This is God
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Introduction: “It’s been an interesting eight months, Rev. Daniel.” That was Wallace’s response to my invitation for him to tell me a little about himself. He said, “eight months ago I was diagnosed with lung cancer and they had discovered lesions reaching down into my liver.” I and the others in the room listened intently as Wallace O’Neal, a pastor in one of our church in the North Carolina Conference, continued his story. “They started my treatments the next week but the doctor was quite concerned, and so was I. He suggested that I should prepare for the worse but hope for the best. The following Sunday I only had service in one of my churches. I was pretty emotional that day as I recall. I shared what the doctor had said with the congregation through tears. At the end of the service I knew that I would not be able to pray so I called on my Lay Leader to do so. Without hesitation He stood and said, ‘preacher, I’ll be glad to pray but I’d like to come to the front of the church to do it. I also want you to come and kneel there because we’re going to pray for you.’” Wallace said that the whole congregation came down to the altar to pray and as many as could, laid hands on him.
Introduction: “It’s been an interesting eight months, Rev. Daniel.” That was Wallace’s response to my invitation for him to tell me a little about himself. He said, “eight months ago I was diagnosed with lung cancer and they had discovered lesions reaching down into my liver.” I and the others in the room listened intently as Wallace O’Neal, a pastor in one of our church in the North Carolina Conference, continued his story. “They started my treatments the next week but the doctor was quite concerned, and so was I. He suggested that I should prepare for the worse but hope for the best. The following Sunday I only had service in one of my churches. I was pretty emotional that day as I recall. I shared what the doctor had said with the congregation through tears. At the end of the service I knew that I would not be able to pray so I called on my Lay Leader to do so. Without hesitation He stood and said, ‘preacher, I’ll be glad to pray but I’d like to come to the front of the church to do it. I also want you to come and kneel there because we’re going to pray for you.’” Wallace said that the whole congregation came down to the altar to pray and as many as could, laid hands on him.
About this time, I looked around the room and observed that Wallace had everyone’s attention. He then said, “while they were praying, I suddenly felt a peace come over me and I could sense the presence of the Lord in every corner of the sanctuary. It was as if God had filled every space in that church and something had happened to me.”
About this time, I looked around the room and observed that Wallace had everyone’s attention. He then said, “while they were praying, I suddenly felt a peace come over me and I could sense the presence of the Lord in every corner of the sanctuary. It was as if God had filled every space in that church and something had happened to me.”
“They continued my treatments and then it was time for a follow up CT Scan. When the doctor came into the examination room for the consultation, he said ‘Well, I’ve got good news. The treatments are working and you are in remission. There is no trace of cancer.”
“They continued my treatments and then it was time for a follow up CT Scan. When the doctor came into the examination room for the consultation, he said ‘Well, I’ve got good news. The treatments are working and you are in remission. There is no trace of cancer.”
Wallace said, “I smiled at the doc and said, ‘If you want to believe it’s the treatment that’s fine and if you want to call it remission that’s fine but between you and me, I know this is God and we call this healing.”-
Wallace said, “I smiled at the doc and said, ‘If you want to believe it’s the treatment that’s fine and if you want to call it remission that’s fine but between you and me, I know this is God and we call this healing.”-
Let me ask you a question this morning. Have you ever known a time like that? I’m not talking about Wallace’s amazing healing story. I am however talking about a moment in your life in which you could echo Wallace’s words, “I know this is God.” Whether you have or not, Wallace and Isaiah hold those words and that experience in common. Let me explain what I mean.
Let me ask you a question this morning. Have you ever known a time like that? I’m not talking about Wallace’s amazing healing story. I am however talking about a moment in your life in which you could echo Wallace’s words, “I know this is God.” Whether you have or not, Wallace and Isaiah hold those words and that experience in common. Let me explain what I mean.
As we know, the book of Isaiah covers a major time period in the life of Israel, and here, when I say Israel I mean Israel and Judah. It opens at a time in the life of Israel in which her standing in the world is changing. It is a time in which Israel has transgressed the Will of God. From a national perspective, the kings had made unholy alliances with foreign governments rather that seek out God’s desire for the nation. Religiously they thought that they could appease God by observing the rituals without investing their hearts or, to say it another way, they went through the motions of religion without the commitment of faith. Finally, they had also failed God socially as well. For instance, Isaiah addressed this fact in “If the Lord of heavenly forces had not spared a few of us, we would be like Sodom; we would resemble Gomorrah.”
As we know, the book of Isaiah covers a major time period in the life of Israel, and here, when I say Israel I mean Israel and Judah. It opens at a time in the life of Israel in which her standing in the world is changing. It is a time in which Israel has transgressed the Will of God. From a national perspective, the kings had made unholy alliances with foreign governments rather that seek out God’s desire for the nation. Religiously they thought that they could appease God by observing the rituals without investing their hearts or, to say it another way, they went through the motions of religion without the commitment of faith. Finally, they had also failed God socially as well. For instance, Isaiah addressed this fact in “If the Lord of heavenly forces had not spared a few of us, we would be like Sodom; we would resemble Gomorrah.”
