Isaiah: Vision, Repentance, and God's Redemptive Call

Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the profound and majestic book of Isaiah, often referred to as the "Prince of the Prophets." Isaiah's writings span from creation to the new heavens and the new earth, offering a comprehensive view of God as both a stern judge and a compassionate redeemer. We began with Isaiah 6, a pivotal chapter where Isaiah receives a vision of the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted. This vision underscores God's holiness and majesty, leading Isaiah to a profound realization of his own sinfulness and the sinfulness of his people.

Isaiah's response to this vision is one of humility and repentance, crying out, "Woe to me! I am ruined!" Yet, God, in His mercy, cleanses Isaiah, symbolized by a seraph touching his lips with a live coal, declaring his guilt taken away and his sin atoned for. This encounter transforms Isaiah, who then responds to God's call with, "Here am I. Send me!" This call to service is a reminder that our salvation is not just a ticket to heaven but a call to be God's witnesses and ambassadors in the world.

We also explored the broader context of Isaiah's ministry, which took place during a time of great moral and spiritual decline in Israel and Judah. The people had turned away from God, indulging in pride, arrogance, immorality, and idolatry. Isaiah's message was one of both warning and hope, calling the people to repentance and reminding them of God's grace and mercy.

Isaiah's warnings against pride, immorality, and idolatry are timeless, reminding us of the dangers of self-reliance, moral compromise, and misplaced priorities. Yet, amidst these warnings, Isaiah also offers profound encouragement, reminding us of God's faithfulness, His call to justice and mercy, and the promise of a future where God will create new heavens and a new earth.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Majesty and Holiness of God: Isaiah's vision of God seated on a throne, high and exalted, reveals the profound holiness and majesty of God. This vision leads Isaiah to a deep awareness of his own sinfulness and the sinfulness of his people. It reminds us that the closer we draw to God, the more we become aware of our own shortcomings and the need for His cleansing and forgiveness. [36:13]

2. The Call to Humility and Repentance: Isaiah's response to his vision, "Woe to me! I am ruined!" highlights the importance of humility and repentance in our walk with God. True repentance involves recognizing our sin, confessing it, and turning back to God. This is a continual process in the Christian life, as we seek to align our hearts and lives with God's will. [47:19]

3. God's Cleansing and Commissioning: The seraph touching Isaiah's lips with a live coal symbolizes God's cleansing and atonement for sin. This act not only purifies Isaiah but also commissions him for service. Similarly, when we trust in Christ, our sins are atoned for, and we are called to be His witnesses, sharing the message of His grace and redemption with others. [49:20]

4. Warnings Against Pride, Immorality, and Idolatry: Isaiah's warnings against pride, immorality, and idolatry are as relevant today as they were in his time. These sins lead us away from God and hinder our relationship with Him. We must guard against self-reliance, moral compromise, and misplaced priorities, continually seeking to put God first in our lives. [55:22]

