DOCSLIB.ORG

October 18Th, 2020 Isaiah 45: 1-7; Psalm 96: 1-13; 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10; Matthew 22: 15-22 After Pentecost, 20, a Do You

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
October 18Th, 2020 Isaiah 45: 1-7; Psalm 96: 1-13; 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10; Matthew 22: 15-22 After Pentecost, 20, a Do You 1 October 18th, 2020 Isaiah 45: 1-7; Psalm 96: 1-13; 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10; Matthew 22: 15-22 After Pentecost, 20, a Do you realize what Jesus really said to those who were putting him to the test in today’s gospel lesson? Remember he said the now famous, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s and to God the things that are God’s.” We all probably have quoted that at some point in our lives, especially in reconciling the need to pay our taxes as well as the need to tithe our income. But what does Jesus really say when he says, “Give the emperor the things that are the emperor’s and to God the things that are God’s.” After those who were putting Jesus to the test asked him if it were lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, Jesus in turn asked them whose image was on the coin. They said, “The Emperors”. And then Jesus says, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperors. But, perhaps, more importantly was what Jesus was implying in his follow- up answer, “Give to God the things that are God’s.” That is, “Who’s image is on the emperor?” 2 As Lutherans, we have tackled the issue of emperor and God or public accountability and God with much thought and debate. In fact the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has a statement “Being a Public Church”. Here is how it begins, “Lutherans understand that governments are a means through which God can work to preserve creation and build a more peaceful and just society. As a public church, we have a responsibility to address issues that affect our neighbors in communities throughout the world. Through advocacy efforts, ELCA members and other faith communities can work through governmental channels on behalf of our faith community values. Participating in the electoral process, that is, voting, is one way in which ELCA members live out our public witness.” Sounds like something Lutherans would write, doesn’t it? It really has its beginnings in Martin Luther who taught that “governments are a means through which God can work to preserve creation and build a more peaceful and just society.” Thank God we live in a country where that can be exercised through our privilege in voting and actually as being public servants if we are so called. Within our country, thankfully, when we vote, we exercise our privilege and opportunity to enable our government to be 3 a means through which God can work to preserve creation and build a more peaceful and just society. Does this mean that our public officials all have to be Lutheran, or Christian or even people of faith? Remember our Old Testament reading? It is another rather famous story. The Israelites were exiled and held captive in Babylon and had prayed, begged God to help them be freed. Cyrus the Great of Persia, which is now Iran, captured Babylon and released the Israelites from their captivity and sent them back home to Israel. Cyrus was not a Jew. It is believed, if he were anything, he might have been a Zoroastrian. Cyrus the Great did not believe in the God of the Jews, if he believed in any god at all, but yet God used him to free the Jewish people. Remember how our Old Testament lesson started? “ Thus said the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their robes, to open doors before him—and the gates shall not be closed…. For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name… though you do not know me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know me….” 4 Cyrus did not know God, but God knew Cyrus. We pray that our vote may continue the work of Cyrus the Great, that is, may continue the work of God through our public officials. We hope and we pray that our vote can be a means through which God can work to preserve creation and build a more peaceful and just society. Amen, Pastor Scales Amen, Pastor Scales .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Isaiah Commentaries & Sermons
    Isaiah Commentaries & Sermons SONG OF SOLOMON JEREMIAH NEWEST ADDITIONS: Verse by verse Commentary on Isaiah 53 (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) - Bruce Hurt Verse by verse Commentary on Isaiah 35 - Bruce Hurt ISAIAH RESOURCES Commentaries, Sermons, Illustrations, Devotionals Click chart to enlarge Click chart to enlarge Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission Another Isaiah Chart see on right side Caveat: Some of the commentaries below have "jettisoned" a literal approach to the interpretation of Scripture and have "replaced" Israel with the Church, effectively taking God's promises given to the literal nation of Israel and "transferring" them to the Church. Be a Berean Acts 17:11-note! ISAIAH ("Jehovah is Salvation") See Excellent Timeline for Isaiah - page 39 JEHOVAH'S JEHOVAH'S Judgment & Character Comfort & Redemption (Isaiah 1-39) (Isaiah 40-66) Uzziah Hezekiah's True Suffering Reigning Jotham Salvation & God Messiah Lord Ahaz Blessing 1-12 13-27 28-35 36-39 40-48 49-57 58-66 Prophecies Prophecies Warnings Historical Redemption Redemption Redemption Regarding Against & Promises Section Promised: Provided: Realized: Judah & the Nations Israel's Israel's Israel's Jerusalem Deliverance Deliverer Glorious Is 1:1-12:6 Future Prophetic Historic Messianic Holiness, Righteousness & Justice of Jehovah Grace, Compassion & Glory of Jehovah God's Government God's Grace "A throne" Is 6:1 "A Lamb" Is 53:7 Time 740-680BC OTHER BOOK CHARTS ON ISAIAH Interesting Facts About Isaiah Isaiah Chart The Book of Isaiah Isaiah Overview Chart by Charles Swindoll Visual Overview Introduction to Isaiah by Dr John MacArthur: Title, Author, Date, Background, Setting, Historical, Theological Themes, Interpretive Challenges, Outline by Chapter/Verse.
