Holiness of God

Holiness of God

Isaiah 6:1-8

INTRODUCTION

Politics and War- mess with our security.

The American economy has slowed down over the last couple of months.

Many financial experts blame it on the uncertainty of the presidential race.

We serve a God bigger than politics.

A lack of security proves we do not believe that God is here.

“Rend the Heavens”- How do we live when God seems distant?

Uzziah= 52 year reign as King (16 yo)- a good king.

He dies from leprosy as a result of God’s judgment

52 years- first transition in leadership in memory of most.

ILL— Who was President 52 years ago?

- Richard Nixon was elected to second term as President. He was the most popular president in terms of electoral college.

When there is political uncertainty a Nation questions- Where is God? Does he care?

Isaiah 6:1–8 ESV

1 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. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; 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!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” 8 And 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.”

3 Truths to Remember When God Seems Distant

1. God is on His Throne (1)

Isaiah 6:1 ESV

1 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.

Chaos in our world does not mean chaos in heaven.

Lot of questions about presidential transition.

America’s transfer of power. It is lined out and clear.

President/Vice-President/ Speaker of House/ Senate Pro Tempore/ Cabinet members

Israel did not have a clear transition for such a time.

Who is in charge? Who is making decisions? What if an enemy attacks now?

God is on throne. That’s the only power that really matters.

2. God is All Powerful (1)

Isaiah 6:1 ESV

1 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.

Train of Robe- filled temple- showed great power.

In 1953 Queen Elizabeth II walked down the isle of Westminister Abbey with an 18 feet long train that was supported by six maids of honor.

Train symbolizes power.

God’s train filled the temple.

Showed authority

Perfection

Splendor.

God is strong enough to handle this transition.

Jesus is the visible manifestation of God.

Colossians 1:15–17 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

When times are hard people believe that God either can’t help or refuses to help.

God is either weak or not holy.

Not only choice- God loves us by giving us a choice and disciplines us to help us make good choices.

Purpose of discipline is not to punish but to change action.

ILL- kid touching an electric plug.

3. God is Holy (2-8)

3 Reactions to God’s Holiness

A. Worship (2-3)

Isaiah 6:2–3 ESV

2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

Worship does not equal Singing

we sing songs we like/ worship is about pleasing God not self.

Worship despite uncertainty and chaos- worship is not based on physical blessing.

Holy= a cut above= he is separate above all= set apart.

China- set aside for something special.

God is set apart above everything.

Holy Holy Holy= triple emphasis. The strongest way to stress something in Hebrew.

God is Holy Holy Holy.

Nothing is more holy. Nothing is as holy.

B. Perspective Change (4)

Isaiah 6:4 ESV

4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

Understanding of God’s holiness will change how you see yourself and the world.

“smoke”- Shekinah glory- above Ark in Tabernacle. Pillar of fire at night and pillar of smoke by day.

Showed God’s presence to Israel while in the wilderness.

Easy to miss God in a fallen world.

Response to God’s glory- Seraphim

Humbling of self (covering face and feet) (2)

Loud thunderous worship.

Being in God’s presence will always change you.

ILL- Moses when he came off the mountain. — Face shone — people made him hide his face.

ILL- Stephen before being stoned- face shone— people got mad about it.

C. Repentance (5)

Isaiah 6:5 ESV

5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; 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!”

When we compare ourselves to holiness of God our only hope is repentance.

Isaiah 64:6

Isaiah 64:6b ESV

6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Compare self to other people or to God?

Leads to forgiveness (6-7)

Isaiah 6:6–7 ESV

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

Understanding holiness of God leads to repentance which leads to forgiveness.

God initiated the forgiveness. God met him where he needed to be.

The cry of Jesus- “repent”

Acts 3:19 ESV

19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

Coal= blood of the lamb

Romans 5:9 ESV

9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

“for I am ruined”= humbling of self- realization of failure.

Repentance involves surrender (8)

Isaiah 6:8 ESV

8 And 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.”

NT mark of a disciple= take up cross.

leave all behind.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

ILL- Police in drive at McAlester.

Police with gun- easy to surrender- no choice.

God does not force surrender.

His holiness draws us to surrender.

CONCLUSION

God’s holiness brings a separation between he and man.

He provides a way to bridge the separation through Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:23

Have you surrendered to the holy, all-powerful God who sits on his throne?