Sermon for the day

[Esaias]

Introducing a new concept here on AFF. Not sure if it will go over, but here goes:

Those of you who teach or preach, please expound on the following verse:

Isa 8:20
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Not looking so much for a debate or anything, just for your insight into the meaning and application of this scripture text. Not looking for a quick opinion, either, but an actual 'teaching' on this verse. Doesn't have to be a 2 hour sermon, but something more than just a 'well, it means what it says. Amen!' kind of presentation, knowhuttamean?

[Esaias]

What, nobody has a word of edification for us?

lol

[seekerman]

Originally Posted by Esaias

What, nobody has a word of edification for us?

lol

I'm too busy promoting truth on several other threads to take on yet another one. A body can only do so much you know.

[renee819]

Esaias wrote,

Introducing a new concept here on AFF. Not sure if it will go over, but here goes:

Those of you who teach or preach, please expound on the following verse:

Isa 8:20
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Not looking so much for a debate or anything, just for your insight into the meaning and application of this scripture text. Not looking for a quick opinion, either, but an actual 'teaching' on this verse. Doesn't have to be a 2 hour sermon, but something more than just a 'well, it means what it says. Amen!' kind of presentation, knowhuttamean?

I'm not a teacher or preacher, but this is a good subject.

Of course, it was in the OT, where they were to teach the Law to the people. If they were teaching against the Law, it was because they had no light in them. No understanding of truth.

Jesus said almost the same thing,
After Jesus told Nicodemus, at the first of the chapter, that we must be born again of the water and the Spirit, then He goes on to say,

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

They (as Isaiah said) don't come to the light, because there is no light in them. And their deeds are evil.

[Luke]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Introducing a new concept here on AFF. Not sure if it will go over, but here goes:

Those of you who teach or preach, please expound on the following verse:

Isa 8:20
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Not looking so much for a debate or anything, just for your insight into the meaning and application of this scripture text. Not looking for a quick opinion, either, but an actual 'teaching' on this verse. Doesn't have to be a 2 hour sermon, but something more than just a 'well, it means what it says. Amen!' kind of presentation, knowhuttamean?

Three things from this verse that is very clear and simple is:

1. The need to know the truth. ( law and to the testimony )

2. Measure what you are told by what you know is true. ( if they speak not according to this word)

3. Reject that which does not line up with the truth as false. ( it is because there is no light in them )

Notice both the warning and the encouragement offered in the passage

1. The need to know the truth. ( law and to the testimony )

We are not left up to our faulty since of what is right and what is wrong. We are not forced to try and figure things out or left simply to the mercy of any man's changing whim or opinon. Rather we have been give all the true standard and measureing of truth, the Word of God. In the scripture this is pointed out by the words Law and the Testimony. These were things that had been given directly to Israel from God. They knew that God had first written the laws on the tablet of stone with His own finger then because of Moses reaction of anger to Israel's idolatry the stone tablet was broken and had to again be made. They knew the delivering power of Gdo on their behalf in the past. These were the things that God was pointing to and telling them to look there for truth.

In much the same way Jesus speaking in John reiterates this point of pointing to known truth as a way of finding your bearings.

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

In Isa.8 the chapter is about the fall of one power and the invasion of another. Those were terbulent, confusing times. Timeswhen there were many voices coming frome many different directions all claiming the truth. In such times there is great danger of messing up or of losing your way but notice in both Isa. 8 and in John hope is offered by knowing the truth. If a person knows the truth and is familar with the truth they will not so easily swallow a lie.

The time to become familar with the truth is not during the confusion but before and this is brough out in both Isa.8 and in John 8. In Isa. 8 God points back to the law and the testimony both things that had been recieved and available for learning. In John 8 Jesus says, ye shall know the truth. This is not speaking of something you need to go learn during the confusion but something that during confusion is already known and gives direction. My mom used to tell us when we started dating to set bounbaries before you find yourself in a compromising situation so that you will already have the limits and safegaurds in place not to be compromised. It is easier to thing clearly before the confusion hits than during.

[Luke]

continued:

2. Measure what you are told by what you know is true. ( if they speak not according to this word)

If someone tells you something is a three feet in length but when you get out a tape measure to check it is only two and a half feet. The person is wrong and the standard is correct. The same with truth if someone says God said when God did not that person is wrong and God is correct. I like th old song I know the Bible is right and somebody is wrong. Paul jumps in at this point (God driving the point home further) and wrote:

2Tim 4:3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

no preacher, teacher or minister should be accepted at face value anything that is taufgt oe preched should be examined by the Word. The problem today is that since people either dont know the Word or dont like the Word they yurn form the Word. Notice this same thing was happening in Isaiah's day there were those who were prophecying peace and prosperity even though God had alreadsy proclaimed judgement. Just those who refused to listen to the truth then there are multitudes today who run to those who will agree with them or will tell them what they want to hear. The sad fact that most never realize is that like Paul points out when you reject the truth for the cotton candy feel good reaching all you are left with is fables.

3. Reject that which does not line up with the truth as false. ( it is because there is no light in them )

The only true way to stat safe in this world is to reject the false and cling to the truth. Solomon writing in Proverbs put it this way:

Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Once you find the truth cling to it never let anyone shake you from it. Never forsake it event though it may lead to a rough road. In the book Pilgrim's Progress at one point Pilgrim and his companion see a side road that runs beside the kings way and it looks so much easier to travel so they switch paths only to find that they end up in the castle despair tormented by the gaint of doubt.

Regularly check tourself against the Word of God. Do what Paul encouraged:

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Make sure that you are still walking in truth. If anything does not line up to the Word of God no matter how appealing it may seem it must be rejected. There is only one one way to heaven, peace and eternal rest not many.


Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.


John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Know the truth, measure by the truth and hold to the truth.

[Aquila]

Good stuff.

[Esaias]

Thank you, Luke!

[Godzchild]

Bro Luke , Bishop and Evangelist Benincasa are men of God that I highly respect and appreciate everything they post!