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[0:00] We shall resume our public worship of God by singing to his praise from Psalm 89. Psalm 89 and we're singing from verse 13.

[0:20] Psalm 89 at verse 13. Thou hast an arm that's full of power. Thy hand is great in might and thy right hand exceedingly. Exalted earth in height, justice and judgment of thy throne are made to the dwelling place.

[0:37] Mercy accompanied with truth shall go before thy face. O greatly blessed the people are the joyful sound that know in brightness of thy face.

[0:48] O Lord, they ever on shall go. They in thy name shall all the day rejoice exceedingly. And in thy righteousness shall they exalted be on high.

[0:59] Because the glory of their strength doth only stand in thee. And in thy favor shall our horn and power exalted be.

[1:11] For God is our defense and he to us doth safety bring. The Holy One of Israel is our almighty King.

[1:22] And so on. These verses of Psalm 89 from verse 13, six dances. Thou hast an arm that's full of power. Thy hand is great in might.

[1:33] Thou hast an arm that's full of power.

[1:47] Thy hand is great in might. And thy right hand exceedingly.

[2:05] And so on.阻止is is great in might. I sing at the heart that's full of power. That's full of power. Is your toll the Lord upon you.

[2:19] God has called me. God has called me. I sing at the heart of faith.

[2:30] And so on. God has called me. Thank you.

[3:03] Thank you.

[3:33] Thank you. Thank you.

[4:33] Thank you. Thank you.

[5:05] Thank you. Thank you.

[5:35] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[5:47] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[5:59] Mr. Thank you. glory. There are some who believe in God and who believe in the sovereignty of God, who believe that you are king over your own church and that your church pay homage to you as their king. But there is a universal element to the role that you execute because all things are yours. Whatever has existence, be it in this world or the next, be it in the heavens above or the earth beneath, be it in the oceans that surround us, all that inhabit the same are under your sovereign sway. And if there is a moral dimension to the existence of whatever it is that occupies the space that there is mentioned there, then by reason of that morality they are accountable to yourself. They are answerable to you as we must give heed to. So as we worship we pray for wisdom to recognise that you are indeed God over all. We are creatures and you are creator.

[7:44] We are creatures of time, destined to return to the dust from whence we came. And you are the God who created the dust from whence we came. In our first parents you created our forefather Adam out of the dust of the ground. You breathed life into his lungs and you created out of the ribs that you formed one who would be a help, that would be meat for him. We give thanks for the account that we have within your word of the creation of mankind.

[8:37] And we give thanks for the way in which even though that creation was sullied by sin entering into the experience of this environment that we possess. That instantly you were willing to bestow mercy upon this fallen environs.

[8:59] We pray that you would mercy fully undertake for us even in bringing the truth to bear upon our minds and our hearts. In this act of worship we pray for your help that our attention span would be kept focused entirely upon the activity in which we are engaged. We are so easily distracted by cares and concerns that are necessarily else as those who must live our lives here in this world. Distractions that may be put to one side for a time and yet we allow them to dominate our thinking and take our attention away from the world that is living bread for our souls. We pray that you would encourage each one to solicit the help of the God who has made us spiritual, who has given us that facility by which to communion our souls with the Creator God, who is spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable in His being. So we pray your blessing upon each person gathered.

[10:22] Personal blessing for their own soul. Blessings for their homes, for their families, for their neighbors, for their neighborhoods. Remembering each one in turn, remembering to visit us mercy fully, and undertaking for us in accordance with the needs that we have, be it great or small.

[10:41] We pray for a visitation in mercy to those who are well amongst us, those who have serious illness, illnesses to contend with, some confined to their homes, some who are in hospitals, some in hospice care.

[11:00] We pray that you would remember each of them. We pray that you would remember those who are engaged in their care and that you would grant wisdom and patience and the grace of compassion that they would be able to impart to the needy a sense of being being loved. We see the desire expressed once again for compassion to be shown to the dying by allowing them access to the means by which to terminate life.

[11:51] It is in the light of your word a lack of true compassion that allows such thinking to take hold.

[12:07] For we need on the basis of your word to realize that there is body and soul to care for. There is life in the present as well as life in the hereafter. There is the capacity to alleviate suffering available no matter how gross it is.

[12:28] There is the possibility of introducing light into darkness however dark that darkness may seem. May human mercy. May human mercy teach us that there are avenues open to all by which they can secure the grace of God in Christ Jesus for each and every occasion and each and every individual.

[13:00] So remember this world in which we live where right is put to one side and wrong is presented as right. Good is shunned and evil is highlighted and heralded as something that is worth embracing.

