* How does a person choose evil?
* A heart bent on sin calls evil good.
* His will (which is bent on sin) will convince the intellect that there is something good to be gained by giving in to the temptation.
* Like a person who steals money - they don’t see stealing as evil because it’s good to be rich, it’s good to give, it’s good to have money for my family.
* He has called evil good.
* Think about Eve - “when the woman saw that the tree was GOOD for food, and that it was a DELIGHT to the eyes, and it was DESIRABLE to make one WISE…”
* The only way she could sin was to convert the disobedience into something good.
* People do evil when they have converted the act into something good for them.
* Think about a time when you sinned (did evil).
* You first convinced yourself that what you were about to do was justifiable.
* Some greater need at the moment blocked the voice of your conscience and you called evil good.
* If this is unchecked for too long, you will then start to call good evil.
* This is when you become a God-hater.
Isaiah 5:20 (9/5/19)
Reversing Good
September 5, 2019 • Benham Brothers
Isaiah 1:10-15 (9/1/16)
September 1, 2016 • Benham Brothers
• Our nation is in trouble - we need a Solemn Assembly like 2 Chronicles 7:14. • But Isaiah 1 tells us that it will be useless if we don’t do something about the shedding of innocent blood. • The killing of kids in America is not “an” issue, it’s “THE” issue. • Everything hinges on bloodshed. • When God plans deliverance Satan plans destruction. • When God sent Moses Satan sought to “kill the kids.” • When God sent Jesus Satan sought to “kill the kids.” • Satan is killing the kids in America and the church, by-and-large, is having good church. • vs 11-12 - God doesn’t want us “doing” good church - He wants us “being the church. • His church is supposed to represent His truth at the gates of hell. • Question - if you were witnessing to someone and you looked over to notice a man about to hurt a little kid, what is your responsibility in that moment? • You can’t say, “That’s not my calling.” or “The gospel is more important.” • You have to DO SOMETHING about the kid.
Isaiah 1:15-17 (9/12/13)
September 12, 2013 • Benham Brothers
1 - Wash and make themselves clean 2 - Remove the evil 3 - Do good 4 - Seek justice 5 - Reprove the ruthless 6 - Defend the orphan 7 - Plead for the widow All of these steps go in order, so if you start reproving the ruthless (step 5) before you're washed clean then you will do it in the wrong spirit. You have to go in order!!! These steps will surely lead to success, as God defines success!
Isaiah 2:4 (9/30/21)
September 30, 2021 • Isaiah 2:3–5
* The Men of Issachar “understood the times” and knew what Israel should do. * In a time of crisis, the person who knows what to do will emerge the leader. * EX: Maintenance guy on 911 * Backstory - God sent prophets to warn His people to stay in line. * EX: Dad at men’s event - “would you mind talking to my boys?” * God sent a host of prophets who not only warned of judgment (Babylon) but gave them words of encouragement as well. * A prophet’s role: * They gave insight on what was coming and instruction on what to do. * Different times called for different messages. * The key was “understanding your times!” * In Joel 3:10 God was summoning the nations to battle - “Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears.” * The instruments of peace are made into implements of war. * The tools of the trade become weapons for the deliverance. * The lessons we learn and the skills we acquire by being in the workplace are what God uses as tools to extend His kingdom and weapons to defend His kingdom here on this earth. * Jesus recruited “workplace” guys to be His disciples. * Peter fished for fish to prepare him to fish for men (lights, not lures). * EX: Painter at men’s event. * In Isaiah 2:1-4 God sent a different message (referring to life in his Millenial kingdom). * We take comfort in the fact that this day is coming, where we no longer have to battle anymore but all we do is build! * But that’s not the case today!!! * Today is a day for NEHEMIAH! * In the time of Nehemiah, he arose a leader who equipped people with two things: * A trowel to work with. * A sword to fight with. * They were to BUILD and BATTLE!