Introduction: Revival is the need of the hour! Isaiah had a fresh encounter with the holy God, which revealed his own sinfulness and need for cleansing. This in turn prepared him to volunteer to be sent out to serve God. May we all encounter God and be revived.
I Looking Up: A Vision of God (vv. 1-4)
i) King Uzziah: He was a good king ruling from the age of 16 for 52 years. He started well continuing the reforms begun by his father Joash. Then pride came into his heart and he wanted to offer incense that only the priests could. He was turned into a leper and had to quarantined leading to the abdication of the throne.
ii) The year he died: King Uzziah dominated the scene. Isaiah only had his vision after the King died. Some people/ habits/ things can so dominate our lives that they obliterate our view of God. They need to die before we can encounter God.
iii) Isaiah saw the Lord! Joh 12:41, Isaiah saw Jesus. We need to see Jesus. This revival encounter transformed him. Jer 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
iv) What kind of God? 1) Seated on a throne, a God who was in control, unfazed at rest and in session. 2) High and Exalted, above every other god, the Most High. 3) Filling the Temple, train of robe is His glory; temple today is the church. 4) Thrice Holy, ministered to by seraphim, burning ones. No glory even to the seraphim: covered faces and feet. He only is worthy of worship: this causes the temple doors and thresholds to shake and God’s glory cloud to come (c.f. Act 4:31)
II Looking In: A Vision of Ourselves (vv. 5-7)
i) Woe to me: Encounter with God reveals our sinfulness. Until this time perhaps Isaiah thought he was okay, c.f. Job 42:5,6; Dan 10:6-8; Peter after the miraculous catch of fish, Luk 5:8-9; John on Patmos, Rev 1:16-17.
ii) Solution to Sin Problem: Coal from the altar. The cross is our altar today and the blood of Jesus is the effective fiery coal to atone and cleanse, 1Jo 1:7,9-10.
iii) Ministering angels: The seraphim minister to Isaiah. Heb 1:14, angels are sent to serve us.
III Looking Out: A Vision of the World (v. 8)
i) Then I heard the voice of the Lord: Until this time Isaiah has only heard the seraphim. Now that he has looked up and looked in he is ready to hear God and look out.
ii) Whom shall I send: God has a task! Vision – Task = Visionary; Task – Vision = Drudgery; Vision + Task = Missionary. Today’s task: fulfill the Great Commission.
iii) God is looking for a man: Eze 22:30; Psa 106:23, Isa 59:16; 63:5. The right man, who has looked up, looked in and now prepared to look out.
Conclusion:
Isaiah experienced revival after Uzziah died. Are you willing to let your Uzziahs die? Are you prepared to look up for a fresh vision of God, to look in and to repent of sin and to look out to see the task God has for you?