[13:20] Lord help us to look to the God who is wise and to seek wisdom that is exalting and that is God honouring.

[13:36] We pray that you would bless our nation and forgive our negligence of the things that bear your name. Remember those who govern us and we pray for our parliaments and those who serve within them.

[13:50] We pray for our Queen and our family and ask that you would mercifully draw them to yourself. We remember those amongst us whose hearts are heavy by reason of sole providences and we especially pray for any connected with our own community who are grieving and sorrowful.

[14:09] We seek grace to accompany every visitation where the mourning are so afflicted that they may lift their eyes out of the sorrows that abound and seek that their griefs be assuaged by one who is able to do that.

[14:32] We continue to watch over us as a nation and as the nations of the earth. We particularly remember the parts of the world where there are calamities to contend with, where there are sorrows and sadnesses through constant visitations of death amongst the young and the old, where there is poverty, where there is want, where there is hunger, where there is thirst, where there are droughts and where there are floods. We pray, Lord, that you would sanctify all such visitations upon this earth that men and women may know to look to the Lord and that we may learn to bow the needy before you.

[15:16] Bless your word now as we read it and as we sing it and as we reflect upon it. Guide us in all truth and part and sin in Jesus name. Amen.

[15:29] We're going to hear the word of God as we have it in the Old Testament scriptures, reading in the book of the prophet Isaiah and chapter 6. Isaiah chapter 6. We can read the whole chapter.

[15:46] Reading from the beginning. In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims. Each one had six wings. With twain he covered his face, with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, 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.

[16:42] For mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongues from off the altar.

[16:56] And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips, and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?

[17:14] Then said I, Here am I, send me. And he said, Go and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not, and see ye indeed, but perceive not, make the heart of this people fat, make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert and be healed. Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted, without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate.

[17:55] And the Lord have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten, as a teal tree and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves. So the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.

[18:22] And so on, the Lord, that is blessing to a reading of this word, and to his name be the praise. We will sing now from Psalm 97. Psalm 97, and we're singing verses 1 to 7.

[18:41] 1 to 7. God reigneth, let the earth be glad, and is rejoice each one. Dark clouds encompass, and in right with judgment dwells his throne.

[18:57] Fire goes before him, and his foes, it burns up round about. His lightnings lightened the world. Earth's song shooketh throughout.

[19:08] Hills at the presence of the Lord, like wax did melt away. Even at the presence of the Lord of all the earth, I say, The heavens declare his righteousness, all men his glory see.

[19:22] All who serve graven images, confirm, neglect, and be. Who do of idols boast themselves, let shame upon them fall. Ye that are called gods, see that ye do him worship all.

[19:39] And so on. We shall sing these words of Psalm 97, verses 1 through to 7. God reigneth, let the earth be glad, and is rejoice each one.

[19:52] God reigneth, let the earth be glad, and is rejoice each one.

[20:12] God reigneth, let the earth be glad, and is rejoice each one.

[20:32] God reigneth, let the earth be glad, and is rejoice each one. God reigneth, let the earth be glad, and is rejoice each one.

[20:46] His life is enlightened, his love are good, and is glorious. Their song to shoot through life.

[21:02] He'll start the presence of the Lord. Like what did you melt away?

[21:17] In the presence of the Lord. On the earth I sing.

[21:34] The heavens declare His righteousness. On man with the glory see.

[21:50] On who celebrate the nations. Confound to the earth and the king.

[22:05] To give all the angels host themselves. That sheds upon and fall.

[22:22] In our turn, Lord, it only died. That he lived in the worst of all.

[22:39] Well, we're going to turn for the short time that we're together this evening to the passage that we read together.

[22:51] And we can focus on the words that we have in verse 5. Isaiah chapter 6. You can read again at verse 5. Some of you will be familiar with the name Matthew Henry.

[23:30] Many have commentaries. Or concise commentary that bears his name. He lived many years ago.

[23:45] But his words are helpful. And his comments are still relevant in our own day and generation.

[23:56] But he was speaking about the great business of our lives. And he said, this, he said, is the worship of God.

[24:13] The great business of our life is the worship of God. And the business of our religion.

[24:28] And prayer is at the heart of our worship. And when he further expanded, he saw that our religion and our worship and our prayers formed part of the whole.

[24:58] One led us into the other. And the other automatically or instinctively followed the other.

[25:08] And yet, whichever order we put on it. Whether we follow the order of this great preacher.

[25:22] Whether we see religion and worship and prayer. Whether in that order or in an order of our own choosing.

