Turning from Idols to the Living God

 

Summary

In the passage from Isaiah 30:18-24, we are reminded of the profound nature of God and the folly of idolatry. The prophet Isaiah challenges us to consider the greatness of God, who sits above the circle of the earth, and contrasts this with the futility of idols crafted by human hands. These idols, whether made of gold, silver, or wood, are lifeless and powerless, yet humanity often places its trust in them rather than in the living God. This misplaced trust is not limited to physical idols but extends to modern-day equivalents such as wealth, status, and human wisdom.

The core issue, as Isaiah presents it, is humanity's ignorance of God's true nature and power. Despite the clear evidence of God's handiwork in creation and history, many choose to believe in the transient and unreliable promises of idols and human leaders. This unbelief is described as both foolish and tragic, as it blinds people to the reality of God's sovereignty and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

Isaiah's message is a call to recognize the folly of unbelief and to turn to God, who offers forgiveness and reconciliation through His Son. The gospel is a message of hope and redemption, proclaiming that no matter how far we have strayed, God's love and mercy are available to us if we humble ourselves and believe. The challenge is to abandon our idols and place our trust in the God who created and sustains all things, who has revealed Himself through His Word and through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The Folly of Idolatry: Trusting in idols, whether physical or metaphorical, is a profound folly. These idols, crafted by human hands, are powerless and cannot save or guide us. In contrast, God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, deserving of our trust and worship. [19:11]

- The Ignorance of Unbelief: Unbelief is rooted in ignorance of God's nature and works. Despite the evidence of God's power in creation and history, many choose to ignore Him, relying instead on human wisdom and strength. This ignorance blinds us to the reality of God's sovereignty and the salvation He offers. [37:12]

- God's Sovereignty in History: God is the Lord of history, controlling the rise and fall of nations and leaders. This sovereignty is a testament to His power and authority, reminding us that human efforts and wisdom are ultimately futile without Him. [42:32]

- The Consequences of Unbelief: Unbelief has dire consequences, as it separates us from God and His blessings. Ignoring God's existence and authority does not change the reality of His power and judgment. We are called to recognize our dependence on Him and to seek reconciliation through Jesus Christ. [48:03]

- The Invitation of the Gospel: Despite our rebellion and sin, God offers us forgiveness and reconciliation through Jesus Christ. This invitation is an expression of His love and mercy, calling us to abandon our idols and place our trust in Him for salvation and eternal life. [52:09]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:07] - Introduction to Isaiah 30:18-24
- [01:55] - Overview of Isaiah's Prophecy
- [03:38] - The Gospel Message
- [06:10] - The World's Unbelief
- [07:58] - Addressing Doubts About God
- [10:02] - The Challenge of Idolatry
- [14:36] - The Folly of Trusting Idols
- [19:11] - The Nature of Modern Idols
- [25:01] - The Worship of Human Wisdom
- [30:08] - The Vanity of Human Leaders
- [36:39] - Unbelief as Folly
- [37:12] - Ignorance of God's Creation
- [42:32] - God's Sovereignty in History
- [48:03] - Consequences of Unbelief
- [52:09] - The Gospel Invitation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 30:18-24

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#### Observation Questions

1. What does Isaiah 30:18-24 reveal about the nature and character of God, especially in contrast to idols? How does this passage describe God's position and authority? [01:03]

2. According to the sermon, what are some modern-day equivalents of idols that people might place their trust in today? [23:28]

3. How does the sermon describe the consequences of unbelief, and what examples are given to illustrate these consequences? [48:03]

4. What evidence does the sermon provide to support the claim that God is sovereign over history? [42:32]

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#### Interpretation Questions

1. How does the sermon explain the folly of idolatry, and why is it considered foolish to trust in idols rather than God? [19:11]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that unbelief is rooted in ignorance of God's nature and works? How does this ignorance manifest in people's lives? [37:12]

3. The sermon mentions God's sovereignty in history. How does this understanding of God's control over historical events challenge or affirm your current worldview? [42:32]

4. What does the sermon suggest are the spiritual and practical consequences of unbelief, and how might these consequences affect a person's relationship with God? [48:03]

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#### Application Questions

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any "idols" you might be placing your trust in, such as wealth, status, or human wisdom? How can you begin to shift your trust back to God? [23:28]

