Embracing God's Holiness: A Call to Purpose
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound concept of God's holiness through the lens of Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6. We began by discussing the awe and reverence that comes from encountering greatness, whether it's a famous person or, in Isaiah's case, the very presence of God. Isaiah's vision reveals God as "high and exalted," with the seraphim declaring, "Holy, holy, holy." This triple repetition emphasizes the utmost importance of God's holiness, a characteristic that sets Him apart from all creation and sin.
Holiness, as we unpacked, means being set apart both from sin and for a divine purpose. This dual aspect of holiness is crucial for understanding God's nature and His call for us to be holy. Isaiah's reaction to God's holiness was one of utter despair, recognizing his own unworthiness and sinfulness. This mirrors Peter's reaction to Jesus' miracle, highlighting a universal truth: in the presence of divine holiness, our own imperfections become glaringly evident.
However, the story doesn't end with despair. Isaiah's lips are purified by a live coal from the altar, symbolizing the removal of guilt and the atonement of sin. This act foreshadows the ultimate purification through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, which not only forgives our sins but also imparts His righteousness to us, making us holy.
For those who have already trusted in Jesus, the call is to live out this holiness in practical ways. This means being set apart in our actions, relationships, and even our entertainment choices. Living a holy life will make us stand out, often in ways that seem strange to the world around us. Yet, this is our calling—to be ambassadors for Christ, representing Him in every sphere of our lives.
Finally, we touched on the purpose that comes with being made holy. Just as Isaiah was sent out after his purification, we too are sent out to live with purpose, representing Christ in our families, workplaces, and communities. This is not just about waiting for heaven but actively living out our faith in meaningful ways here and now.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Holiness is Unique and Supreme: The seraphim's declaration of "Holy, holy, holy" underscores the unparalleled nature of God's holiness. This triple repetition is unique in Scripture, emphasizing that God's holiness is a foundational aspect of His character, setting Him apart from all creation and sin. Understanding this helps us grasp the gravity of approaching a holy God. [39:35]
2. Holiness Means Being Set Apart: Holiness involves being set apart from sin and set apart for God's purposes. This dual aspect is crucial for understanding both God's nature and His call for us. It's not just about avoiding sin but also about dedicating our lives to God's service, living in a way that honors Him. [42:03]
3. Confession is Foundational to Relationship with God: Isaiah's and Peter's reactions to God's holiness—"Woe to me" and "Go away from me, Lord"—highlight the importance of recognizing our own sinfulness in the presence of a holy God. This confession is foundational for a right relationship with God, acknowledging His holiness and our need for His grace. [51:02]
4. Purification Through Christ: The live coal that purifies Isaiah's lips foreshadows the ultimate purification through Jesus' sacrifice. Jesus' death and resurrection not only remove our guilt but also impart His righteousness to us, making us holy. This dual action of taking away sin and gifting righteousness is central to the Christian faith. [56:33]
5. Living Set Apart with Purpose: Being made holy is not an end in itself but a call to live with purpose. Just as Isaiah was sent out after his purification, we too are sent out to represent Christ in our daily lives. This involves living differently from the world, embracing our role as ambassadors for Christ, and finding purpose in every sphere of our lives. [01:06:33]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[12:00] - Introduction and Personal Story
[32:50] - Encountering Greatness
[35:32] - Isaiah's Vision of God's Holiness
[39:00] - The Significance of "Holy, Holy, Holy"
[42:03] - Understanding Holiness: Set Apart
[46:46] - Isaiah's Reaction: "Woe to Me"
[51:02] - Confession and Recognition of Sin
[53:04] - Purification: The Live Coal
[56:33] - Foreshadowing the Cross
[58:10] - Invitation to Trust in Jesus
[59:54] - Living Out Holiness
[01:04:57] - Sent with Purpose
[01:06:33] - Ambassadors for Christ
[01:09:47] - Closing Song: Build My Life
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 6:1-8
2. 1 Peter 1:15-16
3. Isaiah 53:5-6, 11
#### Observation Questions
1. In Isaiah's vision, how is God's holiness depicted? What specific elements in the vision emphasize His holiness? ([35:32])
2. What was Isaiah's reaction to being in the presence of God's holiness, and why did he react this way? ([46:46])
3. How does the live coal from the altar symbolize purification in Isaiah's vision? ([53:04])
4. According to 1 Peter 1:15-16, what is the call for believers in relation to God's holiness?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the triple repetition of "Holy, holy, holy" significant in understanding God's character? ([39:35])
2. How does Isaiah's reaction to God's holiness compare to Peter's reaction to Jesus' miracle? What does this tell us about human nature in the presence of divine holiness? ([50:32])
3. What does it mean to be "set apart" for God's purposes, and how does this dual aspect of holiness (set apart from sin and for God) apply to believers today? ([42:03])
4. How does the concept of justification, as described in Isaiah 53:11, deepen our understanding of what Jesus accomplished on the cross? ([56:33])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy or sinful in the presence of God's holiness. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([46:46])
2. The sermon mentioned that living a holy life will make us stand out and seem strange to the world. In what specific areas of your life (e.g., relationships, entertainment, finances) do you feel called to live set apart, and how can you practically do this? ([59:54])
3. Isaiah was purified and then sent out with a purpose. How do you feel God is calling you to live with purpose in your current context (e.g., family, workplace, community)? ([01:04:57])
4. The pastor mentioned that recognizing our sinfulness and confessing it is foundational to a right relationship with God. How can you incorporate regular confession into your spiritual practices, and what impact do you think this will have on your relationship with God? ([51:27])
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of living as ambassadors for Christ. Identify one specific way you can represent Christ in your daily interactions this week. ([01:08:03])
6. The concept of being "set apart" was discussed in relation to holiness. What is one specific habit or behavior you feel God is asking you to change to better reflect His holiness in your life? ([42:03])
7. The pastor warned about getting the order right: God made us holy, and now we are to live holy lives out of gratitude. How can you remind yourself of this truth daily, and what practical steps can you take to live out your holiness in gratitude? ([01:03:20])
Devotional
Day 1: The Unparalleled Holiness of God
God's holiness is unique and supreme, as emphasized by the seraphim's declaration of "Holy, holy, holy" in Isaiah's vision. This triple repetition is rare in Scripture and underscores the foundational nature of God's holiness. It sets Him apart from all creation and sin, highlighting the gravity of approaching a holy God. Understanding this aspect of God's character helps us grasp the awe and reverence due to Him. In the presence of such holiness, we are reminded of our own imperfections and the need for His grace. [39:35]
Isaiah 6:3-4 (ESV): "And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!' And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke."
