Teach us, God, to teach our children not just history but His Story–the account of your glorious deeds and doings.

May His Story be the next generation’s greatest inheritance.

May no generation pass without our passing your account on to them.

May they find themselves in you.

Like us, may they set their hope on you.

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The State of the Union is an annual address by the President of the United States. The speech reports on the condition of the nation and allows the president to outline his national priorities.  The practice stems from a line in the Constitution of the United States which states, “He shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”  The State of the Union Address has become a hallmark of American society.  It is a popular way for one person to communicate critical issues not only to the Congress and people of the United States, but also to the people of the world.

Isaiah does something similar in chapter 1 of his lengthy book: 2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken. (Is. 1:2 ESV)  Isaiah calls a press conference.  He invites all in heaven and all on earth to listen.  Why?  Because he’s about to deliver a State of the Union address which everyone on earth and in heaven needs to hear.  It is an address which focuses on the state of the people of Judah, the people of God.

Isaiah’s address covers three areas of life in the nation of Judah.  He describes what he’s seen regarding the nation’s security (Is. 1:2-9), the nation’s spirituality (Is. 2:10-20), and the nation’s society (Is. 2:21-26). 

Regarding the nation’s security, Isaiah reports that foreign enemies have invaded the land.  He tells us in v. 7 that the “country lies desolate” and the “cities are burned with fire” because “foreigners devour your land.”  Isaiah describes God’s people as the victim of a savage mugging:^[1] The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.  6 From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds; they are not pressed out or bound up or softened with oil. (Is. 1:5-6 ESV).  When it comes to the nation’s security, Isaiah reports, God’s people suffer wounds. The entire country has been wounded by foreign invaders.

Regarding the nation’s spirituality, Isaiah describes how the country is in the midst of religious revival.  Yet, it is a revival which seems to have failed: 11 “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD;  I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.  12″When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts?  13Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me.  New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.  14Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.  15When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen… (Is. 1:11-15 ESV).  Spiritually, there has been great devotion—sacrifices in abundance, temple attendance, monthly and weekly observances, and prayers.  But it has not gotten through to God.^[2] God says he hides his eyes from them and he does not listen to them.  His eyes and ears are closed.^[3] These are signs of rejection.  When it comes to the nation’s spirituality, Isaiah says, God’s people suffer rejection. God wants nothing to do with them.  He ignores their pleas.  He ignores their religious services.  They are rejected by God.

Finally, Isaiah addresses the nation’s society.  Here we learn why the nation has struggled so deeply.  Here we learn why they suffer wounds and rejection.  In v. 23 Isaiah mentions specific things happening in society.  One has to do with bribes—the court system is laughable because judges can be paid off.  A second has to do with widows.  A third has to do with children: They do not bring justice to the fatherless.  (Is. 1:23 ESV).

The word “fatherless” means “to be alone” or “bereaved.”  When Isaiah thinks of the children of Judah, he thinks immediately of these words: alone; bereaved.

Some of the fatherless were the victims of war.  In ancient Israel, men were the most frequent casualties of war.  This left wives without husbands and children without fathers.  The father and the husband was the one who provided resources for the family and defended the rights of the family.  Thus, war left families and children without this.^[4] War left them alone and bereaved.

It is possible that some of the fatherless in Judah were the illegitimate offspring of the shrine prostitutes.^[5] Many of the pagan religions in the ancient world mixed sex and worship.  Inevitably, shrine prostitutes would get pregnant and have babies.  These babies had no real family.  They were alone and bereaved.

And the nation, Isaiah mourned, “did not bring justice to the fatherless.”  The nation ignored these children.  The nation neglected these children.

There is even the hint in this text that God’s people have caused these children to suffer in the same way God’s people have been suffering.  God’s people have suffered wounds.  There is the hint that God’s people have been wounding these children.  God’s people have suffered rejection.  There is the hint that God’s people have been rejecting these children.  These children suffer wounds and rejection because of God’s people.

And that is the cause of the two consequences listed in the earlier part of the text.  Because of what’s going on in society with children, the nation’s security and spirituality is at risk.  God has wounded his people because they have wounded these fatherless children.  God has rejected his people because they have rejected these children.