2. The sermon highlights the ignorance of unbelief. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of God's nature and works to combat this ignorance? [37:12]

3. Consider a time when you doubted God's sovereignty in your life. How did that affect your decisions and outlook? What can you do to remind yourself of God's control and care in your current circumstances? [42:32]

4. The sermon calls for a recognition of our dependence on God. What practical steps can you take this week to demonstrate your reliance on Him in your daily life? [48:03]

5. How can you actively respond to the gospel invitation of forgiveness and reconciliation through Jesus Christ in your personal life? What changes might this require in your attitudes or actions? [52:09]

6. Identify one area in your life where you have been resistant to God's authority. What is one specific action you can take to submit that area to Him this week? [50:38]

7. The sermon discusses the consequences of unbelief. How can you encourage someone in your life who is struggling with doubt or unbelief to explore faith in God? [48:03]

Devotional

Day 1: The Futility of Idolatry
In Isaiah 30:18-24, the prophet Isaiah highlights the futility of idolatry, contrasting the lifelessness of idols with the living God who created and sustains all things. Idols, whether physical or metaphorical, are powerless and cannot save or guide us. Humanity often places its trust in these idols, such as wealth, status, and human wisdom, rather than in God. This misplaced trust is a profound folly, as it blinds us to the reality of God's sovereignty and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Isaiah calls us to recognize the greatness of God, who sits above the circle of the earth, and to abandon our idols in favor of trusting in Him. [19:11]

Isaiah 44:9-10 (ESV): "All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing?"

Reflection: What modern-day idols do you find yourself trusting in, and how can you begin to shift your trust to God today?


Day 2: The Ignorance of Unbelief
Unbelief is rooted in ignorance of God's true nature and works. Despite the evidence of God's power in creation and history, many choose to ignore Him, relying instead on human wisdom and strength. This ignorance blinds us to the reality of God's sovereignty and the salvation He offers. Isaiah's message is a call to recognize the folly of unbelief and to turn to God, who offers forgiveness and reconciliation through His Son. By acknowledging God's handiwork in creation and history, we can begin to see the truth of His power and authority. [37:12]

Romans 1:20-21 (ESV): "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened."

Reflection: In what ways have you ignored the evidence of God's power in your life, and how can you begin to acknowledge His presence more fully?


Day 3: God's Sovereignty in History
God is the Lord of history, controlling the rise and fall of nations and leaders. This sovereignty is a testament to His power and authority, reminding us that human efforts and wisdom are ultimately futile without Him. Isaiah's message encourages us to recognize our dependence on God and to seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives. By understanding God's sovereignty, we can find peace in knowing that He is in control, even when the world around us seems chaotic. [42:32]

Daniel 2:21 (ESV): "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding."

Reflection: How can you trust in God's sovereignty in a specific area of your life where you feel uncertain or anxious?


Day 4: The Consequences of Unbelief
Unbelief has dire consequences, as it separates us from God and His blessings. Ignoring God's existence and authority does not change the reality of His power and judgment. Isaiah warns us of the tragic outcome of unbelief, urging us to recognize our dependence on God and to seek reconciliation through Jesus Christ. By turning away from unbelief and embracing faith, we can experience the fullness of God's love and mercy. [48:03]

Hebrews 3:12-13 (ESV): "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to address any areas of unbelief in your heart and draw closer to God?


Day 5: The Invitation of the Gospel
Despite our rebellion and sin, God offers us forgiveness and reconciliation through Jesus Christ. This invitation is an expression of His love and mercy, calling us to abandon our idols and place our trust in Him for salvation and eternal life. Isaiah's message is a reminder of the hope and redemption found in the gospel, proclaiming that no matter how far we have strayed, God's love and mercy are available to us if we humble ourselves and believe. [52:09]

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."

Reflection: How can you respond to God's invitation of forgiveness and reconciliation today, and who can you share this message of hope with?

