Monday through Friday with People of Faith: Day 153/260: Isaiah

August 4, 2021 JT Leave a comment

Read Isaiah 5:1-7

Isaiah’s Parable of the Vineyard

When we hear the word “parable,” our minds typically turn to the New Testament parables Jesus employed in his teaching. However, there are examples of parables in the Old Testament as well. Isaiah uses the image of a vineyard to teach a message about God’s care for and disappointment in His people.

God is portrayed as “my Well-beloved,” the one who has planted a vineyard. Isaiah says that this vineyard is “on a very fruitful hill” (Isaiah 5:1). God gave this vineyard every advantage to succeed: “He dug it up and cleared out its stones, and planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, and also made a winepress in it; so He expected it to bring forth good grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes” (Isaiah 5:2).

“My Well-beloved” expresses His disappointment in the vineyard. “What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes?” (Isaiah 5:4).

With all the advantages given to Israel, why did they fail? Was God to blame? He called on them to judge for themselves (Isaiah 5:3), then proceeded to explain His intentions going forward. “And now, please let Me tell you what I will do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned; and break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned or dug, but there shall come up briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain on it” (Isaiah 5:5-6).

Judgment was coming. God wanted His vineyard to succeed but “wild grapes” were the result. Still today, God wants to save lost souls. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

He will not violate man’s free will and force compliance. It is each person’s choice whether they will serve God or become modern-day “wild grapes” like Israel of old.

Daily Devotional

Monday through Friday with People of Faith: Day 152/260: Isaiah

August 3, 2021 JT Leave a comment

Read Isaiah 1:1-20

The Reasonableness of Serving God

Some of the most beloved passages of prophecy come from the writing of Isaiah, sometimes referred to as the Messianic prophet because of his focus on the coming Messiah. There are some who believe Isaiah was related to King Uzziah and possibly enjoyed access to the throne because of that familial relationship. However, his possible family connections did not quash the boldness of the message.

Isaiah prophesied during a time that Judah was “laden with iniquity” and a “brood of evildoers” and “corrupters” (Isaiah 1:4). The sins of the nation caused suffering among the people, and the prophet calls for them to repent and restore their relationship with the Almighty. God declares through Isaiah, “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:16-17).

God promises, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). As long as one has the breath of life in him, he can come to God and be forgiven according to God’s will.

God says, “Come now, and let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18). Is it reasonable to serve God? Is it reasonable to repent and live righteously? As one reads through the Scriptures, it is easy to see that reason plays a big part in one’s relationship with the Lord.

Throughout his missionary efforts, Luke often writes that Paul reasoned in the synagogues and with the Jews (Acts 17:2, 17; 18:4, 19; 19:8-9). Even when he was brought before the governor Felix, Paul “reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come” (Acts 24:25). Likewise, to Festus, Paul defended himself, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason” (Acts 26:25).

The apostle made an appeal to the church at Rome to live selfless, godly lives. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). It is reasonable to serve God!

Daily Devotional

Monday through Friday with People of Faith: Day 151/260: Amos

August 2, 2021 JT Leave a comment

Read Amos 6:1-7

The Danger of Indifference

Two of the great dangers of wealth are the temptation to focus solely upon one’s own comfort with no regard to those who are less fortunate, and to feel so comfortable that one fails to see his own great spiritual need. The people “who are at ease in Zion” during Amos’ day failed to see the needs of others. The prophet lamented that they were “not grieved for the affliction of Joseph” (Amos 6:6).

We are stewards of God’s rich blessings, which include financial blessings. The apostle Paul wrote, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). We need to be concerned for the well-being of our brethren. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Some Christians in the first century endured severe hardships, and several congregations stepped up to help ease their financial strain. Paul wrote about the generosity of the churches of Macedonia who “according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing” to give to those in need (2 Corinthians 8:1-6). We must not fall into the trap of feeling indifferent to the needs of those around us, especially our brethren.

The second danger of indifference is failing to see one’s own great spiritual need. Too many believe that they achieved everything on their own without any assistance from others, especially God. With such an attitude, it is very difficult to accept the fact that God Himself is needed. The lukewarm church in Laodicea fell into this murky mindset. Christ warned, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see” (Revelation 3:17-18).

Are you taking care of those around you as opportunities arise? Are you taking care of yourself spiritually? Do not become indifferent to either the physical needs of others or the spiritual needs of yourself.

