Emphasis Preaching Journal
Sermon Illustrations For Epiphany 5 (2020)
Illustration
Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)
One of the things prophets do in scripture is ask the questions we don’t want to answer, because if we answer honestly, we convict ourselves. Isaiah asks a number of questions, and the answers are obvious. What he is really asking is, “Why do you do these things without a heart behind it and expect it to work?” Obeying the letter of the law accomplishes nothing if our lives do not reflect God’s intention for a good society. That was the point of the law in the first place. If we worship God, we will act as God intended.
One of the things prophets do in scripture is ask the questions we don’t want to answer, because if we answer honestly, we convict ourselves. Isaiah asks a number of questions, and the answers are obvious. What he is really asking is, “Why do you do these things without a heart behind it and expect it to work?” Obeying the letter of the law accomplishes nothing if our lives do not reflect God’s intention for a good society. That was the point of the law in the first place. If we worship God, we will act as God intended.
