Isaiah 10:15 (2/28/24)

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Isaiah 10:15 (2/28/24)

Becoming a Tool

February 28, 2024 • Benham Brothers • Isaiah 10:15

* When God wants to do something in the world, He uses people to do it.

* If He does it any other way it’s called a miracle.

* God wants to do good things through you.

* We have a part to play, but it’s God’s power on display.

* God does His part and we do ours.

* EX: Manna in the wilderness.

* We are tools!

* For us to take credit for doing anything would be like a shovel taking credit for digging a hole - we're just the tools God's chosen to get the job done!

* God uses us as tools, but He also uses others.

* He will use them to get us where He wants us.

* In Isaiah 10, God is using Israel's enemies to punish them for their idolatry.

* Then He reminds them that He's the One Who's doing it - their enemies are simply His tool of choice.

* vs 15 - “Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!”

* God uses people, but so does Satan.

* We can be a tool for God or a tool for Satan.

* Our job is two-fold:

* 1) Be someone God can use (be humble and willing).

* And when you do good things, remember that you’re just a tool.

* 2) See through people to the spirit that’s animating them.

* If what the person is doing is good you won’t worship them, you’ll worship God!

* If what they’re doing is bad you won’t hate them, you’ll hate the sin in them!

* EX: Jesus complementing Peter, then rebuking him.

* On both occasions, Jesus saw “through” the person to the spirit that animated them.

* Seeing ourselves as a tool for God or Satan keeps us from getting bitter toward people or worshipping people.

* We don’t whig out when people wrong us because we know God could be using that to strengthen us or get us where He wants us to go.

* And we don’t worship people when they do good stuff because we recognize they can do nothing apart from God.

* We are all tools.

* It’s up to us as to whose tool we’ll be!

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!