[25:36] Whatever prayer features in it. Those who are engaged in prayer will readily admit that prayer is a vexatious and a problematic area of our lives.

[25:54] I would say so anyway. And I'm not talking about those who are called upon to engage in prayer publicly.

[26:07] But those who endeavour to pray privately. Without anybody present. But God himself to whom our prayers are directed. Because very often we find ourselves either tongue-tied or lacking in the spiritual resolve that we believe necessary to fulfil what we actually are engaged in doing.

[26:37] There are other, I've often said this, there are many books on prayer that I possess. I'm sure there's more books on prayer in my study than there is in any other book of subjects.

[26:54] And yet, what I've found is that no matter how often I would read any of these books. That prayer, as far as any individual is concerned, is that person doing business with God on his own behalf.

[27:16] In the first instance, prayer is a personal thing. It's something we do for ourselves. We do business with God on our own behalf.

[27:31] In the first instance. And our business and his business, however we think of it, is all important.

[27:44] And sometimes we find ourselves, no matter how pressing and how urgent it is, we still find that we're not satisfied with what we've accomplished by way of prayer.

[28:01] The preacher, A.W. Tozer, speaking of the occasion in Peter, the disciple's life, where he was walking on the water and going towards Jesus.

[28:23] And all of a sudden, Peter began to sink. And what Joseph says is, he had no opportunity to consult the flyleaf of any person's Bible.

[28:41] He couldn't refer to anyone or consult anyone. At that moment, the prayer that ushered forth from his mouth was a simple prayer from his heart.

[28:57] Out of his desperate situation, which was, Lord, save me. The circumstances demanded an earnest prayer. There was no flowery emendation or addition or whatever.

[29:13] It was just out of a sense of need. Now, why do I begin this service? When we're looking at a passage here, which is mostly concerned with what is described as the calling of the prophet Isaiah to the prophetic office.

[29:38] That's how many look at this. They say, this is where Isaiah came to discover God's claim upon his life. And where God consecrated him to the ministry that he was going to conduct.

[29:55] Some commentators say that Isaiah was at this point, at the point at which he was called to the prophetic ministry.

[30:05] He was about 20 years of age. And it may well be, according to some, that he was up to 80 years old when he actually committed to writing his experiences.

[30:21] For example, we can't do that with any accuracy. It can't be really argued, I don't think. But I know that if we were to look at this passage and we would say this is the burden of the passage.

[30:36] This is where Isaiah meets with God and God is calling Isaiah to the prophetic role that he was to occupy.

[30:46] Nevertheless, at the heart of his dealings with this man, we find a prayer ushered forth from the heart of Isaiah.

[31:00] Arising out of his encounter with God. And it is because of what he discovers at that moment that this word, which is a prayer, comes from his mouth.

[31:16] Woe is me, for I am undone. When we think of this prayer then, it is a prayer that suggests something to us about what can be and often is at the heart of many of our prayers.

[31:36] Whether we realise that or not. You know, theologians like to look at the prayers that we have in the scripture. And they consider, they like framing the scripture in different ways.

[31:50] And they like framing the prayers of the Bible in certain ways. And they identify the elements that belong to prayer. And it's good and helpful for us to think about prayer in that way.

[32:02] When we considered some time ago the prayers of the Lord Jesus. Whether we spoke of the Lord's Prayer or when we spoke of the High Priestly Prayer.

[32:12] There are identifiable elements to that prayer that we can think of and seek to follow. And these elements can be recognised in different ways.

[32:26] We have praise. We have adoration. We have thanksgiving. We have supplication. We have intercession. And parts of these we can identify with.

[32:38] But there's one part that we want to talk about this evening. Which we find in this prayer of the prophet. And that is the part that we would identify as confession.

[32:55] It is the confession of this man of God who encounters God in a particular way. And as a result of what he sees and what he experiences.

[33:09] Confession pours out from his heart. And I think that we can recognise his confession for what it is.

[33:22] It is something that is important. And something that we can not just consider important. But consider as being an inescapable part of prayer.

[33:35] When the person engaged in it has a wholehearted engagement with God. As I said, prayer is problematic for many people.

[33:48] And one of the problems that we find ourselves complaining of. For ourselves. Not looking at anybody else's prayer.

[34:00] Is that our prayer is cold. And our prayer is... Has got all the form of being prayer.

[34:16] But without the life. Without the vibrancy. Without the feeling that you would want it to contain.

[34:30] I was reading a book on revival of religion. And the writer of that book began the book. And he commented on the preaching of someone that was invited to preach.

[34:52] I think in his own congregation. He didn't identify the person. And I suppose thankfully he didn't. And he said of that person's preaching.

