1 00:00:04,360 --> 00:00:06,960 It's good to see each one this morning. 2 00:00:08,900 --> 00:00:10,920 And in case anyone doesn't know who I 3 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:14,560 am, I'm Bruce Rogers from Sudbury, Ontario. 4 00:00:16,980 --> 00:00:19,480 And Lord willing, I'll be with you for 5 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:20,240 this week. 6 00:00:22,260 --> 00:00:24,300 Now, I'm not sure how many of you 7 00:00:24,300 --> 00:00:28,220 have the outlines that are at the back. 8 00:00:28,220 --> 00:00:35,380 If you don't have one, what I have 9 00:00:35,380 --> 00:00:39,000 this morning will be, in one sense, devotional. 10 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:42,900 And I hope it will be appropriate for 11 00:00:42,900 --> 00:00:46,140 preparation for the remembrance of the Lord Jesus. 12 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:50,240 But I will just make a few comments 13 00:00:50,240 --> 00:00:51,600 about the outline. 14 00:00:53,740 --> 00:00:55,720 It's not meant to overwhelm you. 15 00:00:57,160 --> 00:00:59,220 There's quite a bit of material on here 16 00:00:59,220 --> 00:01:03,420 that is more reference material than material that 17 00:01:03,420 --> 00:01:07,460 I'm going to be actually covering as we 18 00:01:07,460 --> 00:01:08,420 go through it. 19 00:01:09,040 --> 00:01:11,720 Lord willing, I hope to cover basically the 20 00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:15,460 material that's on the first page today and 21 00:01:15,460 --> 00:01:19,880 probably tomorrow night start on Part 2, Purpose 22 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:21,940 of the Message, and may get into Part 23 00:01:21,940 --> 00:01:22,260 3. 24 00:01:22,260 --> 00:01:25,960 Part 3 is the Preparation of the Message 25 00:01:25,960 --> 00:01:28,660 and Part 4, Presentation of the Message. 26 00:01:28,860 --> 00:01:32,840 Now, in dividing it into four parts, I'm 27 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:38,740 trying to make it manageable to sort out 28 00:01:38,740 --> 00:01:40,920 different aspects of the subject. 29 00:01:41,140 --> 00:01:44,780 And the subject overall is how to teach 30 00:01:44,780 --> 00:01:45,580 the Word of God. 31 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:50,320 And that might seem like a bit of 32 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:55,540 a presumptuous subject for any preacher to try 33 00:01:55,540 --> 00:01:59,260 to take up because I'm very conscious of 34 00:01:59,260 --> 00:02:03,900 my limitations, and I certainly don't believe that 35 00:02:03,900 --> 00:02:06,300 the way I preach or teach is the 36 00:02:06,300 --> 00:02:07,680 only way that it should be done. 37 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:12,060 Part of it is spiritual gift. 38 00:02:12,260 --> 00:02:13,440 Part of it is personality. 39 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:17,700 There are differences in people, and each one 40 00:02:17,700 --> 00:02:21,240 of us will convey the Word of God 41 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:24,380 in our own way, but it is the 42 00:02:24,380 --> 00:02:25,640 Word of God that we are to be 43 00:02:25,640 --> 00:02:26,100 conveying. 44 00:02:26,340 --> 00:02:30,560 So, in the introduction, I've put the messenger 45 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,240 and his message, and that's really the two 46 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:35,300 things that are going to be blending together 47 00:02:35,300 --> 00:02:37,320 as we look at this subject. 48 00:02:38,100 --> 00:02:40,280 And there's an interesting verse in the book 49 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:43,520 of Haggai, chapter 1 and verse 13, and 50 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:47,020 I'm just going to give you the expression, 51 00:02:47,860 --> 00:02:52,480 Then spake Haggai, the Lord's messenger, in the 52 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:53,240 Lord's message. 53 00:02:53,920 --> 00:02:56,660 Now, that's an amazing expression, isn't it? 54 00:02:56,900 --> 00:02:58,380 The Lord's messenger. 55 00:03:00,380 --> 00:03:04,380 That's something that each one of us are 56 00:03:04,380 --> 00:03:06,460 going to have to come to terms with, 57 00:03:07,220 --> 00:03:11,280 that we are, individually, the Lord's messenger. 58 00:03:12,380 --> 00:03:16,200 And I'm not now speaking particularly to preachers 59 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:18,040 or overseers in the assembly. 60 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:20,740 I am speaking to everyone. 61 00:03:21,920 --> 00:03:26,480 If you are a Christian, you belong to 62 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:26,900 the Lord. 63 00:03:27,900 --> 00:03:33,820 You are his messenger to someone, to someone's. 64 00:03:35,100 --> 00:03:39,300 And so, we need to understand ourselves in 65 00:03:39,300 --> 00:03:43,380 this capacity as being a messenger from the 66 00:03:43,380 --> 00:03:43,740 Lord. 67 00:03:44,620 --> 00:03:46,980 But then it also says, in the Lord's 68 00:03:46,980 --> 00:03:47,400 message. 69 00:03:48,580 --> 00:03:51,620 It's not enough just to say, well, okay, 70 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:54,200 I'm someone speaking for God today. 71 00:03:56,040 --> 00:03:58,700 There's a challenge to be speaking the message 72 00:03:58,700 --> 00:04:00,680 that God wants me to speak. 73 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:04,120 And if you are speaking to someone about 74 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:08,500 the gospel, to convey the message that the 75 00:04:08,500 --> 00:04:09,920 Lord wants you to convey. 76 00:04:10,320 --> 00:04:13,360 So there's some significant things for us to 77 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:16,380 think about as we go through this subject. 78 00:04:16,380 --> 00:04:18,940 And so, basically, I'm going to be looking 79 00:04:18,940 --> 00:04:21,720 at part one, the preparation of the messenger. 80 00:04:22,420 --> 00:04:26,200 And the first obvious essential thing is that 81 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:27,420 we be in touch with God. 82 00:04:27,740 --> 00:04:29,460 So I want to look now in Isaiah 83 00:04:29,460 --> 00:04:30,300 chapter 6. 84 00:04:30,940 --> 00:04:33,440 And we're going to look at the vision 85 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:38,260 that Isaiah received of the Lord in glory. 86 00:04:49,810 --> 00:04:53,290 Let's read together in Isaiah chapter 6, beginning 87 00:04:53,290 --> 00:04:54,330 at verse 1. 88 00:04:55,830 --> 00:05:01,330 In the year that King Uzziah died, I 89 00:05:01,330 --> 00:05:04,750 saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, 90 00:05:05,250 --> 00:05:09,530 high and lifted up, and his train filled 91 00:05:09,530 --> 00:05:10,110 the temple. 92 00:05:11,630 --> 00:05:14,470 Above it stood the seraphim. 93 00:05:15,310 --> 00:05:17,350 Each one had six wings. 