Is58, Redeeming the Weekends

# Redeeming the Weekends
## Isaiah 58

>>>

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# What are my **weekends** for?

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+ sometimes weekends **more** busy than weekdays!
  + catch up on **work**
  + demands of **family**
  + "**me**" time
  + dose of 2hrs of **church**
+ God gave us the **pattern**: 
  + 6 days **work** / 1 day **rest**
+ what is the **purpose** of the weekend?

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## Redeeming the Weekends [(Is58)](# "ref")

1. Pretending → **Protecting** [(v3-9a)](# "ref")
2. Pride → **Providence** [(v9b-12)](# "ref")
3. Pleasure → **Praise** [(v13-14)](# "ref")

>>>
+ call to **action**
+ **change** how we spend weekend
+ and change how we think of **worship**
+ 3 **sections** in ch58, each section consists of:
  + what **not** to do
  + what we **ought** to do
  + God's **promise** if we obey
+ **opening** sounds pretty **harsh**:

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Declare to my people their **rebellion** 
and to the descendants of Jacob their **sins**.

[Isaiah 58:1 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ but actually is a **warning**:
  + we're not beyond **hope**
+ **show** us our sin ⇒ call to **change**
  + as loving **Father** to children
+ preceding **ch57** draws a **contrast**:
  + v15 **contrite** + lowly of spirit
  + v18-21 restless **wicked**
+ so read w/**humility** to change
  + and not **stubborn** pride
+ The **first** section:

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## 1. Pretending → Protecting

+ *Don't:* Pursue **Appearance** of Humility [(v2-5)](# "ref")
+ *Do:* **Protect** the Oppressed [(v6-7)](# "ref")
+ *Promise:* **Protect** Us and **Answer** Our Cry [(v8-9)](# "ref")

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+ we are adept at **fooling** ourselves
+ we **seek** God but unwilling to **obey** Him
+ the **negative**: wanting to appear humble
+ the **positive**: protect oppressed
+ the **promise** from God:
  + He himself will protect us
+ who is this passage **addressing**?

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day after day they **seek me out**; 
they **seem eager** to know my ways, [...]

They ask me for **just decisions** 
and seem eager for God to **come near** them.

[Isaiah 58:2 (NIV)](# "ref")

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+ speaking to the "**good** guys"!
  + not **atheists**, Buddhists, etc., but
+ **churchgoers** who believe selves good Christians
  + **seek** out God's will
+ passage mentions **fasting**: 
  + voluntary **sacrifice**
  + to **worship** God and be **holy**
+ but these only have outward **appearance** of humility:

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only a day for people 
to **humble themselves**?

Is it only for **bowing one’s head** like a reed 
and for lying in **sackcloth and ashes**?

[Isaiah 58:5 (NIV)](# "ref")

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+ we as **Chinese** are really good at
  + **pretending** to be noble / humble
+ self-**abasement** focuses on 
  + **own** sacrifice / suffering
  + e.g., paying **penance** for sins
+ e.g., personal devotions at **retreat**
  + done for **others** to see

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You do **as you please** 
and **exploit** all your workers.

[4](# "ref")
Your fasting ends in **quarreling and strife**, 
and in **striking each other** with wicked fists.

[Isaiah 58:3-4 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ because service not from the **heart**
+ store up **bitterness** + resentment
+ e.g., family argues **more** on wknd?

---

## 1. Pretending → Protecting
+ Don't: Pursue Appearance of Humility [(v2-5)](# "ref")
+ *Do:* **Protect the Oppressed** [(v6-7)](# "ref")
+ Promise: Protect Us and Answer our Cry [(v8-9)](# "ref")

>>>
+ the **facade** of humility
  + only leads to **conflict**
+ So what **should** we do?

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To loose the **chains of injustice** 
and untie the **cords of the yoke**,

to set the **oppressed** free 
and break every **yoke**?

[Isaiah 58:6 (NIV)](# "ref")

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+ Justice: as **defined** by God
  + human **rights** come from Creator
+ **not** defined by **selfish** desires:
  + right to have **internet** access? 
  + mom hides **phone**: rights **violated**?
  + choose own **sexual identity**?
+ break every **yoke**:
  + chains of **addiction**
  + **captive** to sin

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To **share your food** with the hungry 
and to provide the poor wanderer with **shelter**

when you see the naked, to **clothe them**, 
and not to turn away 
from your own **flesh and blood**?

[Isaiah 58:7 (NIV)](# "ref")

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+ Not that we can **solve** poverty, but
+ Selfishness affects our **heart**:
  + Must **share** God's grace
+ **ἁπλότης**: simplicity + generosity
  + If God **blesses** us, that means
  + we can be more **generous**

---

## 1. Pretending → Protecting
+ Don't: Pursue Appearance of Humility [(v2-5)](# "ref")
+ Do: Protect the Oppressed [(v6-7)](# "ref")
+ *Promise:* **Protect Us and Answer our Cry** [(v8-9)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **Action**, not **appearance**
  + impact, not image
+ And God has a **promise** if we obey:

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then your righteousness will **go before** you, 
and the glory of the Lord 
will be your **rear guard**.

[9](# "ref")
Then you will **call**, and the Lord will **answer**; 
you will **cry for help**, and he will say: **Here am I**

[Isaiah 58:8-9 (NIV)](# "ref")

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+ We **protect** the oppressed ⇒
  + God **surrounds** us
+ We **respond** to cry of poor ⇒
  + God responds to **prayer**

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# Do I care more about **appearing** humble than **protecting** the oppressed?