[35:03] That person preached. He preached. He preached a good sermon. And a sermon that was commendable. And indeed many in the congregation thanked him for that sermon.

[35:19] And for the content of it. And the substance of it. And the order of it. And the wisdom that was clearly in evidence in the way the sermon was constructed and delivered.

[35:35] But he said there was one thing that was lacking. And he felt. Remember he's writing a book about revival of religion. And he felt that this was lacking.

[35:48] That this person lacked. The burning zeal of someone who was doing business on behalf of God. Now whether you agree with that assessment of any person's preaching or not.

[36:06] Whether you think it's necessary for a person's preaching to have this burning desire to present the gospel. And sometimes I suppose it's true.

[36:17] Not just talking about prayers. Which I am talking about. But prayer and preaching probably as far as the ministry is concerned they go together.

[36:28] But I think it's equally important for our prayers. If we're concerned with form.

[36:40] Content with form. Content to recognize even what belongs to prayer. And tick the boxes as far as finding out the things that belong to our prayer.

[36:53] Yes we've included these things. I've covered all the areas. All the bases. I've done adoration. I've done confession. I've done intercession.

[37:07] I've done all of these things. They're all in my prayer. I've been thankful to God. I've been someone who is on his knees. At least metaphorically.

[37:20] But if it's lifeless. If it's just someone who has done something formally.

[37:33] Without recognizing that what you're doing is doing business with God. That must be done with God.

[37:45] And that can only be accomplished through God. Hearing our prayers and our petitions. Now that is something that every one of us.

[37:59] However frequently we pray. However earnestly we pray. However much we give time to prayer. Or time to the structure of prayer. Now these thoughts I don't think for one minute enter the heart or mind of this man.

[38:19] This person Isaiah who is at this moment experiencing the call of God on his life. And he remembers vividly.

[38:29] He goes to this time in his life and he says. In the year that King Isaiah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne.

[38:44] Many of the commentators tell us that you know this was really something that was important. This was the death of a king. And nobody but nobody who lived in that generation.

[38:57] Could afford to treat the death of a king as if it was something of little consequence. Because the king had great power.

[39:09] And if it was a bad king. If it was a king who was not God fearing. For the believer the consequences could be disastrous.

[39:23] And very often that was the case. You know if you go through the history of Israel and Judah. You find the scripture mention kings.

[39:36] And speak of them as those who served the Lord. And feared the Lord. And did great things in the Lord's name. And others who were idolatrous.

[39:49] And others who cared little for the things of God. And the people suffered accordingly. So looking at this prayer.

[40:04] And looking at the occasion out of which the prayer arose. The prophet remembers back to the occasion. An occasion such as had great import for the people.

[40:24] But what he remembered more than the death of the king. Was his encounter with the king of kings. That he saw sitting on the throne.

[40:37] High and lifted up. And his train filled the temple. His glory filled the temple. So I want us to think about the confession that comes from his mouth.

[40:49] Because I think what he confesses tells us something about his encounter with God. And the believer's encounter with God is all important.

[41:01] As I said there are many books on prayer. In the months. There are also many books on revival of religion. In different eras.

[41:13] Different parts of the country. Different parts of the world. And Many homes here will have a book.

[41:25] The burning bush in Carleway. Written by the late Mordor Macaulay. And the title of the book is suggestive. Because it tells you.

[41:36] Something that is believed about the revival that took place in these years. That What is believed about it is that God revealed himself in power and in glory in the midst of the community.

[41:53] And those who encountered God in his glory and power were left in no doubt. But that it was God that they were meeting with.

[42:04] Now later revivals and earlier revivals may have different things to say about the presence of God.

[42:15] And their identification with him in his presence and in the revelation of his presence. But I think. Thinking about the burning bush.

[42:29] You know where that comes from. It comes from Moses meeting with God in the wilderness. And the bush burned but was not consumed. Because God was speaking from the bush.

[42:42] And Moses knew that he was in the presence of God. And God wanted him to know that he was in the presence of God. Because God said to him. Take your shoes from off your feet.

[42:53] For you are in the presence of God. The place you're standing is holy ground. So in that sense. The title given to this book on Reviver in Carlyway.

[43:06] Suggests to us the presence of God in the community in a very discernible way. That people knew that it was God who was there and he was at work. In the community at that time.

[43:18] So when Isaiah is saying here. I saw the Lord sitting upon the throne. High and lifted up.

[43:29] His train filled the temple. He is describing a vivid experience that would remain with him for the rest of his days. And all the things that happened.

