Subject: Encountering God's Holiness Dear [churchname], I hope my email finds you reflecting on the transformative power of God's holiness in our lives. Last Sunday, we explored Isaiah 6:1-8, where Isaiah's profound encounter with God

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound encounter with God's holiness as depicted in Isaiah 6:1-8. This passage reveals the transformative power of experiencing God's holy presence, a theme that resonates deeply with our own desires for significance and purpose. We all long to encounter something greater than ourselves and to know that our lives truly matter. This longing is fulfilled when we come face-to-face with the holiness of God, as Isaiah did.

Isaiah's vision of the Lord, high and exalted, surrounded by seraphim proclaiming "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty," is a powerful reminder of God's unmatched majesty and purity. This encounter left Isaiah acutely aware of his own unworthiness and sinfulness, yet it was in this moment of vulnerability that God extended His grace, cleansing Isaiah and preparing him for a life of purpose. This transformation is not unique to Isaiah; it is available to all who seek God earnestly.

Reflecting on my own life, I shared a personal story of encountering God's holiness at a time when I felt empty and insignificant. It was through this divine encounter that I found true meaning and direction, realizing that my significance is rooted in God alone. This experience echoes Isaiah's transformation, where God's holiness not only cleanses but also calls us to a life of mission and purpose.

The holiness of God is not just an abstract concept; it is a reality that invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. It challenges us to see ourselves and others through His eyes, transforming our lives from the inside out. As we embrace this holy encounter, we are compelled to respond to God's call, finding our true significance in Him and Him alone.

Key Takeaways:

1. Encountering God's Holiness: Experiencing God's holiness reveals His unmatched majesty and purity, leaving us in awe and transforming our understanding of who He is. This encounter invites us to see beyond our limitations and recognize the grandeur of God's presence. [40:43]

2. Transformation Through Holiness: God's holiness not only exposes our imperfections but also offers cleansing and transformation. Like Isaiah, we are invited to experience God's purifying touch, which renews our hearts and minds, setting us on a path of significance. [48:53]

3. Significance Rooted in God: True significance is found not in our achievements or assignments but in our relationship with God. As we encounter His holiness, we discover that our worth and purpose are anchored in Him, freeing us from the pursuit of worldly validation. [54:38]

4. The Call to Mission: God's holiness compels us to respond to His call, leading us into a life of mission and purpose. This call is not about the tasks we perform but about being drawn into a deeper relationship with God, who equips and sends us out to make a difference. [52:28]

5. Holiness at the Cross: The ultimate expression of God's holiness is found at the cross, where Jesus' sacrifice offers us redemption and transformation. As we gaze upon the cross, we encounter the holy God who calls us to Himself, offering a life of true significance and mission. [56:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [33:58] - Opening Prayer
- [34:25] - Longing for Significance
- [35:48] - Personal Story of Emptiness
- [37:58] - Encountering God's Presence
- [39:19] - Isaiah's Transformative Encounter
- [40:43] - Vision of God's Holiness
- [41:35] - Cleansing and Atonement
- [42:25] - Definition of Holiness
- [44:24] - Experiencing God's Majesty
- [45:11] - God's Unmatched Glory
- [46:22] - Personal Reflection on Holiness
- [48:53] - Transformation Through God's Touch
- [51:34] - God's Call to Us
- [52:28] - Significance in God's Call
- [54:38] - Finding Purpose in God
- [56:11] - Holiness at the Cross
- [01:00:06] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Encountering God's Holiness

Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 6:1-8

Observation Questions:
1. What was Isaiah's initial reaction upon seeing the vision of the Lord in Isaiah 6:1-8? How did he describe himself? [41:35]
2. How did the seraphim describe God in Isaiah's vision, and what was the significance of their proclamation? [40:43]
3. What action did the seraphim take to cleanse Isaiah, and what was the result of this action? [41:35]
4. What question did God ask after Isaiah's cleansing, and how did Isaiah respond? [53:58]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Isaiah have felt "ruined" or "undone" in the presence of God's holiness? What does this reveal about the nature of God's holiness? [41:35]
2. How does the cleansing of Isaiah with a live coal symbolize the transformative power of God's holiness? [48:53]
3. In what ways does Isaiah's response to God's call demonstrate a shift in his understanding of significance and purpose? [53:58]
4. How does the sermon suggest that encountering God's holiness can lead to a life of mission and purpose? [52:28]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy or inadequate. How might an encounter with God's holiness change your perspective on that experience? [39:19]
2. The sermon emphasizes that true significance is found in God, not in worldly achievements. How can you shift your focus from seeking validation in accomplishments to finding worth in your relationship with God? [54:38]
3. Isaiah's encounter with God's holiness led to a call to mission. What might God be calling you to do in your life right now, and how can you respond to that call? [52:28]
4. Consider the areas in your life where you feel "unclean" or in need of transformation. How can you invite God's purifying presence into those areas? [48:53]
5. The sermon mentions the cross as the ultimate expression of God's holiness. How does reflecting on the cross impact your understanding of God's love and your own significance? [56:11]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's holiness in your daily life, and what practices might help you stay connected to this reality?
7. In what ways can you encourage others in your community to seek and experience the transformative power of God's holiness? [51:34]

Devotional

Day 1: Encountering the Majesty of God's Holiness
Experiencing God's holiness is a profound encounter that reveals His unmatched majesty and purity. This encounter invites individuals to see beyond their limitations and recognize the grandeur of God's presence. In Isaiah 6:1-8, Isaiah's vision of the Lord, high and exalted, surrounded by seraphim proclaiming "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty," serves as a powerful reminder of God's supreme majesty. This vision left Isaiah acutely aware of his own unworthiness and sinfulness, yet it was in this moment of vulnerability that God extended His grace. This encounter is not just a historical event but an invitation for all to experience the awe-inspiring presence of God, which transforms our understanding of who He is. [40:43]

Isaiah 57:15 (ESV): "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'"

Reflection: When was the last time you felt truly in awe of God's presence? How can you create space in your life this week to encounter His majesty anew?

