Featured Notes: Timeless Truth-The Prophets

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Timeless Truth-The Prophets               7-5-26

Part 29 – Background texts-Isaiah chapters 36-38, 2 Kings chapters 18-20

“Divine Purpose”

Intro: Last time, we looked at the “Fear of the LORD” and now we move forward to the point where Isaiah’s prophecy comes to pass regarding Assyria. Along with that fulfillment, is the story of King Hezekiah. His faith and actions reflect a change in direction from the previous leadership of Judah and there are several important moments for us to consider. Our subject today is “Divine Purpose”.

Let’s take a look:

NOTE: Prior to Isaiah 36, the Northern Kingdom of Israel was besieged for 3 years and destroyed/carried away by the Assyrian army.

I want to start by reading the origin story of King Hezekiah.

READ: 2 Kings 18:1-7

I. Hezekiah Becomes King of Judah (2 Kings 18:1-7)

A. His father was very evil (2 Kings 16:1-3)

         (practiced all the pagan evils, even child sacrifice)

B. Hezekiah was different than his father (v.3)

         (even though he came up in an evil environment)

C. He took proactive measures to cleanse the kingdom

         (even destroying the bronze serpent)

D. He rebelled against Assyria and the status quo (v.7)

         (even with the siege/fall of Samaria)

II. Sennacherib’s Pride/Confidence (Is. 36:13-21, 37:8-13)

READ: Isaiah 36:13-21, 37:8-13

A. Sennacherib blasphemed the LORD with his boasts

         (attempting to group the LORD with pagan gods)

B. Sennacherib tried to intimidate the people/Hezekiah

         (trying to create fear/bully them into compliance)

C. Sennacherib relied on previous Assyrian success

         (unaware that it was the LORD’s doing)

READ: Isaiah 10:15

III. The LORD’s Answer (Isaiah 37:1-7, 14-20, 33-38)

A. Isaiah assures Hezekiah with the LORD’s words

READ: Isaiah 37:1-7

B. Hezekiah seeks the LORD and prays for deliverance

READ: Isaiah 37:14-20

C. The LORD pronounces final judgment on Sennacherib

READ: 2 Kings 19: 27-28, Isaiah 37:33-35

D. The LORD deals directly with Sennacherib

READ: Isaiah 37:36-38

E. Hezekiah’s life is extended/dies in peace (2 Kings 20)

IV. Application/Discussion

Question: What applications to our daily living do you see from Hezekiah’s challenges, chooses, and actions?

Click here for General Sermon Notes Page

It’s Not About Us

There appears to be a trend of believer-centric, felt-need themes becoming more common in sermons and song lyrics. Unfortunately, the unintended message is that God’s awesomeness is defined by what He does for us. However, God’s holiness, righteousness, and sovereignty exist whether we acknowledge it or not. The amazing part is that He chose to love us with grace, mercy, and redemption anyway. The following statements are based on Isaiah 44:6-8 and it’s helpful to pause and declare them simply because He is worthy. In the process, our vision gets elevated above the distractions of this world and a reassuring peace anchors our soul.

You are the LORD.

You are the King of Israel.

You are the Redeemer and the LORD of Hosts.

You are the First and the Last and beside you there is no other.

No one can make the proclamations you do.

You appointed the ancient peoples, what is now, and what will be.

You have declared your people to be free of fear.

There is no God beside You, and indeed there is no other Rock!

Meanwhile…back in reality.

A pundit once described what we call “wokeism” as a mental disorder. At the time, it sounded quite humorous, but with confusion on fundamental truths such as the definitions of male and female, one does wonder about the mental state of our society. While “mental disorder” may be too crass and insensitive to those suffering true mental issues, Paul’s words in Romans chapter 1 remain spot-on. He described a process where people “declared themselves wise while becoming fools” in addition to “trading truth for a lie” (v.22 & v.25). His words echo through time to resonate with current events. It’s mind-boggling to see intelligent, educated people deny what is obvious to so many, yet here we are, witnessing an active market of customers eagerly trading truth for lies. So, given the current cultural reality, what should those of us do who hold to “outdated” beliefs such as “humans are born male and female”?

