Encountering God: The Path to Humility and Service

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth that before we can be sent by God, we must first have a clear vision of who He is. Reflecting on Isaiah's experience in Isaiah 6, we see that before Isaiah could say, "Here I am, send me," he had to encounter the holiness of God and recognize his own unworthiness. This encounter led to a deep humility, which is essential for anyone who desires to be used by God. God looks to those who are humble and contrite in spirit, who tremble at His word, as stated in Isaiah 66:2. This humility is not something we can manufacture on our own; it comes from being in the presence of God and seeing Him for who He truly is.

We also delved into the story of Job, a narrative that challenges our understanding of suffering and divine sovereignty. Job's story is often avoided because it is both strange and offensive to our human sensibilities. Yet, it is crucial because it reveals a heavenly narrative that we are often unaware of. Job's friends, despite their wisdom, could not comprehend the divine perspective. It was only when God revealed Himself to Job that he realized the limitations of his understanding and repented in dust and ashes. This story reminds us that God's ways are beyond our comprehension, and our role is to trust and humble ourselves before Him.

The message today is a call to humility and a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty. We must recognize that our opinions and understanding are limited, and we need to seek a vision of God that leads us to tremble at His word. Only then can we be truly sent by Him, with His grace and favor upon us. As we worship, let us pray for a revelation of God that humbles us and aligns us with His heavenly narrative.

Key Takeaways:

- Before being sent by God, we must first have a clear vision of His holiness, as Isaiah did. This vision leads to humility, which is essential for being used by God. Humility is not self-manufactured but comes from being in God's presence. [01:15]

- God looks to those who are humble and contrite in spirit, who tremble at His word. This trembling is a recognition of God's power and our own unworthiness. It is a posture that invites God's attention and favor. [02:14]

- The story of Job challenges our understanding of suffering and divine sovereignty. It reveals a heavenly narrative that we are often unaware of, reminding us that God's ways are beyond our comprehension. [08:01]

- Job's repentance in dust and ashes after encountering God highlights the importance of recognizing our limitations and the need for humility. It is only through a revelation of God that we can truly understand our place before Him. [20:41]

- Our role is to trust and humble ourselves before God, recognizing that our opinions and understanding are limited. We must seek a vision of God that leads us to tremble at His word, aligning us with His heavenly narrative. [22:54]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Desire for God's Assignment
- [00:42] - The First Send Gathering
- [01:15] - Isaiah's Vision of God
- [02:14] - Humility and Trembling at God's Word
- [03:29] - The Danger of Pride
- [05:01] - The Example of High Angels
- [06:01] - Pride and Proximity to God
- [07:14] - The Reaction of John and Isaiah
- [08:01] - The Story of Job
- [09:09] - The Heavenly Narrative in Job
- [11:00] - Job's Suffering and Friends' Debate
- [13:13] - Missing the Heavenly Narrative
- [16:27] - God's Response to Job
- [20:41] - Job's Repentance and Restoration
- [22:54] - The Call to Humility and Vision of God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 6:1-8
2. Isaiah 66:2
3. Job 42:1-6

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Observation Questions:

1. In Isaiah 6:1-8, what was Isaiah's reaction upon seeing the vision of God, and how did it lead to his response, "Here I am, send me"? [01:15]

2. According to Isaiah 66:2, what qualities does God look for in those He chooses to notice and use?

3. How does the story of Job, particularly in Job 42:1-6, illustrate the limitations of human understanding and the need for humility before God? [20:41]

4. What was the significance of Job's repentance in dust and ashes, and how did it change his relationship with God? [20:41]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why is it important for someone to have a clear vision of God's holiness before being sent by Him, as illustrated in Isaiah's experience? [01:15]

2. How does the concept of trembling at God's word, as mentioned in Isaiah 66:2, relate to the idea of humility and being chosen by God? [02:14]

3. In what ways does the story of Job challenge our understanding of suffering and divine sovereignty, and what does it teach us about trusting God's plan? [08:01]

4. How does Job's realization of his own limitations and his subsequent repentance reflect a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty? [20:41]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy in the presence of God. How did that experience shape your understanding of humility and your relationship with Him? [01:15]

2. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a humble and contrite spirit that trembles at God's word in your daily life? [02:14]

3. How can you apply the lessons from Job's story to your own life, especially when facing situations that challenge your understanding of God's plan? [08:01]

4. In what ways can you seek a clearer vision of God that leads to genuine humility and readiness to be used by Him? [22:54]

5. Consider the heavenly narrative that might be unfolding in your life. How can you align yourself with God's greater plan and purpose? [13:13]

6. Identify an area in your life where you need to trust God's sovereignty more fully. What steps can you take to surrender that area to Him? [20:41]

7. How can you encourage others in your community to seek a deeper understanding of God's holiness and sovereignty, leading to a collective humility before Him? [22:54]

Devotional

Day 1: Vision of God's Holiness and Our Humility
Before we can be sent by God, we must first have a clear vision of His holiness, as Isaiah did. This vision leads to humility, which is essential for being used by God. Humility is not self-manufactured but comes from being in God's presence. Isaiah's encounter with God in Isaiah 6 is a profound example of this truth. When Isaiah saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, he was immediately aware of his own unworthiness. This vision of God's holiness brought him to a place of deep humility, where he could genuinely say, "Here I am, send me." This humility is not something we can create on our own; it is a response to being in the presence of God and seeing Him for who He truly is. [01:15]

Isaiah 6:1-5 (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!'"

