Fired Up for God: Embracing His Call
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate the goodness and grace of our Lord, focusing on the importance of being "fired up" for God. We began by acknowledging God's omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience, praising Him for His worthiness. We also celebrated the dedication of children, emphasizing that they are blessings from God and our responsibility is to raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord.
The core of our message was drawn from Isaiah 6, where Isaiah has a profound vision of God. This vision serves as a call to all of us to get "fired up" for God. Isaiah's encounter with God was transformative, highlighting the importance of having a vivid encounter with God's presence, an immense awareness of His person, and a keen self-awareness of our own shortcomings. This encounter led Isaiah to a place of humility and submission, where he was cleansed and commissioned for God's work.
We discussed the principle of saluting God, recognizing His supreme authority and kingship. We also touched on the principle of sanctification, where coming into God's presence leads to a cleansing and transformation. The principle of submission was highlighted as Isaiah responded to God's call with, "Here I am, send me." Finally, we emphasized the principle of serving, where we are called to be active participants in God's mission.
In conclusion, we were reminded that our lives should be marked by a fervent passion for God, much like the seraphim who are described as "burning ones." We are called to be on fire for God, to be deeply committed to His purposes, and to live lives that reflect His holiness and love.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Privilege of Praise: We have the privilege to praise God because He is worthy, omnipotent, and omnipresent. Our praise should not be contingent on our circumstances but on who God is. Recognizing His attributes should lead us to a place of constant worship and adoration. [19:14]
2. Raising Godly Children: Children are a blessing from God, and our primary responsibility as parents is to raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord. This involves more than just providing for their physical needs; it means investing in their spiritual growth and helping them develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. [21:49]
3. Vision of God: Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6 teaches us the importance of having a vivid encounter with God. This encounter should lead to an immense awareness of God's person, power, and purpose, and a keen self-awareness of our own need for His cleansing and guidance. [43:27]
4. Sanctification and Submission: Coming into God's presence should lead to a transformation where we are cleansed and made holy. This process involves submitting to God's will and being available for His purposes, much like Isaiah who responded to God's call with, "Here I am, send me." [50:05]
5. Being Fired Up for God: We are called to be on fire for God, much like the seraphim who are described as "burning ones." This means being deeply committed to God's purposes, living lives that reflect His holiness, and being active participants in His mission. Our enthusiasm for God should surpass our enthusiasm for anything else in life. [55:24]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[19:14] - The Privilege of Praise
[19:43] - Dedication of Children
[21:49] - Raising Godly Children
[43:27] - Vision of God
[50:05] - Sanctification and Submission
[55:24] - Being Fired Up for God
[01:00:03] - Principle of Saluting
[01:15:32] - Principle of Sanctifying
[01:28:58] - Principle of Submitting
[01:33:07] - Principle of Serving
[01:35:27] - Fired Up for Jesus
[01:37:03] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study 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."
### Observation Questions
1. What attributes of God are highlighted in Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6:1-8?
2. How did Isaiah respond to his vision of God, and what was his realization about himself? [50:05]
3. What actions did the seraphim take in Isaiah's vision, and what was the significance of these actions? [45:16]
4. What was Isaiah's response to God's call for a volunteer, and what does this indicate about his readiness to serve? [01:28:58]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Isaiah's vision of God in Isaiah 6:1-8 illustrate the importance of having a vivid encounter with God's presence? [43:27]
2. In what ways does Isaiah's realization of his own uncleanliness and the subsequent cleansing by the seraphim reflect the principle of sanctification? [50:05]
3. How does Isaiah's immediate response to God's call, "Here I am, send me," demonstrate the principle of submission? [01:28:58]
4. What does the description of the seraphim as "burning ones" teach us about being "fired up" for God and living lives that reflect His holiness and love? [45:16]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a vivid encounter with God's presence. How did it impact your awareness of God's person, power, and purpose? [43:27]
2. Isaiah's vision led him to a keen self-awareness of his own shortcomings. How can you cultivate a similar self-awareness in your daily walk with God? [50:05]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of raising godly children. What specific steps can you take to invest in the spiritual growth of the children in your life? [21:49]
4. How can you practice the principle of saluting God in your daily life, recognizing His supreme authority and kingship? [01:00:03]
5. In what ways can you actively participate in God's mission and be "fired up" for His purposes, much like Isaiah and the seraphim? [55:24]
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of being deeply committed to God's purposes. Identify one area in your life where you can increase your commitment to God's mission. [55:24]
7. How can you ensure that your enthusiasm for God surpasses your enthusiasm for anything else in life? What practical steps can you take to prioritize your relationship with God? [55:24]
Devotional
Day 1: The Privilege of Praise
We have the privilege to praise God because He is worthy, omnipotent, and omnipresent. Our praise should not be contingent on our circumstances but on who God is. Recognizing His attributes should lead us to a place of constant worship and adoration. When we focus on God's greatness, our perspective shifts from our problems to His power. This act of praise not only honors God but also transforms our hearts and minds, aligning us more closely with His will.
