Isaiah 1:18
God invites us to reason with Him, offering mercy and forgiveness for our sins and a chance to choose eternal life.
Chuck Smith emphasizes God's invitation to reason with Him, addressing those who feel unworthy of His grace due to their rebellion and sin. He highlights that this call is directed towards those who have known God's provision yet have strayed, comparing their actions to those of animals that recognize their source. Smith argues that faith in God is not blind but based on reason, citing the complexity of life and fulfilled prophecies as evidence of God's existence. He challenges listeners to consider the reasonableness of rejecting God's mercy and forgiveness, reminding them that no matter how deeply sin has permeated their lives, they can be made clean through God's grace.
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"REASONING WITH GOD"
I. TO WHOM IS THIS INVITATION GIVEN?
A. We often feel ourselves outside the boundaries of God's grace.
1. I've gone too far.
2. I knew better.
B. "Children who rebelled against Him," verse 2.
1. The cry is not made to complete strangers.
2. Those who had been nourished by Him.
C. "Worse than animals," vs. 3.
1. We hear of beastly crimes.
a. I don't know of animals who do such horrible things as man
is capable of.
b. If you had an animal that did such things, you would shoot it.
2. At least the ox and donkey recognize their source of provision.
D. "Loaded with iniquity," vs. 4.
E. "They had already been chastised," vs. 5.
1. From head to toe, their bodies covered with bruises.
2. Still they stood there in rebellion.
3. How long would you put up with a dog that refused to obey you, that
attacked you?
II. THE INVITATION, "LET US REASON TOGETHER."
A. Today we live in an era of non-reasoned religious experiences.
1. I don't know why I feel so peaceful after looking at my navel for an
hour, chanting ohmmm.
2. Man is encouraged by the prevalent philosophy of the day to take a leap
of blind faith.
a. Blind faith not a biblical term.
b. God's way is reasonable.
B. God has given us strong reasons to believe in Him.
1. To study the intricate forms of life with their complex designs more
reasonable to believe in a designer that random selection.
a. The apostle Peter speaks of men who are willfully ignorant.
b. So the geological column is woefully lacking in transitional
forms between species.
1. Rather than consider reasonable alternate views.
2. Create new preposterous theories.
When Dr. Kornberg, a Stanford U. physician, says
that, "evolution is beyond dispute, it's a fact."
He only disqualifies himself from reasonably judging
any evidence because of his prepositional bans. He
places himself in the category of those of whom Paul
spake, "professing themselves..."
2. The prophecies give us a strong reason to believe.
a. That God was speaking.
b. That He knows what He is talking about.
III. WHAT DOES GOD WANT TO REASON WITH YOU ABOUT? "THOUGH YOUR SINS."
A. That destroying blight in your life.
1. Is it reasonable to choose a few moments of pleasure and an eternity in
hell over a few self denials and eternity in heaven?
2. Is it reasonable to gamble with eternity?
a. To take a chance God is lying.
b. The Bible is not true.
c. Jesus was a fraud.
3. Is it reasonable to reject God's offer of mercy and forgiveness.
B. The word, scarlet, has the idea behind it of double dyed. The material left so
long in the dye so as to permeate the very fibers.
1. Has sin taken a complete hold on your life? Does it permeate the fibers
of your being?
a. I have good news for you. You may be as white as snow, before
you leave.
Is it reasonable to reject such an offer?
Sermon Outline
- To Whom Is This Invitation Given? points: - We often feel ourselves outside the boundaries of God's grace. - Those who have been nourished by Him, but have rebelled against Him. - Those who have been chastised, but still stand in rebellion.
- The Invitation, 'Let Us Reason Together.' points: - God's way is reasonable and encourages us to study and understand. - God has given us strong reasons to believe in Him, including the intricate forms of life and the prophecies.
- What Does God Want to Reason With You About? points: - Destroying the blight in your life, including sin and its consequences. - The offer of mercy and forgiveness, which can permeate the very fibers of your being.
Key Quotes
“I don't know why I feel so peaceful after looking at my navel for an hour, chanting ohmmm.” — Chuck Smith
“God's way is reasonable.” — Chuck Smith
“You may be as white as snow, before you leave.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- It is not reasonable to take a leap of blind faith, but rather to study and understand God's way.
- God's offer of mercy and forgiveness can permeate the very fibers of your being, removing the blight of sin from your life.
- It is not reasonable to gamble with eternity, but rather to choose eternal life through faith in God.