No Rest for the Watchman

In one paragraph

This week Brian continued the Isaiah 62 series with one week left to go, focusing on verse six and what it means for God to post watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem. The conversation ranged from the prophetic ministry in the local church to the very practical question of what it looks like to pray for Israel right now, and what it means that the Holy Spirit stands as a watchman on the wall of your...

Read together

1. Isaiah 62:1 quoted as the voice of Isaiah expressing his heart for Jerusalem and his commitment to pray for her until her righteousness shines and her salvation blazes
2. Isaiah 62:6 the central verse of the sermon, about God posting watchmen on Jerusalem's walls who pray day and night without rest
3. Isaiah 62:1-11 the full chapter read aloud by members of the congregation as the text for the whole series
4. Ezekiel 33:1-6 read to contrast the people appointing their own watchmen with God appointing watchmen for Zion, and used to illustrate the prophetic ministry
5. Isaiah 56:10-12 raised by a congregation member to describe watchmen who are blind, silent and derelict, titled Israel's irresponsible leaders
6. Ephesians 4 referenced as the source of the fivefold ministry gifts given by Jesus to the church
7. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 read by a congregation member about rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, not stifling the Holy Spirit, and testing prophecy
8. Matthew 23:37 quoted at the close as Jesus grieving over Jerusalem and saying Israel would not see him again until they say blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
9. Matthew 7 referenced by a congregation member connecting the gate imagery in Isaiah 62:10 to the narrow gate

What was said

• Come to the building at 8:45 Sunday morning and join Lanisha in praying over the service before anyone else arrives.
• Pray specifically for Israel using the words of Isaiah 62:1, that her righteousness would shine like the dawn and her salvation blaze like a burning torch.
• The next time you feel your heart rate rise and sense the Lord nudging you toward someone, act on it instead of letting the moment pass.
• If you are a young adult, show up Tuesday evening at the TNC for the life group conversation on evangelism led by Jay and Justin and Carla.
• Mark December 24 on your calendar and plan to be on the town square at 6:30 for the Christmas Eve service.

Talk about it

1. Brian talked about the idea that God handpicks watchmen for Israel rather than leaving it to people to appoint their own. What do you think it looks like in practice for someone to be appointed by God to a role like that, and have you ever sensed that kind of appointment in your own life?
2. Clay shared that reading 'pass through the gates' connected him to the narrow gate in Matthew 7, and he talked about needing to stay laser focused on God rather than the world. Where in your own life do you find that focus hardest to hold?
3. Brian described the fivefold ministry using the hand analogy, with the prophetic gift pictured as a watchman on the wall who has a perspective those inside the city walls cannot see. Have you ever experienced someone in that kind of prophetic role saying or praying something that proved to be true for you?
4. Brian told the story of sitting in his truck at the tire shop in Idaho Falls, feeling his heartbeat in his neck as God highlighted one mechanic, and then being obedient to go speak to the whole shop. Can you think of a time you felt that kind of physical nudge to act and either followed it or held back? What happened?
5. At the close of the sermon Brian prayed over someone he sensed had been keeping the gate of their heart closed to healing for a broken heart, listening to the Holy Spirit about dangers but not about this. What makes it harder to trust the Holy Spirit's voice when it is pointing us toward something good rather than away from something bad?