''What Could Have Been''

"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

1. 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.
2. The Planting – (vs. 2)
   • God planted a choice vine (His people).
   • Illustration: Like planting a magnolia tree, God planted Israel to grow and flourish.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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
  • “Here am I, send me.”
• Two Important Days for Every Christian:
  1. The Day of Salvation
  2. 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?