[43:43] Result in him making this confession. He gets a personal glimpse of the glory of God. He gets at the same moment.

[43:56] And a sight of the ugliness of his own heart. It's a simultaneous occurrence. He sees God in his glory. But he sees himself at the same moment.

[44:09] The two are as if poles apart. He sees God's glory. And he sees Isaiah in his ugliness. It's odd as to think about this confession that comes from his lips.

[44:25] A genuine confession based on what he knows about God. And through that encounter. And probably that encounter took him further into his discovery of who God was.

[44:40] Than he had ever been before. And at the same moment as I said. He discovered something about himself. That he didn't know before.

[44:54] But God didn't leave it at that. Through this discovery of who God is. And what he is himself.

[45:05] He has afforded the privilege of understanding. That this God who is holy. This God before whom the angels of heaven veil their faces.

[45:17] Is also a God of measure. It couldn't but be like that. Because if he or you or any other person.

[45:28] Meets a holy God. Where God reveals his awesome glory. Without that glory consuming the sinner.

[45:39] It cannot but be an act of his mercy. But we need to understand that. We need to appreciate that.

[45:52] And this confession that we have recorded here. Tells us something of that. As I said.

[46:02] If I believe. Please feel free to correct me. That prayer. Prayer is problematic. For a Christian.

[46:14] Not always. But often. That they find themselves. That we find ourselves. Desiring to be in prayer.

[46:26] What we are not achieving. But there are occasions. There are infrequent occasions. When God permits us.

[46:38] To pray freely. And to pray earnestly. And to pray without hindrance. By reason of him giving access to himself.

[46:51] And to give us a vision. Of his glory. Perhaps in some way. You know we are taught in the Bible.

[47:02] And we spoke about it. Something. Somewhat in the morning. But the Bible teaches us many things. And it teaches every one of us. That we are sinners. In need of a saviour.

[47:14] And it doesn't matter how often. We are told that. It is. A point of information. That we may take on board.

[47:25] To a degree. Simply being told. That we are sinners. Is seldom enough. We need.

[47:37] The power of God. We need. The grace of God. We need. The eyes of our understanding. To be opened. For us to understand.

[47:48] How sin works. When this chapter begins. We see. The prophet.

[47:58] Seeing God. Seeing. The glory of God. Seeing. The seraphims. The messengers. Of God. God. And.

[48:10] Seeing them. Engaged. In. The ministry. Of the temple. In some strange way. There is a. There is a mystery. Connected with this.

[48:20] Some people say. Yes. Isaiah was in the temple. No. Isaiah was in the precincts. Of the temple. No. Isaiah. Was just simply. Translated. To this place. Where he was engaged.

[48:31] In worship. In theory. Or in. In. In his. Thoughts. Without actually. Being there. But.

[48:43] However. We understand. These words. We know. That. The encounter. That. Isaiah. Has. With God. Whether it is.

[48:53] In his imagination. Or. Whether it is. In reality. A personal. Confrontation. With God. In his glory. Because. He can't see.

[49:04] The physical God. God has not. Got a. A physical. Presence. He is. Invisible. Apart from. The way. In which. He reveals himself. Through physical.

[49:15] Aspects. That. He uses. To communicate. His presence. Whether it is. Fire. Or. Thunder. Or. Or. Lightning. Or whatever. Through these.

[49:28] Identifiers. He says. That he is. He is present. But physically. He can't be seen. He is invisible. But God. Knew it was him. The prophet.

[49:40] Isaiah. Knew it was God. And. You may think. That a confession. Such as the one. Coming from his mouth. Is suitable.

[49:52] For a person. Who is bad. Suitable. For a person. Who is wicked. Suitable. For a person. Who is. Really. Beyond the pill. But this is. A choice.

[50:03] Passion. Somebody. Upon whom. God is going to. To place his hand. And to use. Mightily. In his service. Somebody.

[50:14] Who is. Going to. Serve him. Without. Any shadow. Of doubt. And yet. He sees.

[50:25] The vision. Of the holy. Otherness. Of God. He sees. He is. A God. Like no other. He sees. The way. The seraphim. Are before him.

[50:35] And he sees. The glory. Of the presence. Of God. And he. Recognizes. It. For what it is. And. The scripture.

[50:46] Tells us. Many times. Over. That that is. What the God. Is like. I don't know. If you've ever seen. God. Like that. The prophet.

[50:59] Habakkuk. Says of God. That he is of. Pureer eyes. Than that he would. Behold. Iniquity. What does that mean? Well.

[51:10] It's an encounter. With God. That Habakkuk. Had. That convinces him. This. God. Is like. No other. He is not like. A creature. He is not like. Any other person.

