JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL: 

KNOW that we should celebrate and express thanks to God for His goodness; DESIRE to please God as a response to His goodness; and GIVE PRAISE for the restoring power of the Holy Ghost. 

FOCAL VERSES Ezra 3:1-7

KEEP IN MIND 

"They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required"      (Ezra 3:4)

AT-A- GLANCE

1. Worship Restored (Ezra 3:1-5)

2. The Temple Restored (vv. 6-7)

IN FOCUS

Adam was a faithful church member who led the praise and worship portion of services. He met a woman he liked and began to spend a lot of time with her. He said he would seek God's approval of the relationship, but he felt in his heart that God was not pleased. 

Adam entered his place after work one evening to find his belongings gone with just a search warrant left behind. Adam had been under surveilance because of the women he'd been dating. She'd been identified as a co-conspirator in intricately planned robberies. The warnings of the Lord came back to Adam's mind. Ashamed, Adam stopped going to church and shied away from praising and worshipping God. 

Weeks later, while remembering the praise and worship services, Adam began to sing to the Lord. In tears, he called out to the Lord who again filled his heart as he praised in tongues and worshipped. Afterward, he called his pastor and the praise and worship leader. After meeting with them, he was welcomed back into the fellowship. The next Sunday during worship, Adam felt the anointing as never before. 

Today's lesson is about how we as saints should ask God to help us maintain joyful worship of God, who is worthy to be praised. 

BACKGROUND

Throughout the history of the Children of Israel, we see a pattern where one ruler obeyed God and his successor would disobey and lead the nation into a path of unrightousness. In the historical era prior to our lesson, King Josiah, at 8 years old, sought to cleanse and restore true worship among the people of Israel. He built the temple and led the people in obeying the Law of Moses to follow all the required feasts and sacrifices and the Passover. 

After his death, his brother Jehiaham was placed over the Children of Israel, and he did evil in the sight of the Lord. The people disobeyed God, and the chief priest defiled the temple. The Lord sent prophets to warn them, but the people mocked and misused them. God's wrath against them became unquenched. The king of Chaldees came and slew them unmercifully: young and old, men, and women alike. The king took everything of value in the land and removed everything from the temple before he burned it and destroyed the wall of Jerusalem. Those who remained were taken into captivity for 70 years, the time God appointed. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. What was significant in the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles among the Children of Israel (Ezra 3:4)?

2. Who granted permission to the Children of Israel to rebuild the temple (v. 7)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING 

1. Even when we have the Holy Ghost, there are spiritual practices that help us grow in the knowledge of the Lord and our ability to hear and obey Him. What observances, sacrifices, and practices do we need to reinstitute to either restore or strengthen our relationship with God?

2. In the In Focus story, Adam was young in the Lord and failed to heed His voice. What warning would you have given Adam? What advice would you give him to keep him strong?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

Unbroken fellowship with God is so vital to our existance and peace of mind in today's perilous world. Our praise and worship brings us into God's presence and protection. Our continual disobedience only stirs the wrath of God-the source of our praise, worship, and more important, our joy. 

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THE GLORIOUS NEW CREATION

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

KNOW that God will usher in a new heaven and a new earth; TRUST that God will keep His promise of a new heaven and new earth; and PRAISE God that nothing is going to be the same in the new heaven and new earth. 

FOCAL VERSES ISAIAH 65:17-24

KEEP IN MIND 

"For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy" (Isaiah 65:17-18)

At-A-Glance

1. The Glorious New Creation (Isaiah 65:17-21)

2. The Glorious New Life (vv. 23-25)

IN FOCUS

Cosmologists - scientists who study the physical universe - believe the universe is finite and has a beginning and an end. They break down the life cycle of the universe in to five periods lasting trillions of years. The first began with the "Big Bang" when everything that would exist exploded out of nothing and nowhere. 

The second period, the one in which we currently live, is called the Stelliferous period, or the era of starlight. At the end of this period, all the stars will burn out and release their energy into the universe. This will leave the universe with "black holes." When they have drained the remaining energy, they will cease to exist as well. This time will be the last period called the Dark period, when nothing will exist and universe will be dead forever. 

Theologians study the nature of God and agree with cosmologists that the universe is finite. However, these theologians believe the end is not the end, but leads to a new beginning. At the end of time, God will create a new heaven and earth that will extend into all eternity. 

Today's lesson is about how saints should look forward to a time of joyful eternal life and make the most of every witnessing opportunity because time is limited. 

