isaiah5part2

Isaiah 5 part 2 - A look at sin

Much of verses 8 to 30 in Isaiah 5 were about Israel. But these are also relevant to us today. The way we're going to look at Isaiah 5 is in a creative way - looking at the things that God was unhappy with and applying to our lives so we can deal with sin (wrong). In these verses, God deals specifically with 6 groups of sins (exploiting others; drunkenness; pride in sin; immoral standards; being full of yourself; perverting justice).

What do you think is the biggest problem in the world today?

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In Isaiah 5.8-30, God pinpoints a number of different behaviours that he finds offensive. The same warnings that God gave Israel can also apply to us today.

Read verse 8. What is God speaking about here?

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Have a look at Matthew 6.19-21 and write down what it's saying:

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Verse 11 gives another warning from God. What is it?

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(Hint - read Ephesians 5.18 and discuss the impact of alcohol)

In verse 12, God has been ignored. How - and how do we avoid this?

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The consequence to the people's actions is found in verses 13-15. Read the verse again.

What are the consequences of rejecting God?

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Sometimes we look at celebrities and want their life. But it doesn't matter who we are, or who we think we are! God judges us all the same. We all need God and should seek to be like him, and not like our favourite celebrity. Although it's OK to have heroes, we must put God first!

Extra Question - do you believe in hell? What kind of place do you think it is?

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Read 1 Timothy 6.17 and what its saying

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Write down what we know about God from verse 16 (4 things)

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Verses 18-23 list loads of things that God condemns. What are they?

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One of the key verses here is verse 18. We all sin and do wrong, but what is worse is to do evil things and then get others involved in doing evil. This is what God really hates.

Verse 20 speaks about when bad becomes good and good becomes bad. This is happening today, but when people choose evil, they choose destruction. This is why we pray for those who do evil, that they would see what they're doing, change and turn to Jesus. We all need Jesus!

What was one of the reasons that Sodom was destroyed? Ezekiel 16.49

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Read Matthew 18.5-6 and think about what God is saying...

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Verses 24-30 speak about God's judgement for Israel at the time. But these are also warnings for people who believe in Jesus but especially for the nations that reject God. There are always consequences to what we do.

People want the freedom to do whatever they want and demand their rights, but they forget that with every 'freedom' there is a price to pay; with every 'right' there is always a responsibility. I have the freedom not to brush my teeth, but the consequence is fillings and my teeth falling out. So in order to stop my teeth decaying, I have to be responsible and brush them!

What judgements did God promise for the wicked in Isaiah 5.24-30?

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For Israel, judgement didn't come straight away but from 722BC, the Northern Kingdom was gradually destroyed by the King of Assyria, Ahaz. There is a phrase that "Your sin will always find you out." It's much better to deal with sin and say sorry to God, rather than not deal with it and take the consequences that will always come!

What has God been saying to you today?

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What areas of your life do you need to ask God to help you with?

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Time to pray about these things!!

Quiet-time on Isaiah 5 part 2 added 26/7/10.