5. The Promise of God's Presence and Future Hope: Despite the warnings and judgments, Isaiah's message is also one of hope and encouragement. God promises to be with us through the trials and challenges of life, and He assures us of a future where He will create new heavens and a new earth. This hope sustains us and gives us the strength to persevere in our faith. [01:17:56]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[33:04] - Introduction to Isaiah
[34:10] - Prophets and Priests
[35:06] - Historical Context of Isaiah
[36:13] - Isaiah's Vision of the Lord
[37:41] - Isaiah's Call and Commission
[38:06] - Prayer for the Snavely Family
[40:16] - The Death of King Uzziah
[41:06] - The Need for a Renewed Vision
[42:16] - The State of Israel and Judah
[43:25] - God's Indictment of His People
[44:51] - The Majesty of God's Throne
[45:29] - The Seraphim and God's Holiness
[46:23] - Isaiah's Realization of Sin
[47:19] - The Closer We Get to God
[48:11] - God's Cleansing of Isaiah
[49:20] - The Atonement of Sin
[50:26] - Isaiah's Response to God's Call
[51:01] - Our Call to Be Witnesses
[52:00] - The Prophetic Voice
[53:21] - The Role of a Pastor
[54:25] - Isaiah's Message to the People
[55:22] - Warning Against Pride and Arrogance
[57:13] - The Consequences of Pride
[58:30] - The Beatitude of the Poor in Spirit
[01:00:14] - Warning Against Immorality
[01:02:16] - The Issue of Transgenderism
[01:04:10] - The Creator and the Creation
[01:05:23] - Loving People and Pointing to Jesus
[01:06:40] - Warning Against Idolatry
[01:07:46] - Modern-Day Idols
[01:09:03] - The Danger of Bad Company
[01:10:10] - The Call to Repentance
[01:11:05] - God's Invitation to Reason Together
[01:12:27] - The High and Lofty One
[01:12:59] - The Spirit of Repentance
[01:13:37] - Doing the Right Thing
[01:14:15] - Encouragement from Isaiah
[01:15:37] - God as Our Refuge
[01:16:15] - The Shepherd's Care
[01:16:51] - Renewed Strength in the Lord
[01:17:26] - Do Not Fear, God is With You
[01:17:56] - God's Promise of Redemption
[01:18:57] - The New Heavens and New Earth
[01:19:28] - Closing Prayer
[01:20:58] - Benediction

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 6:1-13
2. Isaiah 1:2-4
3. Isaiah 55:6-7

#### Observation Questions
1. What was Isaiah's reaction when he saw the vision of the Lord seated on a throne? ([36:58])
2. How did God cleanse Isaiah of his sin in the vision? ([36:58])
3. What was the state of Israel and Judah during Isaiah's ministry according to Isaiah 1:2-4? ([42:16])
4. What does Isaiah 55:6-7 encourage people to do in response to their pride and sin?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is Isaiah's vision of God described as both majestic and terrifying? How does this vision impact Isaiah's understanding of his own sinfulness? ([36:13])
2. How does the act of the seraph touching Isaiah's lips with a live coal symbolize God's cleansing and commissioning? ([49:20])
3. In what ways does Isaiah's message to Israel and Judah about pride, immorality, and idolatry apply to modern-day believers? ([55:22])
4. How does the promise of new heavens and a new earth in Isaiah 65:17-19 provide hope and encouragement to believers today? ([01:18:57])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a deep awareness of your own sinfulness. How did that experience draw you closer to God? ([47:19])
2. Isaiah responded to God's call with "Here am I. Send me!" How can you be more open to God's calling in your daily life? What steps can you take to be more available for His service? ([50:26])
3. Isaiah warned against pride, immorality, and idolatry. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with these issues. What practical steps can you take to address this struggle? ([55:22])
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of humility and repentance. How can you cultivate a habit of regular repentance in your spiritual life? ([49:20])
5. Isaiah's message also included a promise of God's presence and future hope. How can you hold onto this hope during challenging times in your life? ([01:17:56])
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of being God's witnesses and ambassadors. Think of one person in your life who needs to hear about God's grace and redemption. How can you share this message with them this week? ([51:01])
7. Reflect on the call to care for the vulnerable in society, such as widows, orphans, and those in need. What is one specific action you can take this month to support someone in your community who is struggling? ([54:49])

Devotional

Day 1: The Majesty and Holiness of God
Isaiah's vision of God seated on a throne, high and exalted, reveals the profound holiness and majesty of God. This vision leads Isaiah to a deep awareness of his own sinfulness and the sinfulness of his people. It reminds us that the closer we draw to God, the more we become aware of our own shortcomings and the need for His cleansing and forgiveness. This encounter with God's holiness is transformative, leading Isaiah to humility and repentance. It is a powerful reminder that our relationship with God begins with a recognition of His greatness and our need for His grace. [36:13]

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: Think about a time when you felt particularly aware of God's holiness. How did it affect your view of yourself and your need for His grace?

