Embracing God's Call: Faith, Doubt, and Transformation
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound encounter of Isaiah with God, where he saw the Lord high and lifted up, and his life was forever changed. This encounter led Isaiah to a place of humility and surrender, where he declared, "Here am I, send me." This is a call for us to reach the end of ourselves and allow God to work through us. The story of Isaiah is a reminder that when we truly see God, we are compelled to respond to His call, even when it leads us into the unknown or the seemingly impossible.
We also delved into the story of Joseph and Mary, highlighting the challenges they faced when confronted with the miraculous conception of Jesus. Joseph's initial reaction was one of confusion and doubt, yet he chose to trust in God's word delivered through an angel. This narrative teaches us about the importance of faith and obedience, even when circumstances defy logic or societal norms. It is a call to trust in God's plan, knowing that His ways are higher than ours.
Furthermore, we reflected on the life of John the Baptist, who, despite his initial certainty about Jesus, faced moments of doubt and questioning. This illustrates that even the strongest believers can experience uncertainty. Yet, Jesus' response to John's inquiry was not just in words but in actions, demonstrating the power and presence of God through miracles and healing. This serves as a reminder that our faith is not just about intellectual assent but about experiencing the transformative power of God in our lives.
Ultimately, the message is about embracing the call to be vessels for God's work, to say, "Here I am, Lord, send me," and to trust in His presence with us, Emmanuel, God with us. It is about living a life that reflects His glory and being open to His leading, even when it takes us beyond our comfort zones.
Key Takeaways:
1. Encountering God Leads to Transformation: Isaiah's vision of God led him to a place of humility and surrender. When we truly encounter God, it compels us to respond with a willingness to be used by Him, even when it means stepping into the unknown. This transformation is not just about personal change but about being equipped to fulfill God's purposes. [13:56]
2. Faith in the Midst of the Impossible: Joseph's story teaches us about trusting God's plan, even when it defies logic. His decision to obey the angel's message despite societal judgment shows the importance of faith and obedience. This challenges us to trust in God's higher ways and to embrace His plans, even when they seem impossible. [18:39]
3. Dealing with Doubt and Uncertainty: John the Baptist's moment of doubt reminds us that even strong believers can face uncertainty. Jesus' response, through actions rather than words, highlights the importance of experiencing God's power and presence. This encourages us to seek a faith that is not just intellectual but transformative. [31:24]
4. God's Presence in Our Lives: The concept of Emmanuel, God with us, emphasizes that God's desire is to be with us in every aspect of our lives. This presence is not just a theological concept but a reality that brings comfort, guidance, and strength. It calls us to live with the awareness of His constant companionship. [36:24]
5. Surrendering to God's Call: The call to say, "Here I am, send me," is about being open to God's leading and allowing Him to use us for His purposes. It involves a willingness to step out of our comfort zones and to trust in His plan, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. This surrender is a daily commitment to live for His glory. [39:23]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [13:56] - Isaiah's Vision and Surrender
- [16:10] - The Sign of Impossibility
- [17:38] - Emmanuel: God With Us
- [18:39] - Joseph's Dilemma and Faith
- [20:10] - Joseph's Trust in God's Plan
- [22:24] - The Angel's Message to Joseph
- [24:45] - The Birth of Jesus: Fulfillment of Prophecy
- [26:05] - Holding onto God's Word
- [27:20] - Jesus' Ministry and Revelation
- [28:22] - John the Baptist's Doubt
- [29:55] - Jesus' Unexpected Ways
- [31:24] - John's Inquiry and Jesus' Response
- [34:42] - Signs of the Messiah's Presence
- [36:24] - Isaiah's Prophetic Insight
- [39:23] - Embracing God's Call
- [42:24] - Prayer and Surrender
- [43:51] - Closing Worship and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 6:1-8 - Isaiah's vision of the Lord and his response, "Here am I, send me."
2. Matthew 1:18-25 - The story of Joseph's encounter with the angel and his decision to trust God's plan.
3. Luke 7:18-23 - John the Baptist's doubt and Jesus' response through actions.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Isaiah's reaction when he saw the Lord high and lifted up, and how did it change his life? [13:56]
2. How did Joseph initially react to the news of Mary's miraculous conception, and what changed his mind? [18:39]
3. What actions did Jesus take in response to John the Baptist's inquiry about His identity? [31:24]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Isaiah's encounter with God illustrate the concept of reaching the end of oneself and surrendering to God's call? [13:56]
2. In what ways does Joseph's story challenge believers to trust in God's plan, even when it defies societal norms or personal expectations? [18:39]
3. How does Jesus' response to John the Baptist's doubt demonstrate the importance of experiencing God's power and presence in our faith journey? [31:24]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to step out of your comfort zone. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [13:56]
2. Joseph trusted God's plan despite societal judgment. Is there a situation in your life where you need to trust God's higher ways? How can you take a step of faith this week? [18:39]
3. John the Baptist experienced doubt despite his strong faith. How do you handle moments of doubt in your spiritual journey, and what can you do to seek God's presence during these times? [31:24]
4. The concept of Emmanuel, God with us, emphasizes God's constant companionship. How can you cultivate an awareness of God's presence in your daily life? [36:24]
5. Isaiah's response, "Here am I, send me," is a call to be open to God's leading. What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to serve or make a change? [39:23]
6. How can you actively seek to experience the transformative power of God in your life, rather than just intellectual assent to faith? [31:24]
7. Consider a challenge you are currently facing. How can you apply the lessons from Joseph's story to trust in God's plan and remain obedient, even when the path seems unclear? [18:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation Through Divine Encounter
When Isaiah encountered God, he was profoundly transformed. This transformation was not merely a personal change but a call to action, compelling him to respond with humility and surrender. Isaiah's vision of God led him to declare, "Here am I, send me," signifying his readiness to be used by God for His purposes. This encounter teaches us that when we truly see God, we are moved to step into the unknown, trusting that He will equip us for the tasks ahead. It is a reminder that transformation is both an inward change and an outward mission, urging us to be vessels for God's work. [13:56]
Isaiah 6:5-8 (ESV): "And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!' Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: 'Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.' And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you prepare yourself to respond with, "Here am I, send me"?