 BACKGROUND

In chapters 60-66, Isaiah addresses his message to the people living in exile, assuring them that they still had a futur. Isaiah sees a blessed future for the nation of Israel. The Apostle Paul would later add to this prophesy by revealing the mystery of God's will: to unite Jew and Gentile into one body with Jesus as the head (see Ephesians 1:9-13). When that time comes, Isaiah says of Jerusalem, "'Though you were once despised and hated, with no one traveling through you, I will make you beautiful forever, a joy to all generations'" (Isaiah 60:15, NLT). He tells the people who have been taken captive into foreign lands, "'Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the Lord has blessed'" (61:9, NLT). "Jerusalem will be known as 'The Desirable Place' and 'The City No Longer Forsaken'" (62:12, NLT). 

In the final chapters, the prophet describes the glorious consummation of history. In chapter 64, he pictures a God - initiated future characterized by joy, the elimination of mourning and fear, the end of death, and communion with God. Although the return form Babylonian exile to Jerusalem resulted in some measure of this blessing for the people, many contend that the full realization of this prophecy will not be fulfilled until Jesus ushers in the new age. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES 

1. God promises to create a new heaven and new earth. What will be a key emotion in the new creation (Isaiah 65:18)?

2. How will God respond to the needs and desires of His people in the new creation (v. 24)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

Do you believe the conditions of our world will get better or worse? As saints wait patiently for God to usher in the new age, what are our obligations to the present world?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

The people of Israel received the promise of the new creation while they were in captivity as a result of turning away from God. Saints today are often just as rebellious as the ancient Israelites. We fail to share the Good New of Jesus Christ with others, reach out to the needy, and obey God's Word. We should live each day making the most of every opportunity to do all of these things. 

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MEANINGLESS WORSHIP

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL: 

KNOW that God expects worship from the heart; UNDERSTAND that God is worthy to be praised; and PRAISE God from the heart. 

FOCAL VERSES Isaiah 29:9-16

KEEP IN MIND

"Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men" (Isaiah 29:13).

AT-A-GLANCE

1. Warning to the Rebellious (Isaiah 29:9-12)

2. Warning to the Religious (vv.13-14)

3. Warning to Rulers (vv.15-16a)

IN FOCUS 

Have you ever heard the old English idiom about the person who can't see the forest for the trees? This proverb generally describes a person who gets so caught up in the details of a situation of life itself that he or she fails to see the complete picture. Details serve as distractions that cause us to focus our attention on the smaller, less important things in life rather than living life to its fullest. 

This idiom can also apply to our relationship with God. It is easy to get caught up in the daily burdens and blessings of life that we forget about the Life Giver. We fail to consult the Lord about our daily decisions or even spend time with Him on a daily basis. Then, even though we faithfully attend church, our worship can become hollow. We lift our voices and sing songs without meaning, we say "Amen" to teachings we have no intention of honoring, and we fulfill our religious regulations without any thought to our righteous relationships. 

Today's lesson focuses on the nation of Judah during a time when the nation's prosperity and the people's pleasures caused them to forget about God and serves as a reminder that God is always to be worshiped in spirit and in truth. 

BACKGROUND

Only God would dare to recruit a person for ministry by telling him he would be ineffective, but that's exactly what happened to Isaiah. When God called Isaiah into the prophetic ministry, He told him that as a result of his message, the people would harden their hearts, plug their ears, shut their eyes and not understand with their hearts (Isaiah 6:10). Given the hopelessness of the situation, the perplexed prophet asked God, "'Lord, how long will this go on?' And [God] replied, 'Until their towns are empty, their houses are deserted, and the whole country is a wasteland; until the Lord has sent everyone away, and the entire land of Israel lies deserted'"(vv. 11-123, NLT).

Years later, Isaiah told the northern kingdom of Israel-whose capital was Samaria-that its fate was set. "For the Lord will send a mighty army against it. Like a mighty hailstorm and a torrential rain, they will burst upon it like a surging flood and smash it to the ground" (28:2, NLT). The Assyrians would utterly destroy Israel and take her inhabitants into captivity. 

The destruction of Israel should have encouraged Judah to repent. After all, they had reason to be afraid of the Assyrians. However, instead of trusting the Lord to protect them, they entered into an alliance with Egypt. God told them, "I will cancel the bargain you made to cheat death and overturn your deal to dodge the grave" (v. 18, NLT). He refers to Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, as Ariel (29:1). This was a symbolic name that meant, "altar of burnt offering," referring to the altar located at the entrance of the temple. The name implied the fate of the city: "Jerusalem will become what Ariel means - an altar covered with blood" (v. 2, NLT).