Day 2: The Call to Humility and Repentance
Isaiah's response to his vision, "Woe to me! I am ruined!" highlights the importance of humility and repentance in our walk with God. True repentance involves recognizing our sin, confessing it, and turning back to God. This is a continual process in the Christian life, as we seek to align our hearts and lives with God's will. Isaiah's humility and willingness to repent set an example for us, showing that acknowledging our sin is the first step toward receiving God's forgiveness and transformation. [47:19]

James 4:8-10 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: Is there a specific sin or area of your life where you need to seek God's forgiveness and turn back to Him today? What steps can you take to humble yourself before God?

Day 3: God's Cleansing and Commissioning
The seraph touching Isaiah's lips with a live coal symbolizes God's cleansing and atonement for sin. This act not only purifies Isaiah but also commissions him for service. Similarly, when we trust in Christ, our sins are atoned for, and we are called to be His witnesses, sharing the message of His grace and redemption with others. This cleansing and commissioning remind us that our salvation is not just for our benefit but also for the purpose of serving God and others. [49:20]

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

Reflection: How can you actively share the message of God's grace and redemption with someone in your life this week? What specific actions can you take to be an ambassador for Christ?

Day 4: Warnings Against Pride, Immorality, and Idolatry
Isaiah's warnings against pride, immorality, and idolatry are as relevant today as they were in his time. These sins lead us away from God and hinder our relationship with Him. We must guard against self-reliance, moral compromise, and misplaced priorities, continually seeking to put God first in our lives. Isaiah's message challenges us to examine our hearts and lives, ensuring that we are not allowing pride, immorality, or idolatry to take root. [55:22]

1 John 2:15-17 (ESV): "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where pride, immorality, or idolatry have taken hold? What steps can you take to realign your priorities and put God first?

Day 5: The Promise of God's Presence and Future Hope
Despite the warnings and judgments, Isaiah's message is also one of hope and encouragement. God promises to be with us through the trials and challenges of life, and He assures us of a future where He will create new heavens and a new earth. This hope sustains us and gives us the strength to persevere in our faith. Isaiah's vision of the future reminds us that God's ultimate plan is one of redemption and restoration, giving us a reason to remain steadfast in our faith. [01:17:56]

Revelation 21:1-4 (ESV): "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"

Reflection: How does the promise of a new heaven and a new earth impact your perspective on current challenges and trials? How can this hope encourage you to persevere in your faith today?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "He is the austere judge who decrees destruction on a rebellious people, but he is also the compassionate redeemer who will not cast off a hopeless and despairing people." [33:04] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Your guilt is taken away and your sin is atoned for. You know what? Are they not the best words ever? That somehow we can stand before a holy God and he can say to us, your sins are atoned for and your guilt is taken away." [49:20] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Our God does not save us merely as a ticket out of hell. As a passport to heaven. Although it is that. The Bible makes that clear. We're rescued from the wrath of God. But he saves us to send us." [51:01] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The Christian walk is not complicated. We are to follow Jesus and we are to love the people around us. That's the call on our lives." [01:13:37] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "He knows your name. You are, he says, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The flames will not set you ablaze." [01:17:56] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "It is true in our lives that the ugliness of our own sin, correlates with our nearness to God. What I mean is the closer we get to understanding who the Holy One is, the more crisply our own sin comes into focus." [47:19] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Repentance is simply part of the Christian life. And God's saying, come, let's reason together. Though your sins are like scarlet, when you confess, they are like white as snow. When we confess, he's faithful and just and forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness." [01:11:05] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The number one thing that keeps people from God is ourselves, our own pride. I can do this. How many times have you talked to people and said, I don't need God. I'm okay. You are not okay." [56:29] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We are saved to do things. Micah, we often quote that, what does the Lord require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." [01:13:37] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite To revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. This is what the high and lofty one says. I live like Isaiah had that vision of God, seated on heaven's throne, glorious and majestic. That is where he lives." [01:12:27] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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