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+ Pretending → Protecting
+ Act of **faith** in God's protection

---

## Redeeming the Weekends [(Is58)](# "ref")

1. Pretending → Protecting [(v3-9a)](# "ref")
2. **Pride → Providence** [(v9b-12)](# "ref")
3. Pleasure → Praise [(v13-14)](# "ref")

>>>
+ 2nd section echoes call to **change**:
+ from **inward**, selfish pride 
+ to **outward** focus, **providing** for others
  + even **beyond** my family

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## 2. Pride → Providence
+ *Don't:* Presume **Superiority** [(v9b)](# "ref")
+ *Do:* **Provide** for the Needy [(v10a)](# "ref")
+ *Promise:* **Satisfy** Needs + **Restore** [(v10b-12)](# "ref")

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+ **neg**: heart attitude
+ **pos**: action in faith
+ **promise**: as we bless others
  + God blesses us

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If you do away with the **yoke of oppression**, 
with the **pointing finger** and **malicious talk**,

[Isaiah 58:9 (NIV)](# "ref")

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+ Don't: Presume **Superiority**
+ **Oppression**: as a master to slave
  + cf v6 remove **yoke**
+ **Pointing**: in Heb. culture, **superiority**
  + (not blame)
+ Malicious Talk: **slander**
  + with **intent** to harm
+ all of these are ways we try to
  + **boost** ourselves higher by
  + **pushing** others down
  + mark of a **bully**

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if you **spend yourselves** 
in behalf of the hungry 
and **satisfy the needs** of the oppressed,

[Isaiah 58:10 (NIV)](# "ref")

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+ Do: **Provide** for the Needy
+ e.g. we expend our lives on our **kids**
  + **expand** our generosity:
  + from **self** to **family**
  + to **beyond** our family
+ KJV: **draw out** your soul
+ this is what it means to **worship** God:
  + not just **songs**, prayer, listen to sermon
  + but **obedience** from the heart
  + not once a **week** but every **day**
+ God has 2-part **promise**:

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**satisfy your needs** in a sun-scorched land 
and will **strengthen** your frame.

You will be like a **well-watered garden**, 
like a **spring** whose waters never fail.

[Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)](# "ref")
[qinghill, Parit, Malaysia](https://unsplash.com/photos/x8MZ2MoEKLE "caption")

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+ Promise (1): **Satisfy** Your Needs
+ As we provide for others
  + God **provides** for us
+ need not **fear**:
  + not a **zero-sum**
+ Even more, God gives us a **title**:

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Your people will **rebuild** the ancient ruins 
and will **raise up** the age-old foundations;

you will be called **Repairer** of Broken Walls, 
**Restorer** of Streets with Dwellings.

[Isaiah 58:12 (NIV)](# "ref")

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+ God's Promise (2): **Restore** You
+ **We** are the repairers / restorers!
+ by God's **strength**
+ sharing God's **grace**

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# Do I care more about **justifying** myself than **providing** for the needy?

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+ **Trust** in God's providence
+ act of **faith**

1. Pretending → Protecting [(v3-9a)](# "ref")
2. Pride → Providence [(v9b-12)](# "ref")
3. **Pleasure → Praise** [(v13-14)](# "ref")

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+ first 2 sections: **any time**
  + not just **weekend**
  + **worship** in practise
  + **faith** in action
+ last section: **Sabbath**
  + 1/7 specifically for God
  + **more** than attending church!

---

## 3. Pleasure → Praise
+ *Don't:* Do as We **Please** on Sabbath [(v13)](# "ref")
+ *Do:* Consider Its **Joy** and **Gravity** [(v13b)](# "ref")
+ *Promise:* Be Our **Joy** and **Triumph** [(v14)](# "ref")

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+ what are we supposed to do on the Sabbath? 
+ neg → pos → promise
+ focus is not on **our** relaxation
  + but on **God's** providence

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If you keep your **feet** 
from breaking the **Sabbath** 
and from doing **as you please** on my holy day,

and if you **honor** it 
by not going your **own way** 
and not doing **as you please** 
or speaking **idle** words,

[Isaiah 58:13b (NIV)](# "ref")

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+ Don't: Do as you **Please**
+ esp for those who **serve**:
  + retail / cust svc
  + keeping clients happy
  + moms, teachers
+ we see weekends as time to indulge **self**
  +  "me" time: I **deserve** it
+ Don't **honour** self; instead:

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if you call the Sabbath a **delight** 
and the Lord’s holy day **honorable**,

[Isaiah 58:13 (NIV)](# "ref")

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+ honour God **first**, and
  + He will **exalt** you
+ Do: Consider its **joy** and **gravity**
+ **delight**: lightweight, happy, joyful
  + something to **look forward** to 
  + not as an **obligation**
+ **honorable**: heavy, weighty, important
  + a **priority**
  + of greater **value** than other demands on time

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Then you will **find your joy** in the Lord,

and I will cause you to **ride in triumph** 
on the heights of the land

[Isaiah 58:14 (NIV)](# "ref")

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+ God's Promise: Be Your **joy** and **triumph**
+ Not: God **gives** you joy, but
  + Find joy **in** the Lord
+ **Lasting** joy + triumph
  + not fleeting **addictions**

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**Delight** yourself in the LORD, 
and he will give you the **desires** of your heart.

[5](# "ref")
**Commit** your way to the LORD; 
**trust** in him, and he will act.

[Psalm 37:4-5 (ESV)](# "ref")

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+ joy: in the Lord Himself
+ giver, not the gift
  + face, not only the hand
+ commit, trust: obey

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# Do I care more about my own **plans** than declaring God's **glory**?

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