94 00:05:18,090 --> 00:05:20,310 With twain he covered his face, and with 95 00:05:20,310 --> 00:05:23,110 twain he covered his feet, and with twain 96 00:05:23,110 --> 00:05:23,890 he did fly. 97 00:05:24,630 --> 00:05:27,910 And one cried unto another and said, Holy, 98 00:05:28,570 --> 00:05:32,510 holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. 99 00:05:33,270 --> 00:05:36,050 The whole earth is full of his glory. 100 00:05:36,050 --> 00:05:40,670 And the posts of the door, or the 101 00:05:40,670 --> 00:05:43,650 thresholds, moved at the voice of him that 102 00:05:43,650 --> 00:05:46,890 cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 103 00:05:48,990 --> 00:05:52,590 Then said I, Woe is me, for I 104 00:05:52,590 --> 00:05:53,530 am undone. 105 00:05:54,450 --> 00:05:57,550 Because I am a man of unclean lips, 106 00:05:57,990 --> 00:05:59,830 and I dwell in the midst of a 107 00:05:59,830 --> 00:06:01,350 people of unclean lips. 108 00:06:01,350 --> 00:06:05,010 For mine eyes have seen the King, the 109 00:06:05,010 --> 00:06:05,910 Lord of hosts. 110 00:06:06,990 --> 00:06:09,590 Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, 111 00:06:09,750 --> 00:06:12,010 having a live coal in his hand, which 112 00:06:12,010 --> 00:06:14,290 he had taken with tongs from off the 113 00:06:14,290 --> 00:06:14,570 altar. 114 00:06:14,970 --> 00:06:16,950 And he laid it upon my mouth and 115 00:06:16,950 --> 00:06:21,130 said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips, and 116 00:06:21,130 --> 00:06:24,570 thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin 117 00:06:24,570 --> 00:06:25,530 purged. 118 00:06:27,230 --> 00:06:29,910 Also I heard the voice of the Lord 119 00:06:29,910 --> 00:06:34,070 saying, Whom shall I send, and who will 120 00:06:34,070 --> 00:06:34,950 go for us? 121 00:06:35,770 --> 00:06:40,090 Then said I, Here am I, send me. 122 00:06:41,210 --> 00:06:45,190 And he said, Go and tell this people. 123 00:06:46,110 --> 00:06:48,450 Hear ye indeed, but understand not. 124 00:06:49,130 --> 00:06:51,770 See ye indeed, but perceive not. 125 00:06:52,730 --> 00:06:54,670 Make the heart of this people fat. 126 00:06:55,030 --> 00:06:57,330 Make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes, 127 00:06:57,470 --> 00:06:59,210 lest they see with their eyes, and hear 128 00:06:59,210 --> 00:07:01,050 with their ears, and understand with their heart, 129 00:07:01,450 --> 00:07:03,590 and convert and be healed. 130 00:07:04,730 --> 00:07:08,130 Then said I, Lord, how long? 131 00:07:09,230 --> 00:07:11,610 And he answered, Until the cities be wasted 132 00:07:11,610 --> 00:07:14,190 without inhabitants, and the houses without men, and 133 00:07:14,190 --> 00:07:16,390 the land be utterly desolate. 134 00:07:16,390 --> 00:07:20,030 And the Lord hath removed men far away, 135 00:07:20,370 --> 00:07:22,190 and there be a great forsaking in the 136 00:07:22,190 --> 00:07:23,010 midst of the land. 137 00:07:23,610 --> 00:07:26,730 But yet in it shall be a tenth, 138 00:07:27,470 --> 00:07:29,690 and it shall return, and shall be eaten 139 00:07:29,690 --> 00:07:31,370 as a teal tree, and as an oak, 140 00:07:31,610 --> 00:07:34,150 whose substance is in them when they cast 141 00:07:34,150 --> 00:07:34,710 their leaves. 142 00:07:34,870 --> 00:07:39,850 So the holy seed shall be the substance 143 00:07:39,850 --> 00:07:41,130 thereof. 144 00:07:47,270 --> 00:07:49,630 One thing to ask yourself when you see 145 00:07:49,630 --> 00:07:55,070 a passage like this is was this just 146 00:07:55,070 --> 00:08:00,490 a personal revelation of God to Isaiah for 147 00:08:00,490 --> 00:08:02,270 his benefit alone? 148 00:08:04,230 --> 00:08:06,450 Or is this meant for us as well? 149 00:08:09,790 --> 00:08:12,330 I think if you think about it for 150 00:08:12,330 --> 00:08:16,150 a while, you will come to the conclusion 151 00:08:16,150 --> 00:08:19,470 that if it's in the Bible, it's given 152 00:08:19,470 --> 00:08:20,110 for us. 153 00:08:21,550 --> 00:08:25,790 We are to derive some benefit from this 154 00:08:25,790 --> 00:08:27,770 revelation of God to this man. 155 00:08:29,570 --> 00:08:32,850 And it's actually picked up in John 12 156 00:08:33,789 --> 00:08:38,190 and applied to the Lord Jesus as being 157 00:08:38,190 --> 00:08:39,890 the one seen in the vision. 158 00:08:39,890 --> 00:08:42,690 And if we have time, we'll maybe look 159 00:08:42,690 --> 00:08:44,970 at that at the end of the meeting. 160 00:08:45,790 --> 00:08:48,090 But I want to first of all just 161 00:08:48,090 --> 00:08:50,930 give you sort of the setting as it 162 00:08:50,930 --> 00:08:54,050 is given to us here because it's obviously 163 00:08:54,050 --> 00:08:57,350 a vision of God in a particular character. 164 00:08:58,690 --> 00:09:03,270 And I think I jotted down that this 165 00:09:03,270 --> 00:09:05,690 is a foundational revelation. 166 00:09:07,730 --> 00:09:11,630 A foundational revelation for us to get to 167 00:09:11,630 --> 00:09:12,310 know God. 168 00:09:12,810 --> 00:09:14,570 What God is. 169 00:09:15,230 --> 00:09:16,510 He is Lord. 170 00:09:17,710 --> 00:09:19,750 He is sovereign, king. 171 00:09:21,070 --> 00:09:22,950 He is also holy. 172 00:09:24,750 --> 00:09:27,730 And the New Testament expression is God is 173 00:09:27,730 --> 00:09:28,370 light. 174 00:09:29,470 --> 00:09:30,490 God is light. 175 00:09:30,990 --> 00:09:32,650 He is unsearchably holy. 176 00:09:33,490 --> 00:09:35,550 God is also love. 177 00:09:36,430 --> 00:09:38,990 And we get a glimpse of that in 178 00:09:38,990 --> 00:09:40,010 this passage as well. 179 00:09:40,610 --> 00:09:43,270 And so when we see that he is 180 00:09:43,270 --> 00:09:51,190 Lord, he is sovereign, he is light, he 181 00:09:51,190 --> 00:09:56,290 is holy, he is love, he's my savior. 182 00:09:57,070 --> 00:10:01,730 We are seeing a very foundational revelation of 183 00:10:01,730 --> 00:10:04,530 God that is being given to us in 184 00:10:04,530 --> 00:10:05,070 this passage. 185 00:10:05,590 --> 00:10:07,070 But it's given in a context. 186 00:10:07,510 --> 00:10:09,150 And that context is given in verse 1. 187 00:10:09,850 --> 00:10:14,950 In the year that King Uzziah died, I 188 00:10:14,950 --> 00:10:16,770 saw also the Lord. 189 00:10:18,090 --> 00:10:20,990 And so there's actually a parallel and a 190 00:10:20,990 --> 00:10:23,210 contrast being given to us here. 191 00:10:24,370 --> 00:10:26,370 You see, one thing that I have learned 192 00:10:26,370 --> 00:10:29,410 to appreciate in the word of God is 193 00:10:29,410 --> 00:10:33,610 that most of the revelation given to us 194 00:10:33,610 --> 00:10:38,650 in the Bible is given to meet a 195 00:10:38,650 --> 00:10:39,050 need. 196 00:10:43,070 --> 00:10:45,430 So you should learn from that. 197 00:10:46,550 --> 00:10:49,930 Don't read your Bible just as a duty. 198 00:10:51,470 --> 00:10:55,870 Don't read it just as a theoretical thing 199 00:10:55,870 --> 00:10:57,370 to gain information. 