOTE:
These are address to the same people but are
referred to in three different ways.
·
The first time.
Isaiah
51:1 (KJV)
Hearken to me, ye that follow after
righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look
unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the
hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
-
Those who follow after righteousness and
seek the Lord.
Matthew 5:6 (KJV)
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst
after righteousness: for they shall be
filled.
Isaiah 51:4 (KJV)
Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear
unto me, O my nation: for a law shall
proceed from me, and I will make my judgment
to rest for a light of the people.
-
His people and nation.
Psalm 33:12 (KJV)
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord:
and the people whom he hath chosen for his
own inheritance.
Psalm 119:11 (KJV)
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I
might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a
light unto my path.
Isaiah 51:7 (KJV)
Hearken unto me, ye that know
righteousness, the people in whose heart is
my law; fear ye not the reproach of men,
neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
-
Those that know righteousness and in
whose heart is God’s Law.
Psalm 37:31 (KJV)
The law of his God is in his heart; none
of his steps shall slide.
Psalm 40:8 (KJV)
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea,
thy law is within my heart.
Hebrews 8:10 (KJV)
For this is the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel after those days,
saith the Lord; I will put my laws into
their mind, and write them in their hearts:
and I will be to them a God, and they shall
be to me a people:
The word Hearken in Isaiah 51:1 & 7
is shaw-mah';
a primitive root; to hear
intelligently (often with implication of
attention, obedience, etc.
The word Hearken in Isaiah 51:4 is
kaw-shab';
a primitive root; to prick up the
ears, i.e. hearken :- attend, (cause
to) hear (-ken), give heed, incline, mark
(well), regard.
As a dog or horse picks up their ears to
the voice of their master.
I. TO WHOM ARE WE TO HEARKEN?
NOTE:
There are many voices in this world seeking
our attention.
-
The voice of self.
-
The voice of man.
-
The voice of Satan.
The only voice we are to listen to is
the voice of God.
Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22
(KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit saith unto the churches;
II. WE ARE TO LOOK TO THE ONE WHO GAVE US
BIRTH.
Isaiah 51:1 (KJV)
Hearken to me, ye that follow after
righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look
unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the
hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
NOTE:
Abraham is considered as the Father of
Israel.
As the nation of Israel was born of
Abraham so is the Church born of Christ.
NOTE:
Abraham had other children that became
nations, other than Isaac, but only Isaac is
considered as the godly line.
There are many religions that claim to be
the church, but only those who are born
again are in the true Church.
Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
Looking unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith; who for the joy that
was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the
right hand of the throne of God.
NOTE:
Consider the miracle of a nation coming from
Abraham.
If God can take Abraham and bless him
into becoming a great nation can He not also
bless us and cause us to grow no matter how
small we might be today?
II. WE ARE TO LISTEN AND FOLLOW GOD’S WORD.
Isaiah 51:4 (KJV)
Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear
unto me, O my nation: for a law shall
proceed from me, and I will make my judgment
to rest for a light of the people.
NOTE:
Many people will listen to the Word of God
but fail to obey and put into practice.
James 1:22 (KJV)
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers
only, deceiving your own selves.
This is one way they have ears but hear
not.
It goes from one ear and out the other.
Matthew 7:24-27 (KJV)
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of
mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto
a wise man, which built his house upon a
rock: and the rain descended, and the floods
came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that
house; and it fell not: for it was founded
upon a rock. And every one that heareth
these sayings of mine, and doeth them not,
shall be likened unto a foolish man, which
built his house upon the sand: and the rain
descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it
fell: and great was the fall of it.
III. WE ARE TO LISTEN TO GOD AND NOT TO
FEAR.
Isaiah 51:7 (KJV)
Hearken unto me, ye that know
righteousness, the people in whose heart is
my law; fear ye not the reproach of men,
neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
NOTE:
There will always be those who ridicule and
condemn but we are not to listen to them or
be afraid of what they say.
Those who criticize and condemn those who
listen and trust in God will face the
judgment of God.
2 Kings 7:1-2, 17 (KJV)
Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the
Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about
this time shall a measure of fine flour be
sold for a shekel, and two measures of
barley for a shekel, in the gate of
Samaria. Then a lord on whose hand the king
leaned answered the man of God, and said,
Behold, if the Lord would make windows in
heaven, might this thing be? And he said,
Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes,
but shalt not eat thereof… And the king
appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned
to have the charge of the gate: and the
people trode upon him in the gate, and he
died, as the man of God had said, who spake
when the king came down to him.
CONCLUSION:
We must listen to God with both ears and be
obedient to His Word.
FEBRUARY 17
“STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN”
SCRIPTURE READING: ISAIAH 51:1-8
SCRIPTURE TEXT: Proverbs 25:12 (NLT)
Valid criticism is as treasured by
the one who heeds it as jewelry made from
finest gold.
INTRO:
Remember the old saying about railroad
crossings, “Stop, look and listen”.
