Our Understanding Impacts Our Obedience
Isaiah 6:9-13
Introduction
- This morning we discussed Isaiah’s call to follow the Lord and his willingness to not only hear God’s voice … but to act upon it – we must have this same desire
- We saw the Seraphs in Heaven whose sole purpose is to praise God
- Verse 5 showed us how God’s righteous cleansing can impact a man’s life
- Zech 13:9 talked about God’s redemptive fire and the importance it plays
- Lastly, we saw that we too are challenged to go and to move, because God calls
- Tonight, let’s continue in Isaiah Chapter 6 as we see God’s calling to the church
- Stand and read Isaiah 6:9-13 / Pray
Point 1 – Our understanding impacts our obedience (v9)
- God sends Isaiah to foretell the ruin of his people; to give them a chance to repent
- But … many hear the sound of God's word, but do not feel the power of it.
- This is due them being set in their ways and not willing to change
- Rev 2 and 3 shows us that 5 out of 7 churches have issues (71%)
- Following Christ is not a “convenient sort of thing”; but a call to obey – period
- Important Application: God sometimes, in righteous judgment, gives men up to blindness of mind, because they will not receive the truth, change and be renewed
- Romans 1:28 says, “Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind; to do what ought not to be done.”
- Anyone who seeks after God though has no fear in this verse …
- This is a judgment to those who will not hear the Word and be changed
-- Remember, in the last days there will be a form of godliness but have no power
-- 2 Tim 3:5 says to “Have nothing to do with them …”
- We must pray for divine appointments; pray for divine hearing, seek after God’s face (like Moses) and God WILL answer; IF we are faithful to obey His direction
- The people were capable of hearing and understanding the words that Isaiah spoke, but because they were not acting in accordance with God’s revealed will for them, they were not responding to the message. (3 verses to tie this in …)
- John tells us that our understanding is impacted by our obedience: John 7:17, “If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” (God reveals Himself …)
- Ezekiel also reveals the following in Chapter 33 verse 11, “Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?”
- Joel 2:12-13, “Even now, declares the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”
TRANS: Isaiah is called to remain faithful … no matter what happens
Point 2 – Isaiah must remain faithful (v10)
- Verse 10 in this chapter of Isaiah seems to contradict the truth that God desires repentance from us – but God does not contradict Himself. (Here are some verses to really drive this home.)
-- 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 says, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.”
-- 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with YOU, not wanting anyone to perish, but EVERYONE to come to repentance.”
- Isaiah is to be faithful in continuing to present God’s message to the people.
- As they hear the word over and over again, they will become more and more desensitized to it.
- Their hearts will become more hardened as they continue down a path of willful disobedience. They will finally reach a point of no return.
- Verses 9 and 10 represent a prophecy regarding the response of the people (or lack thereof) to Isaiah’s declaring and ministry among them.
- This also makes me think about another aspect of God’s character and His love for us. (Get this and apply it today …)
- KEY APPLICATION: His omniscience (knowledge of everything) doesn’t stop Him from doing everything possible to draw His children back to Him. (He knows the response, but still He pursues.)
- We are called to move, called to respond, called to change our ways forever
-- Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:22 says, “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
- APP: The word “convert” is literally defined as “a returning to the starting point”
- APP: In other words, they had become a nation through faith and obedience, and their healing could only be accomplished by returning to God in faith & obedience
- Romans 10:17 tells us quite simply how we should live: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
- TRANS: Maybe ask yourself: So how long shall we go on this same path?
Point 3 – How long do we continue? (v11-13)
- Notice Isaiah’s cry though – “How long shall I continue to preach God?
- I’ve asked this before myself. How long God shall we call people into action?
- How long are we to continue on and on with a similar message?
- We can ask a man who’s been in ministry for over 70 years: Rev Billy Graham
-- Began preaching around 1939 – continues with the same devotion today
-- KEY: The times may change, but the consistency of the message is the same
- Personally, I believe it is until the coming day of Jesus Christ!
- We are to always preach, always proclaim; God says until the cities lie ruined
- God’s Grace commands Isaiah never to stop preaching as long as there is 1 left
- However, note the response that is predicted in God’s answer and where we fit in
- Those that would not here will continue to incur God’s judgment until God sends them into captivity and the land becomes desolate and forsaken.
- Now, here is some real prophecy to hold onto … (Re-read verse 13)
- The Lord promises to leave a remnant – like a tenth – that would be Holy to Him
- This verse seems to indicate that a tenth of the people will return to Judah only to be taken over again.
- Isaiah is comparing the people of Judah and Jerusalem to strong trees that have been cut down yet the stump still has life in it. (The core lives …)
- TRANS: God is faithful and will fulfill His promises to Abraham, Isaac & Jacob
Conclusion
- A remnant will be preserved – the question is are you going to be part of it
- Will you accept the call to act? Will you accept, repent, and be made holy?
- Invite Singers
- 1 Peter 1:16 says, “for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
- APP: OT Tie-In (Isaiah knew this) … Leviticus 20:7 says, “Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God.”
- Praise be to God because He still preserves His church – but for how long?
- Pray
