Responding to God's Call: Holiness, Love, and Service
Summary
### Summary
In Isaiah chapter 6, we find Isaiah in the throne room of the Lord, experiencing a profound encounter with God's holiness. This passage reveals four key aspects of God's interaction with us: His holiness convicts us, His love cleanses us, His wisdom calls us, and His power sends us. Isaiah's immediate reaction to seeing God's holiness is a deep awareness of his own sinfulness, akin to feeling inappropriately dressed at a formal event. Yet, God in His love cleanses Isaiah, symbolized by a coal from the altar, representing Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Isaiah, newly cleansed, hears God's call and responds with readiness, "Here am I, send me," demonstrating that we don't need years of preparation to be used by God.
The story of a small church that began in a tent after World War II illustrates the power of simple, faithful beginnings. The church grew from a few children and adults to a community that called a pastor who served without a salary, relying on the offerings of a small congregation. This narrative underscores that God's work is not about our plans but about submitting to His will. Like Philip in Acts 8, who left a thriving ministry to go to the desert for one man, we must be willing to follow God's call, trusting that He knows best.
We are reminded that our service to God should stem from love and gratitude, not obligation. Just as the speaker prepared his car meticulously for someone he loved, we should serve God out of love for Him. The story of a young man who preached his first sermon despite his shyness and the account of missionaries serving in difficult conditions highlight that God uses our willingness, not our abilities. The call to serve is a call to trust God with the details, knowing that He can use even our seemingly small efforts for His glory.
Isaiah's response to God's call was immediate and unconditional, despite the difficult task ahead. The work of God is often tough and may not yield immediate results, but it is always significant. Stories of faithful service, like the young people in a refugee camp or a man who received a gospel tract in New York and started a church in Turkey, illustrate that God can use our obedience in ways we may never see. Ultimately, our service is about who God is and what He has done for us, not about our effectiveness or abilities.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Holiness Convicts Us: When Isaiah saw the holiness of God, he became acutely aware of his own sinfulness. This conviction is essential for us to understand our need for God's cleansing. We must regularly return to the throne room of God, recognizing His holiness and our need for His grace. [01:37]
2. God's Love Cleanses Us: The coal from the altar that cleansed Isaiah symbolizes Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. This act of love removes our sin and makes us clean. We must never forget the cross and the immense love that led to our salvation, allowing it to motivate our service to God. [08:42]
3. God's Wisdom Calls Us: Isaiah's immediate response to God's call, despite his inexperience, shows that God can use anyone willing to serve. We don't need to have all the answers or be fully prepared; we just need to be willing to say, "Here am I, send me." [12:21]
4. God's Power Sends Us: Our service is not about our abilities but about our availability. God has all the power and ability He needs; He is looking for willing hearts. Trusting in God's power, we can step out in faith, knowing He will use us for His purposes. [22:12]
5. Service is Tough but Significant: Isaiah's task was difficult, and he faced unresponsive hearts and hard work. Yet, he remained faithful. Our service to God may also be challenging, but it is always significant. We serve not for immediate results but because of who God is and what He has done for us. [26:04]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:37] - Isaiah's Conviction and Cleansing
[03:08] - Story of a Small Church's Beginning
[06:44] - Philip's Call to the Desert
[08:42] - Returning to the Throne Room
[10:30] - Living Between the Cross and Eternity
[12:21] - Volunteering to Serve
[14:03] - Serving Out of Love
[17:35] - Overcoming Shyness to Serve
[20:20] - Trusting God with Our Service
[22:12] - Availability Over Ability
[24:12] - The Impact of Faithful Service
[26:04] - The Toughness of God's Work
[27:48] - Serving in Difficult Conditions
[29:25] - Unexpected Results of Faithfulness
[32:12] - God's Call for Availability
[33:46] - Serving Because of Who God Is
[35:14] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 6:1-8 - Isaiah's Vision and Commission
2. Acts 8:26-40 - Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
3. 2 Peter 1:5-9 - Growing in Faith
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Isaiah's immediate reaction upon seeing the holiness of God in Isaiah 6:1-8?
