Fired Up for God: Embracing His Presence and Purpose

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the theme of being "fired up" for God, drawing inspiration from Isaiah chapter 6. Reflecting on my high school days, where the excitement and enthusiasm for sports were palpable, I challenged us to consider what it would be like if we brought that same fervor to our faith in Jesus Christ. The passage in Isaiah 6 serves as a powerful reminder of the need to be spiritually ignited, much like the seraphim, whose name means "the burning ones." These angels are a symbol of being on fire for God, and they challenge us to examine our own spiritual temperature.

Isaiah's vision of God is a vivid encounter that brings an immense awareness of God's presence, power, and purpose. This encounter is not just about seeing God but about being transformed by His holiness. It is a call to reposition ourselves to be in alignment with God's will and to have a keen self-awareness of our own limitations and need for His grace. The vision of God leads to a profound humility and a desire to be more like Him in purity and holiness.

We also discussed the principle of saluting God, recognizing His sovereignty and authority. Just as soldiers salute their superior officers, we are called to honor God for who He is, not just for what He provides. This involves a shift from a self-centered focus to a God-centered life, where our primary concern is His glory rather than our own story.

Furthermore, the principle of sanctification was highlighted, emphasizing the transformative power of God's presence. When we truly encounter God, we cannot remain unchanged. His cleansing fire purifies us, making us more like Him. This process of sanctification is ongoing, requiring us to continually seek His presence and allow Him to refine us.

Finally, we explored the principle of submission and service. When God calls, our response should be one of availability and willingness to serve. Isaiah's response, "Here I am, send me," is a model for us to follow. It is a call to be active participants in God's mission, using our gifts and talents for His purposes.

Key Takeaways:

- Vivid Encounter with God: Experiencing God is not just about seeing Him but having a profound awareness of His presence, power, and purpose. This encounter should lead to transformation and a deeper understanding of who God is. [09:28]

- Self-Awareness and Humility: Recognizing who God is helps us understand who we are not. It humbles us and reminds us of our dependence on Him, leading to a life that seeks to reflect His holiness. [29:58]

- Sanctification through God's Presence: True encounters with God result in change. His presence purifies and transforms us, making it impossible to remain the same. This ongoing process requires us to continually seek His cleansing fire. [38:33]

- Saluting God's Sovereignty: Honoring God involves recognizing His authority and prioritizing His glory over our own desires. It calls for a shift from a self-centered to a God-centered life. [26:55]

- Submission and Service: When God calls, our response should be one of availability and willingness to serve. Like Isaiah, we are invited to say, "Here I am, send me," and actively participate in His mission. [56:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [07:25] - Introduction to Isaiah 6
- [09:28] - Vivid Encounter with God
- [18:47] - Fired Up for God
- [21:36] - Casual Leads to Casualties
- [26:55] - Saluting God's Sovereignty
- [29:58] - Self-Awareness and Humility
- [32:30] - God's Overwhelming Presence
- [38:33] - Sanctification through God's Presence
- [41:54] - Transformation in God's Presence
- [45:26] - God's Pursuit and Perseverance
- [51:04] - Principle of Submitting
- [56:11] - Submission and Service
- [59:04] - Fired Up for Divine Promises
- [01:00:17] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Fired Up for God

Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 6:1-8

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Observation Questions:

1. In Isaiah 6:1, Isaiah describes seeing the Lord "sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up." What does this imagery suggest about God's authority and position? [26:55]

2. The seraphim are described as "the burning ones" in Isaiah 6:2. What is the significance of this description, and how does it relate to the theme of being "fired up" for God? [09:28]

3. Isaiah's response to his vision of God is one of humility and self-awareness. What does he confess about himself in Isaiah 6:5, and why is this significant? [38:33]

4. How does the act of the seraphim touching Isaiah's lips with a burning coal symbolize the process of sanctification? [38:33]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. The sermon emphasizes the need for a "vivid encounter" with God. How does Isaiah's vision in chapter 6 serve as an example of such an encounter, and what impact does it have on him? [09:28]

2. The principle of saluting God's sovereignty was discussed in the sermon. How does Isaiah's vision and his response illustrate this principle? [26:55]