200 00:10:58,430 --> 00:11:01,870 The revelation of God is given to us 201 00:11:01,870 --> 00:11:04,250 according to our need. 202 00:11:05,390 --> 00:11:10,270 And so you will learn the scriptures according 203 00:11:10,270 --> 00:11:11,670 to the need that you have. 204 00:11:14,790 --> 00:11:16,490 So what was the need that was present 205 00:11:16,490 --> 00:11:16,730 here? 206 00:11:16,930 --> 00:11:20,050 Well, I'm going to take you back to 207 00:11:20,050 --> 00:11:23,330 2 Chronicles 26 and just do a very 208 00:11:23,330 --> 00:11:24,970 quick skim here. 209 00:11:25,630 --> 00:11:31,050 And we will discover the context that is 210 00:11:31,050 --> 00:11:33,590 given to us in this story. 211 00:11:37,970 --> 00:11:41,710 Uzziah started out as king at the ripe 212 00:11:41,710 --> 00:11:43,170 old age of 16. 213 00:11:44,630 --> 00:11:48,950 Now, can you imagine being thrust into being 214 00:11:48,950 --> 00:11:51,990 the president of the United States at the 215 00:11:51,990 --> 00:11:52,610 age of 16? 216 00:11:54,330 --> 00:11:56,390 That would be quite something, wouldn't it? 217 00:11:57,510 --> 00:12:02,490 His father, Amaziah, was generally a good king 218 00:12:02,490 --> 00:12:04,990 until a certain point in his life. 219 00:12:05,530 --> 00:12:08,950 And then for some strange reason, he adopted 220 00:12:08,950 --> 00:12:12,270 the gods of a nation that he conquered. 221 00:12:12,970 --> 00:12:15,150 Now, that's pretty weird, isn't it? 222 00:12:16,430 --> 00:12:19,910 To conquer a nation and then to drag 223 00:12:19,910 --> 00:12:23,690 home the idols that you conquered and to 224 00:12:23,690 --> 00:12:24,630 begin to worship them. 225 00:12:25,270 --> 00:12:27,130 So he departed from the Lord. 226 00:12:28,130 --> 00:12:30,330 And ultimately, he was assassinated. 227 00:12:31,610 --> 00:12:35,230 And so Uzziah comes into the picture where 228 00:12:35,230 --> 00:12:37,210 there has been a departure from God. 229 00:12:38,450 --> 00:12:42,550 Now, Uzziah did not fail as his father 230 00:12:42,550 --> 00:12:42,990 failed. 231 00:12:43,970 --> 00:12:46,730 But ultimately, he also failed. 232 00:12:47,670 --> 00:12:49,390 And this has a lesson for us. 233 00:12:49,830 --> 00:12:51,890 So at 16, he begins to reign. 234 00:12:52,490 --> 00:12:54,430 Verse 4 says he did that which was 235 00:12:54,430 --> 00:12:55,850 right in the sight of the Lord. 236 00:12:57,010 --> 00:13:00,210 Verse 5, it says he sought God in 237 00:13:00,210 --> 00:13:03,270 the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in 238 00:13:03,270 --> 00:13:04,390 the visions of God. 239 00:13:04,930 --> 00:13:06,790 And as long as he sought the Lord, 240 00:13:07,010 --> 00:13:08,670 God made him to prosper. 241 00:13:10,450 --> 00:13:11,530 He talks about his warfare. 242 00:13:11,530 --> 00:13:14,670 Verse 7, God helped him against the Philistines. 243 00:13:15,450 --> 00:13:17,090 You go down through the chapter, and you'll 244 00:13:17,090 --> 00:13:19,030 find that he strengthens himself. 245 00:13:19,910 --> 00:13:21,470 He becomes powerful. 246 00:13:22,190 --> 00:13:25,510 He has an army of over 300,000 247 00:13:25,510 --> 00:13:25,990 men. 248 00:13:27,690 --> 00:13:28,990 And you come down to the end of 249 00:13:28,990 --> 00:13:31,450 verse 15, and it says, And his name 250 00:13:31,450 --> 00:13:35,430 spread far abroad, for he was marvelously helped 251 00:13:35,430 --> 00:13:36,470 till he was strong. 252 00:13:36,470 --> 00:13:39,990 And then we get this sad little but. 253 00:13:42,650 --> 00:13:45,870 But when he was strong, his heart was 254 00:13:45,870 --> 00:13:50,010 lifted up to his destruction, for he transgressed 255 00:13:50,010 --> 00:13:52,850 against the Lord his God and went into 256 00:13:52,850 --> 00:13:54,970 the temple of the Lord to burn incense 257 00:13:54,970 --> 00:13:57,250 upon the altar of incense. 258 00:13:58,470 --> 00:14:00,510 Now, he didn't go and start worshiping an 259 00:14:00,510 --> 00:14:00,750 idol. 260 00:14:02,170 --> 00:14:07,550 He just intruded into the presence of God 261 00:14:07,550 --> 00:14:11,610 in a capacity that he was not authorized 262 00:14:11,610 --> 00:14:12,430 to do. 263 00:14:14,370 --> 00:14:17,330 Now, today we might think, well, is that 264 00:14:17,330 --> 00:14:18,210 really a big deal? 265 00:14:18,510 --> 00:14:20,470 How I approach God? 266 00:14:22,430 --> 00:14:25,110 How I am in the presence of God? 267 00:14:26,130 --> 00:14:27,930 Well, it was a big deal to God. 268 00:14:29,610 --> 00:14:32,270 And thankfully, there were priests there who were 269 00:14:32,270 --> 00:14:35,510 faithful men who withstood him. 270 00:14:36,050 --> 00:14:38,490 But as he was standing there in a 271 00:14:38,490 --> 00:14:45,030 rage at being obstructed, God struck him with 272 00:14:45,030 --> 00:14:45,470 leprosy. 273 00:14:46,750 --> 00:14:49,630 And at least he had the humility to 274 00:14:49,630 --> 00:14:52,190 realize, God has disciplined me. 275 00:14:52,190 --> 00:14:54,090 And he hastened out. 276 00:14:54,950 --> 00:14:57,790 And he ends his life cut off. 277 00:14:57,870 --> 00:15:00,710 It says, verse 21, Uzziah the king was 278 00:15:00,710 --> 00:15:02,450 a leper under the day of his death 279 00:15:02,450 --> 00:15:04,450 and dwelt in a several house. 280 00:15:04,530 --> 00:15:07,050 That is a separated house, being a leper, 281 00:15:07,210 --> 00:15:08,670 for he was cut off from the house 282 00:15:08,670 --> 00:15:09,170 of the Lord. 283 00:15:09,650 --> 00:15:12,630 And Jotham his son was over the king's 284 00:15:12,630 --> 00:15:15,250 house, judging the people of the land. 285 00:15:16,310 --> 00:15:18,370 So what lessons can we learn from that? 286 00:15:21,860 --> 00:15:25,940 As long as he sought the Lord, the 287 00:15:25,940 --> 00:15:26,680 Lord blessed him. 288 00:15:27,940 --> 00:15:31,300 As long as he honored God, God made 289 00:15:31,300 --> 00:15:32,240 him successful. 290 00:15:33,100 --> 00:15:36,920 But at a certain point, he became too 291 00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:39,100 big for his own good. 292 00:15:41,060 --> 00:15:44,060 And tragically, that affects us when we are 293 00:15:44,060 --> 00:15:45,000 the most successful. 294 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:49,000 And we begin to take to ourselves the 295 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:52,700 success that God has graciously permitted us to 296 00:15:52,700 --> 00:15:53,420 experience. 297 00:15:55,740 --> 00:16:00,980 And it brings a tremendous sadness to the 298 00:16:00,980 --> 00:16:04,200 people of God to have someone who has 299 00:16:04,200 --> 00:16:08,100 been a hallmark of God, someone who has 300 00:16:08,100 --> 00:16:10,580 spoken for God, someone who has been for 301 00:16:10,580 --> 00:16:16,440 God, set aside because of personal failure. 