Why We Tremble

Sermon Notes October 7, 2018 Isaiah 66:1-2 Short Review Review the main points of the morning message. Focus of Discussion: Why do people – even believers – not respond to the Word of God with trembling? Some Questions for Discussion: 1. Do you know someone who is very knowledgeable – much more than you – about some area? Could be plumbing, literature, art, carpentry, history, nature, weather, parenting, finance etc. When you speak about the subject that person is expert in, what kind of conversations do you have? 2. What are some of the things which make it challenging to pay attention during a sermon? [You can be honest – no pastor in the room!] 3. How can we prepare ourselves for God’s Word? Consider the following: a. Read Matthew 13:15 (Isa. 6:9.10). How does God’s word heal us? Build us up (Acts 20:32)? b. What are ways in which we judge/edit/correct the Word instead of allowing the Word to judge/correct us and our thinking? [An example might be Matthew 15:6 – other examples?] c. Read Isa. 30:9-10. How do those well-schooled in the Bible avoid the force of God’s Word? What ‘strategies’ do we employ in avoiding the Word? 4. “and tremble at His Word” – Isa. 66:2 a. Bowing, kneeling, prostrating ourselves before another – these are very strange to our culture. What picture does the idea of ‘trembling’ at someone’s Word convey to people today? b. Do we ‘tremble’ at anyone’s word today? Was it easier for ancient cultures which served kings to understand this concept? c. How can we cultivate an attitude of such reverence for God and His Word? 5. What are some of the blessings of hearing and receiving the Word? [E.g. Mt. 13:15 – “heal them”; John 8:32; John 15:3, 6] 6. What resonated with you from the Sunday message? Were there particular applications to your own life which the Spirit was making? 7. How can we pray for one another in response to the word today?