Quotes


The gospel is a revelation to us of God's way of salvation through Jesus Christ His Son the messages behold you were God, in other words into the midst of the sin of this world and the hopelessness and the case of men in this world God has sent his own son and he has sent him to make and to produce a very of salvation. [00:03:25]

It matters not how godless we may have been and our vile in our conduct and behavior however much we may have spurned the nice divine and spat upon the sanctities if we but realize our sin and our condition and our rich desert of hell and perdition and acknowledge it and confess it to God with humility and turned to him and cast ourselves upon his love and believe the message that he will give us as we do so concerning his son and the way of salvation at this moment without waiting a second all our sins will be forgiven. [00:04:37]

The real source of all this difficulty is our appalling ignorance of God in the true nature and character of God and very especially in that section in that paragraph he's concerned that this great point of what I've described as the inscrutability of God's wires that was really the central argument that who has directed the Spirit of the Lord or if you like who can Ray the mind of God or being his counselor as 30 with whom to key Council and who instructed him and taught him in the path of judgment and taught him knowledge and shall to him the way of understanding. [00:08:16]

The man who doesn't believe in God invariably believes in something and what does he believe in well he believes in idols, to whom then will awaken God or what likeness will he compare unto him here's the answer the workman melted a grave and the gunsmith spreaded it over with Jared and casted silver chains you see the trouble they make to make that did they go to make their idols then he says he that is so impoverished that he has no ablation chooses a tree that will not rot he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a grave an image that shall not be moved. [00:18:48]

People tell us that they're too intelligent and too able to believe in God they can't do that sort of thing they say, but look at the things which they do believe in, look at the modern idols, they say that this gospel is something that they are far too intelligent to believe and to accept and submit to, but look at the things in which men do place their faith and the trust, look at the gods that the world makes for itself sometimes just share wealth, sometimes money, sometimes position and status sometimes dress just mere clothing. [00:23:00]

The modern men says I believe in science, I believe in learning and endings he's turned his back on God he can't believe this sort of thing but he believes that the advance of knowledge and learning it's really something that's going to serve men in the world it's going to put everything right and straight political action all these things these are the modern idols the modern God. [00:25:37]

The whole of history is a proof of the being of God, you can look at it if you like from the standpoint of secular history alone and the rise of great dynasties and the full of great dynasties that's them coming up watch them striving watch them receiving up they come down they go for years that why do civilizations go down what's the matter well you may believe you're not an historian who says that there is some implicit power in the very historical process that does that you see easy idealizing and deifying historical process he's turning that into a god but can you believe that is that adequate I find it totally inadequate I only know of one adequate explanation it's that of this book. [00:42:32]

God is God and God is the Lord, the fact that I don't understand him doesn't mean that he isn't there, we don't understand electricity but there it is, and the you and I may say that we don't believe in God because we don't understand him God remains entirely unaffected, the God who has revealed himself in creation and in history is the Lord God Almighty that God of the universe, he is the Lord he has the power he shown it in history when he's blown upon dynasties and they've gone and when he's brought down tyrants and elevated nothing. [00:48:10]

Wisdom dictates that we should believe in God because He is God and because as God hears our right to everything he's made us how himself and he's entitled to us and we have no right to ourselves for we haven't given ourselves being we haven't given ourselves life we haven't given ourselves health strength or anything else we are all also God he's the giver of every good and every perfect gift wisdom alone dictates we should believe in him because not to believe in him is to pit yourself against the Almighty and to invite being crushed to all eternity. [00:51:02]

This Almighty God the Lord of the universe though you and I FERS as we are and pygmy creatures of time as we are rebelled against him and have sinned against him and a blaspheme his name and have tried to spit in his face though we've done it and deserve ultimate retribution and him all, he has looked upon us with a pity as I he's loved us inside, His grace and mercy and compassion as such, that into a world of such people he sent His only Son. [00:52:09]

He sent His only Son, and not only sent him in the likeness of sinful flesh but sent him to the cross and laid upon him our sins and beat him with our stripes the stripes that we deserved and there he's revealed his love to you and his compassion as if to say if you don't believe in me of the evidence of creation and the evidence of history and the marks of my handiwork believe me there as I open my heart to you and ask you to come back to me that I may love you and possess you and bless you all the days of your life on earth and then receive you to myself and share my eternal glory with you. [00:52:45]

Turn to him immediately without a moment's delay or hesitation and say to him I see it I believe it I can't understand it I can't understand such love that thou has ever have looked upon me in spite of my sin and arrogance but I believe the message though out so great so good satella I believed I accepted I give myself to thee in Jesus Christ be wise be reconciled to God. [00:54:57]

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Transcript
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