302 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:22,540 It's in that context, an enfeebled earthly monarch 303 00:16:22,540 --> 00:16:27,420 who has finally failed and been disciplined by 304 00:16:27,420 --> 00:16:27,920 God. 305 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:29,200 He passes away. 306 00:16:30,320 --> 00:16:33,040 Isaiah is a young man when this happens, 307 00:16:33,460 --> 00:16:36,620 and he receives a vision of the eternal 308 00:16:36,620 --> 00:16:40,780 king, of the king who will never fade 309 00:16:40,780 --> 00:16:44,240 away, of the king who will never fail. 310 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:46,960 He gets a glimpse of the living God. 311 00:16:47,100 --> 00:16:50,020 And that's what we need most of all 312 00:16:50,020 --> 00:16:54,220 in our own lives, and to be able 313 00:16:54,220 --> 00:16:55,840 to be a messenger of God. 314 00:16:55,900 --> 00:16:58,120 So let's try to look then at this 315 00:16:58,120 --> 00:17:03,800 vision of Isaiah and what is spoken of 316 00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:04,099 us. 317 00:17:06,599 --> 00:17:10,040 In Isaiah chapter 6, he glimpses the Lord 318 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:12,900 sitting upon a throne, sitting as king. 319 00:17:12,900 --> 00:17:17,480 And the majesty of his robes is so 320 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:18,720 awesome. 321 00:17:19,060 --> 00:17:20,660 It fills the whole temple. 322 00:17:23,589 --> 00:17:25,190 And the first thing that is given to 323 00:17:25,190 --> 00:17:29,470 us in description is the seraphim who surround 324 00:17:29,470 --> 00:17:31,010 this throne of God. 325 00:17:31,170 --> 00:17:33,670 I want to try to learn a few 326 00:17:33,670 --> 00:17:35,590 lessons from the seraphim. 327 00:17:39,190 --> 00:17:42,260 These seraphim, if you look up the word 328 00:17:42,260 --> 00:17:45,860 itself, it means the burning ones. 329 00:17:46,240 --> 00:17:47,940 The burning ones. 330 00:17:51,160 --> 00:17:56,100 These are beings made for the presence of 331 00:17:56,100 --> 00:17:56,540 God. 332 00:17:57,540 --> 00:18:00,360 They are flames of fire. 333 00:18:02,410 --> 00:18:03,330 They are holy. 334 00:18:04,890 --> 00:18:08,090 They are designed to function in the presence 335 00:18:08,090 --> 00:18:08,750 of God. 336 00:18:08,750 --> 00:18:11,810 And yet notice some things that are very 337 00:18:11,810 --> 00:18:13,710 unusual to imagine. 338 00:18:14,890 --> 00:18:16,930 Here they are in the very presence of 339 00:18:16,930 --> 00:18:17,410 God. 340 00:18:18,470 --> 00:18:20,890 And they've always been there from their creation. 341 00:18:24,610 --> 00:18:27,210 They're hiding their faces in his presence. 342 00:18:28,610 --> 00:18:32,610 Their faces are covered in the presence of 343 00:18:32,610 --> 00:18:33,530 the eternal sovereign. 344 00:18:33,530 --> 00:18:37,370 And the thing that impresses me in looking 345 00:18:37,370 --> 00:18:41,230 at this is that those who are nearest 346 00:18:41,230 --> 00:18:45,030 to God are the most in awe of 347 00:18:45,030 --> 00:18:45,310 him. 348 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:50,660 Furthermore, they have never gotten used to being 349 00:18:50,660 --> 00:18:51,860 in the presence of God. 350 00:18:53,690 --> 00:18:57,000 They have never gotten casual in the presence 351 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:57,720 of God. 352 00:18:58,720 --> 00:19:06,090 And to have their faces hidden suggests possibly 353 00:19:06,090 --> 00:19:06,930 two things. 354 00:19:07,690 --> 00:19:11,850 One is that they are unworthy to gaze 355 00:19:11,850 --> 00:19:15,670 upon the eternal God. 356 00:19:20,180 --> 00:19:22,740 So how awesome must he be? 357 00:19:24,300 --> 00:19:27,940 How holy he must be. 358 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:32,600 Another way of appreciating it is that if 359 00:19:32,600 --> 00:19:36,620 they cover their faces, it's that no attention 360 00:19:36,620 --> 00:19:40,300 is to be directed towards them in contrast 361 00:19:40,300 --> 00:19:40,920 to him. 362 00:19:42,640 --> 00:19:44,880 You know, sometimes we are so caught up 363 00:19:44,880 --> 00:19:50,850 in ourselves that we become more important to 364 00:19:50,850 --> 00:19:52,270 ourselves than God is. 365 00:19:54,430 --> 00:19:56,950 It isn't too hard for us to be 366 00:19:56,950 --> 00:20:00,590 over-exaggerating our own significance. 367 00:20:03,230 --> 00:20:05,570 But God can never be exaggerated. 368 00:20:06,170 --> 00:20:09,150 He is greater than anyone has ever been 369 00:20:09,150 --> 00:20:12,390 able to describe him or to understand him. 370 00:20:13,390 --> 00:20:17,770 And these seraphim, these burning flames of fire, 371 00:20:18,390 --> 00:20:25,290 these angelic beings, they shield their face in 372 00:20:25,290 --> 00:20:25,790 his presence. 373 00:20:26,750 --> 00:20:28,730 They also cover their feet. 374 00:20:29,570 --> 00:20:34,150 And that may suggest that what they do, 375 00:20:34,710 --> 00:20:37,970 where they go, isn't the important thing. 376 00:20:39,210 --> 00:20:41,810 With two wings they fly. 377 00:20:42,910 --> 00:20:47,810 And there seems to be zeal, instantaneous service 378 00:20:47,810 --> 00:20:50,630 to God that is emphasized by these details. 379 00:20:51,290 --> 00:20:54,230 But then what they are saying, that is 380 00:20:54,230 --> 00:20:56,830 the very center of this vision. 381 00:20:57,450 --> 00:21:03,290 Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. 382 00:21:07,090 --> 00:21:08,130 What does that mean? 383 00:21:08,130 --> 00:21:15,130 Well, we have some idea of what holy 384 00:21:15,130 --> 00:21:15,890 means. 385 00:21:17,110 --> 00:21:21,930 Usually we hear it explained as being separate 386 00:21:21,930 --> 00:21:22,390 from. 387 00:21:23,630 --> 00:21:26,270 Certainly separate from what is evil. 388 00:21:27,870 --> 00:21:29,990 Distinct from all corruption. 389 00:21:31,190 --> 00:21:35,070 And also separate from what is common and 390 00:21:35,070 --> 00:21:35,530 ordinary. 391 00:21:36,530 --> 00:21:39,870 Something that is called holy is something that 392 00:21:39,870 --> 00:21:42,790 has been set apart for special purpose. 393 00:21:44,070 --> 00:21:46,410 So yes, we can say that God is 394 00:21:46,410 --> 00:21:51,670 holy in that he is separated from everything 395 00:21:51,670 --> 00:21:52,730 else that exists. 396 00:21:53,510 --> 00:21:56,990 He is distinct from everything else that exists. 397 00:21:58,130 --> 00:21:59,070 He is unique. 398 00:22:00,210 --> 00:22:02,050 There is nothing else like him. 399 00:22:03,740 --> 00:22:08,480 And yet, I would suggest that especially as 400 00:22:08,480 --> 00:22:09,720 we have it here repeated. 401 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:12,560 And you get exactly the same formula in 402 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:13,540 Revelation 4. 403 00:22:14,140 --> 00:22:16,220 In the four living creatures in his presence. 404 00:22:16,580 --> 00:22:22,200 Holy, holy, holy is expressing a perfection. 405 00:22:23,700 --> 00:22:25,940 An infinite perfection. 406 00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:29,620 And personally, this is how it appeals to 407 00:22:29,620 --> 00:22:29,880 me. 408 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:31,660 And I hope it can make sense to 409 00:22:31,660 --> 00:22:31,920 you. 410 00:22:32,720 --> 00:22:36,300 That in describing God, this is the summary. 411 00:22:37,960 --> 00:22:41,720 This is summing up the perfection of everything 412 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:42,500 that he is. 413 00:22:43,960 --> 00:22:47,620 In other words, those who are the closest 414 00:22:47,620 --> 00:22:48,320 to him. 415 00:22:48,980 --> 00:22:50,840 Who know the most about him. 416 00:22:53,180 --> 00:22:56,860 They've come to a pinnacle of worship. 