Newlife Anglican Church, Oran Park

Five Truths that changed the World: Faith Alone

The basic concepts of Christianity are expanded on. We are saved through faith in Jesus. This faith is grounded in the knowledge that Christ died for us and saved us through the merit of our Lord Jesus Christ alone. Faith moves us to serve God, improving the lives of the people around us.

 

[bible passage="Galatians 2:15-21" heading="h3"]

Five Truths that changed the World: The Bible

When under pressure what is our highest authority? Where do you turn for the ultimate truth. Stuart explores the role of the bible in the everyday life of a christian. The christian source of knowledge should be considered in the following order Scripture, Tradition, Reason and finally Experience.

 

[bible passage="Psalm 119:1-32" heading="h3"]

 

[bible passage="2 Timothy 3:10-4:8" heading="h3"]

Assyria falls, Babylonia rises and God's plans continue

This is the transition section of Isaiah: it resolves the Assyrian crisis (36-37), & introduces the Babylonian crisis (38-39). (This is in reverse chronological order). The big question of the section is: "In whom shall we trust?"

The Coming New Exodus

In Isaiah 34 the lands of nations opposed to Israel are portrayed as becoming desert, whilst Isaiah 35 pictures Israel undergoing a new Exodus, which is a new creation, both of Israelite people and their land. Jesus is the bringer of this new creation way (Luke 7:21-23). (These themes are introduced here and will appear again through Isaiah 40-66, esp. cg. 40 & 61).

 

[bible passage="Isaiah 34, Isaiah 35" heading="h3"]

Trust in all the Wrong Places

When the world gets tough (e.g. the Assyrians are invading!) will God's people really trust in God's promises in practice, or will they place their confidence in worldly wisdom & solutions (e.g. Egyptian alliance)? In this context idolatry inevitably becomes an issue: alternatives to God make alternative God-like promises! Cf. chs.18-20 from the last section. 1 Corinthians 1: 17-31 Put your trust in God over the foolish things of the world.

God's Burdens against the Nations in the Last Days

This covers a series of prophecies against various nations that it seems were preached to Judah, not the nations concerned!. They contain hope amidst judgement and show God's universal rule and concern for all things. The section moves into the 'Isaianic Apocalypse' (chs.24-27) where God's specific judgement on nations foreshadows his final, universal judgement (24:1-13). This message speaks of God's burden for contemporary Australia in relation to the last days and our attitude to refugees.

From a stump will come The Righteous King

11:1-6 Isaiah paints word pictures from Israel's history. In chapter 6 Israel is judged and remains as a stump until chapter 11 where the righteous king grows from the stump., 11:6-9 The King gives absolute justice through absolute knowledge, absolute power and absolute goodness and integrity. 11:12 Raise a banner when a sinner is saved. 11:15 The whole world free of sin slavery and death. 12:1-6 A son of the new exodus.

 

[bible passage="Isaiah 11, Isaiah 12:1-6” heading="h3"]

Seeking True Religion

Isaiah one of the last prophets is guaranteed to make you uncomfortable about areas of your life as well as containing unforgettable, beautiful and awesome message to all Christians. Stop doing wrong, Develop a new mind and Devote to new priorities.

 

[bible passage="Isaiah 1" heading="h3"]

Immanuel, Assyria and Promised Survivors

Covers Isaiah's signs to King Ahaz during the Syro-Emphraimite Crisis of 735BC. Israel & Syria banded together to persuade Ahaz of Judah to oppose Tiglith-Pilesar's invading army with them. When he refuses, they invade Judah, so Ahaz turns to Assyria for help. Isaiah calls Ahaz to trust God. His failure means that judgement will come ('hand upraised': 9:12,17,21,10:4; cf. 5:25), but out of judgement salvation will emerge in the great Messiah (7:14; 9:6-7; cf. Mt 4:15-16) along with a remnant who survive (10:20-23; cf. Rom 9:27-28). It is worth noting that Ahaz was a very wicked king following the sins of Ahab's descendants (2 Kings 16)!

 

[bible passage="Isaiah 7, Isaiah 8, Isaiah 9, Isaiah 10” heading="h3"]

Holy Holy Holy

1) God is good and all powerful but is there more to God than that?

2) The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

3) God cannot tolerate sin we desperately need to be cleansed.

4) We need to accept God as our saviour while we can still hear him."

 

[bible passage="Isaiah 6” heading="h3"]