SUGGESTION FOR TERRY CHEEK AND ALL - "A Fresh Look"
Posted by: jackpeters47 <jackpeters47@...>
Dear Terry and Others,
When I have spoken a trial sermon or actually candidated, I have often used this message. It has worked for me, but might not for you. This message may also be used at anytime the Holy Spirit leads. I will pray for you brother!
ISAIAH 6:1-8
A FRESH LOOK
A "fresh look" is usually something which helps, encourages, and refreshes our hearts. It is a new way of looking at something which we have never seen before.
There was prophet, a man of God in the Bible, who, one day, received a fresh look. He had been serving God, and was a saved man. But God gave him a vision which gave this prophet that FRESH LOOK. The prophet's name is Isaiah. His story is found in Isaiah 6:1-8.
Perhaps you need the same fresh look which Isaiah received. Perhaps you have been spinning your spiritual wheels lately, and need to get back on track. If it is true of you, we trust God will help you this morning. It is our prayer that you will receive a fresh look.
However, you can not get a fresh look unless you have had the first look.
The first look that realizes that you are a sinner. Isaiah 64:6
The first look that realizes that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
The first look is the look which calls on the Lord Jesus as your Savior, in faith, believing on Him alone for forgiveness and eternal life. Romans 10:13
A FRESH LOOK IN THE FACE OF TRAGEDY Vs. 1
It was in the year King Uzziah died.
Uzziah was a great king of Judah, who reigned for 50 years. He was a giant in his day.
2 Chronicles 26:5 shows his rise to power.
2 Chronicles 26:16&21 show us his sin problem.
Uzziah, even with his leprosy, would have been loved and respected. So the year he died, was a year of tragedy. In this tragic year Isaiah received a fresh look from the Lord. He saw the Lord on a throne, "high and lifted up".
My friend, sometimes your greatest vision of the Lord, your fresh look at God, will come when someone is removed from your life.
Why? All too often we get our eyes on people instead of on the Lord. The Lord has to help us get our eyes off of people and back on Him.
Sometimes we see the Lord clearer when someone well beloved by us becomes sick and is laid aside.
Sometimes we see the Lord clearer when someone well beloved by us passes away.
Sometimes we see the Lord clearer after being hurt, or disappointed by one of his saints, seeing them withdraw from us, or us having to withdraw from them.
A FRESH LOOK AT THE GLORY OF GOD Vss. 1
Isaiah says, ‑"I SAW THE LORD" - It is our natural habit to see people.
But Isaiah got his fresh look by seeing the Lord.
WHO IS THE LORD HERE?
The apostle John in John 12:37-41 tells us that the Lord is the Lord Jesus Christ.
"SITTING UPON A THRONE" - a truth to remember.
Jesus is King. The word "throne" is synonymous with kingship.
My friend, Jesus Christ is still on the throne.
He is still in charge.
He still hears and answers prayer.
"HIGH AND LIFTED UP" - Where is the Lord Jesus?
He is high above everything and everybody.
Where is the Lord Jesus? Lifted up! More important, more prominent, more worthy than anything or anybody!
"AND HIS TRAIN FILLED THE TEMPLE" - Isaiah may have been in the earthly temple. But, I believe that his vision was of the heavenly temple. I believe Isaiah was receiving a vision of heaven!
The "train" here has nothing to do with railroad tracks. It refers to the hem or fringe of his garment.
Psalm 104:1-2 tell us his garment is light.
Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. [2] Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
Vs. 2 - Seraphim means "burning ones".
Seraphim are angelic beings which seem to be guarding the holiness of God.
There is a definite lesson to learn from them, as they appear before the Lord.
Six wings - Two covered the face - reverence.
Two covered the feet - humility.
Two made them fly - service.
Twice as much effort is given to submission and humility than is given to service.
Twice as much effort is given to worship than to service.
Vs. 3 - The seraphim remind us that God is holy.
He is separated from sin.
He is separated unto righteousness.
Vs. 4 - The room's foundations shook at the worship of the Lord. This suggested the awesome presence and power of God.
The temple began to fill with smoke.
In Israel's history, smoke was a symbol of the presence of God.
Isaiah was struck with the fact that he was literally before the Lord in all his glory!
ISAIAH HAD A FRESH LOOK AT SELF Vs. 5
He saw the Lord. And, to the Old Testament mind, that would have meant automatic death! Instead, it meant a new perspective.
Isaiah compared his righteousness and holiness to that of God. The response of this saved man was, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I
dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.
The words of Isaiah remind me of what Peter said, after Jesus had worked a miracle by providing a miraculous catch of fish. Luke 5:8
In both cases, Isaiah and Peter were comparing themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you look at Christians around you, Christian, you will not be too greatly impressed with your own sin.
Instead, compare your life to God's standard for holiness, the Lord Jesus Christ. Compare yourself to Him who never sinned, and see how you do! You might discover that you don't like yourself as much as you thought you did.
A FRESH LOOK AT FORGIVENESS Vss. 6-7
Now, here's the good news!
In the Old Testament temple there was an altar of sacrifice where atonement was made for sin.
One of the "burning ones", the seraphs, goes to the altar and removes a coal and places it on Isaiah's tongue.
My friend the price for your cleansing was paid for at Calvary.
If you have already accepted Christ as Savior, the blood of Christ has been applied to your account.
When we sin anew, we do not need to be saved again, but for the sake of maintaining fellowship with God, we need to be cleansed.
The Lord cleanses us as we confess our sins. 1 John 1:9, Psalm 32:5
A FRESH LOOK AT RESPONSIBILITY Vs. 8
Notice that when God asks, "WHO SHALL I SEND?" that no seraph, no cherub, no angel responds.
Why?
Because God has ordained, that it is the cleansed, forgiven, child of God, who is to take the message of salvation!
The one who has experienced forgiveness and cleansing is to take the message of cleansing and forgiveness to others.
As you are cleansed by God, and "right" with Him, Christian, you might just hear Him saying, "WHO WILL GO FOR US?"
Who is "us?" - The Trinity, of course!
Isaiah's answer to God's question, was, "Here Am I, Send me!"
Isaiah was given a commission to go to Israel with bad news. He was also told that Israel would not respond.
God gives you and me a different commission. Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 5:14-16
Get a fresh look:
IN THE FACE OF TRAGEDY
OF THE GLORY OF GOD
AT SELF
AT FORGIVENESS
AT RESPONSIBILITY
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