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South Union Mennonite Church
Worship 7.27.25
Worship for 7.27.25. Service begins at 10:30 a.m. However, notes are available at 9:30 a.m.
Locations & Times
South Union Mennonite Church
56 OH-508, West Liberty, OH 43357, USA
Sunday 9:30 AM
Introduction
God expects holiness from his people.
Sin is subtle and deceptive, leading us to places where we never thought we would go.
God expects holiness from his people.
Sin is subtle and deceptive, leading us to places where we never thought we would go.
The Faithful City Corrupted
o Justice once went forth, righteousness once housed, now murderers.
o The leaders and their companions break the law to make themselves rich through stealing. There “end” is the gift, the bribe, getting richer.
o This horror is described as silver becoming dross; best wine mixed with water. Things no sane person would want to have happened.
o What was once prized is now ruined and worthless (Prov. 25:26).
o What about us today?
§ In the broader church, have leaders become corrupted for money, fame, sex, or power?
§ What about our sin, internally that then flows outwardly?
§ We find ourselves spiritual beggars looking to Christ.
§ We relate to Gen. 4:4 and Heb. 3:13.
§ Sin always looks to take your whole life. We may find some of the following happen to us because of our sin: defensiveness; hardness; difficulty of repentance.
o Justice once went forth, righteousness once housed, now murderers.
o The leaders and their companions break the law to make themselves rich through stealing. There “end” is the gift, the bribe, getting richer.
o This horror is described as silver becoming dross; best wine mixed with water. Things no sane person would want to have happened.
o What was once prized is now ruined and worthless (Prov. 25:26).
o What about us today?
§ In the broader church, have leaders become corrupted for money, fame, sex, or power?
§ What about our sin, internally that then flows outwardly?
§ We find ourselves spiritual beggars looking to Christ.
§ We relate to Gen. 4:4 and Heb. 3:13.
§ Sin always looks to take your whole life. We may find some of the following happen to us because of our sin: defensiveness; hardness; difficulty of repentance.
Beginning of the Good News (Is. 1:24-25)
o God’s Justice is the good news.
o God’s Justice is hot and ravaging, like a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29; Deut. 4:24; Deut. 9:3). We understand, looking back upon Isaiah, that this was the horrific siege upon Jerusalem by Babylon, a terrible exile, and the promised land laid waste.
o Yet, this very justice of God was also the good news: he will return them to purity and holiness, removing the evil from among them.
o For us, God also disciplines his children (Heb. 12:5-11).
o God’s Justice is the good news.
o God’s Justice is hot and ravaging, like a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29; Deut. 4:24; Deut. 9:3). We understand, looking back upon Isaiah, that this was the horrific siege upon Jerusalem by Babylon, a terrible exile, and the promised land laid waste.
o Yet, this very justice of God was also the good news: he will return them to purity and holiness, removing the evil from among them.
o For us, God also disciplines his children (Heb. 12:5-11).
How will this happen? By God’s Justice and righteousness (Is. 1:27).
o For us this is rooted in Jesus, his death and resurrection (1 Pet. 3:18; 1 Pet. 2:24; Rom. 3:23-36).
o This redemption is for those who “repent” (Is. 1:27; Mt. 4:17).
o What are some things that we can do?
§ Holy Spirit’s Work to sanctify us, purify us, and transform us through various typical means.
§ Doing the “means” is not the end point – they position us for transformation by God (Rom. 12:1-2).
§ We must have our minds renewed by Holy Spirit through the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). Meditation on the Word is critical (Ps. 1:2).
§ Pray – Seek the Holy Spirit.
§ Seeking General Obedience to the will of God – love, obey 10 commandments, work on the inside heart and outside actions.
§ Helpful “means”: fasting, watching, celebrating, worshipping, solitude and silence, journaling, serving, giving.
§ Abide in Jesus (Jn. 15).
o For us this is rooted in Jesus, his death and resurrection (1 Pet. 3:18; 1 Pet. 2:24; Rom. 3:23-36).
o This redemption is for those who “repent” (Is. 1:27; Mt. 4:17).
o What are some things that we can do?
§ Holy Spirit’s Work to sanctify us, purify us, and transform us through various typical means.
§ Doing the “means” is not the end point – they position us for transformation by God (Rom. 12:1-2).
§ We must have our minds renewed by Holy Spirit through the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). Meditation on the Word is critical (Ps. 1:2).
§ Pray – Seek the Holy Spirit.
§ Seeking General Obedience to the will of God – love, obey 10 commandments, work on the inside heart and outside actions.
§ Helpful “means”: fasting, watching, celebrating, worshipping, solitude and silence, journaling, serving, giving.
§ Abide in Jesus (Jn. 15).
Evil’s End (Is. 1:28-31)
o End result of evil and idolatry is to become useless to God.
o Those who are idolatrous and wicked are like a dying oak tree or a withered, waterless garden – destined for the fire.
o The “strong among them become like tinder, which their own work “sparks” into flame.
How is your Soul? How is your walk with the LORD?
o Do we find God’s grace at work in our lives to transform us and change us?
o Or are we becoming like the weeds and dried wood destined for the fire?
o End result of evil and idolatry is to become useless to God.
o Those who are idolatrous and wicked are like a dying oak tree or a withered, waterless garden – destined for the fire.
o The “strong among them become like tinder, which their own work “sparks” into flame.
How is your Soul? How is your walk with the LORD?
o Do we find God’s grace at work in our lives to transform us and change us?
o Or are we becoming like the weeds and dried wood destined for the fire?