3. The sermon mentions the ongoing process of sanctification. How does Isaiah's experience with the seraphim and the burning coal reflect this process, and what does it teach us about our own spiritual journey? [38:33]

4. Isaiah's willingness to say, "Here I am, send me," is highlighted as a model of submission and service. What does this response reveal about Isaiah's character and his relationship with God? [56:11]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt "fired up" for something in your life. How can you channel that same enthusiasm into your faith and relationship with God? [18:47]

2. The sermon challenges us to have a keen self-awareness of our limitations and need for God's grace. What steps can you take to cultivate humility and self-awareness in your spiritual life? [29:58]

3. Consider the principle of saluting God's sovereignty. How can you make it a daily practice to honor God for who He is, rather than just for what He provides? [26:55]

4. The process of sanctification requires us to continually seek God's presence. What specific actions can you take this week to invite God's cleansing fire into your life? [38:33]

5. Isaiah's response, "Here I am, send me," demonstrates his readiness to serve. What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to be more available and willing to serve? [56:11]

6. The sermon encourages us to shift from a self-centered to a God-centered life. Identify one area in your life where you can prioritize God's glory over your own desires. [26:55]

7. How can you create a daily routine that helps you stay "fired up" for God, even amidst the challenges and distractions of everyday life? [01:00:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Experiencing God's Transformative Presence
In Isaiah 6, the prophet Isaiah has a vivid encounter with God that profoundly impacts his life. This encounter is not just about seeing God but about experiencing His overwhelming presence, power, and purpose. Such an experience leads to transformation, as it brings a deeper understanding of who God is and who we are in relation to Him. When we truly encounter God, we are compelled to change, to align ourselves with His will, and to seek His holiness. This transformation is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey of becoming more like Him. [09:28]

Isaiah 6:1-4 (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: When was the last time you felt truly aware of God's presence? How did it change your perspective or actions, and how can you seek such encounters more regularly in your life?


Day 2: Embracing Humility and Self-Awareness
Recognizing who God is helps us understand our own limitations and our need for His grace. This awareness humbles us and reminds us of our dependence on Him. In Isaiah's vision, he becomes acutely aware of his own unworthiness in the presence of a holy God. This humility is essential for a life that seeks to reflect God's holiness. It is only when we acknowledge our weaknesses that we can fully rely on God's strength and grace to transform us. [29:58]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with pride or self-reliance? How can you practice humility and acknowledge your need for God's grace today?


Day 3: The Purifying Fire of Sanctification
True encounters with God result in change. His presence purifies and transforms us, making it impossible to remain the same. This process of sanctification is ongoing, requiring us to continually seek His cleansing fire. Just as the seraphim in Isaiah's vision are "the burning ones," we too are called to be on fire for God, allowing His presence to refine us and make us more like Him. This transformation is not always easy, but it is necessary for spiritual growth and maturity. [38:33]

Malachi 3:2-3 (ESV): "But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord."

Reflection: What impurities or habits in your life need to be refined by God's purifying fire? How can you invite His presence to transform these areas?


Day 4: Honoring God's Sovereignty
Honoring God involves recognizing His authority and prioritizing His glory over our own desires. This requires a shift from a self-centered to a God-centered life. Just as soldiers salute their superior officers, we are called to honor God for who He is, not just for what He provides. This means living in a way that reflects His sovereignty and seeks to glorify Him in all that we do. It is a call to live with a focus on His kingdom and His purposes, rather than our own. [26:55]

1 Chronicles 29:11 (ESV): "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all."

Reflection: What areas of your life are you still holding onto for your own glory? How can you begin to shift your focus to prioritize God's sovereignty and glory today?


Day 5: Responding to God's Call with Willingness
When God calls, our response should be one of availability and willingness to serve. Isaiah's response, "Here I am, send me," is a model for us to follow. It is a call to be active participants in God's mission, using our gifts and talents for His purposes. This requires a heart of submission and a willingness to step out in faith, trusting that God will equip us for the tasks He has prepared for us. It is an invitation to partner with God in His work and to make a difference in the world for His glory. [56:11]

1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV): "And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant hears.'"

