This transcript was generated automatically and may contain minor errors.

Well, good evening. Turn with me in your old testament to the book of Isaiah. Appreciate David introducing our topic this evening. We'll use Isaiah chapter six as our lesson text. When we look at Isaiah the man, it's easy to recognize that Isaiah was a special man for many reasons.

For one, he was a faithful prophet of the Lord, and you couldn't get much more special in those days than being a mouthpiece for God. He was also a great poet. He was apparently uncompromising in his character. He was sincere. He was compassionate.

It's been suggested that he more than likely came from a distinguished Jewish family. We don't really know if that's the case or not, but that's been suggested based on the impressive vocabulary that we see in his writings as well as the style with which he wrote. He was special in that he prophesied for a long period of time. A few others like Daniel and Jeremiah, for example, did as well, but Isaiah prophesied for about sixty years, it seems, beginning around the time of Isaiah's reign over Judah and lasting through the reigns of three or four more kings. But Isaiah was special for another reason.

None of us are as fortunate as Isaiah the prophet because what he saw one day undoubtedly had an impact on the rest of his life. We will most likely have to wait until eternity before we see such a sight that he saw. Let's look at what he saw. Isaiah chapter six verse one. In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up.

Isaiah saw a vision of the living God. Can you imagine what that must have been like? Imagine the consequences that that day must have had on Isaiah. Let's talk about that for a few minutes this evening, and let's consider how Isaiah's vision of God should also affect us. After all, if we believe that this bible is the real word of God, then we should share the same reaction that Isaiah had when he saw the Lord sitting on his throne.

If we believe the Bible, then we have to believe what Isaiah wrote to be the truth. And that means if Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on his throne in all his glory, that should do a few things for us too. Number one, that should dispel any ludicrous notions by supposedly scholarly individuals about there being no god and blasphemous theories of... You know, by these individuals regarding evolution. Isaiah never want...

Never wavered in his belief about the existence of the true and living god, and neither should we, regardless of what science or society throws our way. Number two, Isaiah's vision should promote a healthy respect for the great chasm that we know to exist between the all powerful god and minutely capable man. The psalmist said in the eighth psalm, when I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you've ordained, what is man that you are mindful of him? Isaiah saw the Lord sitting high on a throne in all his glory. Don't you imagine Isaiah thought, what is man?

Who am I? Isaiah never questioned his position as that of a servant and God's position of authority in his great scheme of things. And thirdly, as it did for Isaiah, his vision for us should encourage a more serious attempt at keeping the commands of God, and it should discourage any efforts by us to try to circumvent God's will for us. Isaiah dared not question the directives of God, but instead, as we'll read in just a moment, he humbly complied. Let's read a little bit more about what Isaiah saw, beginning again in chapter six of Isaiah verse one.

In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the Seraphim. Seraphim. What are Seraphim? This, as far as I can tell, is the only time these are explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but they're literally fiery or burning ones, maybe fiery angels.

Isaiah goes on to explain a little bit more about them. Each had six wings. With two, he covered his face. With two, he covered his feet. And with two, he flew.

And one called to another and said, holy, holy, holy is the lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of his glory. And the foundations of the threshold shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. What Isaiah has seen here is really fascinating, isn't it? Too much for mortal man perhaps?

Verse five, and I said, woe is me for I am undone. For I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips for my eyes have seen the king, the lord of hosts. Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar, and he touched my mouth and said, behold, this has touched your lips. Your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. This was such an overwhelming occasion for Isaiah that he presumes his death or destruction is imminent.

Surely, he must die. After all, how could any man live through what he's just seen? Isaiah was no doubt familiar with the statement found in Exodus chapter 33 and verse 20. You can turn there if you'd like to follow along. Exodus chapter 33, but let's back up to verse 18 of Exodus chapter 33 where Moses said to the Lord, please show me your glory.

And he said... God said, I will make all my goodness pass before you, and you will proclaim before... And I... And will proclaim before you my name, the Lord. And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

But he said, you cannot see my face for man shall not see me and live. And the Lord said, behold, there's a place by me where you shall stand on the rock. And while my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I've passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen. Despite the magnificence, though, of what Isaiah saw, it was just a vision, Just a vision of an invisible spiritual god.

But you know what? Isaiah was still impressed. Woe is me, he said, for my eyes have seen the king, the lord of hosts. Contrast that reaction with people today. Are we impressed with God today when we read his word that he chose to reveal to us to see?