    [Show full text]
  • Book of Enoch – an Evaluation by Dr
    Book of Enoch – An Evaluation By Dr. Alan Cobb The purpose of this study is to evaluate the book of Enoch that is quoted in Jude verses 14 and 15 where he writes: “Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: ‘See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him’” We will seek to try to understand why Jude quoted the work and yet the early believers did not include it in the writings they chose to include in their canon that believers were encouraged to study. Background There are four different people named Enoch mentioned in the Bible. In Genesis 4:17 we are told that Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, had a son whom he named Enoch. This is the first mention of a person named Enoch. The second mention is in Genesis 5:18 where we learn that Jared, the great great grandson of Adam had a son that he named Enoch. With that bit of information, we can determine that he is the seventh in Adam’s line with Adam being counted as number one. The third mention is in Genesis 25:4 where we learn that Midian, the son of Abraham and Keturah, had a son whom he named Enoch (another way of spelling the name is Hanoch). The fourth mention is in Genesis 46:9 where we learn that Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob, had a son that he named Enoch (Hanoch).
    [Show full text]
  • Can I Really Trust the Bible? – a Compilation (Appropriate for High Schoolers and Older) Michael R
    Can I Really Trust The Bible? – A Compilation (appropriate for High Schoolers and older) Michael R. Daily, February 2018 Other youth bible studies by Michael Daily available at: http://gciweb.org/2011/04/youth-bible-study-materials-michael-r-daily/ Reference #1: John Ankerberg & Dillon Burroughs, How Do We Know The Bible Is True?, AMG Publishers, 2008 Reference #2: Ken Ham & Bodie Hodge, How Do We Know The Bible Is True?, Vol. 1, Master Books, 2011 Reference #3: Clinton E. Arnold, How We Got The Bible: A Visual Journey, Zondervan, 2008 Reference #5: Josh McDowell & Dave Sterrett, Is The Bible True…Really?, Moody Publishers, 2011 Reference #6, Paul D. Wegner, The Journey from Texts to Translations, Baker Academic, 1999 Reference #7, John MacArthur, Why You Can Trust The Bible, audio DVD, Grace To You Ministries, 2006 Reference #8, Chuck Missler, Technology & The Bible, video DVD, Koinonia House Ministries, 2008 This study contains a series of lessons all related to trusting the Bible. Due to the large volume of evidence in multiple areas it will take 8 to 14 sessions to cover all of the material. However, the material has been broken up into lessons that can stand alone so that the leader can do some or all of the lessons as they see fit and as their teaching situation allows. Material from the appendices may also be used for additional lessons if so desired. Main Lesson Topics: 1) Introduction & Overview: Can I Really Trust The Bible? page 2 2) How Were The Books Of The Bible Selected? page 6 3) Does the Bible Give Evidence Of The Power
    [Show full text]
  • Ecclesiastes Pursuing the Meaning of Life
    10/27/2019 ECCLESIASTES PURSUING THE MEANING OF LIFE GOD HAS MADE EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN HIS TIME ECCLESIASTES 3:1-15 1 10/27/2019 MORALISTIC THERAPEUTIC DEISM Christian Smith – Sociologist at Notre Dame, 2005 5 beliefs about God 1 A God exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life from afar. 2 God does not need to be particularly involved in one's life except when God is needed to resolve a problem. 3 The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself. 4 God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions. - 5 Good people go to heaven when they die. THE TOTAL SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD OVER EVERYTHING 1 For everything there is a season, and a time (Kairos) for every matter under heaven: 14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. 