And that reality leads us to a stunning conclusion: God responds to his people the way they respond to children.  God is so enamored with and concerned for the fatherless that he ties his treatment of us to our treatment of them.  We ignore children—God ignores us.  We wound children—God wounds us.

Ultimately, the chapter is a call for God’s people to treat children the way God treats children.  What Isaiah wants most is to change this state of the union.  He wants Judah and Jerusalem to repent and start treating these lonely and bereaved children the way God does: 16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless,   plead the widow’s cause. (Is. 1:16-17 ESV)  Isaiah moves from general to very specific.  General: remove the evil of your deeds, cease to do evil, learn to do good.  Specific: seek justice, correct oppression.  Most specific: bring justice to the fatherless and plead the widow’s cause.  Isaiah urges them and us to respond to children the way God does.

Our mission work in Ukraine is one way in which we are attempting to do just this.  Several from Highland recently returned from a trip to Ukraine.  Among the many things they did, they served children.  They attempted to respond to children the way God does.  Cathlyn Tsirgiotis was part of the team.  I’ve asked her to share an overview of the trip.  After Cathlyn’s overview, we’ll watch a video the team’s service to children in Ukraine.

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Highland’s mission efforts in Ukraine—which include the Bila Tserkva Church of Christ, the Ukrainian Education Center, and efforts like this recent trip—are a part of the way in which Highland is seeking to respond to children as God does.

Our work with David Jordan and Agape allows us to do the same in Memphis.  As the Executive Director of Agape Child and Family Services and Families in Transition (FIT), David Jordan has dedicated himself to helping the lonely and bereaved children of this city.  This summer marks an important anniversary in that effort.  It is the tenth anniversary of Families in Transition.  There are up to 10,000 homeless persons in Shelby County.  One-third of those are women and children.  In response to this need, FIT was launched on July 1, 2001.  FIT is the only program of its kind in Shelby County serving homeless, pregnant women and their children in transitional housing.  FIT has successfully served over 800 homeless, pregnant women and their children in its ten years of service.  Much of that is due to the vision and inspiration provided by David Jordan.  We’d like to celebrate that anniversary today.  Please join me in welcoming David Jordan to Highland and thanking him for his service to the children of Memphis.

David, on behalf of Highland, we’d like present this plaque in recognition of the tenth anniversary of FIT.  It reads…  Could you share with us how Agape and FIT are showing God’s great love for children?

God’s concern for children is what motivates us to give to next Sunday’s Special Contribution for World and Urban Missions.  This contribution supports ministries like the two we’ve just heard from—ministries which share God’s love with children in Ukraine and in Memphis.  It also supports Raleigh Community Church of Christ, our work in the Philippines, and our work in Papua New Guinea.  It allows us to help Highland families in need and adults and children from the community who come directly to Highland with needs.  The goal of $122,000 is about four times our regular weekly contribution.  It calls for sacrifice and generosity.  I ask you to pray this week and to give in a great way next Sunday for this contribution.

Ultimately, this chapter in Isaiah is a call to respond to children the way God has responded to us.  Listen again to the introduction to this chapter: 2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth;   for the LORD has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. (Is. 1:2 ESV)  Isaiah declares that God has been a caring and attentive parent to his people.  Spiritually, we were all once fatherless.  We were all once lonely.  We were all once bereaved.  But God became our father—the perfect father.  And now he calls us to respond to children the way he responded to us.  Giving next Sunday is one way to do just that.

^[2] Motyer.

^[3] Motyer.

^[4] A. C, Myers,The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary (Eerdmans, 1987), 785.

^[5] Myers.

For whom did Jesus pray?  We have 29 references in the Gospels to Jesus’ prayer-life.  Of these references, we have 10 actual prayers Jesus prayed.  For whom did Jesus pray?  If we could look at his prayer list, who would be on it?

While it’s almost certain Jesus prayed for many others, we do know he prayed specifically for four groups of people:

We find Jesus praying for children: 15Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. (Mark 10:15-16 ESV)

We find Jesus praying for the apostles/disciples:

• 9I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours… Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one…15I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19And for their sake  I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.  (John 17:9-19 ESV).
• 31″Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. (Lk. 22: 31-32 ESV).
• 50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.(Lk. 24:50-51 ESV).

We find Jesus praying for the church: 20″I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.  (John 17:20-23 ESV).