Reflection: How does recognizing the supreme holiness of God change the way you approach Him in prayer and worship today?
Day 2: Set Apart for God's Purposes
Holiness involves being set apart from sin and set apart for God's purposes. This dual aspect is crucial for understanding both God's nature and His call for us. It's not just about avoiding sin but also about dedicating our lives to God's service, living in a way that honors Him. This means making choices that reflect our commitment to God, even when they seem strange to the world around us. Embracing this call to holiness is a daily journey of aligning our actions, relationships, and decisions with God's will. [42:03]
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you can make a change to better reflect being set apart for God's purposes?
Day 3: The Importance of Confession
Isaiah's and Peter's reactions to God's holiness—"Woe to me" and "Go away from me, Lord"—highlight the importance of recognizing our own sinfulness in the presence of a holy God. This confession is foundational for a right relationship with God, acknowledging His holiness and our need for His grace. When we confess our sins, we open the door to God's forgiveness and transformation. It is through this humble recognition of our shortcomings that we can truly experience the depth of God's love and mercy. [51:02]
1 John 1:9 (ESV): "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on any unconfessed sins in your life. How can you bring these before God today, trusting in His faithfulness to forgive and cleanse you?
Day 4: Purified Through Christ
The live coal that purifies Isaiah's lips foreshadows the ultimate purification through Jesus' sacrifice. Jesus' death and resurrection not only remove our guilt but also impart His righteousness to us, making us holy. This dual action of taking away sin and gifting righteousness is central to the Christian faith. It is through Christ's sacrifice that we are made new, able to stand before God without fear or shame. This purification is a gift that transforms our lives, calling us to live in a way that reflects the holiness we have received. [56:33]
Hebrews 10:10 (ESV): "And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
Reflection: How does understanding the purification you have received through Christ's sacrifice impact the way you live your daily life?
Day 5: Living with Purpose
Being made holy is not an end in itself but a call to live with purpose. Just as Isaiah was sent out after his purification, we too are sent out to represent Christ in our daily lives. This involves living differently from the world, embracing our role as ambassadors for Christ, and finding purpose in every sphere of our lives. It means actively seeking ways to reflect God's love and truth in our families, workplaces, and communities. Our holiness is a testimony to the transformative power of God's grace, calling others to experience the same. [01:06:33]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you live out your calling as an ambassador for Christ in your community this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God is holy. And if we're going to understand God, we have to understand what that means. But also, it's not just that God is holy. God wants us to be holy. Those of us who would say, 'Yeah, I'm a Jesus follower,' God wants you to be holy. And this is very clear in the scriptures." [37:59] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "To be holy is to be set apart. To be set apart in two ways. Set apart from, and by that is kind of some of this sinlessness that I've been talking about where there's the absence of sin. So set apart from, but also set apart for, as in dedicated to." [42:03] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God purifies so that he can give us purpose. He makes us holy so that he can send us out. It was true of Isaiah. It was true of Peter. And it's true for you. And it's true for me. God doesn't make you holy for nothing. He wants to send you out." [01:06:33] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You are sent. You have incredible purpose. And maybe you're just going, look, I'm not a prophet. I'm not a prophet like Isaiah. I'm not an apostle like Peter. And so I don't know about this sending business. And you know what? You're right. You're probably not a prophet like Isaiah. You're probably not an apostle. Neither am I. You're an ambassador. You are an ambassador for Christ." [01:07:33] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Live set apart from what everybody else is doing and live set apart for the one who rescued you. Live your life dedicated to him, to honor him, as a way to worship him. Live set apart. He made you holy, now live it out. That's the challenge." [59:54] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Isaiah is one of the good guys. I mean, he's God's man. He's a committed follower of God. And yet, when he finds himself in the holy presence of God, he says, woe to me. I am ruined. I am finished. And actually, we saw a pretty similar reaction in last week's message." [49:37] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God's holy presence has this purifying effect where he pushes out sin. And you see this when Jesus physically touches a man with leprosy in the gospels. Jesus doesn't get leprosy. He's not contaminated by it. Rather, his holiness purifies the guy, and the guy no longer has leprosy." [45:04] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God cannot be contaminated by sin. God cannot be infiltrated by sin. In fact, God's holy presence has this purifying effect where he pushes out sin. And you see this when Jesus physically touches a man with leprosy in the gospels. Jesus doesn't get leprosy. He's not contaminated by it. Rather, his holiness purifies the guy, and the guy no longer has leprosy." [45:04] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Remember the order. God made you holy, and now he wants you to be holy. And I bring this up because I spent so much time and energy trying to make God happy, trying to earn his approval, trying to earn his love by being good enough for him to accept me. And I had the order wrong." [01:03:20] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God purifies so that he can give us purpose. He makes us holy so that he can send us out. It was true of Isaiah. It was true of Peter. And it's true for you. And it's true for me. God doesn't make you holy for nothing. He wants to send you out." [01:06:33] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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