Day 2: Transformation Through God's Purifying Touch
God's holiness not only exposes human imperfections but also offers cleansing and transformation. Like Isaiah, individuals are invited to experience God's purifying touch, which renews hearts and minds, setting them on a path of significance. Isaiah's encounter with God's holiness left him aware of his sinfulness, yet it was through this awareness that he received God's cleansing grace. This transformative experience is available to all who seek God earnestly, offering a renewed sense of purpose and direction. The holiness of God is not just an abstract concept but a reality that invites individuals into a deeper relationship with Him, challenging them to see themselves and others through His eyes. [48:53]

2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV): "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."

Reflection: What areas of your life need God's purifying touch today? How can you invite Him to cleanse and transform you in those areas?

Day 3: Finding True Significance in God
True significance is found not in personal achievements or assignments but in a relationship with God. As individuals encounter His holiness, they discover that their worth and purpose are anchored in Him, freeing them from the pursuit of worldly validation. This realization echoes Isaiah's transformation, where God's holiness not only cleanses but also calls individuals to a life of mission and purpose. The longing for significance is fulfilled when one comes face-to-face with the holiness of God, realizing that their significance is rooted in God alone. This encounter challenges individuals to embrace their true identity in Him, leading to a life of meaning and direction. [54:38]

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"

Reflection: In what ways have you been seeking significance outside of your relationship with God? How can you realign your sense of worth and purpose with Him today?

Day 4: Responding to God's Call to Mission
God's holiness compels individuals to respond to His call, leading them into a life of mission and purpose. This call is not about the tasks performed but about being drawn into a deeper relationship with God, who equips and sends individuals out to make a difference. Isaiah's encounter with God's holiness resulted in a call to mission, where he was prepared for a life of purpose. This call is available to all who seek God earnestly, inviting them to participate in His work in the world. As individuals embrace this holy encounter, they are compelled to respond to God's call, finding their true significance in Him and Him alone. [52:28]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Reflection: What is one specific way you feel God is calling you to make a difference in your community or sphere of influence? How can you take a step towards that calling this week?

Day 5: The Cross as the Ultimate Expression of Holiness
The ultimate expression of God's holiness is found at the cross, where Jesus' sacrifice offers redemption and transformation. As individuals gaze upon the cross, they encounter the holy God who calls them to Himself, offering a life of true significance and mission. The cross is a powerful reminder of God's unmatched majesty and purity, inviting individuals into a deeper relationship with Him. This encounter challenges individuals to see themselves and others through His eyes, transforming their lives from the inside out. As they embrace this holy encounter, they are compelled to respond to God's call, finding their true significance in Him and Him alone. [56:11]

1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV): "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."

Reflection: How does the reality of the cross shape your understanding of God's holiness and your own life purpose? What steps can you take to live out this understanding in your daily life?

Quotes

From splendor to significance, we all, on some level or another, have a desire, we have a hunger, we have a longing for two things. I want to submit to you today what those two things are. The first is we want to encounter something or someone that is bigger than who we are. [00:34:25] (21 seconds)

I'm convinced that this encounter with God's holiness was not specially and specifically designed by God for me and for no one else. Rather, this is something He desires for you and for you and for every person that is hungry to encounter something or someone who is bigger than you are. [00:39:40] (22 seconds)

While mourning an apparently successful king, who ultimately, in his imperfection, died of leprosy, a defiling disease in antiquity. As he was mourning this guy's death, Isaiah had a life-transforming encounter with the king, the Lord Almighty, in whom there is no defilement, no impurity, nothing unclean. [00:42:49] (25 seconds)

And while mourning Uzziah's death, Isaiah encounters the holy God who, in his perfection, is already set apart, who's like no other, who is undefiled in every way. Yet even in his undefiled, perfect, altogether otherness, God's holy presence turns this temple, the place of Isaiah's painful period of mourning, into a powerful palace. [00:43:28] (28 seconds)

And this makes sense to me because encountering God's holiness not only brings you into contact with his matchless majesty, but it also leaves you completely and utterly exposed. And in it, God offers to Isaiah and to us the opportunity to also encounter his transformation. [00:48:53] (21 seconds)

No one or nothing else can give us true purpose and meaning in life. In fact, his voice alone awakens our deepest desire and purpose by first calling us to himself before he launches us into any assignment we may have in life. He calls us to himself first before launching us into anything else. [00:52:28] (23 seconds)

I believe Isaiah was ready to say, Here am I. Send me because his significance wasn't found in the assignment. His significance was found in God and in him alone. 17. Sitting in that restaurant. Ready to contemplate. Taking my life. And I had a transforming encounter with the holiness of God. [00:54:38] (26 seconds)