Because of the conditions of Israel’s position in the world, hope was beginning to evaporate as the ominous clouds of doom lurked just beyond the horizon.
Because of the conditions of Israel’s position in the world, hope was beginning to evaporate as the ominous clouds of doom lurked just beyond the horizon.
and hope is beginning to dissipate as the ominous clouds of doom lurk just beyond the horizon.
and hope is beginning to dissipate as the ominous clouds of doom lurk just beyond the horizon.
and hope is beginning to dissipate as the ominous clouds of doom lurk just beyond the horizon.
and hope is beginning to dissipate as the ominous clouds of doom lurk just beyond the horizon.
and hope is beginning to dissipate as the ominous clouds of doom lurk just beyond the horizon.
and hope is beginning to dissipate as the ominous clouds of doom lurk just beyond the horizon.
This is well represented in the words with which Isaiah opens chapter six. He says, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord.” Now it’s important for us to recognize that this is much more than just a place marker in time for Isaiah’s readers. What I mean by that is, many scholars point to the mention of Uzziah as a way to pinpoint the date of this part of Isaiah’s writing. While that is significant and helpful for that purpose, it also tells us something else. You see, Uzziah became king of Judah when he was 16 years old and he reigned for 52 years. During that time he had many great accomplishments to restore Judah to a stronger position on the world stage. As a matter of fact, the Bible tells us that Uzziah “walked in the way of the Lord.” However, tells us that, “As soon as he became powerful, he grew so arrogant that he acted corruptly. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God by entering the Lord’s sanctuary to burn incense upon the incense altar.” Of course we know that only the priest was allowed to do that. When challenged by the priest, Uzziah, still with the sensor in his had with which he had intended to light the sacrifice, grew angry. As a result, Uzziah was stricken with leprosy until the day he died, living in a separate residence, removed from everyone because of his disease. In many ways, with the death of Uzziah came the death of Judah’s last hope.
This is well represented in the words with which Isaiah opens chapter six. He says, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord.” Now it’s important for us to recognize that this is much more than just a place marker in time for Isaiah’s readers. What I mean by that is, many scholars point to the mention of Uzziah as a way to pinpoint the date of this part of Isaiah’s writing. While that is significant and helpful for that purpose, it also tells us something else. You see, Uzziah became king of Judah when he was 16 years old and he reigned for 52 years. During that time he had many great accomplishments to restore Judah to a stronger position on the world stage. As a matter of fact, the Bible tells us that Uzziah “walked in the way of the Lord.” However, tells us that, “As soon as he became powerful, he grew so arrogant that he acted corruptly. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God by entering the Lord’s sanctuary to burn incense upon the incense altar.” Of course we know that only the priest was allowed to do that. When challenged by the priest, Uzziah, still with the sensor in his had with which he had intended to light the sacrifice, grew angry. As a result, Uzziah was stricken with leprosy until the day he died, living in a separate residence, removed from everyone because of his disease. In many ways, with the death of Uzziah came the death of Judah’s last hope.
This is where Chapter six comes in. In the midst of such despair, in the sense of such hopelessness, God gave Isaiah a vision of hope. It occurs to me that this is a message not just for Judah but for us in this time as well, even on this Memorial Day weekend. What Isaiah learned is a message that God speaks to us all.
This is where Chapter six comes in. In the midst of such despair, in the sense of such hopelessness, God gave Isaiah a vision of hope. It occurs to me that this is a message not just for Judah but for us in this time as well, even on this Memorial Day weekend. What Isaiah learned is a message that God speaks to us all.
First of all, Isaiah learned that God was sitting upon a throne, high and exalted. This verse is supported by verses such as we find in Psalm 11:4
First of all, Isaiah learned that God was sitting upon a throne, high and exalted. This verse is supported by verses such as we find in Psalm 11:4
The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. The Lord’s eyes behold, the Lord’s eyes examines humankind.
The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. The Lord’s eyes behold, the Lord’s eyes examines humankind.
And in , Thus says the Lord: Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is my resting place?
And in , Thus says the Lord: Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is my resting place?
Now this is not a radical thought. I mean, it is not uncommon for us to think of God sitting upon God’s throne, surveying all of humanity. The fact is that this kind of theology is prevalent throughout much of the Old Testament. On Thursdays at noon, the men’s Bible study is currently studying the Book of Job and it is particularly the case there. It was not uncommon in the Old Testament to find the view that God was somehow hovering over humanity, ready to catch them and punish them.
Now this is not a radical thought. I mean, it is not uncommon for us to think of God sitting upon God’s throne, surveying all of humanity. The fact is that this kind of theology is prevalent throughout much of the Old Testament. On Thursdays at noon, the men’s Bible study is currently studying the Book of Job and it is particularly the case there. It was not uncommon in the Old Testament to find the view that God was somehow hovering over humanity, ready to catch them and punish them.