15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. 2 10/27/2019 THE TOTAL SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD OVER EVERYTHING Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.” Isaiah 46:9–10 Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD APPLIES TO HUMAN LIFE EVERYWHERE IN EVERY WAY VS 2-8 14 Pairs of MERISMS - two x seven – perfection, completeness From birth to death and every aspect of human existence in between God has a largely inscrutable plan “A time to be born, and a time to die” bookends of existence Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
    [Show full text]
  • Old Testament Genre: Prophecy by Joshua Williams
    Old Testament Genre: Prophecy By Joshua Williams Pre-Session Assignments One week before the session, students will take the following assignments. Assignment One Read Ezekiel 3:16–21 and then read the comments related to Ezekiel 3:17 in the section It’s in the Book. Prepare to share your answer to the following question: Why was the job of a watchman important for ancient cities surrounded by walls? Assignment Two Read Jeremiah 31:15–17, and then read the comments related to Jeremiah 31:15 in the section It’s in the Book. Prepare to share your answers to the following questions: What is the meaning of the figurative language about Rachel weeping for her children? Who is the passage talking about and why? Assignment Three Read Isaiah 45:20–21 and then read the comments related to Isaiah 45:21 in the section It’s in the Book. Prepare to share your answer to the following question: How does God show He is different from the idols of the nations? Scripture to Memorize “Yet the LORD warned Israel and Judah through all His prophets and every seer, saying, ‘Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments, My statutes according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you through My servants the prophets.’” 2 Kings 17:13 Session Goal Consistent with God’s Word and in the power of the Holy Spirit—by the end of this session, disciples will know the purposes for prophecy and how to interpret it according to its purposes.
    [Show full text]
  • Isaiah “The King Is Coming”
    Isaiah “The King Is Coming” I. Introduction to Isaiah Isaiah is the twenty-third book of the Bible and begins a new section called “The Prophets”. The Prophets were men divinely chosen and gifted to speak to the nations. Their message included: • Fore-telling or Prediction: Because God is outside of time, He often unveils the future as it fulfills His purposes. • Forth-telling: Not all prophesy is predictive. The Prophets would apply the Word of God to the present or current situation of the Nation. Some Prophets did not speak of future events, but explained current events using the Word of God. They spoke timeless truths to their generation. By example, Elijah’s and Elisha’s ministries were prophetic, but not predictive. Most prophets predicted future events as well as speaking to the present generation. Their message often had a near and far fulfillment. Some prophets had miraculous signs that accompanied their ministry. Elijah, Elisha and others used vivid illustrations to drive their point home: • Isaiah walked around naked • Jeremiah wore a defiled sash • Ezekiel cooked bread with dung as fuel A. The books of the Prophets are divided into two groups: 1. Major Prophets This group consists of five books: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel and Daniel. These are called the Major Prophets because of their length, not their message. They make up 22% of the Old Testament, and are listed in chronological order. 2. Minor Prophets This group consists of twelve books: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. These twelve books combined, are not as large as Isaiah.