2. How did God cleanse Isaiah of his sin, and what does the coal from the altar symbolize?
3. In Acts 8:26-40, why did Philip leave a thriving ministry to go to the desert, and what was the outcome of his obedience?
4. According to 2 Peter 1:5-9, what are the seven qualities that believers are encouraged to build on their faith?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Isaiah felt convicted of his sin when he saw God's holiness? How does this relate to our own experiences of conviction?
2. How does the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch illustrate the importance of being willing to follow God's call, even when it seems illogical?
3. What does it mean to live "between the cross and eternity," as mentioned in the sermon? How does this perspective influence our daily lives and service to God?
4. How can the qualities listed in 2 Peter 1:5-9 help us remain focused on our faith and avoid becoming short-sighted or forgetful of our cleansing from sin?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt convicted of your sin. How did that experience lead you to seek God's cleansing and grace?
2. Isaiah responded to God's call with "Here am I, send me." Are there areas in your life where you feel God is calling you to serve? What steps can you take to respond to that call?
3. The sermon emphasized serving out of love and gratitude rather than obligation. How can you cultivate a heart of love and gratitude in your service to God and others?
4. Philip's obedience led to the spread of the gospel in North Africa. Is there a situation in your life where you need to trust God's wisdom and follow His call, even if it doesn't make sense to you?
5. Serving God can be tough and may not yield immediate results. How can you stay motivated and faithful in your service, even when the work is challenging or the results are not visible?
6. The story of the young people in the refugee camp shows the impact of serving in difficult conditions. Are there challenging areas or tasks in your community where you can serve and make a difference?
7. Think about the qualities listed in 2 Peter 1:5-9. Choose one quality to focus on this week. What specific actions can you take to cultivate this quality in your interactions with others?
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of conviction, cleansing, calling, and service as illustrated in Isaiah 6 and supported by other biblical passages. Use these questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal application.
Devotional
Day 1: Awareness of Sin in God's Holiness
When Isaiah encountered the holiness of God, he was immediately struck by his own sinfulness. This profound awareness is crucial for us as well. In the presence of God's perfect holiness, our imperfections and sins become glaringly obvious. This conviction is not meant to condemn us but to bring us to a place of humility and repentance. We must regularly return to the throne room of God, recognizing His holiness and our need for His grace. This awareness is the first step in our spiritual journey, leading us to seek God's cleansing and transformation. [01:37]
Isaiah 6:5 (ESV): "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 felt convicted of your sin in the presence of God's holiness? How can you create space in your daily life to regularly encounter God's holiness and be reminded of your need for His grace?
Day 2: Cleansed by God's Love
The coal from the altar that cleansed Isaiah symbolizes Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. This act of love removes our sin and makes us clean. We must never forget the cross and the immense love that led to our salvation, allowing it to motivate our service to God. The cleansing we receive is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process of sanctification. As we remember the cross, we are continually reminded of the depth of God's love for us and our call to live in response to that love. [08:42]
1 John 1:7 (ESV): "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."
Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross impact your daily life and decisions? What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of God's love and cleansing power throughout your day?
Day 3: Responding to God's Call
Isaiah's immediate response to God's call, despite his inexperience, shows that God can use anyone willing to serve. We don't need to have all the answers or be fully prepared; we just need to be willing to say, "Here am I, send me." This willingness to serve is a testament to our trust in God's wisdom and plan for our lives. God often calls us to step out in faith, even when we feel unprepared or inadequate. Our readiness to respond to His call is a reflection of our faith and trust in His sovereignty. [12:21]
Jeremiah 1:7-8 (ESV): "But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to serve, but you feel unprepared or inadequate? How can you take a step of faith today and trust in God's wisdom and plan for your life?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Power
Our service is not about our abilities but about our availability. God has all the power and ability He needs; He is looking for willing hearts. Trusting in God's power, we can step out in faith, knowing He will use us for His purposes. This trust in God's power allows us to serve with confidence, knowing that it is not our strength but His that accomplishes His work. Our role is to be available and obedient, trusting that God will equip and empower us for the tasks He calls us to. [22:12]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel weak or inadequate? How can you shift your focus from your own abilities to God's power and make yourself available for His purposes?
