Untitled Sermon
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Burning in God’s Presence
Isaiah 6:1–7
During a particularly difficult year of my life, I experienced some profound and wonderful times of worship. Usually these came as my wife and I visited a church in our community for their midweek service. The believers began with an extended time of singing praises to the Lord. A period of prayer followed. I often sat through the whole service in tears of brokenness before God. I left in awe of the glory of God and with a transforming sense of his cleansing grace in my life.
GROUP DISCUSSION. Describe a time when you had a sense of God’s close presence and glory. Where were you, and what feelings did you experience?
PERSONAL REFLECTION. What elements lead you most deeply into worship—reading the Bible, singing or listening to music, prayer? Begin this study by expressing your love and adoration to God.
The prophet Isaiah must have come to the Lord’s temple with a deep sense of longing for God’s presence and power. What he saw as he came in worship was a stunning vision not only of the Lord but also of magnificent angels who shouted God’s praise. Read Isaiah 6:1–7.
1. What circumstances and personal struggles might have burdened Isaiah’s heart as he came into the temple?
2. Imagine yourself in Isaiah’s place. What would you tell a friend that you saw, felt, heard and smelled (vv. 1–4)?
3. Why does Isaiah have such a strong reaction to his experience (v. 5)?
4. The angel beings Isaiah saw above God’s throne are called seraphs. The word means “burning ones.” Why do you think they would be portrayed as burning?
5. What was the purpose of the coal in verses 6–7?
6. Based on Isaiah’s description of the appearance, words and actions of the seraphs, what conclusions can you draw about their character?
7. How would you summarize the mission of the seraphs?
8. Consider how Isaiah must have felt as he left the temple. When have you had this kind of experience of God’s holiness in worship?
9. How do you think Isaiah’s personal worship was affected by this vision?
10. How will Isaiah’s vision make a difference in your worship of God? (For example, does the fact that holy angels are worshiping with you give you greater confidence or make you more reluctant?)
11. What are some appropriate ways that we can acknowledge the presence of angels in our corporate worship services?
Express praise and adoration to God for his greatness and his grace. Use the words the seraphs spoke to exalt the Lord.
Now or Later
Read Revelation 5:11–12. In John’s vision of heaven, millions of angels surround God’s throne. What seem to be their primary functions?
You may want to conclude this study with a time of personal or group worship before the Lord. Choose one or more of the many worship hymns based on Isaiah 6 or Revelation 5. As you worship, picture the angels of God worshiping with you. Your voices join together to magnify the Lord!
During a particularly difficult year of my life, I experienced some profound and wonderful times of worship. Usually these came as my wife and I visited a church in our community for their midweek service. The believers began with an extended time of singing praises to the Lord. A period of prayer followed. I often sat through the whole service in tears of brokenness before God. I left in awe of the glory of God and with a transforming sense of his cleansing grace in my life.
GROUP DISCUSSION. Describe a time when you had a sense of God’s close presence and glory. Where were you, and what feelings did you experience?
PERSONAL REFLECTION. What elements lead you most deeply into worship—reading the Bible, singing or listening to music, prayer? Begin this study by expressing your love and adoration to God.