Revival and Worship

A) GOD CANNOT BE PUT INTO A BOX!

God is the Creator of the universe (verses 1-2)

1. God is beyond our human understanding

The finite human mind cannot grasp the infinite God

The fallen human mind cannot arrive at a true understanding of God

See Romans 1:21-23

2.God does not dwell in Buildings or Temples

God cannot be confined to a specific place or location

God is both transcendent and immanent

See Acts 17:22-25

APPLICATION

God CANNOT be manipulated for our own selfish ends

B) GOD REJECTS PHONY WORSHIPPERS

In Isaiah’s day, the Jerusalem temple was filled with worshippers. Yet God did not accept the worship of everyone.

1.What are the characteristics of True Worshippers ?

a) A Humble and Contrite spirit (verse 2b)

Humility begins when we differentiate ourselves from God.

“God is God, and I am a mere human being”

A contrite spirit is essentially a ‘crippled’ spirit

“I am unworthy to appear in the presence of a holy God.”

2 distinguishing features:

b) A Heart which Fears God (verse 2b)

A worshipper who ‘trembles at God’s Word’

Do you and I take God’s warnings seriously?

2. What are the characteristics of False Worshippers?

They are marked by the following :

a) A Preoccupation with External Ritual (verses 3-4a)

Which does not involve a personal obedience to God

b) A Persistent Refusal to Listen to God (verse 4b)

Which imperils such worshippers in the end.

c) A Preference for doing Evil (verse 4c)

Which leads to a sinful or unrighteous lifestyle.

Application : no dichotomy between religious life and public life

C) GOD SEEKS FOR TRUE WORSHIPPERS

God will bring about a spiritual revival through:

1.Causing the birth of a new spiritual community (verses 7-11)

2.Endowing the righteous with peace and comfort (verses 12-18)

3.Gathering worshippers from all nations (verses 19-23)

D) GOD WILL PUNISH THE WICKED

Is there eternal conscious torment in Hell (verse 24) ?

Jesus quotes this verse in Mark 9: 43 – 48

•Various understanding of Hell

a) Hell does not existGambling on a 50-50 probability hereJesus talks more about hell than about heaven

b) Hell is Personal Extinction

One no longer exists as a personality forever

c) Conditional Annihilation

After suffering the just desert, the wicked will be completely exterminated.

d) Soul SleepAfter death, the sinner enters into a state of unconsciousness until the general resurrection. Seventh Day Adventists champion this view today.

e) Physical and Psychological Suffering

Luke 16

Revelations 20:11-15

Why do we need to believe in the existence of Hell?

a)An effective deterrent against human

wickedness

b)An expression of God’s justice

ConclusionWhat is the Gospel or Good News?

Jesus came into this world to save us from Hell rather than to send us to Hell!!

See John 3:16-18, 36