Day 5: The Significance of Faithful Service
Isaiah's task was difficult, and he faced unresponsive hearts and hard work. Yet, he remained faithful. Our service to God may also be challenging, but it is always significant. We serve not for immediate results but because of who God is and what He has done for us. The impact of our faithful service may not always be visible or immediate, but it is always meaningful in God's kingdom. Our faithfulness in serving God, even in difficult circumstances, is a testament to our love and devotion to Him. [26:04]
Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Reflection: Are there areas in your service to God where you feel discouraged or weary? How can you remind yourself of the significance of your faithful service and find encouragement to persevere?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God in His holiness convicts you, God in His love cleanses you, God in His wisdom calls you, and God in His power sends you. And, you know, if you just think about that, Isaiah is there, and when he sees the holiness of God, his reaction is to realize how sinful he is himself." [00:01]
2. "We don't need to wait for years and years and years to be someone who God can use, and whom God can take. God in His wisdom calls us, and then God in His power calls us. And then God in His power calls us, and then God in His power calls us. And then God in His power calls go out and serve Him in His power." [01:37]
3. "Aren't you glad it's God's work and not our work? And we need to always ask ourselves, as we live as a Christian, who's the king and who's the servant? Who's the king? Who are we putting on the throne? And who is the servant? Here is Isaiah. And he says, here am I. Send me." [06:44]
4. "We need to live in the way of Jesus. We need to live between the cross and eternity. And that's where we are living, isn't it? That's where we as Christians are called to serve. Saved people, just like Isaiah, we see the holiness. And he says, if we're not living that way, we've forgotten the cross, and we've forgotten, we've lost sight of eternity." [10:30]
5. "We don't serve because we're forced to serve. We serve out of love for our Lord. If he did that for me, then I want to serve him. Peter said, we remember the cross, and we see the great issues of eternity. Secondly, we serve. We serve because of the need, and we don't serve because of the need. We serve because of the Lord." [15:49]
### Quotes for Members
1. "When we live and work where it's our plans and we're asking God to bless us, we make ourselves the king and we make God our servant. But when we serve and live where God wants us to serve and live in the way he wants us to serve and live, we make him the king and we're the servant." [08:42]
2. "Someone has said this, never underestimate what God can do with one willing worker. And history is full, full of people. Corrie ten Boom, one person in a concentration camp who lived for Jesus. Do you know, the countless number of people in heaven, when she arrived there, you know, who were there because she and her sister had shared the Lord Jesus Christ." [12:21]
3. "We volunteer to serve the Lord we trust him that he knows best and we leave the what and the where and the how to him. There was an evangelist in Leicester called Peter Anderson he he traveled all into Eastern Europe he's he's gone to heaven now and yeah when he was in his 70s and even his early 80s I used to ring him to come and speak at various things and he was a great speaker." [20:20]
4. "We don't serve because we're being effective. And we don't serve because we have talents. And we don't serve because we have certain gifts and ability. We serve because God is holy. And he's on the throne. And we're his cleansed servants. And we serve unconditionally because he knows best. Wholeheartedly because he loves us. We serve willingly because of who he is and what he's done for us." [33:46]
5. "It's God's work. It's a volunteer work. It's a tough work. But God in his holiness has convinced us. He's convicted us. God in his love has cleansed us. And God in his wisdom calls us. And God in his power sends us. And so we need to be those like Isaiah who say, here am I. Send me." [35:14]
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