DCLM Higher Everyday 24 March 2024 — Are You Offending Your Father?
Topic: Are You Offending Your Father?
Text: Isaiah 1:1-4
1The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
3The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
4Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
Key Verse: “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me” (Isaiah 1:2).
Message
Ben was a young man born to Christian parents. He was a Christian until he went to the University where he joined a notorious cult group, who sustained their repugnant lifestyle through robbery. Ben’s parents were heart broken when they learnt of his plight. He became an offence to them. He rebuffed efforts to disengage him from the group. In one of the group’s failed robbery, Ben was arrested by the Police. While in police custody, he heard the Gospel message and surrendered his life to Christ, to the delight of his parents. Are you living a sinful life? Sin is an offence to God. Learn from Ben’s experience and repent.
In our text, God queried Israel for rebelling against Him, having lavished His love and care on them. Friend, you offend God when you rebel against Him. You can only appease Him if, like Ben, you repent of your sins and surrender your life to Christ. Then, you will be His child, enjoy His blessings and inherit eternal life with Him in heaven. Why not repent today?
Quote: Sin is an offence to God
Challenge: Don’t rebel against God.
Prayer for today: Help me Oh God, to live a life pleasing to you, in Jesus’ name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