Praising God is a powerful act of faith. It acknowledges His sovereignty and goodness, even when life is challenging. By continually praising God, we cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust, which strengthens our relationship with Him. Let us make it a daily practice to praise God for who He is, regardless of our circumstances. [19:14]
Psalm 145:3-5 (ESV): "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate."
Reflection: How can you incorporate praise into your daily routine, regardless of your current circumstances?
Day 2: Raising Godly Children
Children are a blessing from God, and our primary responsibility as parents is to raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord. This involves more than just providing for their physical needs; it means investing in their spiritual growth and helping them develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. As parents, we are called to be role models of faith, demonstrating through our actions and words what it means to live a life dedicated to God.
Raising godly children requires intentionality and commitment. It means creating an environment where faith is nurtured and where children can see the love of God in action. This can be done through family devotions, prayer, and by being actively involved in a faith community. Let us take seriously the responsibility of guiding our children towards a deep and lasting relationship with God. [21:49]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can invest in the spiritual growth of your children this week?
Day 3: Vision of God
Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6 teaches us the importance of having a vivid encounter with God. This encounter should lead to an immense awareness of God's person, power, and purpose, and a keen self-awareness of our own need for His cleansing and guidance. Isaiah's vision was transformative, bringing him to a place of humility and submission before God.
Having a vision of God means seeking His presence and allowing Him to reveal Himself to us. It involves spending time in prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. When we encounter God, we are reminded of His holiness and our need for His grace. This awareness should lead us to a deeper commitment to live according to His will. [43:27]
Isaiah 6:1-3 (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!'"
Reflection: How can you create space in your life to seek a deeper encounter with God this week?
Day 4: Sanctification and Submission
Coming into God's presence should lead to a transformation where we are cleansed and made holy. This process involves submitting to God's will and being available for His purposes, much like Isaiah who responded to God's call with, "Here I am, send me." Sanctification is an ongoing journey of becoming more like Christ, and it requires our willingness to be molded and shaped by God.
Submission to God means surrendering our own desires and plans to embrace His will for our lives. It is an act of trust, believing that God's plans are better than our own. As we submit to God, we experience His cleansing power and are equipped to fulfill the purposes He has for us. Let us be open to God's work in our lives, allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. [50:05]
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? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: Being Fired Up for God
We are called to be on fire for God, much like the seraphim who are described as "burning ones." This means being deeply committed to God's purposes, living lives that reflect His holiness, and being active participants in His mission. Our enthusiasm for God should surpass our enthusiasm for anything else in life.
