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* It's good to suffer loss, for it draws me to the Cross where God's loss is more than what anyone ever lost. * We cannot hear what the stories of the Bible are saying until we hear them as stories about ourselves. * Let go of control. * Trust God. Thank God. Think about God. Talk to God. Talk about God.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Isaiah 2015 at West Loop, Philippines and Malaysia

The key verses for the rest of my life emphasize "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24) and "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). As part of the whole counsel of God, I was inspired to study Isaiah in 2015. I have been reluctant to study Isaiah because it is 66 chapters in length! But as I studied and prepared for each sermon each week in 2015, I have been in awe with wonder as to the depth and scope and majesty of Isaiah.

So far I have preached 23 sermons from the first 28 chapters of Isaiah (West Loop sermons from Isaiah). Very briefly, here are ten life lessons from Isaiah:
  1. Grace: The grace of God (Isa 1:18; 5:4).
  2. Stupidity: The stupidity of man (Isa 1:3; 28:23-29).
  3. Hypocrisy: The outward Christian life (Isa 1:13; 29:13).
  4. Authenticity: The Christian life (Isa 2:5, 3; 7:4; 8:12b-13).
  5. Disillusionment: The sure disappointment (Isa 2:22; 22:8-11; 31:1).
  6. Calling/Theophany: The call and the vision (Isa 6:1, 5, 8).
  7. Faith: The challenge (Isa 7:9b; 26:4).
  8. Wonder: The perennial solution (Isa 9:6; Isa 26:3).
  9. Security: The eternal kingdom (Isa 11:6-9; 25:6-8; 26:19; 28:16).
  10. Certainty: The only salvation (Isa 12:2; 25:9).

Not only at West Loop UBF but in November and December 2015 I also taught and preached on Isaiah for 3 weeks in Philippines UBF in Manila. I also met with Malaysia UBF in Kuala Lumpur and had several group Bible studies on Isaiah, and preached on Isaiah 6 at their newly rented Bible house. Thank God for the flourishing work of God being carried out in Philippines and Malaysia UBF. God willing, I may continue to visit and be encouraged by them in 2016 and beyond. God willing, we may have an Isaiah conference with the theme: My Eyes Have Seen the King (Isa 6:5) with the following sermons:

  • Isaiah 1 (The problem): No calling. No vision.
  • Isaiah 6 (The solution): Hear the call. See God.
  • Isaiah 7 (The challenge): Trust God.
  • Isaiah 9 (The child): The one you trust.

God willing, we may finish studying and preaching through the book of Isaiah in 2016 at West Loop.

Posted by UBF Gospel Musings at 9:52 AM

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