[51:20] That I met. In this world. His holiness. Marks him out. As somebody. Of great significance. But.

[51:35] You know. The thing is this. And you have to remember. And I have to remember. That. The confession. That Isaiah. Comes with.

[51:46] Is not the confession. Of somebody. Who is. So wicked. And so. Polluted. By sin. And so. So far.

[51:59] Removed. From God. In a sense. That we would. Recognize. In a sense. That we would. Probably.

[52:10] Think of. A person. Making such a description. Of themselves. And. Put them. Beyond the pale. Put them outside. Of the camp. Have nothing more. To do with them. But the confession.

[52:23] Is of someone. Who by reason. Of their close. Encounter. With God. Are convinced. Of their own. Lack of holiness. Even though.

[52:33] In the eyes. Of those. Who are in the world. With them. They would think. Of them. As people. Who deserved. To be. Highlighted. And heralded. And praised.

[52:44] For their. For their goodness. So often. You see that. So often.

[52:56] You. Recognize. That. The holiness. Of God. Even. When. It is. Confronted. By those. We would.

[53:07] Consider. To be holy. And good. And perfect. And without. A blemish. On their character. To be. Smirched in. That even.

[53:18] When. When. Such a. Passion. Is in. Close proximity. To God. It. Makes. That. Passion. Draw back. With horror. Because.

[53:28] Of how. They see. Themselves. That. Teaches. Us. Something. About. About. The holiness. Of God. And. It. Teaches. Us.

[53:38] Something. About. Our own. Our own. Puny. Understanding. Of what. Oldiness. Is all about. Think.

[53:50] For example. Of Daniel. Many people. See. About. Daniel. That he was. He was. A person. And. Anything. And everything. You read. About. Him.

[54:01] Suggests. To you. That he was. A character. Without. A stain. On his. Reputation. He's just. Up there.

[54:13] As far as. The saints. Of God. Are concerned. And yet. When he. Prays. To God. He prays. As someone. Who has sin.

[54:24] And he equates. His sin. As the sin. Of his people. Israel. He confesses. His siniquity. He confesses. His. Evil.

[54:36] His wickedness. Just. You read. Go to Daniel. Chapter 9. I think it is. And you'll see. His confession. There. And. He is not.

[54:46] Just. Saying it. For the sake. Of saying it. As we might. Do in our prayers. And. Her hypocrisy. Would be found out.

[54:57] Very quickly. If somebody. Came to us. And. After us. Confessing. How wicked. We were. And somebody. Came out. And said. You're wicked. And you would probably. Stand up.

[55:07] And say. How dare you. How dare you. But the reality. Is. Is. That. Daniel. And Isaiah.

[55:18] In this case. When they're. Confessing. Their sin. They know. Exactly. That what they're. Confessing. Is what is. True of them. Stuart.

[55:29] Briscoe. Briscoe. Briscoe. Briscoe. Writes. About Isaiah. He confessed. He was deficient. In what others. Regarded. His greatest strength. His speech.

[55:41] Isaiah. Was. Reputed. A reputed. Wordsmith. A skilled. Communicator. A man.

[55:52] Capable. Of sublime. Statement. And exquisite. Poetic. Expression. And yet. His confession. Is. I am a man.

[56:03] Of unclean lips. And I dwell. In the midst. Of our people. Of unclean lips. And the reason.

[56:14] He gives. Mine eyes. He says. Have seen. The king. The lord of hosts. What makes. Him feel. Like this.

[56:24] Was the light. The presence. Of God. Put. Upon. His sinful. Speech. And I suppose.

[56:37] You either. Believe that. This prophet. Is exaggerating. And he's not really. As bad. As he's making out. Or you must.

[56:48] Understand it. From the point. Of view. That being. In the presence. Of a holy God. Has got this. This effect. Upon us.

[56:59] And. It. Exposes. It exposes. The reality. Of where we are. In relation to God. As far as.

[57:10] Our sinful. Behavior. Is concerned. You know. We find ourselves. Living in a world.

[57:20] And. I often. See it. In. In. The way. The. The power of. The media. Is at work. In our.

[57:30] Other lives. Without us actually. Being aware. Of what is going on. We have access. Through our televisions. To many. Sources.

[57:41] Of entertainment. And. What passes. As entertainment. Is very often. Very near. To the bone. You wouldn't.

[57:52] Be comfortable. In the company. Of someone. Who spoke. The way. You listen. To them. Speaking. Through your television. You would be embarrassed.

[58:04] And yet. The more. We're exposed. To it. The more. More. We become. Acclimatized. To it. The more. We.