Sermon Outlines

A Message for All Men Everywhere (Acts 17:16-34)

August 1, 2021 JT Leave a comment

A Message for All Men Everywhere Acts 17:16-34

Acts 17:16-34

I. God created the world (Acts 17:22-25)

II. God wants us to seek Him (Acts 17:26-28)

III. Repentance required (Acts 17:29-30)

IV. Judgment is coming (Acts 17:31)

Sermon Outlines

God Has Spoken (Hebrews 1:1-3)

August 1, 2021 JT Leave a comment

God Has Spoken Hebrews 1:1-3

Hebrews 1:1-3

I. “God…spoke in time past”

II. “God…has in these last days spoken to us by His Son”

III. Why should we listen to Jesus?

Daily Devotional

Monday through Friday with People of Faith: Day 150/260: Amos

July 30, 2021 JT Leave a comment

Read Amos 4:6-13; 9:2-4

God is All-Powerful, All-Present, All-Knowing

The “omni-” attributes of God are clearly taught throughout the Scriptures. Psalm 139 is perhaps the most concise yet comprehensive treatment of this subject in inspiration. The prophet Amos also discusses these traits of the Almighty; as one reads through this prophecy, God’s omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience are explored.

God’s omnipotence is seen in His power over nature; “I also withheld rain from you, when there were still three months to the harvest. I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city. One part was rained upon, and where it did not rain the part withered” (Amos 4:7).

He also has power over the nations. “‘I overthrew some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a firebrand plucked from the burning; yet you have not returned to Me,’ says the Lord” (Amos 4:11). In another passage, He points to His deliverance of nations. “‘Are you not like the people of Ethiopia to Me, o children of Israel?’ says the Lord. ‘Did I not bring up Israel from the land of Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?’” (Amos 9:7).

The omnipresence of God is laid out in Amos 9:2-4, which reads very much like Psalm 139. The Psalmist declares, “If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there” (Psalm 139:8). God says through Amos, “Though they dig into hell, from there My hand shall take them; though they climb up to heaven, from there I will bring them down” (Amos 9:2). Man cannot hide from the Lord, not on “the top of Carmel” or “at the bottom of the sea” (Amos 9:3).

Finally, God’s omniscience is proclaimed: “For behold, He who forms mountains, and creates the wind, who declares to man what his thought is, and makes the morning darkness, who treads the high places of the earth—the Lord God of hosts is His name” (Amos 4:13).

What an all-powerful, all-present, all-knowing God we serve! In the words of Paul T. Butler: “He is the omnipotent Creator; He is the omniscient Revealer; He is the beneficent Sustainer.”

Daily Devotional

Monday through Friday with People of Faith: Day 149/260: Amos

July 29, 2021 JT Leave a comment

Read Amos 1-2

“All Men Everywhere”

Several prophets were utilized by God during the reign of Uzziah, including Hosea, Isaiah, and Amos. Some prophets held great political influence, but Amos was simply identified as one “who was among the sheepbreeders of Tekoa” (Amos 1:1) and “a tender of sycamore fruit” (Amos 7:14).

The thrust of the first two chapters of Amos’ prophecy is the importance of righteousness, wherever and whoever you may be. He pronounces the judgments of the Lord against Israel’s neighbors in Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, and Moab, then turns his attention to Judah and Israel. The takeaway is this: God will not tolerate sin whether you are among His people or not.

Brother Jack P. Lewis wrote, “God is not merely a god of the hills limited in power and dominion to his own people. He is the international God of justice punishing sin wherever it occurs, calling the neighbors who do not worship him into account.”

God’s people have a tremendous responsibility to maintain unity and purity within His church, but also to reach those outside the church and lead them to the truth. Ignorance is no excuse for disobedience. There is coming a day “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). If we do not warn those around us of the coming judgment, how will they escape? How will they come to know and obey Jesus if we do not introduce them to Him?

Jesus urged His first-century disciples to evangelize the lost; that need is no less urgent today. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).

The warnings against sin run throughout the inspired Word. Concerning the idolatry of the ancient world, the apostle Paul said, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). We have an obligation to teach the truth to “all men everywhere” so that they may have the opportunity to obey!

Daily Devotional

Monday through Friday with People of Faith: Day 148/260: Uzziah

July 28, 2021 JT Leave a comment

Read 2 Chronicles 26

Seeking The Lord

In studying the kings of Judah, one sees highs and lows in many of their lives. There are some who start out on the right foot, such as Uzziah, but through time they change and end up in a bad situation. Uzziah began his reign at the age of sixteen and stayed on the throne for fifty-two years. “And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper” (2 Chronicles 26:4-5).

