My sermon notes for Sunday morning, Feb 9^th as we continue our study through the Book of Isaiah. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon.  They are provided to help follow as we walk through the Word each week.

Isaiah 6:1-13 – The Lord’s Confirmation

Following the vineyard song and woes of Chp. 5 we now see a vision experienced by Isaiah.  In a way only God can do, we see the Lord confirming His ministry upon Isaiah.  After the hard words that closed out Chp 5 we see the Calling, Confession, Cleansing, and Commissioning of Isaiah as he continues his crucial ministry to Judah.

 Isaiah’s Calling – vv. 1-4 (God summoned him into His presence)

The Earthly King – King Uzziah

Uzziah started well, but did not FINISH FAITHFUL 52 yrs. (our current p.m. study)

• 2 Chron. 26 (v. 16 -grew proud to his destruction)

The year the king left his throne.  Isaiah encounter the KING ON HIS THRONE.

• In a time of uncertainty and obvious transition… it is God who makes Himself known to Isaiah.

The Heavenly King – The Lord

• Throne – His SOVEREIGNTY AND AUTHORITY.
• High and lifted up – Exalted above all. His POWER AND MAJESTY
• Train of robe filled temple – His HONOR AND DIGNITY

The Seraphim – Worship Him (He shows him a glimpse of heavenly worship)

They give us an example of how God’s calling is one about worship/service unto the Lord.

• Only mentioned here. “Burning Ones”
• 6 wings. Covering themselves.
  • Face – cannot gaze upon the glory of God. The burning ones cover in the midst of the Glory of God.
  • Feet – They are not worthy even though they serve the lord. TRUE HUMILITY
• Holy, Holy, Holy – Emphatic, complete (some reference the trinity)
  • Separate and Different.
• Whole earth is full of His glory – His presence is everywhere. PSALM 139
• Shook/Smoke – His presence, power, and Will being carried out. (Jesus at cross. Darkness and earthquake)

He is both transcendent and immanent.  Beyond the physical yet indwelling His creation!

Isaiah’s Confession – v. 5

Woe is me – Fear, Terror. In a reverent way… yet in a terrifying way. (we need a little more this in our lives today!)

• a natural reaction to the presence of God.
  • He was a sinner
  • He has seen God.

For I am lost

• Because of my unclean lips. – The mouth is an abundance of the heart.

Matthew 12:33–37 – [33] “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. [35] The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. [36] I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, [37] for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (ESV)

I dwell in the midst of people with unclean lips

• Acknowledging the problem around him. THEIR PROBLEM WAS THAT THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST A HOLY GOD.
• Calling sin for what it is. Instead of planning our actions on everything else  (always someone of something else)

 

Isaiah’s Cleansing – vv. 6-7

Burning coal & Altar

• The brazen altar where the blood was shed. (Ex 27)
• The coals (Lev 16:12)
• The means for God’s purifying work.

Guilt taken away.  Sin atoned for

• God did what Isaiah could not. He provided the way.
  • A perfect picture of Christ’s atonement.

 

1 John 1:8–10 – [8] If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (ESV)

NOTICE

• THERE WAS WOE BEFORE CLEANSING
• We do not just come to the Lord because that is just what we/you do. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SINFULNESS BEFORE HIM AND BEG HIM TO FORGIVE YOU and REDEEM YOU. AND PLEAD FOR HIM TO ALLOW YOU TO SERVE HIM.

 

Isaiah’s Commissioning – vv. 8-13

He was forgiven and sent with a message.

The Messenger

• Whom Shall I Send
  • Divine commission

• Hear I am. Send Me
  • Obedience… an act of worship
    • I must (heart not right) I must (clean heart)
  • Faith and trust
    • Where you lead I will go.

The Message

• With clarity – vv. 9 – 10
  • Go and say to this people
  • Keep hearing. BUT
  • Keep seeing, BUT
  • Hearts dull
    • REGARDLESS OF THE RECEPTION. Keep telling the truth

2 Corinthians 2:14–17 – [14] But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. [15] For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, [16] to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? [17] For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. (ESV)

• With steadfastness – vv. 11-12 – How Long O Lord?
  • Until the cities are waste
  • Until the Lord removes

• With purpose– v. 13
  • The Holy Seed is its stump
    • A lone seed growing from an old stump
    • Isaiah 9:6-7 – Unto us a child is born
    • Isaiah 11:1-9 – Stump, root of Jesse

 

Putting things in perspective:

• They may not listen
  • They are deaf to the things of God
• Their deafness is a sign of God’s judgment
• When the Word is shared, two things happen.
  • Heart is softened (Fragrance of life)
  • Heart is hardened (Fragrance of death)
• We cannot change the message hoping to CREATE RECEPTIVE HEARTS
  • Telling them what we think they WANT to hear.