417 00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:01,640 That all they can say in his presence 418 00:23:01,640 --> 00:23:08,240 is holy, holy, holy is the Lord of 419 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:08,700 hosts. 420 00:23:11,510 --> 00:23:16,170 And it would seem to me that this 421 00:23:16,170 --> 00:23:21,870 is appreciating the reality that he is perfect. 422 00:23:23,150 --> 00:23:28,490 And infinitely perfect in everything that he is. 423 00:23:28,490 --> 00:23:37,870 His love, his faithfulness, his purity, his righteousness, 424 00:23:39,090 --> 00:23:40,250 his majesty. 425 00:23:41,490 --> 00:23:45,230 Everything about him is infinitely perfect. 426 00:23:48,430 --> 00:23:51,370 Now, I want you to think about the 427 00:23:51,370 --> 00:23:56,850 response that is expressed. 428 00:24:00,780 --> 00:24:08,160 The response that Isaiah gives to this is 429 00:24:08,160 --> 00:24:09,220 complete dread. 430 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:11,660 Notice what he says. 431 00:24:12,020 --> 00:24:15,520 Then said I, woe is me for I 432 00:24:15,520 --> 00:24:16,140 am undone. 433 00:24:16,140 --> 00:24:18,960 Because I am a man of unclean lips 434 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:20,620 and I dwell in the midst of a 435 00:24:20,620 --> 00:24:21,840 people of unclean lips. 436 00:24:22,220 --> 00:24:25,900 For mine eyes have seen the king, the 437 00:24:25,900 --> 00:24:27,120 Lord of hosts. 438 00:24:28,900 --> 00:24:32,160 Now, I don't want you here this morning 439 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:38,840 to somehow distance yourself from this scene. 440 00:24:39,360 --> 00:24:40,340 This imagery. 441 00:24:43,200 --> 00:24:45,320 Because this is where you're going. 442 00:24:46,860 --> 00:24:48,440 This is where I'm going. 443 00:24:49,580 --> 00:24:52,140 We are going to be in this presence. 444 00:24:57,410 --> 00:24:58,950 What are we going to be like when 445 00:24:58,950 --> 00:24:59,330 we're there? 446 00:25:02,690 --> 00:25:05,390 I like to link with this 2 Corinthians 447 00:25:05,390 --> 00:25:08,050 chapter 3 in the closing part of the 448 00:25:08,050 --> 00:25:08,390 chapter. 449 00:25:08,990 --> 00:25:12,750 Where we're given this wonderful contrast to Moses. 450 00:25:13,690 --> 00:25:16,990 Who had the privilege of being in the 451 00:25:16,990 --> 00:25:20,010 presence of God 40 days and 40 nights 452 00:25:20,010 --> 00:25:20,690 up in the mountain. 453 00:25:21,750 --> 00:25:23,450 He had that privilege twice. 454 00:25:24,210 --> 00:25:26,150 And the second time he came down from 455 00:25:26,150 --> 00:25:28,930 that mountain, it says his face shone. 456 00:25:30,110 --> 00:25:31,470 His face shone. 457 00:25:32,250 --> 00:25:34,070 It radiated glory. 458 00:25:34,430 --> 00:25:37,930 So that the people were afraid to come 459 00:25:37,930 --> 00:25:38,550 near to him. 460 00:25:39,850 --> 00:25:42,950 When we come to 2 Corinthians chapter 3, 461 00:25:43,550 --> 00:25:44,690 it tells us this. 462 00:25:45,030 --> 00:25:49,870 We all, all of us, in contrast to 463 00:25:49,870 --> 00:25:51,510 just one man, Moses. 464 00:25:52,390 --> 00:25:58,010 All of us have this privilege of gazing 465 00:25:58,010 --> 00:25:59,430 upon the glory of the Lord. 466 00:26:02,160 --> 00:26:05,080 Now today, we don't see him physically. 467 00:26:07,220 --> 00:26:11,380 But we are given the opportunity and privilege 468 00:26:11,380 --> 00:26:13,520 to see his glory. 469 00:26:14,340 --> 00:26:16,960 And that glory is in Christ. 470 00:26:18,300 --> 00:26:20,920 It's in Christ that we see the glory 471 00:26:20,920 --> 00:26:21,620 of God. 472 00:26:23,900 --> 00:26:25,820 And the amazing thing is this. 473 00:26:26,500 --> 00:26:30,780 As the spirit of God reveals to us 474 00:26:30,780 --> 00:26:31,920 what God is like. 475 00:26:32,680 --> 00:26:35,280 Brings us closer to his presence. 476 00:26:35,280 --> 00:26:39,140 Unveils to us the beauties of God. 477 00:26:39,900 --> 00:26:43,700 The spirit of God is actually transforming us. 478 00:26:44,380 --> 00:26:49,940 So that we ultimately will correspond to the 479 00:26:49,940 --> 00:26:51,000 very glory of God. 480 00:26:51,820 --> 00:26:55,700 We are being changed into the same image 481 00:26:55,700 --> 00:26:57,240 from glory to glory. 482 00:26:57,980 --> 00:27:00,400 In other words, you look around at each 483 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:01,580 other today and. 484 00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:05,320 Well, it's easy for me to say you're 485 00:27:05,320 --> 00:27:06,260 a bunch of wonderful people. 486 00:27:08,740 --> 00:27:11,160 But someday I'm going to look at you 487 00:27:11,160 --> 00:27:13,200 and you are going to be filled with 488 00:27:13,200 --> 00:27:15,100 perfection and glory. 489 00:27:16,180 --> 00:27:17,860 Above the seraphim. 490 00:27:19,440 --> 00:27:23,240 Closer to the presence of the eternal God. 491 00:27:23,460 --> 00:27:26,840 You are going to dwell in that presence. 492 00:27:27,660 --> 00:27:29,720 You are going to have access to him 493 00:27:29,720 --> 00:27:32,160 unlimited, unhindered. 494 00:27:32,160 --> 00:27:38,100 And so today we are given glimpse of 495 00:27:38,100 --> 00:27:38,420 him. 496 00:27:39,760 --> 00:27:41,980 But first of all, we have to be 497 00:27:41,980 --> 00:27:42,460 changed. 498 00:27:43,400 --> 00:27:45,900 And the first thing that the impression that 499 00:27:45,900 --> 00:27:47,140 is so strongly given. 500 00:27:47,840 --> 00:27:50,060 And Isaiah expresses it. 501 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:54,460 Is of horror of seeing God. 502 00:27:55,440 --> 00:27:55,800 Horror. 503 00:27:57,960 --> 00:28:01,520 Because when he saw the glory of the 504 00:28:01,520 --> 00:28:01,940 Lord. 505 00:28:02,960 --> 00:28:06,720 He became conscious of what he is. 506 00:28:08,240 --> 00:28:11,480 That is something that is absolutely crucial to 507 00:28:11,480 --> 00:28:12,400 you and to me. 508 00:28:14,380 --> 00:28:16,720 Now in in some measure. 509 00:28:17,780 --> 00:28:19,700 This is what happened when we got saved. 510 00:28:21,340 --> 00:28:24,880 When we actually connected with God. 511 00:28:25,520 --> 00:28:26,420 In Christ. 512 00:28:27,360 --> 00:28:28,700 We got to look at ourselves. 513 00:28:29,860 --> 00:28:31,440 And we were bowed. 514 00:28:32,880 --> 00:28:34,460 In humility. 515 00:28:34,980 --> 00:28:35,640 In repentance. 516 00:28:38,480 --> 00:28:41,640 And his first reaction is dread. 517 00:28:41,900 --> 00:28:43,160 I'm done for. 518 00:28:43,280 --> 00:28:45,440 If you were to take this expression literally. 519 00:28:45,700 --> 00:28:47,880 It really means I'm done for. 520 00:28:48,700 --> 00:28:50,440 I'm going to be destroyed. 521 00:28:51,320 --> 00:28:54,540 And this is something that universally in the 522 00:28:54,540 --> 00:28:55,220 Old Testament. 523 00:28:56,040 --> 00:29:00,240 When people had a revelation of God's presence. 