    [Show full text]
  • Devotional June 28 - Oct
    Devotional June 28 - Oct. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Week One..............................................................................3 Week Two..............................................................................9 Week Three..........................................................................13 Week Four............................................................................18 Week Five............................................................................ 23 Week Six..............................................................................28 Week Seven.........................................................................33 Week Eight...........................................................................38 Week Nine............................................................................43 Week Ten.............................................................................50 Week Eleven.........................................................................58 Week Twelve.........................................................................63 Week Thirteen......................................................................68 Week Fourteen.....................................................................73 1 2 WEEK ONE (JUNE 28-JULY 4) Day 182: June 30, 2020 Full Plan: Isaiah 1:1-4:6 Day 180: June 28, 2020 Abbreviated Plan: Isaiah 6:1-13 Full Plan: Song of Solomon 1:1-4:16 Abbreviated Plan: Isaiah 1:1-31 Isaiah may have been written nearly 2,800 years ago, but its indict- ments against the world
    [Show full text]
  • Isaiah 45:1-13 Reassurance (1-8) This Section Is a Continuation of the Reassurance God Has Been Speaking to His People. (44:24-2
    Isaiah 45:1-13 Reassurance (1-8) This section is a continuation of the reassurance God has been speaking to his people. (44:24-28) Its one thing to know that future events have been organised for your comfort but something else to find comfort in them when they start to happen. Cyrus is described as Gods shepherd and the one who would order the rebuilding of Jerusalem (44:28) But those in Babylon would experience this Persian King as someone who brought about astonishing destruction. He will level mountains and break down gates of bronze. (2) It challenges us to trust what God tells us in his word and not allow ourselves to be unsettled by distressing circumstances. The death of Jesus Christ looked bleak. It turned out to be our greatest blessing. God’s purposes go beyond the rescue and return of his people. He will do these things for the sake of Jacob (4) but there is more here than their planned return: so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none beside me, I am the Lord and there is no other.(6) The challenge of Isaiah is to keep that big goal in mind. The Lord hears our cries and sends his help to us in the everyday struggles of our lives. But his concerns don’t stop at the door of his Church. Questioning (9-13) Isaiah may have found himself an unpopular messenger by suggesting God would use a pagan king to bring about his purposes.
    [Show full text]
  • How the Role of Cyrus in Second Isaiah Relates to Israel's
    How the Role of Cyrus in Second Isaiah Relates to Israel’s Developing Understanding of God. Roger Porter Department of Theology Flinders University Abstract God’s revelation is seen here through the life of Cyrus The Great, king of Persia. The pivotal role of Cyrus in Second Isaiah illustrates how Cyrus’ actions correlated with Israel’s developing understanding of God. Isaiah viewed Cyrus, the military and political victor, as God’s instrument through the returning of captive Israel to Jerusalem and Judah. Here, God is seen as the Lord of history employed in the political actions of the day. Introduction: The Genesis of Cyrus The Great The prophet of the exile, Second Isaiah, saw God as the Lord of history employed in the political actions of the day. Moreover, Isaiah viewed Cyrus king of Persia, the military and political victor, as God’s instrument through the returning of captive Israel to Jerusalem and Judah. Accordingly, this essay will argue the pivotal role of Cyrus in Second Isaiah illustrating how his actions correlated with Israel’s developing understanding of God. The relevant aspects to be addressed here on Cyrus’ role regarding Israel’s relationship with God are numerous. They include the historical setting for the role of Cyrus in Second Isaiah, God’s part in this situation, Israel’s reaction to the involvement of an outsider (such as Cyrus) in their affairs, the rebuilding of the temple, and how God’s favouring of foreign powers expanded Israel’s understanding of YHWH the God of Israel. Furthermore, clarification of the term ‘anointed’ as applied to Cyrus will be considered and a reaffirmation that YHWH’s raising of Cyrus leads to Israel’s gratuitous liberation will be addressed.