Being fired up for God involves a passionate pursuit of His presence and a dedication to living out His commands. It means being willing to step out in faith, serve others, and share the love of Christ with those around us. Let us strive to be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord with all our hearts. [55:24]
Romans 12:11-12 (ESV): "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to rekindle your passion for God and His purposes in your life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Children are not just to go to the store and to clean. But children are a blessing from God. And one of our greatest privileges as parents is to make disciples of those that God brings up under our stewardship, amen? And so I know often we talk about children, we talk about the finances it takes to raise kids, and it does take finances to raise kids, doesn't it? And we talk about that. We talk about athletics and academia and arts. But the reality is God has placed these children into our lives so he can propagate the name of Jesus Christ." [21:49] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I want to encourage you guys to model Christ in front of your kids. It's great to bring your kids to church, but it's even better when church is at home with your kids and your kids get a chance to see Christ lived out practically every day. And so the Bible says people say rules without relationship lead to rebellion. So I want to encourage you guys to build a dynamic relationship with your kids. And I know it's a fine line between being their friends and being the enforcer. But you want to build a relationship with your kids. You want to model Christ and you want to spend time with them in God's word, amen?" [24:21] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "What if we woke up in the morning fired up, fired up, and boy, DP fired up, right? What if we got up in the morning time fired up for God? What if we got up in the morning time fired up for Jesus Christ? What if we got up in the morning time fired up for our faith? What if we got up in the morning time fired up for God's calling upon our lives? What if we got up in the morning fired up about what God was going to do, fired up about God working in our lives, through our lives?" [41:55] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "How many of y'all really fired up for Jesus Christ today? How many of y'all really believe he's able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond all we fire up, fire up. I'm fired up for Jesus. Amen? And one of our challenges in the book, we're not fired up for Jesus Christ. We're not fired up in our faith. We're not fired up in what God can do. We're not fired up with God's lifestyle. We're not fired up with God's Word. We're not fired up with the potential of the Holy Spirit." [43:27] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you come into God's presence and you see who God is and boy, you're keenly aware of his person, his power, and his purposes, and then you see who you are not, and then God comes and touches you and cleanses you, you say, Lord, I'm available to you. Lord, take my life. Lord, use me. And then you have a new understanding. It's just something about going into God's presence. See, we become more concerned about devotions than being devoted to God." [51:43] (-2417 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "It's impossible to authentically and genuinely come into the presence of God and walk away the same way. It just ain't possible. Remember when y'all used to go to the club? Don't be looking at me like that. I saw y'all. Saw y'all had cameras. Remember you went to the club in your brand new silk outfit and your jerry curl? Yeah. I never understood why you had a jerry curl, then put a silk shirt on. Those two are contrary to one another, all right? And so you go there to the club, a boy trying to be cool, a boy you spray some stuff on, trying to smell. You spent the whole day trying to get your stuff right. Then you go up to a smoky club, and by the time you left, we had no idea what cologne, what perfume you had on. We had no idea. We couldn't even smell the activator no more. Because, boy, you had . But you'd been to the club, and so now the environment has consumed you. There was no way to go into that environment and come out unimpacted. If you go into that environment and you're impacted, how much more will you be impacted when you come into the smoke of the Holy Ghost? You come into the smoke of his presence. You come into the effulgence of his glory." [01:17:59] (103 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you got big problems, you got a small God. But when you got a big God, you got small problems. Let me ask you a question. You got bigger, small problems. Depends upon the size of your God. He goes on here and it says here, verse two, above him stood the Seraphim, the burning ones. Each had six wings. With two, he covered his face because no person can see God at any time. And so, it was a symbol of, I can't see, I can't look him in the eye because of his presence. It's all figurative. And with this two, and boy, and with two, he covered his feet because feet were considered to be nasty. And they were standing in the presence of holiness. And with two, he flew." [01:09:51] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We live in an era now where God just keep grading on a curve, and God just keep throwing us curveballs. Well, boy, the goal isn't even anymore to be like him. And so, watch this now. We would not be there until we're in a state of glorification until Romans 8. But the Bible says, positionally, we're already glorified. But, boy, God is in the process called sanctification. And sanctification means to be set apart. Be set apart for what? To become conformed to his image, to be just like Christ. And Christ is God. It's to be just like him in his character. And the primary element is to be like him in his purity. How many of you all still want to be like him?" [01:13:01] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "How many of us make it a lifestyle to salute God? How many of us salute who God is? When you come on Sunday morning, you ought to stand at attention. When you come at Sunday morning, boy, I ain't have a good week, so I ain't going to praise him. I didn't have a good week, so I'm not going. No, no, no, no. He is God by position, not just by provision. He is God by position. And because he's God by position, you ought to get up off your Humpty Dumpty and salute the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and the one who woke you up and the one who sustained you and the one who keeps you. You ought to stand and salute him because he is God." [01:02:39] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are too casual. We are too common. We are too familiar when it comes to God. So what we have is we have a tame God. We have a domesticated, a domesticated God. We have a God that we control rather than him controlling us. We have a God who is here to serve us and we're not here to serve him. We have a God who doesn't stand in our way. He doesn't stand that much higher than us in priority because, boy, you're going to get your hair done and skip church. Okay, let me quit picking around. Let me quit picking. I want you all to come back next week, all righty? We'll go to work rather than go serve God. And say, I can't go to church. I got to work tomorrow. Well, boy, what if the God who gave you breath, who gave you energy, who gave you wisdom, what if he took back all of his stuff?" [58:01] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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