Consider the example of Josiah, the young king of Judah, who at the age of 18 learned that the high priest, Hilkiah, had found the long lost book of the law in the temple. When it was read to Josiah, we're told that he tore his clothes, he wept before God, he gathered all of Judah together at the temple to read it to them. And in second Kings chapter 23 and verse two, it says, the king went up to the house of the Lord, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the prophets, all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord. And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book, and all the people joined in the covenant.

Josiah and all the people, it seems, were impressed and impacted by the reading of the book of the law. And then look at Nehemiah chapter eight after the Jews had returned from captivity in Babylon to Jerusalem. The temple, the city wall had both been rebuilt. Ezra was now busy rebuilding the law. And in Nehemiah chapter eight in verse one, all the people gathered as one man into the square before the water gate, and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses that the lord had commanded Israel.

So Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all that could understand what they heard on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the water gate from early morning until midday in the presence of the men and women and those who could understand, and all the ears of the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. Verse five, Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was above all the people. And as he opened it, all the people stood.

And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, amen, amen, lifting up their hands, and they bowed their heads, and they worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Verse eight, they read from the book, from the law of god clearly, and they gave the sense so that the people understood the reading. Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and the scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, this day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.

For all the people wept as they heard the words of the law. And he said to them, go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready for this day is holy to our lord. Do not be grieved for the joy of the lord is your strength. And so the Levites calmed all the people saying, be quiet for this day is holy.

Do not be grieved. And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing because they had understood the words that were declared to them. Did you see the reverence shown for the reading of the book of the law? A stage was built for Ezra to stand on. He read for hours from early in the morning till midday.

The people were attentive. They stood. They lifted their hands. They bowed their heads. They worshiped, and they wept when they heard the words of the law.

In both of these examples, the people were profoundly impressed with the word of God. Sadly, there are many people today who are simply unimpressed with God and with his word. But one day, one day, they will be. Paul said in his letter to Romans in chapter 14, beginning in the latter part of verse 10. Romans chapter four...

14 verse 10. Paul writes, for we will all stand before the judgment seat of God for it is written, as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess. That's pretty sobering to think about, isn't it?

All these people who deny the existence of God and Jesus as his son, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess. Why are some folks not impressed with God? Maybe it's a case of out of sight, out of mind. I don't know. The bottom line is now is the time to be impressed, not just later when it's too late.

You know, you take a look at the sky or you go to the mountains and you look out across that endless landscape or you look into the faces of your children or your grandchildren and you ask yourself, is this all the product of chance? Is this the product of some magical cosmic happening, or is all this the result of work performed by the god of heaven and earth who holds the power in his hands to move mountains, who holds the power to give life and to take it away, who holds the power to reward his people eternally for their obedience or punish people eternally for their disbelief and their disobedience. We all need to take time to consider the great god who is capable of creating everything by mere pronouncement. Was Isaiah impressed with god and his glory? Oh, yes.

Greatly so. To the point of eagerly accepting God's call to, if not volunteering for, the Lord's service. And that concludes our rather long introduction. What I'd really like to focus on for the remainder of our time this evening is take a look at Isaiah's zeal to answer god's call to serve him and to come... And to compare it, try to compare it to our own.

So I'm back in Isaiah chapter six now, and verse eight reads, I heard the voice of the Lord saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, here I am. Send me. Remember, Isaiah has just seen a vision of the god of heaven sitting on his throne. He's so strongly impressed or impacted that he thinks he's done for until one of the seraphim touched his mouth with a burning coal and tells him that his guilt is taken away and his sin atoned for.

And then he hears the voice of God ask a question, whom shall I send? Who will go for us? And without even knowing where he'll be going and for what purpose he'll be going, he eagerly answers and says, here I am. Send me. Isaiah has accepted his call to serve the Lord.

Have we? Have you? Now you may say, well, we're not called like Isaiah was. And maybe in a sense, that's true. We're not called through a vision of God where we literally hear his voice and not through some still small voice in the night, not through some close shave with death.

We're called through the gospel of Jesus as revealed in his word. Second Thessalonians second Thessalonians chapter two. Second Thessalonians chapter two and verse 13 says, but we ought always to give thanks to God for you brothers, beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved through sanctification by the spirit and belief in the truth. To this, he called you through our gospel so that you may obtain the glory of our lord Jesus Christ. God's choosing is dependent upon sanctification by the spirit and belief in the truth, and the calling that makes this possible is through the gospel.

Sadly, though, Jesus tells us in Matthew twenty two fourteen that not everyone who is called responds favorably. He says, for many are called, but few are chosen. Other passages teach us that our calling is made sure by our conscious attempts to be obedient and to grow in our faith. Second Peter one in verse 10 says, therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election. For if you practice these qualities, those he spoke of in the preceding verses, faith, virtue, knowledge, self control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love, He says if you practice these qualities, you will never fail.