The prophet foretold that the Assyrian army would surround the city and besiege it. The situation would appear to be hopeless; then suddenly, their ruthless enemies would be driven away. God Himself, not the Egyptians, would strike the Assyrians and deliver the wayward people from complete destruction. In spite of this miraculous intervention, the Judeans would still not turn their hearts to God. The people would remain rebellious, their worship would remain superficial, and their leaders would continue to place their trust in things other than God.

SEARCH THER SCRIPTURES

1. What was God's reaction to the people who resisted His prophets and rejected him (Isaiah 29:10)?

2. How did Isaiah describe the empty worship the people offered up to God (v. 13)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. What are some "holy habits" we can build into our lives to ensure that we don't lose sight of God in our daily lives? Think of your own relationship with a holy God.

2. What gets in the way of our really seeing God (In Focus) and praising Him in word and deed?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

Unbroken fellowship with God is vital to our existence and peace of mind. Our praise and worship brings us into God's presence and protection. However, continual disobedience stirs God's wrath. How can we teach the next generation to sincerely worship the Lord?

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GIVE THANKS

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

UNDERSTAND that we should praise God for his mighty deeds; EXPRESS a willingness to praise God; and OFFER praise to Him for His mighty deeds. 

FOCUS VERSES Isaiah 12:1-6

KEEP IN MIND

"And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted" (Isaiah 12:4)

AT-A-GLANCE

1. Praise the Lord (Isaiah 12:1-3)

2. Sing and Shout to the Lord (vv. 4-6)

IN FOCUS

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) was an English pastor, preacher, and poet who wrote as many as 600 hymns, including the ever popular "Joy to the World." Although this hymn-based on Psalm 98 and first published in 1719-is sung primarily during the Christmas season, it actually alludes to Jesus' Millenial reign, not His birth. Consider these two verses: 

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ; 

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat, the sounding  joy. 

He rules the world with truth and grace, 

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness, 

And wonders of His love, and wonders of His love, And 

wonders, wonders, of His love. 

In His first coming, Jesus did not come to rule the world with truth and grace. He came to seek and to save the lost. When He returns, He will rule and reign. 

God gave Isaiah a vision of future time, and the prophet penned his beautiful psalm of praise that looks ahead and glorifies that great day. 

BACKGROUND

The great reign of Jesus on earth (Revelation 20:1-6) is referred to as the "millennium," meaning a thousand years (mille is Latin for "thousand" and annus is the Latin word for "year"). Many Old Testament prophets, including Isaiah, predicted this 1,000-year period. The prophet Isaiah, "The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6, NLT). Isaiah also prophesied: "In that wonderful day when the LORD gives his people rest from sorrow and fear, from slavery and chains" (14:3, NLT).

Of course, Isaiah was not the only prophet who was blessed with vision of the reign of Jesus on earth. The prophet Micah was given a glimpse of that time and joyfully wrote, "Everyone will live in peace and prosperity, enjoying their own grapevines and fig trees, for there will be nothing to fear. The LORD of Heaven's Armies has made this promise!" (Micah 4:4, NLT). Zechariah, another Old Testament seer who served in Jerusalem after the exile as both priest and prophet, also looked forward to that great day and wrote: "ANd the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one LORD-his name alone will be worshipped" (Zechariah 14:9, NLT).

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. What two acts did God perform that caused Isaiah's heart to burst forth in praise (Isaiah 12:1)?

2. Aside from praising God with his lips, what three acts did Isaiah promise to perform in gratitude to God (v. 4)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. Contemplation of God's goodness to us serves two vital purposes: First, it causes us to take our minds off the things that trouble us and focus our attention on how blessed we are. Secondly, and most importantly, it brings joy and comfort to our hearts, which causes us to sing and shout praises to His name. 

2. Today's text looks both to the present and the future time of praise to the Lord. What do you praise God for now? What do you look forward to in that Day? Take a minute to think about the goodness of Jesus.

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

How do you show your thankfulness to God? Isaiah expressed his gratitude by being both active and inactive. In his inactivity, he got alone with God, shut out the world, and thanked Him. In his activity, he sang songs of praise to God and made Him known to others. We live in a time when our fast pace can distract us from taking the time to be thankful. What can you change so that you can come before God with Thanksgiving in both worship and in work?

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HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

RECOGNIZE that God is worthy of praise and worship; BELIEVE that God is trustworthy; and COMMIT to worship God in spirit and in truth. 

