Isaiah House Podcast
By Andrew Ownby
Isaiah House PodcastJun 16, 2019
Tough as Nails Part 5
This episode was made possible by resources through Life Church Open Network, who provides free resources for churches around the world. A special thanks goes to Church of the Valley for making their discussion questions available.
Background music is URL Melt by Unicorn Heads.
Icebreaker: What is your favorite candy?
Daniel and the Lion’s Den
How do you thrive when culture is in crisis?
Darius set up 120 leaders throughout the whole kingdom, and over those he had 3 officials, and Daniel was one of them, and these leaders would have to give an account to Daniel. Daniel became distinguished above all the other officials because of an “excellent spirit was in him.” So the administrators and satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel for his conduct in his governmental affairs, but they couldn’t find anything. They couldn’t find any corruption in him because he was trustworthy. He was neither corrupt nor negligent. They said among themselves “We will never find any basis for charges against Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”
Quote from St. Francis “Preach the gospel, and if necessary use words”
Daniel is a good example of this. What are some of Daniel’s character traits that resulted in his jealous peers not being able to dig up dirt on Daniel?
Four characteristics
1. Integrity
Do what’s right, even when no one is looking
2. Consistency
Live your values over a long period of time.
3. Authenticity
People know when you are real. No one likes hypocrites or fakers, and even if you can fool all your friends and family, God knows where your heart is in all you do.
4. Humility
So these high officials come to the king and say “All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.”
The king thinks this is a pretty good idea and signs it into law.
Low and behold, Daniel hears about this law, but he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Daniel didn’t go out of his way to disobey the king, but he didn’t buckle under pressure either.
How easy would it have been for Daniel to change his daily routine just a tiny bit, so that no one would see him pray during this 30 day timeframe?
Well the leaders who had conjured up this plan went and ran to the king saying “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” and he said “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.”
This law could not be changed, even by the king.
They said “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
But when the king heard this, he was much distressed, and set in his mind to deliver Daniel. He worked all day until the sun wen down to rescue him, but the men said “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.”
So the king had Daniel thrown in the lion’s den with a message. “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you.
They sealed the den with a stone, the king sealed it with his signet that nothing should be changed concerning Daniel. But the king was not happy. He didn’t eat, he refused the evening entertainment, and he couldn’t sleep. At the break of day, the king went in haste and cried out to Daniel in a voice of anguish. “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to de
Tough as Nails Part 4
Tough as Nails Part 3
This podcast was based on discussion questions from the Life Church Open Network series "Tough as Nails."
Background music is titled "URL Melt" by the Unicorn Heads
Tough as Nails Part 3
Icebreaker: Who is someone in your life that you would be most willing to listen to, if they were to confront you?
Today’s narrative comes from Daniel 4.
Nebuchadnezzar had a dream:
A tall and great tree in the midst of the earth. It’s tops reached to heaven, and visible to everyone. It’s leaves were beautiful and it’s fruit was abundant, and was food for all. Animals used it for shade, birds lived in the branches, and flesh was fed from it. Then a holy one came down from heaven and said “Chop down the tree and lop off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Leave the stump, to have dew fall on it and its portion, to let his mind be that of a beast for seven periods of time, so that at the end the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.
Nebuchadnezzar had made a decree that all the wise men should come, then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers, but they couldn’t do it.
He asked Daniel, and said “you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you”
Daniel knew alright, and his face showed it. He was dismayed for a while because his thoughts alarmed him. The king said “let not the dream or interpretation alarm you”
“My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies!
Gives the interpretation, then confronts the king
Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.” Daniel 4:27
Relationship needs to be the context of confrontation.
Ever have a stranger walk up to you and disagree with you.
Josh McDowell said “Rules without a relationship leads to rebellion. Truth without a relationship leads to rejection.”
Relationships happen face-to-face, shoulder-to-shoulder.
Daniel has invested 30 years of his life serving the king
We should be asking ourselves how well established our relationship is when confronting others.
Restoration should be the goal of confrontation.
How many times have you confronted someone and the goal was to be right, instead
Am I confronting to be right or for restoration?
*Discussion*
Humility is the posture of effective confrontation.
When you are confronting someone, the root issue is pride.
Galatians 6:1
Am I confronting with pride or humility?
Hope has to be given for confrontation to sink in.
Am I confronting to provide hope, or humiliation?
Tough as Nails Part 2
This podcast was based on discussion questions from the Life Church Open Network series "Tough as Nails."
Tough as Nails Part 2
Ice Breaker:
What is the hottest you’ve ever been?
What would be worse during a summer in Phoenix, no AC in your car the entire summer or no AC in your house for a week?
King Nebuchadnezzar
· King of Babylon
· Statue that was 90ft tall 9ft wide
· Plain of Dura
· Dedication, some estimate 300k people there.
Daniel 3:4-6
Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
When the music played, everyone bowed. Every religious leader, every teacher, every political leader, every market worker. Men and women, young and old. Except for 3.
This made the king made, and he cranked up the furnace 7x hotter.
Daniel 3:21-23
So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans, and other clothes were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
These three didn’t make their decision to be tough as nails in this moment, they had pre-decided. They proved this when they refused to eat the king’s meat sacrificed to idols.
We bow or stand in public.
There will always be people watching. Will we choose the difficult right, over the easier wrong?
Ephesians 6:11-13
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Why might it be difficult to stand up for God instead of just blending in?
What are some ways our culture lures us to blend in, rather than stand for God?
Think of a time when you took a step to stand for God or share your faith with someone else. How did it make you feel?
1 Peter 1:7 says that when your faith stays strong in trials, it honors God and helps reveal Jesus to the world. Hebrews 11:16 says without faith, it is impossible to please God. Have you seen this in someone else’s life, how did it point to Jesus?