  • First, we must tenaciously hold onto the truth and refuse to trade it for a lie. Whether it’s gender, or other social issues, the acceptance of an idea doesn’t make it true. Remember, someone in the ancient world for the first time suggested a stone carving was God…it wasn’t (even though the people agreed).
  • Second, we must avoid the trap the prophet Elijah fell into. Although he was a tremendous man of God, Elijah thought he was the only faithful person left in Israel, but God informed him of 7,000 others. Don’t start believing you’re alone or that all hope is lost…it’s not.
  • Third, we must avoid false premise arguments where “red herrings” and “loaded questions” are designed to manipulate, entrap, or deflect from the true issues. The Bible clearly describes the origins of mankind (creation), our problem (fallen nature), and who alone defines morality (God). It’s generally best to start with a true premise and work forward, as opposed to abiding a false premise as the substance of debate.
  • Fourth, we must take a breath and relax. Yes, the cultural climate can cause distress, but reality always pushes through, and the truth of God’s word will ultimately be proven true…if not daily as well.

In the meantime don’t forget, the fruit of the Spirit includes joy, peace, and patience. His joy…His peace…His patience…and that’s reality.

The Payment that Changed Everything

Jesus on the CrossBy Friday morning after his entry to Jerusalem, the enemies of Jesus had completed their scheme. Following an illegal trial based on bribery and dishonesty, Jesus had been beaten, mocked, scourged, nailed to an ugly structure used for criminals, and left to die. However, their extreme cruelty wasn’t the full measure of “the cup”; it came next.

For three excruciating hours (in total darkness during the middle of the day), Jesus was separated from the Father to endure God’s full fist of wrath on sin…their sin, our sin, the world’s sin. Isaiah 53 says He was crushed, bruised, scorned and despised in our stead. It was a painful transaction because sin costs. When it was over, He drew a final breath and proclaimed:

“It is finished!”

May we never take sin lightly. May we never forget His grace. May we never fail to thank Him for it. And may we never cease to share it.

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 HCSB

Satan’s Method is Still Based on This

I hate spider webs. I know they serve a great purpose for catching/reducing flying insects, but after all these years, I still grumble when walking into one. Interestingly, the Devil operates much the same way by building webs across the walking paths of our lives. Like a spider, the method never changes. Even though the anchor points of the web change with the times, the primary component of the webbing continues to be the same thing. What is that one thing you ask? Well, based on scripture, history, and current events, it’s dishonesty. Lies, half-truths, misrepresentations, distortions, false narratives, and denials all still work. For example, Acts chapter 16 describes when Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison, all because of lies meant to juice up the crowd to demand violent punishment. What was their crime? Casting out a demon. For that they were described as trouble-makers and insurrectionist against Rome.

It should come as no surprise then to us if our spiritual enemy uses the same tactics. While it’s true that temptation derails many, dishonesty is the basic DNA and building block. It always promises more than it delivers and costs more than suggested. In the cultural shift we are currently witnessing, dishonesty is the foundation to rewrite history, redefine rights, criminalize certain kinds of speech, crush dissenting views, and to achieve false moral authority. So where does that leave us? Well, based on Acts 16, here are a few thoughts as the dishonesty grows around us:

  • Jesus said lying is Satan’s natural language (John 8:44). We must be wise by walking in the Spirit to discern them and teach our children the same. Like the web of a spider, there is a method to the enemy’s process. Each strand of deceit is connected to another and only the sword of truth effectively cuts through them (the same way Jesus responded in the wilderness).
  • Our reactions to the challenges matter. Instead of anger (which would have been quite natural), Paul and Silas sang praises as the earthquake suddenly broke open the jail. As they praised, many were listening and it set up a moment to speak a message of truth to the jailer and his family who all placed faith in Christ that very night. A general disposition of peace can speak volumes to others and set up divine appointments.
  • “Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might” (Eph. 6:10). Often, timing is everything. Paul and Silas weren’t fearfully passive, but they challenged their arrest and unjust treatment at the right time. Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit they later declared their Roman citizenship which brought their immediate release. Choosing words wisely and waiting for an opportune moment can put us in position for the most kingdom benefit. In their case, it strengthened the new believers in Philippi by highlighting something that could work in their favor…the rule of law. “Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might!”