ENLARGING YOUR TENTS Isaiah 54:1-5

Isaiah 54:1-5 (NIV) 1 "Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband," says the Lord. 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. 1 "Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband," says the Lord. 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.

Isaiah 54:1-5 (NIV) 4 "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. 5 For your Maker is your husband-- the Lord Almighty is his name-- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. 4 "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. 5 For your Maker is your husband-- the Lord Almighty is his name-- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.

CSM – BCI 2006

Randolph: 24,500 Denville: 17,200 Parsippany: 27,620 Dover: 24,400 Mine Hill: 3,680 Succasunna: 11,170 Ledgewood: 2,560 Netcong: 3,250

CSM – BCI , 380 people

I.THE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH: (v.1) Isaiah 54:1 (NIV) 1 "Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband," says the Lord. Isaiah 54:1 (NIV) 1 "Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband," says the Lord.

I.THE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH: (v.1) Isaiah 5:1-4 (NIV) 1 I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. 2 He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. 3 "Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. 4 What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? Isaiah 5:1-4 (NIV) 1 I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. 2 He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. 3 "Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. 4 What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad?

I.THE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH: (v.1) Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV) 1 The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.“ Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV) 1 The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.“

I.THE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH: (v.1) Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV) 1 The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.“ Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV) 1 The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.“

I.THE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH: (v.1) Isaiah 53:4-5 (NIV) 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 (NIV) 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

II. THE PREPARATION FOR GROWTH: Isaiah 54:2 (NIV) 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. Isaiah 54:2 (NIV) 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.

II. THE PREPARATION FOR GROWTH: A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. Isaiah 54:2 (NIV) 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. Isaiah 54:2 (NIV) 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.

II. THE PREPARATION FOR GROWTH: Acts 6:1-4 (NIV) 1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.“ Acts 6:1-4 (NIV) 1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.“

II. THE PREPARATION FOR GROWTH: A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. Isaiah 54:2 (NIV) 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. Isaiah 54:2 (NIV) 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.

II. THE PREPARATION FOR GROWTH: A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV) 17 "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV) 17 "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

II. THE PREPARATION FOR GROWTH: A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV) 17 "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV) 17 "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

II. THE PREPARATION FOR GROWTH: A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. Isaiah 54:4 “ Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated….

II. THE PREPARATION FOR GROWTH: A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. Isaiah 54:5 5 For your Maker is your husband, the LORD Almighty is his name, the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.

II. THE PREPARATION FOR GROWTH: A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. Isaiah 54:5 5 For your Maker is your husband, the LORD Almighty is his name, the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth. He loves us

II. THE PREPARATION FOR GROWTH: A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. Isaiah 54:5 5 For your Maker is your husband, the LORD Almighty is his name, the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth. He is so powerful

II. THE PREPARATION FOR GROWTH: A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. A. God wants us to be proactive and not reactive. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. B. Anticipate the potential of experiencing some growth pains. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. C. Don’t set a limit on what God can do for you. “God is looking for those through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity that we only attempt that which we can do ourselves.” -A.W. Tozer-

III. THE PROSPECT FOR GROWTH: Isaiah 54:3 (NIV) 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. Isaiah 54:3 (NIV) 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.

III. THE PROSPECT FOR GROWTH: Isaiah 54:3 (NIV) 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. Isaiah 54:3 (NIV) 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. “The meaning of our lives will be measured not with what we have gained for ourselves but what we can contribute to the next generation.”