ISAIAH’S VISION
Isaiah 6:1-8
INTRO: In this account of Isaiah’s call, we see that Isaiah’s spiritual eyes were opened. His eyes were focused on his spiritual need. This encounter with God resulted in Isaiah’s becoming the great prophet that he was.
I. ISAIAH SAW GOD.
He caught a glimpse of the power of God. He saw God sitting on a throne. Isaiah saw God as the King of kings and Lord of lords. People today speak of an “out of body” experience.
Isaiah also saw a big God. Isaiah pictured God in this way. He said, “the train of His robe filled the temple” (v. 1). Isaiah saw God as the biggest thing he could imagine. For him, God could meet any need. Today’s Christian often puts a straitjacket on God because he does not see God as the enormous, all-powerful God that He is. We need our spiritual eyes opened.
Isaiah saw a holy God (v. 3). He saw God as the perfect being that He is. God is without sin. Only God has that kind of holiness. It was this awareness of God as holy that led to the second step of his vision.
II. ISAIAH SAW HIMSELF.
He realized that he was a sinful creature and, in the presence of holy God, this was overwhelming. All of us, when we come face-to-face with God, feel so unworthy. Those who are the closest to God are the ones who feel the most unworthy, because they are the ones who sense most the holiness of God. This feeling is revealed when Isaiah said, “I am a man of unclean lips” (v. 5). He realized his unworthiness. At this point God was able to work with Isaiah. Only after we realize our unworthiness can God make us into the mighty vessels we should be.
Isaiah saw his sin and his need to be made holy (v. 6-7). He was made holy by a holy God. This led to the final stage of his vision. Here he was made holy for a purpose–he was made holy so that he could serve. Before Isaiah could preach about God’s redeeming love, he had to experience it. This experience made Isaiah worthy to proclaim God’s message.
III. ISAIAH SAW HIS TASK.
Two simple elements are revealed here. First, Isaiah heard God’s plea. Not that he was made holy, he could hear the voice of God (v. 8). As always, God is looking for someone who will serve Him. The question confronted Isaiah: “Will you be that person?” God is likewise confronting the church today with that question. Will you accept His call?
Second, Isaiah responded. In the midst of God’s plea, Isaiah’s heart was challenged (v. 8). Isaiah was able to respond positively only because of the vision he had experienced. He had seen God. For him God was powerful. He was big enough to handle whatever would come. Then Isaiah got his life in order. He received forgiveness of sins. Finally he was ready to serve.
CONC: Pray that God will open your eyes. Take a good look at God, yourself, and your task.