First Thessalonians two in verse 12 says, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. And Colossians one in verse 13 kinda sums up for us what this calling really does for us. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. God calls us out of the power of imprisonment to sin, darkness, and futility into amazing fellowship with his son and the saved, into forgiveness, into blessing. But with this calling, he calls us unto a few things as well, dependence on him, righteousness, holiness, teaching, sacrifice, and service, to name a few.

Perhaps the reason that so many fail to respond to God's calling through the gospel could be summed up in what we've already said, that too many people are simply unimpressed with god and his word. Their view of god is just too inadequate to motivate a proper response to his calling. I suppose the list of things that could interfere with answering the call of the gospel is a long one. For some, the sensual pleasures of some vice may be more motivational than the Lord's calling, whether it's drugs or alcohol or sexual immorality or something else. Some people are just simply more motivated to fulfill sex...

Their sensual pleasures and desires. Perhaps it's not particularly something that we would normally consider a vice that motivates some more than God does. Maybe there are ventures or events or other things that are not inherently immoral, but that may still take precedent over our obligations to the Lord. It could be our job, our hobbies, even our family that may be more impressive, more motivational to us than God is. But what did Jesus say in Matthew 10 and verse 37?

He said, he who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. He who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. He could have just as easily said, he who loves his job or his hobbies more than me is not worthy of me. For others, appreciation of material wealth may exceed their appreciation for God. In Matthew 19, when the rich young ruler went away sorrowful because Jesus told him to sell everything he had and give the money to the poor, he told his disciples in verse 23 of Matthew 19, assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

And, again, I say to you that it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Proverbs 23 and verse four says, do not toil to acquire wealth. Be discerning enough to desist or decease. When your eyes light on it, the next verse says, it is gone. For suddenly, sprouts wings flying like an eagle toward heaven.

And then Paul wrote in first Timothy chapter six verse 17, As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. If our appreciation for material things is greater than our love for the Lord or if it interferes with our obligations to respond to the Lord's call, then we're no better than that rich young man who went away sorrowful. Now some might say, well, I've not seen a vision of the Lord like Isaiah did. Had I seen such a vision, it would be easy for me to share the same level of appreciation for the Lord.

The truth is that with the perfect and complete word of God in our hands, we actually have an advantage, don't we, over Isaiah and the other prophets? Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew thirteen seventeen, truly I say to you, many prophets and righteous people long to see what you see and did not see it and to hear what you hear and did not hear it. Peter expounded more on that idea in first Peter chapter one beginning in verse 10. First Peter one in verse 10. He says, concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.

It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves, but you, and the things that have now been announced to you through those who preach the good news to you by the holy spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. Fact is, we weren't there for creation. We didn't see it happen. We didn't see the great flood in the ark. We didn't see the plagues of Egypt or the parting of the Red Sea or the miracles performed by Jesus and his apostles, and we didn't see the resurrected Lord.

But we see it all revealed to us in the pages of this book. We don't have to have witnessed those things to know with absolute certainty that they happen or to be motivated by them and even to be blessed by our belief. Passage that's very familiar to us in John chapter 20 beginning in verse 24. Thomas, one of the 12, called the twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, we've seen the Lord.

But he said to them, unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails and place my hand into his side, I will never believe. Late days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. And although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, peace be with you. And he said to Thomas, put your finger here and see my hands. Put out your hand and place it in my side.

Do not disbelieve, but believe. And Thomas answered, my Lord and my God. And Jesus said to him, have you believed because you've seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. The fact that we haven't seen yet believed is what God commends us...

Commends in us and promises to reward. First Peter chapter one in verse eight says, though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Obviously, God calls all men everywhere to repent and to obey the gospel, but the calling doesn't end when we become Christians. As Christians, we're called under service.

So what if you find yourself lacking the motivation that you know you should have or the zeal that you should have to answer God's call to serve him. Could it be that maybe you just haven't tapped into the power of God's word to guide you in your life and motivate you to stronger faith, stronger service? Look at Psalm chapter one nineteen. In the hundred and nineteenth Psalm, beginning in verse one zero three, the psalmist writes, how sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth. Through your precepts, I get understanding.

Therefore, I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. In the same chapter, skipping down to verse a 127, therefore, I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. Therefore, I consider all your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.

Your testimonies are wonderful. Therefore, my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light. It imparts understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant because I long for your commandments.

Everything we need to know about God, life altering instruction is contained in the pages of this book, God's word. If you wanna be motivated to serve him, if you wanna increase your interest in him, if you wanna understand and appreciate the great value that he has to your life. Then learn about him. Come to know him and his principles. Study his word and apply it to your life.

