Textual Sermon: Come, Let Us Reason Together

COME, LET US REASON TOGETHER

Intro.
1. Isa. 1:18 - Israel is urged by God to take a walk w/ Him & reason together about their state of sin & His provisions of salvation.
a. Reason (OT) - "to prove, decide, judge, rebuke, reprove, correct, be right" (Englishman's Hebrew Concordance, OLB).
b. Reason (NT) - "1) to think different things with one's self, mingle thought with thought (1a) to ponder, revolve in mind (2) to converse, discourse with one, argue, discuss." (Thayer, 139)
2. 1 Sam. 12:7 - Samuel appealed to Israel of God's righteous acts.
3. Acts 14:22; Heb. 3:13 - We must exhort each other, & in the proper & therefore effective way.
4. Isa. 1 - God reasons with His people about their sin & salvation.

I. COME, LET US REASON FROM THE SCRIPTURES - Isa. 1:2, 10; cf. Heb. 12:5 - The scriptures speak (reason) with us!
A. God's Truth Is Revealed In Them - Jno. 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
    -Only the Bible will establish the truth in all things!
B. God's Grace Is Provided By Them - Acts 20:24, 32; Tit. 2:11-12.
    1. It teaches us of Christ, the embodiment of grace - Jno. 1:14, 18.
    2. Human wisdom, tradition, creeds, philosophies & emotions can never test the accuracy of our lives, rebuke us when we are wrong, or correct us in God's sight!
C. God's Fellowship Is Secured With Them - 1 Jno. 1:1-4, 5-7; 2:3-6; 2 Jno. 9.
D. Apostolic Practice Should Be Followed In Reasoning Together (1 Cor. 11:1). [*dialegomai] {Using the scriptures - 1 Pet. 3:15}
    1. Acts 17:2-4* - "to set before (one) in teaching" (alleging).
    2. Acts 17:17* - To try to save them!
    3. Acts 18:4* - To persuade the lost - Bring to salvation!
    4. Acts 18:19* - With the Jews (attempt to convert them).
    5. Acts 19:8, 9* - Daily dispute using scriptures to persuade men.
    6. Acts 19:9* - Daily activity of the apostle.
    7. Acts 20:7* - Preaching ("discoursed") - Reasoning! (v. 9*)
    8. Acts 24:25* - To bring conviction of sin, repentance & salvation.
      -"Truth has nothing to fear from honest investigation."

II. COME, LET US REASON TOGETHER ABOUT SIN - 1:2-15.
A. The Nature of Sin.
    1. Rebellion against God - 1:2 (Commission, 1 Jno. 3:4). - Isa. 1:3 - Due to lack of knowledge! (5:13)
    2. Forsaking God - 1:4 (Omission, Jas. 4:17).
    3. Completely corrupting - 1:5-8 (Rom. 3:9-12, 23; Eph. 2:1-3).
    4. Makes service to God vain - 1:11-15 (Matt. 5:23-24; 15:6-9).
      -We must be willing to let scripture expose our sin & correct our error lest we become corrupted & our service vain before God! (Jno. 4:23-24)
B. Its Cleansing Through Repentance - 1:16-17.
    1. v. 16 - Put away evil doings (cease) - Col. 3:5, 9.
    2. v. 17 - Learn to do well (justice, mercy, faith, 1:21-23; Matt. 23:23) - cf. Fruits of repentance - Lk. 3:8, 10-14; Acts 26:20.

III. COME, LET US REASON ABOUT SALVATION - 1:18-20.
A. God Still Offers His Mercy & Grace To Sinners - 1:9, 18; 1:24-27.
    1. Eph. 2:4-7; Tit. 3:5-7 - Love, mercy, grace--Saved us!
    2. Christ's blood cleanses us from stain of sin - Rom. 5:8-9.
    3. God is active in saving you from your sins!
B. Man's Faith - 1:19.
    1. Eph. 2:8; Jas. 2:24; Heb. 5:9 - Obedient to God's word!
    2. You must be active in receiving salvation from your sins!

Conclusion
1. Isa. 1:20, 28-31 - Righteous judgment did (will) occur (Rom. 2:5).
2. Reason w/ the Lord from His word now (receive rebuke, reproof & correction) rather than face His wrath against your sin later!
3. Reason with one another using God's standard of truth (word) to exhort one another daily!