Isaiah 6:1-8 – Vision of the King message on 12/8/07

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above Him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

1. Contrast the Heavenly Court with the earthly Court
Uzziah was a great king – See 2 Chron 26
Good warrior, administrator, inventor – reign 52 yrs. But pride entered his hearts
He was struck with leprosy – His son reigned as puppet.
Isaiah was apprehensive – power struggle, troubles and turmoil
A timely vision at a time like this

Prov 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall “

2. Let us learn from the attitude of the seraphim
The flaming ones. They are glorious and bright but will never be as glorious as the Lord of Heaven.
 Two wings cover their face - reverence
 Two wings cover their feet – humility and modesty
 two wings in flight- serving, with praise and action.
3 fold holy – Trinity? Or just a repeat to emphasis the intensity


3. An Unshakable kingdom
Hebrews 12:25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."[e] 27The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29for our "God is a consuming fire.
Is your world being shaken? What are you depending on?. Is it worth it? What are you banking all you have upon?

4. Touched by the fire of God
Only he who is touched by the fire of God will be changed. Experience is just as important – Moses had and encounter and yet he asked for God’s presence over and over again. We need it… Also we need to be faithful regardless. But have a divine discontent.
Fire from the Altar – Sacrifice, Jesus was on the altar…

Zech 3:1-5 - High priest Joshua was pronounced clean – God clothe him personally with white robes and turban -

5.A renewed service comes from a renewed Life
2Cor 5:17 – a new creation.
Isaiah was pronouncing judgments on all the nations before this, now he knew – a lot more tender and compassionate.

The power of the gospel! Latin America – Spanish culture- ranking of saints – so they just change the names of their pagan God with Christians ones. But the life and belief systen is unchanged.
A cute baby Jesus and a death one on the cross – full of sentimental value but make no demand on our lives. NO, this same God of Heaven, The El-Shaddai, Adonai, Yahweh demands that you honour Him! He will draw you but you must crave for a continual encounter with Him. So that yuou may fulfill your purpose till the end.

Conclusion:
1 Seek an encounter with God
1. Recognize our limitation and sinfulness
2. We have an unshakable kingdom!!
3. Grace is everything – he who is touched by God cannot remain the same!
4. Do not be satisfied with one encounter – make it our lifelong pursuit.