January 5, 2003

 

 

 

Line Upon Line ………

Precept Upon Precept

 

 

·        As God brings about spiritual growth in our lives we are seldom able to recognize it immediately.

 

·        Generally we need some time; we need to be able to look back at where we were and compare it with where we are now.

 

·        We often become spiritually frustrated because we can’t “see” growth in our lives.

 

·        We are like “kids” who wonder when we are ever going to grow (taller).  The truth is, we are growing…….do just don’t recognize it.

 

·        God gave me a theme for this coming year (2003):

 

“Growing in God…..Line Upon Line, Precept Upon Precept”

 

READ:  Isaiah 28:9-13

 

Understanding the Context of the Passage

 

·        This is a passage of mockery, judgment, and rebuke.

 

·        The leaders of Judah are indignant with Isaiah over his lecturing them again and again.  (They feel like they are being treated like children.)

 

·        (Item of Interest)  The Apostle Paul used verse 11 to validate the Gift of Tongues in I Corinthians 14:21.  THEREFORE, it is not violating Scripture to make “a positive application” from this passage…especially since God put it on my heart.

1.     God’s judgment came upon Ephraim (v. 1)

·        Northern Kingdom

·        Ephraim = 2^nd son of Joseph

 

 

2.     “The Prophets & The Drunken Court”

·        The prophet, priest, and the politicians alike were DRUNK.

·        They followed foolish counsel: i.e. that they could trust Egypt for military support.

·        Isaiah walks in on one of their “drunken orgies” that characterized the life of the court and says, “What happened to the Northern Kingdom (Ephraim) is going to happen to Judah.”

 

 

3.  The (political & religious) leaders were furious……they were indignant over Isaiah’s lecturing them.

·        So, they mocked him (Isaiah) and his teaching methods. (See verse 9 and following)

·        They felt like they were being treated like children…….after all they were the leaders of the nation!

·        (Key)  Well, if you act like a child don’t be surprised if you are treated like one!

 

4.  God’s judgment did come …….. the Egyptians didn’t save them. 

·        The Assyrians conquered Judah in 722 B.C. thus fulfilling the prophetic word of the Prophet Isaiah.

 

 

What is God Saying To Us?

 

1.  God means business; He is serious!  We can’t just embrace God’s forgiveness and then go on with living our lives the way we want to.

 

·        Our lives …….. our homes ….. everything we do must be focused and centered on Jesus.  We can’t afford to play “religious games” with God.

 

·        (Definition)  Wisdom is viewing life, and our circumstances, for God’s perspective.

2.  God is doing a work in us and through us.

 

·        We are growing, both spiritually and numerically.

 

·        We just aren’t aware of the growth that is taking place.

 

·        (Note: verse 10)  “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little….there a little”

 

·        Growth generally comes in small increments.

·        Growth is often difficult to see……UNLESS IT IS YOUR WAIST LINE!  (You know, nothing seems to fit anymore!  The clothes dryer just keeps “shrinking” the clothes.)

 

·        We need the perspective of time.

 

·        Look back at your life and your values several years ago.

·        What were your priorities then and what are they now?

·        How did you react then and how do you now?

 

·        God is teaching us…..He is growing us…..we just need to trust Him!

 

 

3.  God will finish what He starts.

 

·        Philippians 1:6    For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

 

·        We can trust God to finish what He started in us (individually and corporately).

 

·        We just need to stay faithful and teachable.

 

·        And, we need to be expecting and planning for growth.