A New Vision of God" Text: Isaiah 6:1-13
Introduction: The clear vision which Isaiah beheld of the temple is contrast with the Lord declaring that blindness had come upon the Jewish nation, and proclaiming the destruction which would follow. Israel has enjoyed many years of prosperity and plenty under the rule of king Uzziah. Now Assyria, a powerful aggressor had destroyed the northern kingdom and had scattered the people throughout its own empire. Sin has consequences. Although they may not immediate, they will eventually bring judgment. Now Judah and Jerusalem were being threatened. King Uzziah had meant so much to the nation, but his reign had come to an end. He died of leprosy because God judge him for taking over the High Priest's duties in violation of the Law. Although he was generally a good king and his reign was long and prosperous, Judah and Jerusalem had turned away from God. Prosperity and abundance should cause men to serve God more faithfully, but many times it will separate men from God.
How do you see God? Your perception of God determines your response to God. Isaiah needs a new vision of God. Maybe Isaiah had become too impressed with earthly kings. Maybe Isaiah thought that all hope was loss with the death of Uzziah. In our lesson, Isaiah is not praying for a vision, nor does he expect a vision. God choose to reveal himself to this prophet in a brand-new way. A revelation of God can lift you above the walls of your circumstances. Brother Kenny "You don't need another wife or husband or job or church, you need a revelation in the midst of your situation." In order to carry out this new assignment from God, Isaiah must have a new vision of God. During these confusing times, we too need a new vision of God. We might discover God is bigger than we think, and more than we have experienced.
1. God is more than tradition and religion. Our traditional view of God has its limitations. Isaiah had a traditional view of God. Israel saw God as being primarily concerned about His nation alone. God dwelled among them in the Holy land. Isaiah had participated many times in the ritual of bringing sacrifices to God. He remembered all holy days and practiced his religion faithfully. Isaiah knew about the rituals, the offerings, and the ceremonies. Yet, his nation, Judah and Jerusalem had long forgotten why they were doing what they were doing. It was simply tradition. Our rituals maybe beautiful, our ceremonies may be decent and in order, but we must not forget why we do what we do. We are called to worship God in spirit and in truth. The Father seeks such to worship him. Traditions alone cannot please God. God is bigger than our tradition and more than our view of Him.
2. God is Holy. Isaiah sees beyond the veil and gets a view of the holiness of God. Isaiah has only seen the temple from the outside, yet in his vision, the temple is thrown open to his view, even to the most holy place. The prophet, standing outside the temple, sees the Divine Presence seated on the mercy-seat, raised over the ark of the covenant, between the cherubim and seraphim, and the Divine glory filled the whole temple. Isaiah now saw Christ's glory, and spake of Him. The lofty throne, the attending angels, and threefold holy, all stressed God's holiness. At a time when the nation had sunk to an all-time low morally and spiritually, it was important for Isaiah to see God in his holiness. Holiness means morally pure, perfect, and set apart from sin. We too need to see beyond the veil, because of our daily experiences, society's pressures, and our shortcomings can reduce and narrow our view of God. We need to see the biblical view of God, holy, high and lifted up and well able to lift us up out of our present difficulties, problems and concerns. He can purify us from our sins, cleanse our hearts, minds, and souls, enabling us to please, worship and serve him.
3. God is Concern about the Whole World. Isaiah sees beyond the borders of Israel and recognizes that "the whole earth is full of his glory." Yes, God is in his holy temple; God does dwell in Judah and Jerusalem, but the temple cannot contain him. His presence, power and his word moved the door post and the whole earth is filled with His glory. We, too, must see God beyond our borders, beyond our race, beyond our political party, beyond God wanting to bless America. God is concern about the whole world and desires to see all men saved. Yes, God is here in this place, He is at work in our lives, but he is also at work in others. He is at work among the Methodists, the Baptists, the Pentecostals, etc. Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
4. A New Vision of God Caused Isaiah to See Himself. When Isaiah sees God, he sees himself clearly. He sees God's greatness, mystery and power. Then Isaiah sees himself. Isaiah's example of recognizing his sinfulness before God encourages us to confess our sins that we too might experience cleansing. His picture of forgiveness reminds us that we are forgiven in Christ Jesus, God is seated on a throne of grace; and through him the way into the holiest is laid open. All vain-glory, ambition, ignorance, and pride, can be done away with by one view of Christ in his glory. This awful vision of the Divine Majesty overwhelmed the prophet with a sense of his own vileness. We are undone if there is not a Mediator between us and this holy God. A glimpse of heavenly glory is enough to convince us that all our righteousness’s are as filthy rags. The live coal gives the assurance to the prophet, of pardon, and acceptance in his work, through the atonement of Christ. It is great comfort to those whom God sends, that they go for God, and may therefore speak in his name, assured that he will bear them out.
5. A New Vision of God Caused Isaiah to See Others Properly. When Isaiah sees himself clearly, he sees others properly. "I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips" Isaiah could sense God calling him to be a messenger to his people. He had to tell people who believed they were blessed by God that God was going to destroy them because of their disobedience. To be successful, Isaiah must see them as they are. God will send Isaiah to foretell the ruin of his people. Many will hear God's word, but do not feel the power of it. Yet the Lord would preserve a remnant, like the tenth, holy to him. Once we see God as he is, we can see ourselves clearly, and see others as we should. This new vision leads Isaiah to his ministry.
6. A New Vision of God Caused Isaiah to See Ministry Clearly. When Isaiah sees the needs around him, he answers the call of ministry. 'Then said I, Here am I; send me." In response to the vision of God, He submits himself to the service of God. No matter how difficult his task would be, he said, Here am I, send me. The painful process of cleansing was necessary before He accepted the call. Before we accept the call of God to speak to those around us, we must be cleansed of our sin. Letting God purify us may be painful, but we must be purified so that we can truly represent God, who is pure and holy. We must remove the beam from our own eyes, so we can see clearly how to remove the mote from our brother's eye. This new vision of God allows Isaiah and us to see God as he is, then we will see ourselves as we are, and then we can see the condition of others. When we see a world laden with sin, sickness, and poverty, we will see our duty and answer the call.
“ For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Lord, Give us a new Vision of You. Amen