FOCUS VERSES: Isaiah 6:1-8

KEEP IN MIND:

"And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of host: the whole earth is full of his glory" (Isaiah 6:3)

At-A-Glance

1. True Worship Recognizes God Holiness (Isaiah 6:1-4)

2. True Worship Acknowledges Sinfulness (v.5)

3. True Worship Receives God Grace (vv. 6-7)

4. True Worship Responds to God's Call (v. 8)

IN FOCUS:

After a long day at the office, Gregory was drained from marathon meetings on what to do about the company's drop in sales. Gregory and his wife, Linda, asked the Lord for insight on how he could best help his company solve its financial woes. In the midst of this prayer, he and Linda worshipped God and voiced their complete trust in the Lord to see his company through this tough time as He had so many times before.

That night, Gregory was hit with such a spirit of worship that he got up out of the bed and fell prostrate on the floor. The Lord spoke powerfully into Gregory's spirit and told him how to solve his company's problem for God's glory. Afterward, Gregory wrote down everything the Spirit of the Lord told him to do. His director was amazed at how Gregory knew exactly what to do. Gregory praised God for giving him the insight to solve the problem. 

In today's lesson, we will study the prophet Isaiah's encounter with the holiness of God and his uncommon call. 

BACKGROUND:

The eighth century B.C. was a tumultuous time for the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah. This period saw the rise of four major prophets: Amos and Hosea in Israel and Isaiah and Micah in Judah. According to Isaiah 6:1 (NLT), Isaiah received his call in about 742 B.C., " the year King Uzziah died." King Uzziah, also known as Azariah, began his long reign in 783 B.C. In about 750 B.C., Jotham, his son, was made co-regent. After the death of his father, Jotham reigned seven more years. When Isaiah began his ministry, Menahem was king of Israel. Menahem was the fourth king in less than one year. Jeroboam II's death in 746. after 40 years on the throne, was followed by six kings, leading to the fall of Samaria in 721 B.C. to the Assyrians. In the southern kingdom, Jotham succeeded Ahaz, and then came Hezekiah. This age was marked by the rise of Assyria to become the dominant power in the Near East. Tiglath-Pileser III ascended to the throne in 745 B.C. and ruled until 727 B.C. During his second year in power, shortly before Isaiah began his ministry, he marched his army westward and occupied Israel.

As a vassal state, Israel was excepted to make regular payments to the Assyrians. After a reign of 10 years, King Menahem's son, Pekahiah, succeeded him. The next year, the Assyrian king, Tigleth-Pileser, sent his army into Palestine. Syria and Israel invaded Judah in 733 B.C. This was called the Syro-Ephramite War. Although many were killed, including the son of the king, these armies were unable to invade the capital city of Jerusalem. Rather than rely on God, King Ahaz foolishly sent a tribute of gold and silver to Tiglath-Pileser III and asked for his assistanc. The Assyrians defeated the Syrian and norther kingdom's armies, but very quickly Judah became a vassal state of Assyria. The combination of exile and resettlement of foreign peoples in Israel and Judah led to the creation of the people known as Samaritans of the New Testament. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES:

1. "In the year that ______ __________ died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple" (Isaiah 6:1).

2. "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of ______________ lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of _____________ lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of host"(v.5).

3. "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, ____________  __________ ____________; send me" (v.8)

DISCUSS THE MEANING:

1. The angels Isaiah saw were crying, "Holy, holy, holy." Discuss the impact that this vision of worship should have on our corporate worship. 

2. Gregory (In Focus) has an encounter with the Lord. Do you have a testimony of an encounter with Jesus? What was your response to the Lord's presence?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY:

It is only when we have a proper vision of the majesty of God and His holiness that we will come to understand just how sinful and unworthy we are. Without a clear recognition of the awe of God, we may wrongly believe that we have something to boast about. Our celebrity-obessed society can tempt us to think that boasting is virtue and that we should strive to exalt ourselves and draw admiration from others for our appearance or achievements, real or imagined. It is only after we truly encounter God that we will see ourselves clearly and know the full measure of our unrighteousness. Only Jesus Christ can cleanse and forgive us of our sins so we can enter into His presence and worship Him in spirit and truth.

MAKE IT HAPPEN:

Are you saved? If you are not, then now is the time to surrender to Him and be baptized in His Name. He will give you the gift of the Holy Ghost. If you are saved, then your encounter with the Lord should lead you to worship that spills over into your life and your daily walk. 

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