THE DARKNESS OF EMPTY RELIGION (1 OF 5)
Scripture: Isaiah 1:1-20
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The Darkness of Empty Religion (1 of 5)
Series: Let There Be Light
Dave Gustavsen
Isaiah 1:1-20
Today we begin our Advent series, called ''Let There Be Light.'' Because in so many ways, this world has become dark.
I'm not saying there aren't good things in the world, because there are. But it's hard to deny the reality of ISIS, and school shootings, and refugees searching for a home, and racial tension. It's hard to feel good about the fact that our own state has a rate of heroin deaths three times the national average. As we enter into the shorter days and longer nights of winter, it's hard to deny that our world is dark in a lot of ways.
So as we approach Christmas, let's not put our heads in the sand and sing Jingle Bells louder. We need to acknowledge the darkness, but at the same time let's look to God for hope. And the place we're going to focus this year is the book of Isaiah. Isaiah was a Hebrew prophet who lived around 700 BC, in a world that had all kinds of darkness. But he gives this vision of hope that is still incredibly relevant.
So...today our Scripture is Isaiah chapter one, the first twenty verses. Let's read it together...
1 The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!
For the LORD has spoken:
''I reared children and brought them up,
but they have rebelled against me.
3 The ox knows its master,
the donkey its owner's manger,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand.''
4 Woe to the sinful nation,
a people whose guilt is great,
a brood of evildoers,
children given to corruption!
They have forsaken the LORD;
they have spurned the Holy One of Israel
and turned their backs on him.
5 Why should you be beaten anymore?
Why do you persist in rebellion?
Your whole head is injured,
your whole heart afflicted.
6 From the sole of your foot to the top of y ...
Series: Let There Be Light
Dave Gustavsen
Isaiah 1:1-20
Today we begin our Advent series, called ''Let There Be Light.'' Because in so many ways, this world has become dark.
I'm not saying there aren't good things in the world, because there are. But it's hard to deny the reality of ISIS, and school shootings, and refugees searching for a home, and racial tension. It's hard to feel good about the fact that our own state has a rate of heroin deaths three times the national average. As we enter into the shorter days and longer nights of winter, it's hard to deny that our world is dark in a lot of ways.
So as we approach Christmas, let's not put our heads in the sand and sing Jingle Bells louder. We need to acknowledge the darkness, but at the same time let's look to God for hope. And the place we're going to focus this year is the book of Isaiah. Isaiah was a Hebrew prophet who lived around 700 BC, in a world that had all kinds of darkness. But he gives this vision of hope that is still incredibly relevant.
So...today our Scripture is Isaiah chapter one, the first twenty verses. Let's read it together...
1 The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!
For the LORD has spoken:
''I reared children and brought them up,
but they have rebelled against me.
3 The ox knows its master,
the donkey its owner's manger,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand.''
4 Woe to the sinful nation,
a people whose guilt is great,
a brood of evildoers,
children given to corruption!
They have forsaken the LORD;
they have spurned the Holy One of Israel
and turned their backs on him.
5 Why should you be beaten anymore?
Why do you persist in rebellion?
Your whole head is injured,
your whole heart afflicted.
6 From the sole of your foot to the top of y ...
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