Many people have lost their lives or
suffered greatly because they failed to
Stop, Look and Listen at railroad crossing.
Many Christian have face great
disappointments and frustration because
their failed to Stop, Look and Listen at
certain times in their lives.
Whenever we come to a place of decision
we must Stop, Look and Listen to see what
God has planned for us.
God was calling for the Jews to stop,
look and listen to the promise of His
deliverance.
NOTE:
These are address to the same people but are
referred to in three different ways.
·
The first time.
Isaiah 51:1 (KJV)
Hearken to me, ye that follow after
righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look
unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the
hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
-
Those who follow after righteousness and
seek the Lord.
Matthew 5:6 (KJV)
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst
after righteousness: for they shall be
filled.
Isaiah 51:4 (KJV)
Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear
unto me, O my nation: for a law shall
proceed from me, and I will make my judgment
to rest for a light of the people.
-
His people and nation.
Psalm 33:12 (KJV)
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord:
and the people whom he hath chosen for his
own inheritance.
Psalm 119:11 (KJV)
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I
might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a
light unto my path.
Isaiah 51:7 (KJV)
Hearken unto me, ye that know
righteousness, the people in whose heart is
my law; fear ye not the reproach of men,
neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
-
Those that know righteousness and in
whose heart is God’s Law.
Psalm 37:31 (KJV)
The law of his God is in his heart; none
of his steps shall slide.
Psalm 40:8 (KJV)
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea,
thy law is within my heart.
Hebrews 8:10 (KJV)
For this is the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel after those days,
saith the Lord; I will put my laws into
their mind, and write them in their hearts:
and I will be to them a God, and they shall
be to me a people:
The word Hearken in Isaiah 51:1 & 7
is shaw-mah';
a primitive root; to hear
intelligently (often with implication of
attention, obedience, etc.
The word Hearken in Isaiah 51:4 is
kaw-shab';
a primitive root; to prick up the
ears, i.e. hearken :- attend, (cause
to) hear (-ken), give heed, incline, mark
(well), regard.
As a dog or horse picks up their ears to
the voice of their master.
I. WE ARE TO STOP FOLLOWING THE WRONG
VOICES?
NOTE:
There are many voices in this world seeking
our attention.
-
The voice of self.
-
The voice of man.
-
The voice of Satan.
The only voice we are to listen to is the
voice of God.
Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22
(KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit saith unto the churches;
II. WE ARE TO LOOK TO THE ONE WHO GAVE US
BIRTH.
Isaiah 51:1 (KJV)
Hearken to me, ye that follow after
righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look
unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the
hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
NOTE:
Abraham is considered as the Father of
Israel.
As the nation of Israel was born of
Abraham so is the Church born of Christ.
NOTE:
Abraham had other children that became
nations, other than Isaac, but only Isaac is
considered as the godly line.
There are many religions that claim to be
the church, but only those who are born
again are in the true Church.
Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
Looking unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith; who for the joy that
was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the
right hand of the throne of God.
NOTE:
Consider the miracle of a nation coming from
Abraham.
If God can take Abraham and bless him
into becoming a great nation can He not also
bless us and cause us to grow no matter how
small we might be today?
III. WE ARE TO LISTEN AND FOLLOW GOD’S
WORD.
Isaiah 51:4 (KJV)
Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear
unto me, O my nation: for a law shall
proceed from me, and I will make my judgment
to rest for a light of the people.
NOTE:
Many people will listen to the Word of God
but fail to obey and put into practice.
James 1:22 (KJV)
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers
only, deceiving your own selves.
This is one way they have ears but hear
not.
It goes from one ear and out the other.
Matthew 7:24-27 (KJV)
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of
mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto
a wise man, which built his house upon a
rock: and the rain descended, and the floods
came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that
house; and it fell not: for it was founded
upon a rock. And every one that heareth
these sayings of mine, and doeth them not,
shall be likened unto a foolish man, which
built his house upon the sand: and the rain
descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it
fell: and great was the fall of it.
IV. WE ARE TO LISTEN TO GOD AND NOT TO
FEAR.
Isaiah 51:7 (KJV)
Hearken unto me, ye that know
righteousness, the people in whose heart is
my law; fear ye not the reproach of men,
neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
NOTE:
There will always be those who ridicule and
condemn but we are not to listen to them or
be afraid of what they say.
Those who criticize and condemn those who
listen and trust in God will face the
judgment of God.
2 Kings 7:1-2, 17 (KJV)
Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the
Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about
this time shall a measure of fine flour be
sold for a shekel, and two measures of
barley for a shekel, in the gate of
Samaria. Then a lord on whose hand the king
leaned answered the man of God, and said,
Behold, if the Lord would make windows in
heaven, might this thing be? And he said,
Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes,
but shalt not eat thereof… And the king
appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned
to have the charge of the gate: and the
people trode upon him in the gate, and he
died, as the man of God had said, who spake
when the king came down to him.