Reflection: What is one area where you feel God is calling you to serve or step out in faith? How can you respond with a willing heart and take action today?

Quotes

I have selected 12 quotes from the transcript that align with the key takeaways provided. Here they are:

1. "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, and when we went to the hospitals, you know what? I got a sick person in the hospital, but that's okay. I serve Jesus Christ, and I'm fired up, and I believe what God's going to do today." [00:04:35] (40 seconds)


2. "He had an intense awareness of the person of God, the power of God, and the person of God. He said, I saw the Lord. In other words, well, let me give you an acrostic provision. Number one, it is a vivid encounter. It's experienced in a clear, powerful manifestation of God's presence. The second part of that is I. That is an immense awareness of God's person, God's power, and God's purpose. Perceiving the profound aspect of God's identity, God's strength, and God's divine intentions. Now, it's technically impossible not to be in the presence of God." [00:10:24] (49 seconds)


3. "It's like the Thompsons, they were out of place, and they were not in tune with what God was doing. So what they did was they repositioned themselves to be in alignment with what was happening. How many of us are repositioning ourselves to be attuned and immensely aware of the purpose of God, the power of God, and more importantly, the person of God?" [00:11:36] (28 seconds)


5. "When God is calling you, when God is challenging you, when God is beckoning you, when God is inviting you, God shows you a problem. God shows you a challenge. God shows you what's missing. God shows you solutions. And typically, God does that for you to pray or for you to be the prescription." [00:54:12] (23 seconds)


6. "How do you know if it's God's will? So, if you can say no with a good conscience and don't feel like there'll be any consequences at all, God didn't call you to it. But if you just can't shake it, and if you say, no, you know what, I feel like I'm being disobedient if I don't do this, there's probably God calling you." [00:54:36] (29 seconds)


7. "It was the principle of submitting. And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, whom should I send? And who will go for us? Isaiah said, then I said, here I am. Send me. See, 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. So, the next step is, Lord," [00:55:05] (42 seconds)


8. "When you come into God's presence and God touches you, you don't say, well, Lord, let me hurry up and move by my day. You say, Lord, I'm available to you. And the last is the principle of serving. In verses 9 through 13, he gives Isaiah his assignment. I got one question for you. Are you fired up for God? Fired up. Fired up. DP fired up. DP fired up. Fired up. Fired up. DP fired up. Fired up. Fired up. DP fired up. Fired up. Fired up. DP fired up. Stop now." [00:56:11] (61 seconds)


9. "What if we shift DP from divorced and we shifted to Jesus and what if we're fired up fired up DP fired up because of this divine presence what if we're fired up fired up DP fired up because of his divine protection what if we're fired up fired up DP fired up because of this divine provision what if we're fired up fired up DP fired up because of his divine partnership what if we are fired up fired up DP fired up because of his divine paternity what if we are fired up y 'all ain't feeling that thing yet." [00:57:18] (52 seconds)


10. "What if we are fired up, fired up, DP fired up because of his divine peace? What if we are fired up, fired up, DP fired up because of divine providence? What if we are fired up, fired up, DP fired up because of his divine purification? What if we are fired up, fired up, DP fired up Because of His divine promises. What if we are fired up, fired up, DP fired up?" [00:58:20] (37 seconds)


11. "We got to get more fired up for Him. We got to get, guys, did y 'all see the news reports? Did y 'all see the conditions that we live in? We got to get more fired up for Jesus. Father, I come to You today, Father. I know, God, I have somewhat of an unorthodox way. But, God, You know, my whole goal is to make You clear to people, Father. You know, my entire goal, God, is to help them walk away with a clear message." [00:59:04] (37 seconds)


12. "Of who You are and what You want them to do. And so, God, we've communicated this in a fun way. We've communicated this in an exegetically sound way. We've communicated this in a humorous way, an emotional way, Father. But I want to pray, God, we ask the question. Am I fired up for Jesus? I want to pray we ask the second question. God, what do we personally need to do to become more fired up for Jesus?" [00:59:36] (39 seconds)


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Transcript
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