Reflect every day on the awesome god revealed in this book, and it will enable you to effectively respond to his invitations and his calling. Fact is, there's only one right response to God's calling, but there are several other ways that people often respond. Sometimes the here I am, send me response of Isaiah is exchanged for today's far more common response of here I am, but send someone else. Yes. I wanna be part of a growing church, but whatever you do, Lord, don't send me.

Some would say, here I am, but send an elder. Here I am, send the preacher. Here I am. Send anyone else but me. Now the here I am part of Isaiah's response is what gives some people problems.

They would only respond in such a way if it suits them, if it's convenient for them. But Isaiah didn't didn't wait and ask for a more convenient time. His convenience was simply not an issue at all. He didn't ask or wait to hear where he was being sent or what he was being sent to do. The performance of God's will should always supersede any of our own self interest.

Some might be more troubled by the send me part of Isaiah's response. This type of person may attend every worship service. They may be here every time the door is open, and they may make themselves available for service in many other ways. But in some areas of service that they may be fully capable of doing, maybe we wanna claim exemption. Here I am.

Send me if no one else can go or if it won't hurt or cost too much. But if we truly understand what's at stake, what's to be gained, what's to be accomplished, instead of looking around to see if someone else responds to the Lord's call, shouldn't we respond affirmatively as Isaiah did? Here I am. Send me. So how can we apply this lesson?

Well, first and foremost, if you're not a Christian, if you've not answered God's call to obey the gospel, to come out of the power of sin and darkness and into forgiveness and freedom from sin, don't wait another day. Repent of your sins, confess Jesus as lord and savior, and be baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins. As Christians, how can we apply what we've talked about this evening? I will say this. We are so blessed at Timberland Drive to have so many who are ready and eager to serve in so many ways, and thank you for that.

But Isaiah's example should encourage us all to self reflection where we ask ourselves if we're doing everything that we can and should be doing to serve the Lord and others. For example, if you know or see a need in this local church, step up and take care of it. When we see sign up sheets for teaching bible classes or other opportunities to serve, we really ought to be running over each other to try to get to the bulletin boards. When we're aware of opportunities for spiritual growth, such as our men's classes, our ladies bible studies, young adult devos, or even the opportunities to sign up to host devos for the kids, answer the call. Ask ourselves if our level of attendance is what it should be.

Are we preparing like we should be to be here and to worship God and to be here to encourage our brothers and sisters? If we see a brother or a sister struggling in his or her faith, are we gonna do something about it, or are we gonna wait for someone else to do something about it? We should try to do something to help. And if a soul is lost, don't just trust in the idea that they'll figure it out by themselves one of these days or that someone else will come along to help them. We should be doing what we can to lead them to the saving knowledge of the truth.

I know I've jumped around a lot tonight. I apologize for that. Didn't have slides, you know, with the scriptures and so forth, but the good news is all of the real preachers will be back next week. I guess, though... I appreciate your attention.

I guess this all really boils down to a question that we should ask ourselves, and that's just exactly how much does god mean to me When compared to my family, my friends, my job, my recreational interests, my things, my possessions, how much does God really mean to me? Isaiah was so impressed by his vision of god that he jumped at the chance to serve him no matter the cost. Are we that impressed with god and his word that we too will answer the call to serving? You know, our view of God means everything. It determines everything.

It really underlies our religious participation, whether it's gonna be half hearted or wholehearted. Our view of God determines if we love him like we should with all our heart, soul, and mind, and if we're gonna keep his commandments. Our view of God will ultimately determine where we'll spend eternity. We've talked a lot this evening. I've used I've used the term a lot about being impressed with God, and I think that's a that's a fine word.

But first John three in verse one says, see what kind of love the father has given us that we should be called children of God? And so we are. As children of God, we should be more than impressed. We should be overwhelmed with God and what he's done for us. To those who are overwhelmed, it wouldn't matter what God commanded for salvation or how severe his commands are or even what serving him might cost them.

In Acts chapter two, when those Jews who gathered on Pentecost heard Peter's sermon and they came to understand the gravity of what they'd done to Jesus, we're told they were cut to the heart. They said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do? It doesn't sound like it mattered much to them, does it? Just tell us what to do, and we'll do it. And so Peter did in the very next verse, repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins, and you'll show...

You shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. God still calls. As long as time goes on, the gospel still speaks of the love of Christ and still declares salvation for those who respond faithfully in obedience. If you're ready to answer the Lord's invitation, if we can assist you, please come while we stand and sing.