[58:16] Find it. As if. It's acceptable. And. We've seen that. I'm sure. I hope. You've seen it. If you go back. Maybe.

[58:27] Two decades. To. When. Mary Whitehouse. Was. To the fore. And people. Demonized.

[58:37] That lady. Because of her. Moralizing. And because of her. Complaining. About. Some of the. Material. That was being. Used. Through television.

[58:48] Through film. But that. Is no longer. The case. And there are. No barriers. Hardly. To what a person.

[58:59] Can see. And what a person. Can think. And at the same time. There's all. This kind of. Moralizing. About. About. Language. That is. Inappropriate.

[59:11] When it comes. To the color. Of somebody's skin. Or when it comes. To. The role. Of woman. In society. And there's all. Kinds of. Campaigns.

[59:21] That are going on. And people. Get up on. Soap boxes. And say. This is wrong. This is. So wrong. And at the same time. Alongside that. There is.

[59:33] Putrid. Material. Bombarded. Into our homes. So that it. It corrupts. The minds of those.

[59:44] Who are. Hearing it. And seeing it. I've often heard. Teachers. Speak about. Young children.

[59:56] Come to school. And use. Language. That is. Inappropriate. Entirely. For adults. To use. But they've. Heard it.

[60:08] And. They've. They've. Heard it. On their televisions. In programs. That are. Not meant. For children. To hear. But also. From programs.

[60:19] That. Young people. Have access. To readily. Expletives. And. Words. That are. Entirely.

[60:30] Inappropriate. And they. They use them. In the playground. They use them. In the classroom. And you could say. They don't. Understand it.

[60:42] But some. Unfortunately. Do. Some. Are exposed. To material. That. That. That. That damages. Them. Now.

[60:55] That is. The other end. Of the scale. When you're. Thinking. About being. Exposed. To the holiness. Of God. Where the holiness.

[61:06] Of God. Is revealed. There. You see. The real. Dramatic. Difference. Between. Someone. Who is holy. And someone. Who is not. When you see.

[61:18] What true holiness is. The confession. Of. The prophet. Is a prophet. A confession.

[61:30] That is genuine. Mine. But. Look. Look. This. How God. Deals. With this. Passion. In his confession. Then.

[61:41] Flew. One of the seraphims. Unto me. Having a live coal. On his hand. Which he had taken. With the transfer. Of the altar. He laid it upon my mouth. This is the remedy. That God supplies.

[61:54] Remedy. Suppose. Has to be understood. That is connected. With God's provision. For the sinner. The altar. Is the altar. Where a sacrifice.

[62:04] For sin. Has been offered. The coals. Are live coals. From off that altar. It's applied. To the lips. The source.

[62:15] Of the grief. That this prophet. Feels. In the presence. Of a holy God. One of the commentators.

[62:27] Said something. And it gripped me. As I read it. He said. Remember. He said. You wouldn't. Apply. A live coal. To the lips.

[62:38] Of a person. Without that person. Knowing about it. We treat this statement. As if it's a statement. That is entirely figurative.

[62:49] That is just a metaphor. But if we overlook. The fact. That what God. Is doing. Can sometimes. Can sometimes. Be painful. And to be made aware.

[63:01] Of your sin. By God. Is not. An easy. Osi experience. It is something. That God does. For the believer. So that they may know.

[63:12] The true cost. Of believing. The true cost. Of living. As a believer. In a world. That is sin. Sick. And damaged. One of the.

[63:26] Older preachers. Always insisted. That whenever. There was prayer. There had to be penitence. And if without penitence. There was no. No possibility.

[63:39] Of acceptance. Confession. I hope you believe that. Confession. Accompanied. With contrition. Is always. What the scripture.

[63:50] Brings to our attention. Sin. Is a serious business. And even though. We have to. Acknowledge. That our prayers.

[64:01] Are often. Learned. By rote. In some cases. You know. I went. I often read. The burning bush. In Carlow. Just snippets. Of it.

[64:12] And. So Macaulay. Was talking about. The young men. Who were discovering. What it was. To pray publicly. For the first time. And he describes.

[64:23] The experience. Of one of them. Who was sitting pretty. In a company. Of people. Thinking. Oh well. There's older Christians here. And I want.

[64:33] He won't ask me. To pray. And the minister. Turned to him. And asked him. To pray. And he said. He. He got the fright. Of his life. And he said.

[64:44] He was more afraid. Of the minister. Than he was of God. But his thinking. Was this. That he had learned. Many of his mother's. Prayers by heart. And maybe. He could get off.