CONCLUSION:
We must listen to God with both ears and be
obedient to His Word.
FEBRUARY 24
“LET’S HAVE A PARTY”
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 51:9-16
SCRIPTURE TEXT: Isaiah 51:11 (KJV)
Therefore the redeemed of the Lord
shall return, and come with singing unto
Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon
their head: they shall obtain gladness and
joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee
away.
INTRO:
I have a difficult times understanding
Christians who never seem to enjoy being a
Christian.
There are times when we may be down.
One of my favorite pictures of Jesus is
when He is laughing.
Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus; He
wept over Jerusalem; was frustrated with the
lack of faith of His disciples, and even got
angry at the misuse of the Temple.
We all have our bad days.
The Jews were facing hard times but God
told them that there was coming a time of
rejoicing.
Nehemiah 8:10 (GW)
Then he told them, "Go, eat rich foods,
drink sweet drinks, and send portions to
those who cannot provide for themselves.
Today is a holy day for the Lord. Don't be
sad because the joy you have in the
Lord is your strength."
Our joy is not found in this world or in
worldly possessions but rather it is found
in our relationship with God.
I. TIMES WHEN GOD SEEMS TO BE FAR FROM US.
NOTE:
There may be times in our Christian
experience when it seems that God has
forgotten us, is asleep or does not care.
A.
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT SEEMS THAT GOD HAS
FORGOTTEN US.
Psalm 13:1-2 (KJV)
How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for
ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from
me? How long shall I take counsel in my
soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How
long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
ILL:
Joseph in Egypt.
B.
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT SEEMS THAT GOD IS
ASLEEP.
Psalm
44:23-26 (KJV)
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise,
cast us not off for ever. Wherefore hidest
thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction
and our oppression? For our soul is bowed
down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto
the earth. Arise for our help, and redeem
us for thy mercies' sake.
Matthew 8:24 (KJV)
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in
the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered
with the waves: but he was asleep.
C.
THERE MAY BE TIMES WHEN IT SEEMS THAT GOD
DOES NOT CARE.
Mark 4:38 (KJV)
And he was in the hinder part of the ship,
asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and
say unto him, Master, carest thou not that
we perish?
NOTE:
We must understand that we are not the only
ones who suffer these times of doubt.
II. HOW CAN WE EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF THE
LORD DURING TIMES OF TRIALS, TEMPTATIONS AND
DOUBT?
A.
WE NEED TO REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US
IN THE PAST.
Isaiah 51:9-10 (KJV)
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of
the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in
the generations of old. Art thou not it that
hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Art
thou not it which hath dried the sea, the
waters of the great deep; that hath made the
depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to
pass over?
B.
WE MUST SEEK OUR COMFORT FROM GOD AND NOT
FROM MAN.
Isaiah 51:12 (KJV)
I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who
art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a
man that shall die, and of the son of man
which shall be made as grass;
Jeremiah 17:5-8 (KJV)
Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man
that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his
arm, and whose heart departeth from the
Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the
desert, and shall not see when good cometh;
but shall inhabit the parched places in the
wilderness, in a salt land and not
inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth
in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
For he shall be as a tree planted by the
waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by
the river, and shall not see when heat
cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and
shall not be careful in the year of drought,
neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
C.
WE MUST REMEMBER THAT WE ARE HIS PEOPLE AND
HE IS OUR GOD.
III. WE FIND JOY AND HOPE IN HIS PROMISES.
A.
GOD HAS PLANS FOR US THAT WILL BLESS US.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NLT)
For I know the plans I have for you," says
the Lord. "They are plans for good and not
for disaster, to give you a future and a
hope. In those days when you pray, I will
listen. If you look for me in earnest, you
will find me when you seek me.
B.
HE TAKES THAT WHICH SEEMS BAD AND MAKES IT
GOOD.
Romans 8:28 (KJV)
And we know that all things work together
for good to them that love God, to them who
are the called according to his purpose.
C.
HE WILL GIVE US THE POWER AND ABILITY TO
OVERCOME WHATEVER WE MAY BE FACING.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)
There hath no temptation taken you but such
as is common to man: but God is faithful,
who will not suffer you to be tempted above
that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that
ye may be able to bear it.
D. HE WILL SUPPLY WHATEVER WE NEED.
Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
But my God shall supply all your need
according to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus.
D.
HE WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR US.
Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)
Let your conversation be without
covetousness; and be content with such
things as ye have: for he hath said, I will
never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
CONCLUSION:
We will find joy and be able to rejoice,
when we look beyond our circumstances and
see our God.
“Do not tell God how big your troubles
are; tell your troubles how big your God
is.”
Isaiah 51:15 (KJV)
But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the
sea, whose waves roared: The Lord of hosts
is his name.
God is JEHOVAH-SABAOTH (sah-bah-OATH).
The Lord of the hosts of heaven will always
fulfill His purposes even if we are weak.
Because we are the people of God we have
every right to rejoice and have a party in
spite of what we may be facing.