What does it mean when the inspired writer says that Uzziah “sought the Lord”? Certainly it does not mean that he simply did what he thought was right without consulting the Law of Moses. Uzziah was not merely following a gut feeling or a faulty conscience. He was seeking to do that which God revealed through inspiration!

The same is true today. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Who does God reward? “Those who diligently seek Him.” Not those who do what they think is best, or what their preacher says without double-checking the Word for themselves, but “those who diligently seek Him.”

The Scriptures reveal that Uzziah was successful for many years against the Philistines, the Arabians, the Meunites, and the Ammonites. God blessed Judah for many years while Uzziah was on the throne “as long as he sought the Lord.” There came a time, sadly, that Uzziah stopped seeking the Lord.

“But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense” (2 Chronicles 26:16). Pride led Uzziah to do what he should not have done.

Pride is one of the most dangerous temptations because it makes us feel invincible, like nothing can touch us. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). If we continue seeking the Lord and do not try to put ourselves ahead of Him, we can keep ourselves in check and be blessed.

Daily Devotional

Monday through Friday with People of Faith: Day 147/260: Jonah

July 27, 2021 JT Leave a comment

Read Jonah 3-4

It Is The Message, Not The Messenger, That Saves

When he was called to preach a message of repentance to Nineveh, the prophet Jonah tried to run away. While he likely understood that he could not escape God’s presence, perhaps he believed he could abdicate his responsibility as God’s spokesman to deliver a message of mercy to Israel’s foes. Whatever the case, Jonah quickly realized that he could not escape God’s presence nor His calling. The prophet reluctantly went to Nineveh.

Most of the prophetic books contain intense figurative language, but the book of Jonah is more of a narrative. The sum of Jonah’s message is found in only eight words: “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4). Did he call upon the people to repent? Did he explain God’s grace and mercy? Or did he just hatefully spew out this prediction of hopelessness as he walked through the great city?

Whatever the case may be, the citizens of Nineveh heeded Jonah’s words and quickly sought to make right with the Almighty. Even the king “arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes” (Jonah 3:6). Nineveh repented. “Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it” (Jonah 3:10).

Jonah’s reaction to Nineveh’s repentance and God’s mercy was disappointing. “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry” (Jonah 4:1). He did not want to see these evil people spared, but the prophet knew of God’s grace and mercy, that He was “slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness” (Jonah 4:2). Jonah knew that if the people heard God’s message, they would change.

Do we ever present the truth in such a way that we are trying to offend the hearers? This is not God’s desire. Paul urged the Ephesians that they should be “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), and he told Timothy to develop “longsuffering” in his presentation of the gospel (2 Timothy 4:2). We must exercise “the wisdom that is from above” as we teach, exemplifying the qualities James describes in James 3:17. But understand that the power to convict is in the Word itself, not in the one proclaiming it!

Daily Devotional

Monday through Friday with People of Faith: Day 146/260: Joel

July 26, 2021 JT Leave a comment

Read Joel 2:28-32

The Church Foretold

Proponents of the doctrine of dispensational premillennialism teach that Jesus came to this earth to establish a physical kingdom, but when He was unexpectedly rejected by the Jews, He set up the church instead. The church, according to premillennialists, was a “plan B” of sorts, a stopgap measure until He could return to establish His kingdom at a later date.

This doctrine fails to recognize several important facts. First, Jesus never intended to establish a physical kingdom. He told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36). The very thought that man could prevent God from doing anything is ludicrous and must be rejected outright. Premillennialism falls flat on its face by suggesting such is even possible.

Second, premillennialism fails to recognize the church in prophecy. There are numerous Old Testament passages that point to the establishment of Jesus’ spiritual kingdom, the church. One of the most prominent is Isaiah 2:2-4, wherein the prophet says, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow into it.” Isaiah foretells the establishment of the church as well as the universality of the church. The Lord’s kingdom would not be limited to Jews only; “all nations shall flow into it.”

Joel speaks of the amazing things accomplished through the gift of the Holy Spirit at the establishment of the Lord’s kingdom. “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days” (Joel 2:28-29).

When were these things accomplished? On the first Day of Pentecost following the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord. Peter says to the group of Jews gathered in Jerusalem, “But this”—what you are witnessing right now with your very eyes—“is what was spoken by the prophet Joel” (Acts 2:36). God knew what He was doing all along!

But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. (Acts 8:12)