The account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is a good example of this, as is the early church, and the countless stories we have of follower of Christ who have been tough as nails, in the face of persecution.
What step will you take this week to be a person that boldly stands for God?
Background music is titled "URL Melt" by the Unicorn Heads
Tough as Nails - Part 1
This podcast was based on discussion questions from the Life Church Open Network series "Tough as Nails."
What did you want to be when you grew up and why?
When you were younger what were some things you swore you would never do when you were an adult that you do now?
Read
Ephesians 4:14
What are some of the dangers of being “tossed back and forth” and allowing culture to shift/shape your identity?
Why is it important to be “tough as nails” in today’s culture?
What are some ways you feel tested as a Christian?
What are some steps we can take to make sure we become thermostats and stay away from being thermometers?
Why is it so easy for people to choose the worlds labels over God’s?
Read Ephesians 1:3 and 2 Corinthians 5:17
What do these two passages teach us about who we are in God’s eyes? How should this impact the way we live?
Read Some of these passages this week and reflect on who God says you are (Ephesians 1:3-8, Romans 5:1, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Psalm 139,
Philippians 4:13, and Proverbs 28:1)
Background music is titled "URL Melt" by the Unicorn Heads
S2: E5 - Growing Your Self-Esteem
We’re talking about self-esteem. What is it, why does it matter, and what does the Bible say about it.
Thanks to Heather for this episode’s topic. If you have a topic you would like covered. Please get those to me by sending your messages through the link below!
https://anchor.fm/isaiahhouse/message
S2: E4 - Thinking About How Grass Grows
Have you ever mowed a lawn and noticed that some patches are thicker than others? Ever wonder why that is? More importantly, what does that have to do with our Christian walk? Listen in to find out!
S2:E3 - Being Coachable, Hear and Be Honest
Continuing on with the theme of growth, this episode we are looking at the second half of the 4Hs of being coachable. Those are
Humble yourself
Honor the Coach
Hear the instruction
Be Honest with what needs to change
S2:E2 - Being Coachable, Humility and Honor
This episode looks at how humility and honor plays key roles in being coachable, in the positional side of the 4H table. Those are:
Humble yourself
Honor the Coach
Hear the instruction
Be Honest with what needs to change
S2: E1 - Application
Our verse for this episode is Philippians 4:9, it says, What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Season 1 Recap, Season 2 Intro
Looking back at the past season, and is next on our plate.
Episode 15 - True Religion
There’s a lot of religions out there, and even within the realm of “Christianity” there are people who have a false religion, a religion that is dirty, and defiled before God. And I would even bet that you wouldn’t be able to tell it, just by walking in the church.
Episode 14 - Repentance
If you’ve been around church much, or if you’ve read the bible, you’ve then you’ve probably heard the term repent, or repentance. Throughout the Old Testament when the Children of Israel had strayed from the path of truth, God sent prophets to call for the people to repent. John the Baptist, called out for people to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” But what does it mean? More importantly, what does true repentance look like?
Episode 13 - Don't Let Bitterness Defile You
Hebrews 12:15: See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no w“root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled
Episode 12: What is a Hypocrite?
We are looking into what is a hypocrite…We get our text today from Matthew Chapter 23, Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
Episode 11 - A Declaration of Independence
This past week we celebrated the 4th of July, and we hosted the first annual Freedom Fest. I shared a gospel message with the group, on a changed identity in Christ, and I’d like to share it with you here.
Episode 10 - What is Salvation?
What is Salvation? It’s a term that all too often, us churchgoers take for granted, and while a later episode will dig further into sharing our faith, and look at some practical tips of doing so, right now I want to dig into the nuts and bolts of what Salvation is, and really put this under a microscope.
Episode 9 - What is a Lukewarm Christian?
The idea of a lukewarm Christian comes from Revelation 3, when John has been exiled, and receives a revelation of Jesus Christ, delivered by an Angel. As part of this, John is a messenger to the seven churches of Asia, which provides both warning and guidance to these churches.
Episode 8 - What’s More Important Faith, or Works?
The question is, what’s more important, faith, or works?
Good works, without faith is prideful; and faith without good works is just religion.
Episode 7 - What is Prayer?
People from just about every religion pray, so what about you? How do you pray? Think back to your recent times of prayer, and based on this, how do you talk to God?
Episode 6 - What does it mean to be a disciple?
Disciple means “learner” or one who learns. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Episode 5 - What is Fellowship?
A “fellow” in this sense is a comrade (military) or associate (business), and the suffix -ship is added to a word to make it state or condition. So then “fellowship” is the concept of being on the same team, in the same boat, or on the same page… but where is this found in the Bible?
Episode 4 - Who is the Holy Spirit?
We say ‘who’ in this question, because the Holy Spirit is a person and not a power.
Episode 3 - Are We Following Jesus?
Matthew 10: 34-39
Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Episode 2 - How Do You Relate to God?
We are looking into how the Bible tells us we should relate to God, and why it's important for us to not forget that God is a God worthy of fearing.
Episode 1 - Personal Bible Study
In this segment we are exploring the importance of personal bible study and how this is our primary source for God to input truth to our lives.
Read the Bible for yourself.
Get alone with God (God and I time)
Take time to pray asking God to teach you his truth
Take notes along the way (Journal)
Teach the Bible to your family.
Look for illustration along the way (people remember stories)
Application is huge. How can I apply this truth?
Write it out.
Baby write this down. The sharpest mind is no match for a dull pencil.
I say write, because you can solidify the thoughts.
Share it with the World (your world)
Record it in audio or video, post to a blog, find friends/family members/co-workers