"What Could Have Been?"
Text: Isaiah 5:1-5
Introduction:
- Opening Question: What could have been?
- History’s What-Ifs:
- D-Day, June 6, 1944 – Hitler took a sleeping pill and couldn’t be woken.
- The hand of God in history.
- Sports What-Ifs:
- Drew Bledsoe’s injury led to Tom Brady’s legendary career.
- What might have been for Bledsoe?
- Life’s What-Ifs:
- Dr. Seuss faced 19 rejections before success.
Main Discussion: Isaiah 5 – The Story of What Could Have Been
- The Place – (vs. 1)
- The Beloved (God’s People, The Church)
- God provided a fruitful place full of benefits.
- Key Verses:
- Proverbs 21:20 – “Treasure in the dwelling of the wise.”
- James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above.”
- Philippians 2:13 – God works in us for His good pleasure.
- Isaiah 41:13 – God holds our hand and helps us.
- The Planting – (vs. 2)
- God planted a choice vine (His people).
- Illustration: Like planting a magnolia tree, God planted Israel to grow and flourish.
- The Provision – (vs. 2)
- God’s Protection
- Proverbs 18:10 – “The name of the Lord is a strong tower.”
- The Walls & Watchtower
- God fenced His people for their safety.
- Example: The story of Del Wilkes, a pro-wrestler who lost everything to drugs but found redemption.
- Lesson: Walls of God’s protection keep us from destruction.
- The Prayer – (vs. 3-4)
- God asks: “Could I have done more?”
- No one has done more for us than God.
- Yet, people still choose another way.
- The Product – (vs. 4)
- Instead of good fruit, Israel produced wild grapes.
- Key Verses:
- Galatians 6:7-9 – We reap what we sow.
- Matthew 7:16 – “You shall know them by their fruits.”
- The question: What fruit are we producing?
Conclusion:
- Turning the Page – Isaiah 6:8-9
- Two Important Days for Every Christian:
- The Day of Salvation
- The Day of Surrender
- Final Challenge: It’s no longer about what could have been—it’s about what will be.
- What will your story be?
