When Humanity Cries ‘unclean’ And Heaven Cries ‘holy’

When Humanity Cries ‘Unclean’ and Heaven Cries ‘Holy’

Leviticus 13:45; Isaiah 6:2–3

Years ago, a physician told his friends about the most challenging part of his job. It wasn’t surgeries. It wasn’t long hours. It wasn’t even dealing with death. He said, “The hardest thing is telling someone the truth about their condition when they’re not ready to hear it. Some people get angry. Some fall apart. Some deny it. But unless you acknowledge the problem, you can’t begin to heal.”

Then he paused and added,

“People rarely want to announce their own brokenness. They prefer to hide it.”

Isn’t that the human condition?

We hide what’s wrong with us…even when it’s killing us.

But God doesn’t hide the truth.

And sometimes, He demands we face it.

INTRODUCTION

• Leviticus 13:45 requires the leper to declare his own uncleanness.

• Isaiah 6 reveals heavenly beings declaring God’s holiness.

• Two cries: one revealing humanity’s condition, the other revealing God’s character.

• The gospel and the future of a nation depend on understanding both.

I. THE LEPER’S CRY — “UNCLEAN, UNCLEAN!” (Lev. 13:45)

A. A Cry of Honesty

The leper had to publicly acknowledge his condition.

Humiliation, vulnerability, and truthfulness were necessary.

B. A Cry of Separation

Uncleanness isolated him from:

• the community

• worship

• the presence of God

Spiritual parallel:

Sin always separates (Isa. 59:2).

C. A Universal Cry

The leper’s condition reflects the spiritual state of all humanity.

(“All have sinned” — Rom. 3:23)

D. A Cry Many Refuse Today

People prefer denial:

“My truth.”

“I’m not that bad.”

“I don’t need God.”

But healing begins with confession.

II. THE SERAPHIM’S CRY — “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!” (Isa. 6:2–3)

A. A Cry of Perfection

Angels declare the absolute purity of God—

the total absence of sin, corruption, or flaw.

B. A Cry That Draws Us Upward

The cry of “Holy” calls humanity to worship, awe, and submission.

C. A Cry That Reveals Our Condition

Hearing “Holy, holy, holy” led Isaiah to say:

“Woe is me! I am undone… I am a man of unclean lips.” (Isa. 6:5)

Encountering God’s holiness reveals our uncleanness.

D. A Cry America Once Revered

Early Americans understood God’s holiness:

• Washington: “It is impossible to rightly govern without God and the Bible.”

• Adams: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.”

They respected holiness.

Today, we mock it.

III. THE CRISIS OF MODERN AMERICA — WE HAVE STOPPED SAYING “UNCLEAN”

A. Cultural Denial of Sin

We rename sin to make it socially acceptable.

We blame systems instead of hearts.

B. Moral Confusion Comes From Rejecting Holiness

When a nation stops acknowledging God’s holiness,

morality unravels.

C. The Founders Understood Human Imperfection

Franklin: “God governs in the affairs of men.”

They expected sin to be real—and destructive.

D. America Needs Both Cries

• Honesty about our uncleanness

• Reverence for God’s holiness

Without both, freedom collapses.

IV. JESUS CHRIST — THE BRIDGE BETWEEN THE TWO CRIES

A. Jesus Touches the Untouchable

He cleansed lepers (Mark 1:41).

He brings the unclean near again.

B. Jesus Embodies Holiness

He is the holiness the angels proclaim.

C. Jesus Removes the Separation

Through His blood, we draw near (Heb. 10:19–22).

D. Jesus Turns “Unclean” Into “Redeemed”

The cry changes from shame to praise.

V. APPLICATION — WHAT WE MUST DO NOW

A. Personally

1. Confess your uncleanness honestly

2. Revere God’s holiness deeply

3. Seek cleansing daily through Christ

4. Live as ambassadors of holiness

B. Nationally

1. America must acknowledge moral sickness

2. Return to God’s standard of holiness

3. Demand godly character in leaders

4. Teach the next generation truth, not relativism

5. Pray for a national revival rooted in repentance

C. Practically for Believers

• Talk openly about sin and holiness

• Guard your home spiritually

• Support institutions that honor God

• Be light in a culture of darkness

CONCLUSION — “Which Cry Defines Us?”

Every person—and every nation—must decide which cry describes them:

“Unclean! Unclean!”

or

“Holy! Holy! Holy!”

One acknowledges reality.

The other acknowledges God.

When we confess our uncleanness,

God invites us into His holiness.

America must rediscover both cries

if she is to survive spiritually.