Step 3 Complete Outline: Isaiah 6:1-13
Big Idea, Supporting Idea, Defining Idea
Can I Get A Witness?
Who will go for us?” Vs. 8
Who will go for us?” Vs. 8
For us to be effective witnesses for God, we must...
- Gaze Upon His Majesty.
6 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord.
Explain: “What we think about when we think about God is the single most important thing about us.” — AW Tozer What fills our minds when we dwell upon the Lord defines our perspective, determines our decisions and drives our actions. It governs the most important decisions; marriage, vocation. It controls what we do with this short thing we possess called our life.- As He sovereignly rules.
He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.
Explain: Sitting implies a completed and ruling position. Lofty communicates the idea of authority; looking upward. The robe filling the temple implies unequaled majesty.
Illustrate: Isaiah 10:5-12
Apply: How to you envision God when you think of Him? - As He is endlessly praised.
2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other,“Holy, holy, holy
Explain: Seraphim are majestic angelic creatures that serve God around the throne. This is the only time they are named in Scripture. The covered eyes and feet reflect the glory of God. The triple use of the word Holy is rare and communicates the overwhelming, infinite perfection of God.
Illustrate: Revelation 4:8 - As He actively conquers.
is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.
Explain: The term Lord of Heaven's Armies is used over 250x in Scripture, and 50x in Isaiah. It's a military term that assigns God as the commander in chief of innumerable fierce angelic warriors ready to carry out his orders at moment's notice.
Illustrate: Isaiah 8:11-13
- As He sovereignly rules.
- Receive His Mercy.
5 Then
Note: the term, then implies an action occurring after the previous events. The steps are progressive. Start with 1 and work through it in order.
- By first admitting our guilt.
I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Explain: The more Isaiah saw God’s holiness the more he became painfully aware of his own sinful behavior. Notice he was not vague about his sin, he was specific. Isaiah was saying, “My language is more like the unredeemed that the redeemed.” The same can happen to God’s people today. If we don’t put ourselves in the presence of God’s holiness through fellowship, church, Bible reading, we start to speak like the world.
Illustrate: 1 Corinthians 15:33; Luke 5:1-11 Peter knew what it was like to fail at following Jesus. What is fascinating is to see Jesus’ response. Instead of chewing him out, Jesus recognized his contrition and invited him to join the mission. - And receiving His forgiveness.
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
Explain: This was not salvation forgiveness, but service forgiveness. Isaiah learned that admitting our wrong doing before God is the one thing that triggers forgiveness. The same that comes from guilt is removed. The penalty for wrong doings is forgiven. The only thing necessary to serve God is an honest admission of our wrong doings.
Illustrate: Psalm 51:10
- By first admitting our guilt.
- Join His Mission.
8 Then
- Having heard his invitation.
I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”
Explain: God calls every redeemed person to be involved in the mission of making him known.
Illustrate: John 15:16
Apply: Have you heard God's invitation? You have now. - By declaring ourselves available.
I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
Explain: It’s one thing to hear God invite you into service. It’s another thing to actually respond with a personal commitment. There is power that comes from making that declaration. It unleashes boldness, ignites faith, triggers action. It can lead to a life changing decision. Have you ever met anyone who has regretted choosing to serve God more? Their testimony may be one of hardship, but it won’t be one of regret. There are no limitations. It’s as if Isaiah signed a blank piece of paper at the bottom and handed it to God and said, “Fill in the destination.” If your declaration to God contains conditions back up one or two steps. Gaze upon his majesty some more. Then receive his forgiveness.
Illustrate: Mark 1:16-20 - By engaging with people.
9 And he said, “Yes, go
Explain: That little two letter word defines how God redeems people for all history. He tells the redeemed to go to the unredeemed. It communicates taking the initiative to get involved in a conversation or in someone's life.
Illustrate: Genesis 12:1-3; Matthew 28:19
Question/Answer: Why is going an essential part of God's plan to make himself known?- Because it communicates God's pursuing and unconditional love. Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:10
- Because there are people who won't hear the gospel unless we take the initiative to go tell them. Romans 15:20-21
- Because the gospel is best understood person to person. Romans 10:14-15; Acts 26:17-18
- Because it is partnered with what God is doing in the world today. Habakkuk 2:14
- Because we grow as we go. We mature as we make disciples. Philemon 1:6 NIV
- By conversing with people about Jesus Christ.
and say to this people
Explain: It’s one thing to show up and just talk to people. It’s another to show up and talk to people about Jesus Christ. How do I do that? Ask them endless questions about themselves until one of two things happens. You notice an easy transition to making a spiritual comment (a narrow spot in the stream). You are asked the golden question, “What do you do?” What we do is not who we are. Who we are is on mission for God. Whenever I’m asked this question I now say, “I show followers of Christ how to make disciples.”
Illustrate: Acts 22:15, Tom & Laurie - By persisting.
‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.’ 10 Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing." 11 Then I said, “Lord, how long will this go on?” And he replied, “Until their towns are empty, their houses are deserted, and the whole country is a wasteland; 12 until the Lord has sent everyone away, and the entire land of Israel lies deserted. 13 If even a tenth—a remnant—survive, it will be invaded again and burned. But as a terebinth or oak tree leaves a stump when it is cut down, so Israel’s stump will be a holy seed.”
Explain: It's important to know that when people reject taking about God or decline an invitation to read or study the Bible, God is revealing a hard heart, not creating a hard heart. People reject God because of the sin in their own heart. They don't hate their broken, guilty lives enough yet. What God was saying to Isaiah, and to us is, keep making me known until there is no one left. The command to make disciples of all nations is in play until the end of this age. It's plan A and there is no plan B.
Illustrate. Matthew 28:20
- Having heard his invitation.
- Envision God in heaven.
- Embrace God's forgiveness.
- Engage in God's plans.