NCF's "The Sunday Sermon" - November 5, 2023

Both in Isaiah 5 and John 15 the people of God are said to be like a vineyard. Jesus says He is the vine and His Father the vinedresser. Both images show how gracious God is in not only planting the vineyard but also caring for the vineyard. He gives His vineyard everything it needs to bear fruit, yet in both cases there is a warning not to spurn God’s grace. Paul warns the Corinthians and us in 2 Cor. 6:1 not to receive God’s grace in vain. There are 6 laments in Isaiah 5 concerning the unresponsiveness of God’s people. Their reckless ambition yields little and produces injustice. Their deliberate sinning defies the Holy One of Israel. Such behavior leads to God’s righteous anger against sin proving His perfect holiness.