Day 2: Faith Beyond Logic
Joseph's story is a powerful testament to faith in the face of the impossible. Confronted with the miraculous conception of Jesus, Joseph initially struggled with confusion and doubt. However, he chose to trust in God's word delivered through an angel, demonstrating obedience despite societal judgment. This narrative challenges us to trust in God's higher ways, even when they defy logic or societal norms. It calls us to embrace God's plans, knowing that His ways are beyond our understanding and that faith often requires stepping into the unknown with confidence in His promises. [18:39]
Matthew 1:20-24 (ESV): "But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel' (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life that seems impossible or illogical. How can you choose to trust in God's plan and take a step of faith today?
Day 3: Embracing Doubt and Seeking Assurance
John the Baptist, despite his initial certainty about Jesus, faced moments of doubt and questioning. This illustrates that even the strongest believers can experience uncertainty. Jesus' response to John's inquiry was not just in words but in actions, demonstrating the power and presence of God through miracles and healing. This serves as a reminder that our faith is not just about intellectual assent but about experiencing the transformative power of God in our lives. It encourages us to seek a faith that is both intellectually grounded and experientially transformative, allowing us to navigate doubts with assurance in God's presence. [31:24]
Matthew 11:2-6 (ESV): "Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, 'Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?' And Jesus answered them, 'Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced doubt in your faith. How can you seek assurance in God's actions and presence in your life today?
Day 4: Living in the Presence of Emmanuel
The concept of Emmanuel, God with us, emphasizes that God's desire is to be with us in every aspect of our lives. This presence is not just a theological concept but a reality that brings comfort, guidance, and strength. It calls us to live with the awareness of His constant companionship, knowing that we are never alone. This understanding invites us to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, recognizing His presence in our daily lives and allowing it to transform how we live, make decisions, and interact with others. [36:24]
Isaiah 7:14 (ESV): "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Reflection: How can you become more aware of God's presence in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sense of His companionship?
Day 5: Surrendering to God's Call
The call to say, "Here I am, send me," is about being open to God's leading and allowing Him to use us for His purposes. It involves a willingness to step out of our comfort zones and to trust in His plan, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. This surrender is a daily commitment to live for His glory, embracing the unknown with confidence in His guidance. It challenges us to let go of our own plans and desires, trusting that God's purposes are greater and that He will equip us for the journey ahead. [39:23]
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God's call? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
"When you say, send me. And then he goes, hey, I'm going to give you a sign. I'm going to lean into the impossible. And I'm going to speak something over you that the world thinks. Nature even thinks. Everybody thinks it's absolutely impossible. And I'm going to use that as a sign for all eternity to define who." [00:16:13] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Joseph, her husband, was a just man. He wasn't willing to make her a public example. He wasn't willing to humiliate her. He wasn't willing to embarrass her or bring shame publicly to her. He was just going to put her away privately." [00:19:49] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Joseph got that word from God and said, I didn't notice he didn't explain it all to him. He didn't explain it to him. He didn't say you're going to understand it. He didn't say that he wasn't still going to be rejected by men or ostracized or humiliated. He simply said, don't be afraid to take Mary because that thing in her is conceived by the Spirit of Almighty God." [00:23:16] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"John had a word from God John had a call from God John had that situation in his life where he said here am I send me here am I sent me but even after that sometimes you're going to get to that place and some of you've been there and back and been again and back where you did you got to the place where you go here I am Lord send me and he did and you did and it got hot and you kind of went I don't know about all this listen I'm not committing it ain't not one of us ever not done that not if we're being honest" [00:30:05] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus is not leading the political revolution that the Jews wanted him to. I thought we'd go rise up and take over, Jesus. I thought we'd go kill us some Romans and he's not acting right." [00:29:43] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"How the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have their gospel preached to them. Hallelujah. That's a sign Jesus has been around. Come on, y 'all. Hallelujah. Hallelujah." [00:35:29] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Get to that place. Where you can say, here I am. Send me. Now get your mind off of carnal stuff and religious stuff. Oh, I've got to go to the mission field if I pray like that. Maybe. I'm not talking about that." [00:39:46] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"if you dare say this with me if you dare to here I am Lord I'm yours here I am Lord I'm yours pour me out" [00:43:18] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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