Isaiah 2:1-4 & the Church

-Introduction

-If you are following one of the daily-Bible-reading schedules, then you will be reading

  in the book of Isaiah this coming week.

            -cover to cover - You’ll just get started in the book of Isaiah this week.

            -chronological - You’ve already read about ½ of Isaiah and will read most of the

                                      second half this week.

-As we’ve noted in previous lessons, Isaiah is often times referred to as God’s Messianic

  prophet due to the fact that he had much to say about the Messiah who was to come, the

  things that would be accomplished through Him and the blessings that would be made

  available.

-This morning, I want to focus on one passage from Isaiah in particular - Isa 2:1-4.

-Isaiah 2:1-4 (Micah 4:1-3)

-What are these verses referring to? - the times of the Gospel

-Luke 10:23-24

            -Unfortunately, many of those who did have the opportunity to witness these things

              first hand, failed to realize the significance of what was unfolding before their eyes.

            -Rather than recognizing these things and rejoicing in humility and submission, they

              hardened their hearts, closed their eyes and ears and responded with hatred, rejection

              and persecution.

-Isaiah 6:9-10  (John 12:37, 40; Acts 28:23-27)

-Unfortunately, spiritual blindness and deafness plagued the people in the days of Isaiah

  and in the days that Jesus and the apostles were on this earth.  Unfortunately, many people

  are living their lives today in the same fashion.

            -That’s why we need to speak out with the Gospel of Christ and show them the truth

              of God’s word.

            -How is it that we can help others to “hear” and “see” the truth?

                        -Rom 10:13-17 - preaching (proclaiming) the Gospel

-The Exaltation of the Church

-Isa 2:1-4 clearly reveals the exalted nature of the church - “mountain of the Lord’s

  house,” “established in the top of the mountains,” “exalted above the hills,” “go up to

  the mountain of the Lord.”

      -“The term ‘mountain,’ in the symbolism of the Old Testament, denotes government”

  (Jackson, Wayne, Isaiah - God’s Prophet of Doom and Deliverance, Quality

  Publications, Abilene, TX, © 1991, p12).

-Dan 2:35, 44 - Nebuchadnezzar’s dream interpreted - “mountain” & “kingdom” used
                                synonymously

       -Isa 2:2 - “mountain” is correlated with the “Lord’s house”

              -1 Tim 3:14-15

-The church is in an exalted position by the design of God.

       -Eph 3:10-11 - Remember, the church is the “eternal purpose” of God.

-Here’s a question to consider:  Is the church in an exalted position in our lives?

       -Matt 6:33 - “First” is a concept that we easily recognize in our daily lives.  We can

  usually distinguish between first, second, third...rather easily.  However, it amazes

  me how inconsistent some then are with the concept of “first” and the church. 

       -So, is the church first in your life in accordance with the direct instructions of God’s

  word?

-In its proper place, the church rises above all else - above everything and everybody.

-The Importance of Teaching

-Isa 2:3 - “...he will teach us of his ways...”

-As members of the Lord’s church, we must remember the primary purpose and work

  of the church.

       -Is it to fill our social calendars?  Is it to provide us with entertainment?  Of course not.

       -What is the primary purpose and work of the church? - to teach

-It is through the teaching of the Gospel that souls are saved.

       -Rom 10:17; Matt 28:18-20

-We must not get distracted from the proper mission & work of the church.

       -Are there social aspects to being a part of the church?  Sure!  Fellowship is very

         important.  (Acts 2:42)  Hopefully, we want to spend time with fellow Christians.

       -Can there be entertainment aspects of being a Christian?  Sure!  It’s a shame that some

         within the world have developed the idea that Christians can’t have fun.  We can

   enjoy good entertainment.  We can have fun.

-Yet, social agendas and means of entertainment cannot become the focus.

            -Hopefully, these things can be utilized in such a way as to open doors for teaching.

-Examples: 

            -activities for the kids - Hopefully, we can promote fellowship and demonstrate that we

              can indeed have a good time as Christians.  We can keep the church as a part of their

              lives and can continue to teach them.  Hopefully, we can utilize opportunities to reach

              out to their friends and teach them the Gospel.

            -benevolence - In helping people with the physical needs, hopefully we can open the

              door to teach them in regards to their spiritual needs.

            -etc.

-Summary and Invitation

-As we progress forward, I’m optimistic and confident that we can and will grow with

  God’s help.

-For growth to be realized, we each need to exalt the church in our own lives and need to

  maintain an emphasis on teaching.

-We can reach out in a number of ways.  We can be creative in the things that we do.  But,

  the end result needs to remain the same - looking for and creating opportunities to teach

  God’s word with the goal of saving souls.

-What about your soul?  Have you obeyed the Gospel?  If not, believe in Jesus as the Son

  of God (John 3:16, 8:24), confess your faith (Matt 10:32, Rom 10:9-10), repent of your

  sins (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30), be baptized into Christ (Mark 16:16, Gal 3:26-29)

-If you’ve obeyed the Gospel, have you been exalting the church in your life?  If not, renew

  your commitment to God.  Confess your shortcomings, repent of them and pray for God’s

  forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24).