524 00:29:01,040 --> 00:29:02,100 They were sure. 525 00:29:02,680 --> 00:29:04,740 They were sure they were going to die. 526 00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:06,980 Do you understand why? 527 00:29:09,640 --> 00:29:11,900 It's not that they had a warped idea 528 00:29:11,900 --> 00:29:12,560 of God. 529 00:29:12,780 --> 00:29:13,700 And what he was about. 530 00:29:14,660 --> 00:29:17,180 It's because he is so holy. 531 00:29:18,460 --> 00:29:19,700 So holy. 532 00:29:19,700 --> 00:29:23,880 He himself said no man can see me 533 00:29:23,880 --> 00:29:24,580 and live. 534 00:29:25,560 --> 00:29:26,340 In other words. 535 00:29:26,540 --> 00:29:30,200 If a creature is given the privilege. 536 00:29:31,380 --> 00:29:33,080 Of seeing him. 537 00:29:34,160 --> 00:29:36,060 That creature must be destroyed. 538 00:29:36,780 --> 00:29:40,380 Because it cannot ever be common again. 539 00:29:41,560 --> 00:29:43,740 Cannot live a common life. 540 00:29:44,460 --> 00:29:46,780 Cannot have an ordinary existence. 541 00:29:47,500 --> 00:29:50,440 In a sense it must be sacrificed to 542 00:29:50,440 --> 00:29:50,920 his glory. 543 00:29:51,860 --> 00:29:53,680 That's the sense. 544 00:29:53,820 --> 00:29:54,400 The awareness. 545 00:29:55,080 --> 00:29:57,580 That he is so great. 546 00:29:57,920 --> 00:29:59,280 So glorious. 547 00:30:00,280 --> 00:30:01,540 That to glimpse him. 548 00:30:02,540 --> 00:30:05,060 Has to be the consummation of my existence. 549 00:30:05,760 --> 00:30:06,540 And its end. 550 00:30:08,120 --> 00:30:09,960 And yet we are going to dwell for 551 00:30:09,960 --> 00:30:10,460 eternity. 552 00:30:11,300 --> 00:30:13,000 In the glory of his presence. 553 00:30:14,000 --> 00:30:15,600 So we need to appreciate. 554 00:30:15,960 --> 00:30:17,180 Beloved brethren and sisters. 555 00:30:18,280 --> 00:30:20,920 What a work of redemption has been done 556 00:30:20,920 --> 00:30:21,620 for us. 557 00:30:22,020 --> 00:30:23,180 To fit us. 558 00:30:23,900 --> 00:30:24,840 To belong. 559 00:30:25,600 --> 00:30:28,180 In this eternal presence. 560 00:30:29,860 --> 00:30:30,460 Now. 561 00:30:31,560 --> 00:30:33,660 Thankfully that isn't where it ends. 562 00:30:34,880 --> 00:30:35,740 Instantaneously. 563 00:30:36,520 --> 00:30:37,680 You have the seraphim. 564 00:30:38,020 --> 00:30:40,740 Acting to meet the need. 565 00:30:40,740 --> 00:30:43,520 And one of the seraphim come and they 566 00:30:43,520 --> 00:30:45,560 take a live coal from off the altar. 567 00:30:46,740 --> 00:30:49,060 Now the suggestion of that I think is 568 00:30:49,060 --> 00:30:50,220 fairly evident. 569 00:30:51,060 --> 00:30:52,360 There was a sacrifice. 570 00:30:52,780 --> 00:30:54,780 That was being consumed on the altar. 571 00:30:55,600 --> 00:30:56,580 There was a lamb. 572 00:30:57,320 --> 00:30:58,960 Whose life had been given. 573 00:31:01,110 --> 00:31:03,290 And these coals from off the altar. 574 00:31:04,050 --> 00:31:07,130 Would represent the value of that sacrifice. 575 00:31:08,490 --> 00:31:10,190 An atonement made. 576 00:31:11,150 --> 00:31:13,290 To cleanse from iniquity. 577 00:31:13,450 --> 00:31:15,270 And that's very specifically what is said. 578 00:31:15,430 --> 00:31:17,010 Lo this has touched thy lips. 579 00:31:17,510 --> 00:31:19,010 Thine iniquity is taken away. 580 00:31:19,570 --> 00:31:22,470 And thy sin purged. 581 00:31:23,130 --> 00:31:25,490 Or covered or atoned for. 582 00:31:26,070 --> 00:31:27,290 So now what we have. 583 00:31:27,730 --> 00:31:31,450 Is not only this revelation of the sovereign. 584 00:31:32,230 --> 00:31:32,830 Holy one. 585 00:31:34,980 --> 00:31:35,840 But his grace. 586 00:31:36,980 --> 00:31:38,220 His grace to us. 587 00:31:39,540 --> 00:31:41,580 Taking away from us. 588 00:31:41,800 --> 00:31:43,840 What is offensive to him. 589 00:31:44,360 --> 00:31:45,440 Of our iniquity. 590 00:31:49,190 --> 00:31:51,830 You'll never be able to speak for God. 591 00:31:53,980 --> 00:31:56,140 Until you've been made right with God. 592 00:31:58,440 --> 00:31:59,980 And have come to appreciate. 593 00:32:00,840 --> 00:32:01,720 That he has. 594 00:32:02,320 --> 00:32:05,420 Saved you from your defilement. 595 00:32:06,340 --> 00:32:08,860 He has saved you from your corruption. 596 00:32:09,520 --> 00:32:10,540 He has provided. 597 00:32:11,420 --> 00:32:12,600 Through the work of the son. 598 00:32:13,640 --> 00:32:15,540 An atonement for your sin. 599 00:32:16,400 --> 00:32:17,740 One of the things that I find just. 600 00:32:18,220 --> 00:32:19,700 So thrilling in the book of Isaiah. 601 00:32:20,140 --> 00:32:21,340 Is that Isaiah. 602 00:32:21,780 --> 00:32:23,160 Here gets the glimpse. 603 00:32:23,640 --> 00:32:26,060 Of this awesome holy one. 604 00:32:27,280 --> 00:32:28,760 And then Isaiah 53. 605 00:32:30,620 --> 00:32:31,760 He gets the revelation. 606 00:32:32,680 --> 00:32:33,380 Of the one. 607 00:32:33,900 --> 00:32:35,860 Who comes as the servant of Jehovah. 608 00:32:36,900 --> 00:32:38,820 To be the sacrifice for sinners. 609 00:32:40,120 --> 00:32:40,780 And Isaiah. 610 00:32:41,600 --> 00:32:43,460 Grasps that this is the same one. 611 00:32:44,160 --> 00:32:45,580 So here you have. 612 00:32:45,900 --> 00:32:47,740 A mixing you might say. 613 00:32:48,060 --> 00:32:50,400 Of symbols or revelation of God. 614 00:32:51,280 --> 00:32:53,140 The one who sits enthroned. 615 00:32:54,880 --> 00:32:56,300 Is the very one. 616 00:32:56,420 --> 00:32:58,320 Who's going to step down from that throne. 617 00:32:59,200 --> 00:33:00,620 And be the sacrifice. 618 00:33:02,260 --> 00:33:03,440 That will fit us. 619 00:33:04,100 --> 00:33:05,980 For his holy presence. 620 00:33:06,620 --> 00:33:09,180 And this has such an effect upon him. 621 00:33:09,180 --> 00:33:10,800 That in verse 8. 622 00:33:12,040 --> 00:33:14,340 Now he hears the voice. 623 00:33:14,600 --> 00:33:15,300 Of the Lord. 624 00:33:16,060 --> 00:33:17,560 Saying whom shall I send. 625 00:33:18,700 --> 00:33:20,160 Who will go for us. 626 00:33:22,740 --> 00:33:23,700 And then he responds. 627 00:33:24,580 --> 00:33:26,680 He's got a totally different framework. 628 00:33:27,760 --> 00:33:28,340 It's not. 629 00:33:28,860 --> 00:33:30,320 Now running in terror. 630 00:33:30,680 --> 00:33:32,240 From the presence of God. 631 00:33:32,760 --> 00:33:33,660 Here I am. 632 00:33:34,000 --> 00:33:34,400 I'm here. 633 00:33:34,700 --> 00:33:35,160 Send me. 634 00:33:36,240 --> 00:33:37,720 He has experienced. 635 00:33:38,460 --> 00:33:39,180 The grace. 636 00:33:39,180 --> 00:33:41,000 The mercy. 637 00:33:41,680 --> 00:33:42,960 From the presence of God. 638 00:33:43,980 --> 00:33:46,340 And in response now to this. 639 00:33:46,880 --> 00:33:48,220 Sovereign God. 640 00:33:49,200 --> 00:33:49,960 Again. 641 00:33:50,460 --> 00:33:52,940 These are these are foundational revelations. 642 00:33:53,540 --> 00:33:55,780 There's so much that is packed into this. 643 00:33:56,260 --> 00:33:57,880 One vision of God. 644 00:33:59,180 --> 00:34:01,440 Do you do you acknowledge. 645 00:34:02,180 --> 00:34:03,760 In the presence of God this morning. 646 00:34:04,420 --> 00:34:06,500 That he is your sovereign. 