And we find Jesus praying for his enemies: 34And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Lk. 23:34 ESV).

In other words we find Jesus praying for those who cannot speak for themselves, those with whom he’s engaged in mission and ministry, those who make his life difficult, and those around the world who would follow him.  The forgotten, his fellow-laborers, his foes, and his international family.

Which of these four show up on your prayer list?  Which do not?  Why?  Why not?

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Here is today’s prayer event: 13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.  (Mark 10:13-16 ESV)

To “bless” someone in Jesus’ day was a form of prayer.  It was a way of asking God to look favorably upon an individual.  Here, Jesus blesses or prayerfully intercedes for children.  And it’s no cold and stately blessing.  He takes them in his arms, lays his hands on them, and blesses them.  Can you imagine what it must have felt like for a child, having just been dismissed by Jesus’ disciples, to have Jesus pick you up, hold you, and bless you?

Look for opportunities today to pray prayers of blessings over people, especially over people who, like these children, may be forgotten or dismissed by others.  Bless your children, a friend, your spouse, your boss, your waitress, the janitor, your teacher, your parents, your neighbor, your mail carrier, or the man with the cardboard sign asking for money.  Utilize the following biblical blessings out loud or silently:

• The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Num. 6:24-26 ESV)
•  May the LORD give strength to you!  May the LORD bless you with peace! (based on Ps. 29:11 ESV)
•  May God be gracious to you and bless you and make his face to shine upon you, that His way may be known on earth, His saving power among all nations.  (based on Ps. 67:1-2 ESV)
•  May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth! (Ps. 115:15 ESV)
•  The LORD bless you!  May you see the prosperity of his work all the days of your life!  May you live a long life!  Peace be upon you! (based on Ps. 128:5-6 ESV)
•  May the LORD bless you, he who made heaven and earth! (based on Ps. 134:3 ESV)

SHARE WITH READERS BELOW: WHO BLESSED YOU GROWING UP, OR WHO MIGHT YOU BLESS TODAY?

[image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jami_lee/2863262732/]

We have some 26 references in the Gospels to Jesus’ prayer-life.  Of these references, we have 10 actual prayers Jesus prayed.  For whom did Jesus pray?  If we could look at his prayer list, who would be on it?

While it’s almost certain Jesus prayed for many others, we do know he prayed specifically for four groups of people.

We find Jesus praying for children: 

• 15Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. (Mark 10:15-16 ESV)

We find Jesus praying for the apostles/disciples:

• 9I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19And for their sake  I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.  (John 17:9-19 ESV).
• 31″Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. (Lk. 22: 31-32 ESV).
• 50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.(Lk. 24:50-51 ESV).

We find Jesus praying for the church:

• 20″I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.  (John 17:20-23 ESV).

And we find Jesus praying for his enemies:

• 34And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Lk. 23:34 ESV).

In other words we find Jesus praying for those who cannot speak for themselves, those with whom he’s engaged in mission and ministry, those who make his life difficult, and those around the world who would follow him.  The forgotten, his fellow-laborers, his foes, and his international family.

Which of these four show up on your prayer list?  Which do not?  Why?  Why not?

[image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/khrawlings/3408205998/]

5 year old girl: Uhm, are you the one who talks all the time, the one I see on the stage on Sunday, the one who preaches?

Me: Yes, I’m the preacher.

5 year old: Uhm, do you preach through the Bible in order?

Me: Do you mean do I preach Genesis, then Exodus, then Leviticus and all the way in order to Revelation?  No.  I jump around some.

5 year old: Uhm, I was wondering if you would preach my favorite Bible story on my birthday?

Me: Well, when is your birthday?

5 year old: May 2.  May 2 is a Sunday.

Me: May 2?  May 2, 2010?  That’s a long ways off.

5 year old: Yes, but would you preach my favorite Bible story on my birthday?

Me: What is your favorite Bible story?

5 year old: Uhm, I’ll be right back (she runs off and returns after a couple of minutes).

5 year old: OK, you can choose: the story of Jesus being born, or when Moses said, “Let my people Go!”

Me: Well, I can’t promise, but let me see what I can do.

I love it that she, like so many 5 year olds, was already thinking ahead to a birthday a long ways away and planning how to make the day a special day.  I love it that she felt comfortable enough to come and talk to her preacher and make this request.