091204

KNOWING GOD
RESPONDING TO GOD’S HOLINESS
Isaiah 6:1-13
September 12, 2004




1) Isaiah’s encounter with the Lord has Him “high and lifted up.” What does this tell you about the glory of God? His relationship to sin? Compare with John 12:32. What is Jesus referring to when He says “lifted up?”

“Glory” means weight or heavy and refers to one’s reputation, importance or the weight one carries in society:

“Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD; exalt the name of the LORD, the God of Israel…” (Isaiah 24:15)

“Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength, ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.” (1 Chronicles 16:28-29)

“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.” (Psalm 96:8)

By being lifted up on a cross, God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ received glory through Christ’s humility and obedience to the Father.

“He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"” (Luke 24:25-26)

“Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.” (John 8:54)

“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” (John 17:1-5)



2) King Uzziah, a good king, ruled for 52 years. Isaiah was prayerfully seeking God because he feared what would happen to the people without a godly king to lead them. In his vision, the Lord is pictured sitting on a lofty throne. Do you think God may have been trying to let Isaiah know who was still in charge? Who is sitting on the throne of your life? Can there be two people sitting on the same throne? (See Matthew 6:24).

3) Now, look at Revelation 1:12-18—can you see any comparison to Isaiah’s vision? This is who Jesus has really always been!

4) God’s most glorious attribute is His holiness! Matthew Henry, noted Biblical commentator says, “Power without purity to guide it, would be a terror to mankind.” Satan has power, Adam gave it to him (Luke 4:5-7; Ephesians 1:17-21; Luke 10:19) but no purity. Would you agree with Mr. Henry’s assessment of holiness?

5) Isaiah 6:1-7 clearly outlines the steps to responding to God’s revealed holiness. What are they? How do they compare to the steps to responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ? (See Acts 3:36-39; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:8-17; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

God’s holiness always lead us to:
1) Realization of our own sinful nature
i. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)
2) Confession
i. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) God used the sense of awe and reverence Isaiah experienced to lead Isaiah to a deep conviction of sin and a strong willingness to answer God’s call to be His prophet.
3) Repentance
i. “Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:31-32)
4) Being Gifted for God’s Service
i. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:6-21)

Seeing God’s holiness always makes us look inward to our own sinfulness. Only then can we see ourselves as we really are.

“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:5-6)

God’s word does the same thing today:

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)




6) In Isaiah’s vision, who initiated the cleansing and atonement? Who initiates it today? (See 1 John 4:19; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 Timothy 2:5-6)

The process of removing guilt and other sin barriers to our relationship with God is called atonement. Atonement rededicates and sanctifies the forgiven person to God.

7) In Isaiah’s vision, the Lord’s glory filled the entire sanctuary. Some say this is the temple of Jerusalem where Isaiah was praying and some have indicated it is symbolic of filling the whole world. What does God long to fill today? (See Colossians 1:27).

8) The seraphs wings covered their faces and their feet. What attribute does this imply they had toward such an awesome God? We too, should have this same posture when approaching a holy God (Matthew 23:12), but look what we, who were created a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 6:2-8) have waiting for us. (See 1 Corinthians 13:12; Hebrews 2:11).

Seraph is literally translated “searing or burning ones.” They are only mentioned here in Isaiah and are members of God’s holy court. Their posture speaks of humility and reverence. They sing God’s praises all day long and protect His holiness. They burned in their love for God, their zeal for His glory and their zeal against sin.

9) The seraphs acted as a mediator between God and Isaiah. Who is our Mediator today? (See 2 Timothy 2:5).

10) The seraph were crying Holy, holy, holy! How can we have any hope of standing in God’s presence? (See Matthew 10:32-33; Matthew 11:27; John 6:37; John 6:40; John 14:6).

11) Why was Isaiah so undone by seeing the Lord Almighty? (See Exodus 33:20). Have there ever been any exceptions to this statement?

“Woe is me, or I am ruined” can better be translated as “I am silenced, cannot reply. Isaiah was able to see what the great law giver, Moses was not allowed to see. The exceptions are:

“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." (Genesis 16:13) (The word used, LORD, is the Hebrew word, Yahweh, or Jehovah).

For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.” (Psalm 11:7) (LORD is translated as indicated above.)

“When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he exclaimed, "Ah, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!" (Judges 6:22) (LORD is translated as above.)




12) Isaiah states he is a man of unclean lips. The burning coals touch his lips. Why is it important what comes out of our mouths? (See Matthew 12:34; Matthew 15:11).

13) Can you have unclean lips by what you fail to say? (See Matthew 12:36-37)

14) The coal cleanses Isaiah. What does the burning coal represent? (See Matthew 3:11). How are we cleansed today? (See 1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 10:19-23; Hebrews 9:11-14).

Coal is closely related to God’s holy altar. On the Day of Atonement, the High Priest was to the coals were taken from inside the Most Holy Place. This was part of the sacrificial offering to cover the sins of the High Priest and the sins of the nation of Israel. The live coal represents Christ’s death and the cleansing blood of Christ that keeps on cleansing us from all sin.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

15) Isaiah was changed by his encounter with the Living God. Have you had such an encounter (admittedly, probably not as dramatic)? How has your coming face to face with God changed your life?

16) As soon as Isaiah was cleansed, the Lord looks to him as a messenger. Is God still sending his children on mission today? (See Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 10:15; 1 Timothy 1:12).

17) Is this commission just for special individuals or all Christians? Will God use someone who has not repented and been cleansed? How have you responded to God’s call?

18) Look at Isaiah 6:8—can you see evidence of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) in this statement?

19) Isaiah was sent to harden the hearts of these people? Who are “these people?” Does God or anyone else deliberately harden someone heart or was Isaiah sent to “reveal” the darkness that was already in their souls? (See Isaiah 5:24b; Matthew 13:9-16; John 3:19).

20) If we are sent to enlighten others, how important is it that we have a clear knowledge of God ourselves? (See Luke 6:39).

21) Isaiah was given a very difficult mission—God told him the people would reject his message, it would not lead to their repentance rather to their utter doom. Can you feel Isaiah’s pain? “How long?” (vs. 11). Do you feel it would be difficult to plant seed when you know ahead of time it will not produce? We are commanded to plant seed, just as Isaiah did. Does the seed we plant always produce a good crop? (See Matthew 13:3-8). Who is responsible for sowing the seed? (Matthew 13:37).


22) God doesn’t leave his prophet without hope (Isaiah 6:13). What or Who is the holy seed God is referring to? (See Isaiah 11:1-5).

23) God has promised that a remnant will survive out of the nation of Israel—one that will see and hear (See Isaiah 29:18; 35:5; 35:10).

24) And, in case your wondering where we fit in—look at John 15:1-11; Romans 11:11-30!

25) Psalm 24:5 tells us that we will receive the Lord’s blessing. Are we capable of receiving it now? (See Romans 4:6-8; Galatians 3:6-9; Ephesians 1:3; Revelation 19:9). Are we blessed just for ourselves or to be a blessing? (See Genesis 12:2-3).

26) The Book of Revelation assures us that all will be set right on the day of God’s choosing. How can we as God’s children bring him blessing, honor, glory and power today?

With our prosperity (See Proverbs 3:9-10)
With helping the poor (Proverbs 14:31)
With keeping the Sabbath (Isaiah 58:13)
Walk humbly and justly (Micah 6:8).
By our Faith (John 17:6-11)