[64:55] With. From what he had. Memorized. And. You know. Sometimes. Our prayers. A little better. Than that.

[65:07] What we've memorized. What we've learned. From others. What. The quotations. That we've grasped. And gripped. And borrowed. And. Yet.

[65:21] Where we want. Where you want. To be. Is in this place. Where God. Where God. Allows you. Access to his presence. So that.

[65:32] When you have access. To his presence. Even. Fleetingly. Even for a moment. Seeing something. Of his glory. Your confession. Would be. An honorable one. An honest one.

[65:43] An earnest one. Of a sinner. In need of salvation. A sinner. Who recognizes. That this heart. Of mine.

[65:53] Is so. Corrupt. That if it's not. Dealt with. If it's not. Healed. If it's not. Cleansed. Then. It is sufficient.

[66:03] To cast me. Headlong. Into a lost eternity. John MacArthur. Encourages. A believer.

[66:15] To think like this. He says. When you pray. Or when you do anything. As a Christian. Eliminate. From your. From your. Life.

[66:25] I suppose. Anything. And everything. That hinders. Your sensitivity. To sin. Eliminate. From your life.

[66:36] That anything. That hinders. Your sensitivity. To sin. That's not easy. That's not easy. Because.

[66:46] If we go on. As if sin. Is. An easy. Thing. To deal with. Remind yourself. That it cost. The Lord Jesus Christ. His life. On the cross. Remind yourself.

[66:59] That it is. An expensive. Business. For God. To deal with it. God. Be praised. That he listens. To our confessions. Such as they are.

[67:12] And. Every one of us. Desires. I don't know. If we. You know. To do something. To think about. What would it be like.

[67:23] For us. You know. I often heard. The expression used. That a certain place. Was a veritable. Bochum. For the people. Of God. What they mean by that.

[67:34] Is that that place. Became a place. Where. God. Made himself known. In such a way. That they couldn't. But believe. That he was there.

[67:45] Well. We need to know. We need to know. We need to know. That such a possibility. Still exists. That God can make himself known. But it doesn't need to be.

[67:58] A public occasion. I don't know. I don't know. I see. Isaiah's experience. It was a public occasion. Might have been private. Might have been limited to himself.

[68:09] But. It was sufficient. For him to acknowledge. Oh. It's me. For I am. And done. And many. Commentators say. This is. Something that.

[68:20] Many people struggle to. Put into the right words. I am finished. That's what he was. More or less saying. I am done.

[68:31] There is no. Possibility. Of salvation. For me. Till God intervened. And directed him. To. The way. Of salvation.

[68:43] In Christ. May that be true. Of every one of us. When we struggle. Even. In making business. On our behalf. And others. With God. Let us pray.

[68:54] Lord. You are a God. Who sits on the throne. And you are high. And lifted up. Habitually.

[69:05] We bring you down. To a level. At which. We are comfortable. We want you. To be at our level.

[69:18] We don't want you to be. As the prophet saw you. High and lifted up. Because we are afraid. Of what we might find. If you met with us.

[69:29] In that place. Help us understand. That you are such a God. And you sit. Amongst the Jeroboam. The seraphim.

[69:40] Are your servants. We would be awestruck. If one such. Came into our midst. And yet they are but servants. Been here to us. We pray. Cleanse from sin.

[69:51] In Jesus name. Amen. We'll conclude singing. From Psalm 99. Psalm 99. At the beginning.

[70:01] Four stances. The eternal God. Doth reign as king. Let all the people quake. He sits between the jeruboams. Let the earth be moved.

[70:12] And shake. The Lord in Zion. Great and high. Above all people is. Thy great and dreadful name. For it is holy. Let them bless. The king's strength.

[70:23] Also judgment loves. Thou settlest equity. Just judgment. Thou dost execute. In Jacob righteously. The Lord. O God. Exalt on high. And reverently do ye.

[70:34] Before his footstool. Worship him. The holy one. Is he. He swishes. The eternal God. Doth reign as king. Eternal Lord.

[70:53] The eternal God. The eternal God. The eternal God. Let all the people quake.

[71:07] He swishes. The eternal God. The eternal God.

[71:22] The eternal God. to shake. The Lord is high on great and high.

[71:38] How old he is. Thy great and dreadful pain for it.

[71:57] Their slowly left and rest. The kings can also judgment rose.

[72:18] The shepherds said quickly just just and others can see In His all-priced stream, that Your mane is off on high and Safari meerve ev Rytschaft, Worship him The Holy One is he

[73:25]  May he bless, mercy and peace be God The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit Rest and abide with you all and ever and always Amen