647 00:34:06,500 --> 00:34:11,520 That he has the absolute right. 648 00:34:11,900 --> 00:34:13,420 Of your life. 649 00:34:15,780 --> 00:34:18,120 Whom shall I send. 650 00:34:20,760 --> 00:34:22,620 He has the right to send me. 651 00:34:23,580 --> 00:34:24,920 To use me. 652 00:34:25,739 --> 00:34:27,520 However he chooses. 653 00:34:29,100 --> 00:34:31,060 But then he also is asking for volunteers. 654 00:34:32,540 --> 00:34:32,880 Who. 655 00:34:33,980 --> 00:34:35,280 Will go for us. 656 00:34:36,199 --> 00:34:37,440 Who will go for us. 657 00:34:38,639 --> 00:34:40,699 And in the in the joy. 658 00:34:40,699 --> 00:34:44,040 And the response of Isaiah. 659 00:34:44,320 --> 00:34:44,699 He says. 660 00:34:45,280 --> 00:34:45,780 Here am I. 661 00:34:46,420 --> 00:34:46,980 Send me. 662 00:34:47,900 --> 00:34:48,780 One of the things that. 663 00:34:49,360 --> 00:34:51,800 Strikes me in in seeing this response. 664 00:34:52,139 --> 00:34:52,920 Is that Isaiah. 665 00:34:53,400 --> 00:34:55,560 Makes this response without even knowing what the 666 00:34:55,560 --> 00:34:56,340 message is. 667 00:34:56,860 --> 00:34:58,120 That he has this has to give. 668 00:34:58,700 --> 00:35:00,460 He doesn't know where he's going to be 669 00:35:00,460 --> 00:35:00,800 sent. 670 00:35:01,420 --> 00:35:03,980 He doesn't know what his responsibilities are. 671 00:35:04,280 --> 00:35:05,280 But he says here I am. 672 00:35:06,040 --> 00:35:06,600 Send me. 673 00:35:07,420 --> 00:35:09,360 This is this is absolute surrender. 674 00:35:10,540 --> 00:35:12,140 This is total. 675 00:35:12,460 --> 00:35:13,240 Without reserve. 676 00:35:13,800 --> 00:35:14,280 Surrender. 677 00:35:14,700 --> 00:35:15,880 To the living one. 678 00:35:17,020 --> 00:35:17,700 I'm here. 679 00:35:17,860 --> 00:35:18,580 I'm your servant. 680 00:35:19,580 --> 00:35:21,160 I'll go wherever you want me. 681 00:35:23,310 --> 00:35:23,770 And then. 682 00:35:25,050 --> 00:35:25,810 The enlightenment. 683 00:35:26,950 --> 00:35:27,870 Of the divine. 684 00:35:28,730 --> 00:35:29,170 Program. 685 00:35:30,690 --> 00:35:31,430 And his purpose. 686 00:35:32,290 --> 00:35:35,090 It's a very sobering message that he gives. 687 00:35:36,130 --> 00:35:38,190 He says go tell this people. 688 00:35:40,430 --> 00:35:40,970 This people. 689 00:35:43,630 --> 00:35:45,410 And the message isn't easy. 690 00:35:46,890 --> 00:35:48,990 It's a message of judgment. 691 00:35:50,370 --> 00:35:52,950 It's a message of coming destruction. 692 00:35:55,870 --> 00:35:57,990 And without going into all the details of 693 00:35:57,990 --> 00:35:58,190 it. 694 00:35:59,950 --> 00:36:03,490 The lesson that we learn here about blindness. 695 00:36:04,310 --> 00:36:05,530 About deafness. 696 00:36:06,450 --> 00:36:08,030 About hardness of heart. 697 00:36:09,030 --> 00:36:13,830 Is that people who harden their hearts. 698 00:36:15,030 --> 00:36:18,530 Who deliberately reject the knowledge of God. 699 00:36:21,970 --> 00:36:23,690 Will find themselves. 700 00:36:24,850 --> 00:36:27,410 Under the discipline of God ultimately. 701 00:36:28,110 --> 00:36:30,070 Now this is true individually. 702 00:36:30,590 --> 00:36:33,050 It is also true collectively. 703 00:36:34,710 --> 00:36:36,850 And I think I mentioned a little bit 704 00:36:36,850 --> 00:36:38,710 about this when I was here the last 705 00:36:38,710 --> 00:36:38,950 time. 706 00:36:39,030 --> 00:36:40,730 And took up a little bit from the 707 00:36:40,730 --> 00:36:42,370 background of Romans chapter 12. 708 00:36:43,450 --> 00:36:45,850 We are today in a parallel set of 709 00:36:45,850 --> 00:36:46,490 circumstances. 710 00:36:47,750 --> 00:36:49,990 It's not popular today to preach the gospel. 711 00:36:51,890 --> 00:36:54,810 People are not flocking to come to hear 712 00:36:54,810 --> 00:36:55,930 the word of the Lord. 713 00:36:57,370 --> 00:37:00,390 They hold God and the word of God 714 00:37:00,390 --> 00:37:02,370 and Christ in contempt today. 715 00:37:03,290 --> 00:37:06,650 They have turned from the knowledge of God. 716 00:37:07,570 --> 00:37:11,910 And sadly I believe that we are witnessing. 717 00:37:12,990 --> 00:37:16,370 The judgment of God upon western culture. 718 00:37:17,850 --> 00:37:20,710 That has been so privileged to know God. 719 00:37:21,050 --> 00:37:23,050 And the revelation of God in Christ. 720 00:37:24,690 --> 00:37:26,030 And there is a blindness. 721 00:37:26,950 --> 00:37:28,010 A judicial blindness. 722 00:37:28,010 --> 00:37:33,150 That will not be lifted until judgment sweeps 723 00:37:33,150 --> 00:37:33,870 the earth. 724 00:37:36,630 --> 00:37:37,950 Now you might say well what's the use 725 00:37:37,950 --> 00:37:38,190 then? 726 00:37:38,630 --> 00:37:39,530 What is the use? 727 00:37:42,380 --> 00:37:45,700 Well it's because God's program doesn't end in 728 00:37:45,700 --> 00:37:45,980 judgment. 729 00:37:47,640 --> 00:37:50,440 God's program ends in blessing. 730 00:37:51,740 --> 00:37:54,500 And even though he must judge the nation 731 00:37:54,500 --> 00:37:56,040 of Israel in that time. 732 00:37:56,160 --> 00:37:57,520 And I want to just point out that 733 00:37:57,520 --> 00:37:58,920 this was not immediate. 734 00:38:02,860 --> 00:38:08,480 There is between 154 to 170 years. 735 00:38:09,000 --> 00:38:11,580 From this vision till the captivity. 736 00:38:12,700 --> 00:38:14,240 There is the ministry of Isaiah. 737 00:38:14,440 --> 00:38:16,560 And he had a long ministry to the 738 00:38:16,560 --> 00:38:16,880 nation. 739 00:38:17,880 --> 00:38:19,360 Jeremiah follows him. 740 00:38:20,320 --> 00:38:22,180 A long ministry of Jeremiah. 741 00:38:22,800 --> 00:38:25,300 There is some overlap in Ezekiel's ministry. 742 00:38:25,500 --> 00:38:26,900 Right into the time of captivity. 743 00:38:27,640 --> 00:38:32,080 Spanning as I say possibly 154 years to 744 00:38:32,080 --> 00:38:35,320 the first time of the captives were carried 745 00:38:35,320 --> 00:38:35,600 away. 746 00:38:35,820 --> 00:38:38,460 When Daniel and Ezekiel would have been among 747 00:38:38,460 --> 00:38:39,740 some of the first captives. 748 00:38:40,380 --> 00:38:43,260 And finally when Jerusalem is finally destroyed. 749 00:38:43,380 --> 00:38:45,460 And the temple burned to the ground. 750 00:38:46,140 --> 00:38:47,720 About 170 years. 751 00:38:48,700 --> 00:38:51,460 So here you have a glimpse of the 752 00:38:51,460 --> 00:38:52,660 patience of God. 753 00:38:53,640 --> 00:38:57,220 Though there is judgment that has become irrevocable. 754 00:38:57,480 --> 00:38:59,120 Yet it's not instantaneous. 755 00:39:00,180 --> 00:39:03,220 He is still sending his word. 756 00:39:04,140 --> 00:39:07,640 And he still needs messengers to send his 757 00:39:07,640 --> 00:39:08,060 word. 758 00:39:09,520 --> 00:39:14,020 Now I know today it's discouraging to try 759 00:39:14,020 --> 00:39:14,920 to work with people. 