INTRO:

I. God's Way vs Man's Way (Is. 8:11-13)

A. Isaiah's historical situation, and Judah's way.
They feared the surrounding nations (Israel, Syria, Assyria, Egypt, Conspiracy)

B. Jesus said to quit worrying!(Matt. 6:25-34)
What do people fear today?
Loss of job. Financial Problems. Health problems, diseases. Family problems.
C. Those who fear the Lord need fear nothing on this earth (Matt. 6:33).

II. The Lord Is Either A Sanctuary or a Stone (Is. 8:14-15).
A. True for Judah and Israel in Isaiah's time(Disaster in Isaiah 8:21-22).

B. True for 1st century people, who met Jesus, or heard Apostles (I Peter 2:6-8), and see Paul's remarks (I Cor. 1:21-24).

C. Challenge: God will either be your sanctuary or your stumbling stone!

III. Three Important Aspects of the Christian Life (Is. 8:16-20).
A. Our Spiritual Knowledge Source is the Word of God (vs. 16, 19-20).
B. Waiting is a big element in trusting in God (vs. 17).
C. God calls us to be testimonies to our world,
as Isaiah and his children were(vs. 18).
Shear-Jashub (Is. 7:3) "a remnant will return"
Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (Is. 8:3) "quick to the
plunder"

CONCLUSION: Let us now prepare our hearts to partake of the Lord's Supper.

Hymn 364 "My Jesus I Love Thee"