    [Show full text]
  • BREAKING DOWN the GATES Isaiah 45:1–8
    Bible Study: Midweek of Lent 3 Singing with the Exiles MIDWEEK OF LENT 3: PARTICIPANT BREAKING DOWN THE GATES Isaiah 45:1–8 THEME VERSE “I will break in pieces the doors of bronze.” (Isaiah 45:2) INTRODUCTION Isaiah 44:24–45:13 is the central section of chapters 41–48, for it brings together God’s calling of Cyrus, His overthrow of Babylon, and His restoration of the Judean exiles. This will demonstrate the Lord’s love for His people and His control of human history. Isaiah 44:24–28 speaks about Cyrus, while 45:1–7 speaks to him. Creational ideas bracket these verses; hymns come in 44:23 and 45:8, while in 45:12–13 the Lord says, “I made the earth. I have stirred [Cyrus] up in righteousness.” This comports with 40:12, 22, 26, 28, where God’s creational claims are interwoven with the statements in 40:15–17, 22–24 that describe His mastery over the nations. Isaiah connects the Lord’s creational power within human history, and this means life and salvation for His people. QUESTIONS Q1. The verb to anoint appears in the Book of Isaiah only in Isaiah 45:1 and in 61:1. In calling Cyrus “His anointed one,” the Lord is not invoking all of the Davidic promises upon the Persian. He is setting him aside for a divine task. Saul (1 Samuel 10), David (16:12–13), and Solomon (1 Kings 1:32–40) were anointed. Each of the subsequent Davidic kings was considered the Lord’s messiah (Psalm 2:2).
    [Show full text]
  • Isaiah 45 No God Besides Me Intro: Isaiah’S Overall Theme Is: Salvation and Deliverance of the Lord
    Isaiah 45 No God Besides Me Intro: Isaiah’s Overall Theme is: Salvation and Deliverance of the Lord. Last week we covered (Ch. 44) which completed the sub-theme of (Chpts. 40-44); “Fear Not.” Tonight, we will cover chapter (45). In this chapter the theme obvious: “No God Besides Me!” This is revealed by the fact that God has a master plan for Israel and all nations! God’s Plan Required… I. GOD’S SHEPHERD (45:1-14) – Shepherd, a title applied to kings who lead God’s people (2 Sam 5:2; Jer 3:15). The “shepherd” that God ordained to be His instrument, was foretold by Isaiah 150 years prior to his birth. His name was Cyrus. CyrUs was the "King of Persia" (Elam). He was the son of Cambyses, the prince of Persia, and was born about (B.C. 599). In the year (B.C. 559) he became king of Persia, and soon after acquired the Medes. CyrUs was a “Great Military Leader,” bent on universal conquest. The kingdom of Babylon fell before his army (B.C. 539) on the night of Belshazzar's feast (Dan 5:30), and then the ancient dominion of Assyria was also added to his empire (Isa 21:2). CyrUs was raised Up by God, to be an instrument of “His pleasure” (Isa 44:28), and to execute “God’s divine plan” upon Israel and the nations (Isa 45:1-14; 46:11). God used Cyrus to issue the decree of liberation to the Jews in (B.C. 536) and rebuild Jerusalem, as declared in (2 Ch 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-2 Read 4:3; 5:13-17).
    [Show full text]
  • October 22, 2017 – Isaiah 45:1-7 Let's Face It: There Are Some Bizarre Stories in the Bible
    October 22, 2017 – Isaiah 45:1-7 Let's face it: there are some bizarre stories in the Bible. I think most of us have opened up our Bibles at one point or another to a passage that is downright weird. Visions of apocalyptic beasts that ravage the earth. Accounts of God's wrath poured out on the unrighteous. Miraculous events that stretch the imagination. I'm not going to deny that God's Word has some pretty surreal moments in it. And then there are others, like our Old Testament Lesson today, that are less obvious, but certainly strange in their own way, if you understand what's going on. At first glance, this passage from Isaiah looks pretty ordinary. A prophecy that a guy named Cyrus is going to do some important things for God's people. What's so unusual about that? Well... everything, if you know who Cyrus is. But before we talk about Cyrus, we need to understand something about Isaiah and about his message to Israel. Isaiah's prophecies can generally be divided into two categories. They're either talking to the Israelites around him in the present. Or they're talking to the Israelites long after him in the future. His message to the people of his own day is generally a message of warning. You see, if you were to look at Judah and Israel at that time, you would likely see a nation of prosperity. Most of the people were wealthy and powerful and safe. They had everything they could ever ask for on the outside.
    [Show full text]