Another great post from resident awesome guy Dustin Moser on the events of last Sunday.  Read, Enjoy, Respond!

This is our Sunday: Re-think, an opportunity for us to continue to think on the events of last Sunday.

This past Sunday we looked at Luke 10:25-41, the parable of the Good samaritan as well as an account of Martha, Mary and Jesus.

The experts in the law, that is the Old Testament, followed Christ around mainly to test Him or trying to get Him to slip up and contradict himself or the law with what He said. In Luke 20:20 it says that “they ( the Pharisees) sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.” In Luke 10:25, Jesus knew this man’s motives, but showed Him genuine love and compassion by answering His questions. Many times we look at the parable at the Good Samaritan before looking at the set up. A key point here is the expert in the Law came to Jesus looking to justify himself.

Self-Justification leads to death.

Christ’s justification leads to life. Our righteous acts are as filthy rags unto the Lord, keeping the commandments to have us feel good about ourselves is completely in vain and will lead to death. Its about Christ’s righteousness working itself out in our lives, not being so detailed that we ask, “who is my neighbor”? But having the open eyes of Christ to see all as our neighbor and having the mindset that I’m a little Christ to everyone I come in contact with.

Too often we have a boxed in God, or a checklist Christianity. Its not about that, its about being in tune with the Spirit and being led by Him. Discipline is important in the walk, but we have to find the balance between that and living in the freedom of Christ.

As we go throughout the week, are you looking to do “good things” to feel good about yourself? Or are you looking to glorify Christ by having His righteousness worked out in your life? Pray for your heart to be opened to those daily opportunities we have to be little Christ’s to our “neighbors”.

Having salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection has secured our constant joy.

We began our time in Isaiah yesterday in part bemoaning the inadequacy of the English language; namely the fact that we can speak of our love of hot dogs in the same way we speak of our love for our spouse etc.  This inadequacy is not limited to the word love however but also finds evidence in the casual way we use the word “Awesome”.  Aside from the misuse of love, there is probably no more abused word than Awesome.  “Man, did you see that game?…it was Awesome!”  “Dude, these enchiladas are Awesome!”  “‘God is Awesome!”  Which one of these is not like the other?

If there ever were a word only to be used in relationship to God it would be “Awesome”.  Yet, in our casual culture, familiarity, in addition to breeding contempt, also breeds lack of awe, a lack of recognition of what is really really great.  This is where Isaiah is of utmost help.  In the midst of would be heroes and one night saviors, Isaiah presents a unified vision of a God to the nation of Israel that is anything but common or ordinary.  Simply put, Isaiah’s picture of God truly is Great, truly is Awesome!

In Isaiah 40-42, the author relays the greatness of our God by reminding us of what we already know to be true.

We have a Great God (Isaiah 40)

He has a Great Plan (Isaiah 41)

Jesus is a Great Savior (Isaiah 42)

Admittedly, we took a rather broad look at all of these chapters, much like climbing to the top of a water tower or small hill to see the surrounding area.  While with a view like this we are unable to be intimately acquainted with ever nook and cranny of our area, we are however able to get the overall lay of the land we find ourselves in.  So it is with our look here.

God’s Greatness is on full display in Chapter 40 of Isaiah as we are reminded of some aspects of His character.  First, Isaiah reminds us He has not abandoned us (40:1-6).  This is staggering when you consider that even when we don’t act like His people, He still chooses to identify with us.  In reality, this is part of the scandal of the cross is it not?  The fact that radical grace and radical forgiveness is offered to us who are the enemies of God is not something we think on enough.  What Christ accomplished on the cross, bearing our sin and shame through the outpouring of God’s wrath so that we might be reconcilled to Him, is the equivalent of adopting the man who murdered your son into your family, sharing meals with you, sleeping in your house, giving him an inheritance.  That is scandalous!

Secondly, Isaiah reminds us we serve a God who’s Word is sure (40:7-8).  In a world where we often question who in fact we can trust, Isaiah reminds us that it is the Word of God that remains forever.

Jesus is the Only fixed point in a world full of variables.

Next, Isaiah calls our attention to the reality that God is absolutely in control of everything (40:9-26).  There is no power stronger than Him, He asks permission or seeks counsel from no one and he is the One who will exercise all authority.

Finally, Isaiah reminds us that God is the One who strengthens those without hope (40:27-31).  While life disappoints, relationships disappoint, God never disappoints.  All of the trials we face, relationally, economically or occupationally serve the dual purpose of conforming us more into the image of Christ and making us long for a time when suffering and trial will cease.

Since this is running a tad long, we will continue our examination of God’s greatness through the mouth of Isaiah later this week.