Reflection: When was the last time you truly felt the weight of God's holiness? How did it affect your view of yourself and your willingness to serve Him?


Day 2: Trembling at God's Word
God looks to those who are humble and contrite in spirit, who tremble at His word. This trembling is a recognition of God's power and our own unworthiness. It is a posture that invites God's attention and favor. To tremble at God's word means to approach it with reverence and awe, understanding that it is not just a collection of stories or teachings, but the living and active word of God. This posture of humility and reverence is what God desires from us, as it shows our recognition of His authority and our dependence on Him. [02:14]

Isaiah 66:2 (ESV): "All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."

Reflection: How do you approach the Bible in your daily life? What changes can you make to ensure you are truly trembling at God's word?


Day 3: Understanding Suffering and Divine Sovereignty
The story of Job challenges our understanding of suffering and divine sovereignty. It reveals a heavenly narrative that we are often unaware of, reminding us that God's ways are beyond our comprehension. Job's story is a powerful reminder that our human perspective is limited, and we cannot always understand why things happen the way they do. Despite his suffering, Job remained faithful, and it was only when God revealed Himself to Job that he realized the limitations of his understanding. This story encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when we cannot see the full picture. [08:01]

Job 38:1-4 (ESV): "Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 'Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you struggling to understand God's plan? How can you practice trusting in His sovereignty today?


Day 4: Repentance and Recognition of Our Limitations
Job's repentance in dust and ashes after encountering God highlights the importance of recognizing our limitations and the need for humility. It is only through a revelation of God that we can truly understand our place before Him. Job's story shows us that even the most righteous among us have limitations in understanding God's ways. When Job finally encountered God, he realized the vastness of God's wisdom and the smallness of his own understanding. This led him to repentance and a deeper humility, acknowledging that God's ways are higher than ours. [20:41]

Job 42:1-6 (ESV): "Then Job answered the Lord and said: 'I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me. I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to acknowledge your limitations and seek God's wisdom? How can you begin to do that today?


Day 5: Aligning with God's Heavenly Narrative
Our role is to trust and humble ourselves before God, recognizing that our opinions and understanding are limited. We must seek a vision of God that leads us to tremble at His word, aligning us with His heavenly narrative. This alignment requires us to let go of our own agendas and desires, and to seek God's will above all else. It is a call to humility and a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty, recognizing that His plans are greater than ours. By aligning ourselves with God's narrative, we open ourselves to be used by Him in ways we could never imagine. [22:54]

Proverbs 3:5-7 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil."

Reflection: What personal agendas or desires do you need to surrender to align with God's heavenly narrative? How can you begin to seek His will more intentionally in your daily life?

Quotes


But before isaiah could say that in isaiah 6 8 here I am, send me, God goes not yet, not yet. First there's Isaiah 6 verses 1 through 7 where God says first I need to show you who I am and I gotta get you to that Isaiah 6 5 part first where you say woe is me I am ruined. [00:01:03]

Where God says this is the one to whom I will look he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. If you want God to notice you okay like there is a being in heaven right now sitting on his throne and we would all just raise our hands oh God could you speak to me and give me direction and send me. [00:02:17]

Do you tremble at the word of God do you tremble because if you want God to choose you and see you you need to tremble at his word do you tremble at James chapter 4 verse 6 where it says God opposes the proud if there is ever a verse to tremble at that might be it. [00:03:27]

See anyone who is close to God when you see it in scripture those who were closest to God were those who were most humble those high angels they were covering themselves up in Isaiah 6. You know I was looking at some of you guys especially over there it's funny that top strip where you guys are in the shade. [00:04:52]

And so if you look around and you see people that are proud and that's a sure sign that they are not close to God not the God of the Bible they can sing they can cry they can talk about their quiet time but if they are proud then they're not very close to that throne. [00:06:16]

And I was thinking about today I was like God I don't want to miss the heavenly narrative I mean you guys are sitting down here you're feeling the heat you're going oh I hope it cools off I hope you know this ban comes up I hope this I hope this and what if it's not about us. [00:13:20]

And what if could it be that God says well have you considered Kansas City have you considered that for 23 years day and night 24 7 the worship has never stopped for me have you ever considered them and and wait till May 14th would you look down and could it be that God's saying look at this generation. [00:14:36]

This is the answer of almighty God he goes I ask the questions for any of us who think that we can come into the presence of God and say God why did you make me this way why did I go through this this is my body my choice God says no wait a second no nothing is yours. [00:19:02]

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear but now my eye sees you therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes see Job gets it he goes I'd always heard of you I heard sermons about you and and all of that but now that I actually see you he goes I repent. [00:20:39]

And this is what we've been praying about is could we have that Isaiah moment where I can't make you shut up and tremble I can make you scream the worship team they can get you worshipping and scream but we can't humble you only a vision of God can do that only if he chooses to reveal himself to us today. [00:22:15]

Father right now as we worship you I have no power in no way can I tell you what to do I am just saying God we want you to humble us so that you can send us otherwise God will start talking to people this is so important we have to see you because if all we see our people then we'll start valuing all of their opinions. [00:23:18]

Reveal yourself please Lord would you show yourself to us in this stadium today so that we would tremble in your sight and recognize you can do whatever you want with what you've created. [00:24:20]

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Transcript
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