760 00:39:17,100 --> 00:39:21,600 But we need to grasp and appreciate this. 761 00:39:22,940 --> 00:39:30,020 Until God terminates, he still expects us to 762 00:39:30,020 --> 00:39:30,600 speak for him. 763 00:39:31,880 --> 00:39:35,740 He expects us to be living before him. 764 00:39:36,240 --> 00:39:38,160 Among the people that we know. 765 00:39:38,960 --> 00:39:41,480 And to give them an opportunity to turn 766 00:39:41,480 --> 00:39:42,500 back to him. 767 00:39:43,760 --> 00:39:46,540 Now notice what it says as we come 768 00:39:46,540 --> 00:39:47,760 to the last part of this. 769 00:39:48,440 --> 00:39:49,440 There is one more but. 770 00:39:50,900 --> 00:39:51,580 But. 771 00:39:52,180 --> 00:39:52,860 Yet. 772 00:39:52,860 --> 00:39:56,260 Verse 13. 773 00:39:56,860 --> 00:39:58,440 In it shall be a tenth and it 774 00:39:58,440 --> 00:39:59,180 shall return. 775 00:40:00,080 --> 00:40:01,680 And then it says so the holy seed 776 00:40:01,680 --> 00:40:05,080 shall be the substance therein. 777 00:40:05,420 --> 00:40:07,920 God gives him this little bit of encouragement. 778 00:40:09,220 --> 00:40:11,340 There is going to be a tenth. 779 00:40:12,720 --> 00:40:14,940 That are going to come back from judgment. 780 00:40:17,600 --> 00:40:19,120 And God's name. 781 00:40:19,640 --> 00:40:20,500 And God's people. 782 00:40:20,880 --> 00:40:22,400 Are going to be perpetuated. 783 00:40:23,080 --> 00:40:25,920 Into next generations to come. 784 00:40:26,760 --> 00:40:28,700 And so we have to ask ourselves the 785 00:40:28,700 --> 00:40:29,080 question. 786 00:40:29,940 --> 00:40:31,880 Is it worth it for the 10%? 787 00:40:35,380 --> 00:40:39,430 If only a few remain. 788 00:40:41,540 --> 00:40:43,740 Only a few repent. 789 00:40:45,020 --> 00:40:46,720 Only a few respond. 790 00:40:47,740 --> 00:40:48,800 I want to point out. 791 00:40:48,900 --> 00:40:49,860 And it's not in this chapter. 792 00:40:49,960 --> 00:40:50,780 It's in the next chapter. 793 00:40:51,160 --> 00:40:54,880 Where we get the evidence of Isaiah's faith. 794 00:40:54,880 --> 00:40:56,180 In this revelation. 795 00:40:56,580 --> 00:40:57,320 And his faithfulness. 796 00:40:58,560 --> 00:41:00,680 The next chapter begins with the days of 797 00:41:00,680 --> 00:41:01,010 Ahaz. 798 00:41:01,520 --> 00:41:02,580 The son of Jotham. 799 00:41:02,740 --> 00:41:03,580 The son of Uzziah. 800 00:41:04,000 --> 00:41:07,240 So now we've stepped over one king. 801 00:41:07,600 --> 00:41:09,760 Into a second generation. 802 00:41:10,020 --> 00:41:11,760 Past the death of Uzziah. 803 00:41:12,520 --> 00:41:15,060 So it's at least 16 years. 804 00:41:15,380 --> 00:41:16,380 Possibly 20 years. 805 00:41:16,520 --> 00:41:17,440 Or it could be even longer. 806 00:41:18,060 --> 00:41:19,940 Later that chapter 7 begins. 807 00:41:20,540 --> 00:41:21,060 And there's again. 808 00:41:21,140 --> 00:41:21,860 There's a crisis. 809 00:41:22,180 --> 00:41:24,100 Where the enemies are approaching. 810 00:41:24,100 --> 00:41:25,140 Verse 3. 811 00:41:26,060 --> 00:41:27,560 Then said the Lord unto Isaiah. 812 00:41:27,760 --> 00:41:29,940 Go forth now to meet Ahaz. 813 00:41:30,960 --> 00:41:34,680 Thou and Shir Jashub thy son. 814 00:41:35,480 --> 00:41:36,700 Now how would you like a handle like 815 00:41:36,700 --> 00:41:37,240 that? 816 00:41:37,840 --> 00:41:39,040 Shir Jashub. 817 00:41:39,960 --> 00:41:43,680 There's a lot of unique and exotic names. 818 00:41:43,860 --> 00:41:45,280 Being given to little kids today. 819 00:41:47,180 --> 00:41:49,160 But this one would be quite a handle. 820 00:41:49,420 --> 00:41:50,180 Shir Jashub. 821 00:41:50,780 --> 00:41:51,700 Well what does it mean? 822 00:41:51,700 --> 00:41:55,860 It means the remnant shall return. 823 00:41:56,660 --> 00:41:59,860 The remnant shall return. 824 00:42:00,980 --> 00:42:03,060 Isaiah in faith. 825 00:42:03,520 --> 00:42:05,760 In what God has revealed to him. 826 00:42:06,240 --> 00:42:07,760 He names his son. 827 00:42:08,360 --> 00:42:09,860 The remnant shall return. 828 00:42:10,760 --> 00:42:13,360 God will keep his word. 829 00:42:14,060 --> 00:42:17,460 And even though we are in difficult days. 830 00:42:18,620 --> 00:42:20,820 Days where the fear of God seems to 831 00:42:20,820 --> 00:42:21,560 be lost. 832 00:42:22,620 --> 00:42:25,320 God's going to keep his word to us. 833 00:42:26,100 --> 00:42:29,420 He's going to keep his word to the 834 00:42:29,420 --> 00:42:30,020 Lord Jesus. 835 00:42:32,320 --> 00:42:34,360 To have a people for him. 836 00:42:34,920 --> 00:42:36,140 Forever and ever. 837 00:42:37,040 --> 00:42:40,020 And so I trust that as we think 838 00:42:40,020 --> 00:42:41,800 about who we are. 839 00:42:43,060 --> 00:42:45,680 Who we are in relation to the living 840 00:42:45,680 --> 00:42:46,180 God. 841 00:42:46,320 --> 00:42:48,300 That we will appreciate. 842 00:42:49,020 --> 00:42:51,320 That getting to know him. 843 00:42:52,060 --> 00:42:53,380 As he is. 844 00:42:53,720 --> 00:42:58,640 Is the very first and greatest responsibility and 845 00:42:58,640 --> 00:42:59,500 privilege for us. 846 00:42:59,660 --> 00:43:00,040 Shall we pray. 847 00:43:04,450 --> 00:43:06,750 Our father we draw near to thee. 848 00:43:07,690 --> 00:43:09,570 We give thanks for the Lord Jesus. 849 00:43:12,130 --> 00:43:14,710 Who is this very one that was glimpsed 850 00:43:14,710 --> 00:43:15,450 by Isaiah. 851 00:43:18,270 --> 00:43:20,930 And even though it is hard for us 852 00:43:20,930 --> 00:43:22,010 to grasp. 853 00:43:23,170 --> 00:43:27,650 That the one who is eternally the sovereign. 854 00:43:30,290 --> 00:43:33,150 That he stepped down from that majesty and 855 00:43:33,150 --> 00:43:33,590 glory. 856 00:43:34,510 --> 00:43:37,390 Of being worshipped day and night. 857 00:43:38,890 --> 00:43:41,030 To step into our humanity. 858 00:43:41,670 --> 00:43:45,110 To take his place among us in such 859 00:43:45,110 --> 00:43:46,550 a humble guise. 860 00:43:48,290 --> 00:43:50,670 We marvel as we think of the Lord 861 00:43:50,670 --> 00:43:51,030 Jesus. 862 00:43:52,330 --> 00:43:55,490 Doing things among the people that showed the 863 00:43:55,490 --> 00:43:56,630 glimpses of his glory. 864 00:43:58,270 --> 00:44:00,710 Doing miracles that no one else had ever 865 00:44:00,710 --> 00:44:01,010 done. 866 00:44:02,230 --> 00:44:03,890 And yet they still did not believe on 867 00:44:03,890 --> 00:44:04,030 him. 868 00:44:05,450 --> 00:44:07,950 They still remained blinded and hardened. 869 00:44:09,850 --> 00:44:11,370 And our father we thank thee that. 870 00:44:13,580 --> 00:44:16,180 He did not take that rejection as being 871 00:44:16,180 --> 00:44:16,600 final. 872 00:44:17,580 --> 00:44:21,020 But he pursued his course to the cross. 873 00:44:22,020 --> 00:44:23,520 And laid down his life. 874 00:44:24,600 --> 00:44:26,200 That we might come to know thee as 875 00:44:26,200 --> 00:44:26,660 thou art. 876 00:44:27,520 --> 00:44:29,020 We pray then that thou would help us 877 00:44:29,020 --> 00:44:29,520 as we. 878 00:44:30,180 --> 00:44:32,300 Gather together in thy presence. 879 00:44:33,560 --> 00:44:34,960 To remember our savior. 880 00:44:35,840 --> 00:44:37,900 That we might grasp the enormity. 881 00:44:39,020 --> 00:44:40,900 Of what thou hast given to us. 882 00:44:41,800 --> 00:44:43,680 We commit ourselves to thee and pray for 883 00:44:43,680 --> 00:44:44,580 thy gracious blessing. 884 00:44:44,580 --> 00:44:46,600 In our savior's worthy name. 885 00:44:47,280 --> 00:44:47,480 Amen.