Embracing God's Holiness: Reverence, Repentance, and Service
Summary
In the presence of God's holiness, we are reminded of three profound truths that should shape our lives and our service to others. Firstly, God is separate from us. His holiness sets Him apart from humanity, and this separation is not one of distance but of nature. God is pure, unblemished by sin, and His very presence demands reverence and awe. As we approach Him in prayer, we must do so with the understanding that we are speaking to the Lord Almighty, whose train fills the temple and before whom even the seraphim cover their faces. This recognition of God's holiness should prevent us from being casual or self-centered in our prayers.
Secondly, God's holiness confronts us with our own sinfulness. We are reminded of Isaiah's encounter with the Lord, where he exclaimed, "Woe is me, for I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips." Our words and actions often fall short of the glory of God, and it is only through His grace that we can be cleansed and forgiven. This acknowledgment of our sin should not lead us to despair but to a deeper appreciation for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore our shame on the cross to offer us eternal life.
Lastly, the holiness of God prompts us to serve others. Isaiah's atonement led him to respond to God's call with, "Here I am! Send me." Our mission, as outlined in the Great Commission, is to make disciples, leading others to Christ. This service is not merely a task but an investment in the spiritual growth of others. We are called to live differently, to be the church in action, and to intentionally guide others in their journey of faith.
Key Takeaways:
- God's holiness is a reminder of His transcendence and our need to approach Him with reverence. When we pray, we must remember that we are speaking to a God who is wholly other, pure, and deserving of our utmost respect. This understanding should shape not only our prayers but also our daily lives as we seek to honor Him in all we do. [49:33]
- Our sinfulness is starkly highlighted in the light of God's holiness, yet this realization brings us to the foot of the cross, where grace and mercy abound. It is here that we find forgiveness and the strength to turn away from sin, embracing the transformative power of God's love in our lives. [46:33]
- True service is born out of a heart transformed by an encounter with God. As Isaiah was moved to serve after his sins were atoned for, so too should we be inspired to serve God's kingdom, investing in the spiritual well-being of others and leading them to the truth of the Gospel. [47:45]
- The Great Commission is our mandate to serve, and it calls us to a lifestyle of discipleship. By investing in others, we fulfill our calling to be the church, not just in word but in deed, as we guide new believers and seekers in understanding and following Christ. [47:11]
- Prayer is not merely a list of requests but a powerful means of aligning our hearts with God's will. When we pray "Hallowed be Your name," we are asking God to reveal His holiness to the world through us, that others might see His glory and be drawn to Him. This petition should be at the forefront of our prayers, shaping our desires and actions to reflect His holy nature. [49:35]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 6:1-8 (ESV)
> In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 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. 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 I am! Send me."
2. Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)
> Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
3. Deuteronomy 5:12 (ESV)
> Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Isaiah's reaction when he saw the Lord in His holiness? (Isaiah 6:5)
2. How did the seraphim respond to the presence of God in Isaiah's vision? (Isaiah 6:2-3)
3. What does the phrase "Hallowed be your name" signify in the Lord's Prayer? (Matthew 6:9) [30:50]
4. According to the sermon, why do some Jewish people refrain from saying or writing the name of God? [31:25]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Isaiah recognized his own sinfulness in the presence of God's holiness? (Isaiah 6:5) [42:25]
2. How does the understanding of God's holiness change the way we approach Him in prayer? [30:50]
3. What does it mean for our prayers to be "God-honoring," and how can we ensure that they are? [27:38]
4. How does the Great Commission relate to our understanding of God's holiness and our call to serve others? [47:11]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the weight of your own sinfulness. How did that experience shape your relationship with God? [42:25]
2. How can you cultivate a sense of reverence and awe in your daily prayers, recognizing God's holiness? [30:50]
3. In what ways can you be more intentional about serving others as a response to God's holiness? [45:19]
4. Think about your current prayer life. Are there ways in which you have been too casual or self-centered in your prayers? How can you change that? [30:50]
5. How can you invest in the spiritual growth of someone in your life this week, following the example of Isaiah's willingness to serve? [47:45]
6. What specific steps can you take to ensure that your speech reflects the holiness of God, avoiding "unclean lips"? [44:08]
7. How can you make the Sabbath day more sacred in your life, setting it apart as holy? [33:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Approaching God with Reverence
God's holiness is not just a characteristic; it is the essence of His being, setting Him apart from all creation. This profound truth demands that we approach Him with a sense of reverence and awe. When we pray, we are entering into a conversation with the Creator of the universe, who is pure and completely other. This understanding should permeate our daily lives, influencing our actions and attitudes as we seek to honor Him in everything we do. It is a call to recognize our place before the Almighty and to live in a manner that reflects His majesty and holiness.
"Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." (Revelation 15:4)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence for God in your daily prayer life and what specific changes might this require in your approach to Him? [49:33]
Day 2: Embracing Grace at the Cross
The light of God's holiness not only reveals His purity but also illuminates our own sinfulness. This realization could easily lead to despair, but instead, it brings us to the foot of the cross, where grace and mercy are found in abundance. Here, we receive forgiveness and the strength to turn away from sin. This encounter with God's love is transformative, changing us from the inside out and enabling us to live lives that are pleasing to Him. It is a reminder that no matter how far we fall, God's grace is sufficient to restore us and set us on a path of righteousness.
"But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:4-5)
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced the transformative power of God's grace, and how can you demonstrate that same grace to others who are struggling with sin? [46:33]
Day 3: Service Born of Transformation
True service to God's kingdom is an outpouring of a heart that has been transformed by an encounter with His holiness. Like Isaiah, who was moved to serve after his sins were atoned for, we too are called to invest in the spiritual well-being of others. This service is not a mere obligation but a response to the love and mercy we have received. It is about living out our faith in action, guiding others on their journey toward Christ, and being a tangible expression of His love in the world.
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" (Matthew 4:19)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can serve someone in your community this week as a reflection of the transformation God has worked in your life? [47:45]
Day 4: Living the Great Commission
The Great Commission is not just a command; it is a lifestyle of discipleship that we are called to embrace. This calling involves actively investing in the lives of others, teaching them to follow Christ, and nurturing their faith. It is about being the church in action, not just in word but in deed, as we model and mentor new believers and seekers. Our mission is to live out the Gospel in such a way that it draws others to Jesus and helps them grow in their understanding and relationship with Him.
"And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2)
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can intentionally disciple, and what is the first step you can take this week to invest in their spiritual growth? [47:11]
Day 5: Prayer as Alignment with God's Will
Prayer is not merely a list of requests but a powerful means of aligning our hearts with God's will. When we pray "Hallowed be Your name," we are asking God to reveal His holiness through us to the world. This petition is a call to live in such a way that others see His glory reflected in our lives. It is about desiring God's name to be honored and His kingdom to come, and it shapes our actions and attitudes as we seek to embody His holy nature.
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2)
Reflection: How can your prayer life become a more effective tool for aligning your desires with God's will, and what specific aspect of His character will you focus on in your prayers today? [49:35]
Quotes
- "God is separate from us... God is above me... remembering this scene when I speak the words Hallowed be your name can change the way that I pray forever." [41:06] (Download | )
- "God's holiness reminds me that I am a sinner and I need saved... His Holiness... reminds me that I should serve others." [45:19] (Download | )
- "When we pray 'Hallowed be Your name,' we are asking God to reveal His holiness to the world through us, that others might see His glory and be drawn to Him." [49:35] (Download | )
- "The name of God is not common either; the name of God is sacred, he is Holy, it is set apart. 'Hallowed be his name.'" [37:04] (Download | )
- "When we understand these three realities... God has set apart and that we have sinned and that God will equip us to invest in others... it should change the way we go to him in prayer now and forever." [48:27] (Download | )
- "When I pray with my mouth 'Hallowed be your name,' I am declaring with my lips that God is Holy and I am not." [44:39] (Download | )
- "Prayer is seen as nothing more than just a time where we come seeking the things that we want the most... but Isaiah reminds us... we are praying to a holy God that is set apart from us." [45:59] (Download | )
- "The reality is we may not be able to fix a broken marriage, but the truth is we can pray... arguably I would say prayer is the biggest and most popular discipline in all of Christianity." [27:08] (Download | )
- "The purpose of this series is to teach us how to pray in a way that is most honoring to God... what we need to learn from this template is how to do it in a way that honors God the most." [29:42] (Download | )
- "When we say 'Our Father in heaven Hallowed be your name,' when we say that part 'Hallowed Be Your Name' That is not necessarily a declaration about who God is, it's actually the first petition." [49:01] (Download | )
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