We even see this belief in our world today and to be sure, judgement is a necessary attribute of God. We see this in Paul’s letter to Romans that “We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” and “The wages of sin is death.” Of course we know the rest of the story because Paul also says, “God’s free gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We understand this from our perspective here in the 21st Century. But Isaiah enters something for us to consider in his vision for he not only sees God sitting upon a throne, he sees that the train of his robe filled the temple. You see, this means that God is not just removed from humanity, sitting far above them eager to judge and punish but God’s Presence extends all the way to earth.
We even see this belief in our world today and to be sure, judgement is a necessary attribute of God. We see this in Paul’s letter to Romans that “We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” and “The wages of sin is death.” Of course we know the rest of the story because Paul also says, “God’s free gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We understand this from our perspective here in the 21st Century. But Isaiah enters something for us to consider in his vision for he not only sees God sitting upon a throne, he sees that the train of his robe filled the temple. You see, this means that God is not just removed from humanity, sitting far above them eager to judge and punish but God’s Presence extends all the way to earth.
You see, the temple was at the very center of the peoples’ life because they understood that the temple was God’s dwelling place. As the Psalmist said in , “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool.” This becomes particularly evident when the Judah is led away to Babylonian Exile. There, far removed from the Promised Land and the Temple which was the very dwelling place of God, they felt removed from the power and influence of God. The beauty of this vision however enlarges this understanding. It speaks of the way in which God is not just sitting upon the throne but God’s, in all of God’s majesty is at the centre of the people’s lives. That is what the grace of God is all about but for us today it takes on an added meaning. says, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? says, Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?”
You see, the temple was at the very center of the peoples’ life because they understood that the temple was God’s dwelling place. As the Psalmist said in , “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool.” This becomes particularly evident when the Judah is led away to Babylonian Exile. There, far removed from the Promised Land and the Temple which was the very dwelling place of God, they felt removed from the power and influence of God. The beauty of this vision however enlarges this understanding. It speaks of the way in which God is not just sitting upon the throne but God’s, in all of God’s majesty is at the centre of the people’s lives. That is what the grace of God is all about but for us today it takes on an added meaning. says, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? says, Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?”
Secondly, Isaiah saw the seraphs flying in the temple. They are an interesting study all by themselves in this text. Perhaps we’ll have the opportunity to come back to them at some future date. Suffice it to say that Isaiah heard them annonce, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty. The whole earth if full of his glory.”
Secondly, Isaiah saw the seraphs flying in the temple. They are an interesting study all by themselves in this text. Perhaps we’ll have the opportunity to come back to them at some future date. Suffice it to say that Isaiah heard them annonce, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty. The whole earth if full of his glory.”
We hear those words and we wonder if there is a misprint. It doesn’t seem that the whole earth if full of God’s glory. But look at what says,
We hear those words and we wonder if there is a misprint. It doesn’t seem that the whole earth if full of God’s glory. But look at what says,
The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Isaiah was overwhelmed by his sinfulness and unworthiness and he encountered the redemption of the Lord.
Isaiah was overwhelmed by his sinfulness and unworthiness and he encountered the redemption of the Lord.
NOTES:
Being in the center of God’s Presence leads mortal humanity to his/her knees in repentance. Just as the burning ember which was taken from the altar of God touched the lips of sinful Isaiah, the flame of the atonement of Jesus Christ come upon humanity to make us all clean. As 2 Corinthians reminds us, “God made him who knew no sin become sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God.”
Being in the center of God’s Presence leads mortal humanity to his/her knees in repentance. Just as the burning ember which was taken from the altar of God touched the lips of sinful Isaiah, the flame of the atonement of Jesus Christ come upon humanity to make us all clean. As 2 Corinthians reminds us, “God made him who knew no sin become sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God.”
God reached all the way from heaven to earth
It’s important to note that Isaiah did not respond to the commissioning question until the redemption process had been completed. Perhaps one of the problems we face in the church is because we’ve tried to do the mission of the church without allowing ourselves to be redeemed by the Lord of the church. The only thing that will make the church of Jesus Christ a powerful instrument of change in a world needing change is the redemptive power of the cross.
It’s important to note that Isaiah did not respond to the commissioning question until the redemption process had been completed. Perhaps one of the problems we face in the church is because we’ve tried to do the mission of the church without allowing ourselves to be redeemed by the Lord of the church. The only thing that will make the church of Jesus Christ a powerful instrument of change in a world needing change is the redemptive power of the cross.
God is fully present all the time
We cannot be in God’s Will apart from being in God’s Presence
The power and unfettered majesty of God
The repentant and humbled Isaiah, for himself and his people
The commission and redeemed prophet
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
What is it that can take a discouraged and downcast people and make them a people of hope? What is it that turns a man who is overwhelmed by not only his own sinfulness but the sinfulness of his people, into a mighty prophet of God? What is it that can take a handful of disciples and turn them into Apostles? What is it that makes a congregation of sinful humanity, such as ourselves, the very Body of Christ? Well I guess you could say many things had a part in this but I keep going back to Wallace. Call it what you will but I know this is God.