· When does fantasy become a danger?
· God’s possibilities for you are greater than people’s expectations of you.
· Ephesians 3:20-21 - 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at
work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
· Isaiah 56:9: 9 Come, all you beasts of the field, come and devour, all you beasts of the forest!
· 10 Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark;
they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. 11 They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough.
· Are there any religious leaders who are like sleeping watchdogs?
· 1 Peter 2:9 - 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the
praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
· Are you a sleeping watchdog?
· What does it mean for you to keep watch?
· Who am I to watch over?
· Am I paying attention?
· “God, show me where you are work.”
· Am I self-centered?
· 11bThey are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain.
12 “Come,” each one cries, “let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better.”
· Are there political leaders who are neglectful shepherds?
· John Maxwell – “Leadership is Influence.”
· Do you have influence over anyone?
· Do you care about the people you lead?
· 57 The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and
no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.
2 Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.
· 1 Thessalonians 4:13c: …do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
· Even if your religious and political leaders are living in fantasy, you live in the right way – the way of God – and you will have peace.
· Reality with God is better than fantasy without God.
LIFE Group Discussion
Starter: Do you know someone who lives mostly in fantasy?
What is his or her life like?
Questions:
1. Read Isaiah 56:9
2. In your opinion, why is calling wild animals to feast a mark of God’s judgment?
3. Read Isaiah 56:10-11a
4. Do you think of yourself as a watchman? Who are you to be watching over?
5. Read Isaiah 56:11b-12
6. Do you think of yourself as a leader? Who do you have influence over?
7. Read Isaiah 57:1-2
8. In your experience, how difficult is it to live a life doing the right things, the things of Jesus? Please explain the thinking behind your answer.
