WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.399 The scripture today comes from Isaiah chapter 6. 00:00:04.020 --> 00:00:06.500 Please follow along on your bulletin or on the screen. 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:15.460 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. 00:00:16.280 --> 00:00:19.120 And the train of his robe filled the temple. 00:00:20.580 --> 00:00:22.539 Above him stood the seraphim. 00:00:23.320 --> 00:00:24.719 Each had six wings. 00:00:25.260 --> 00:00:26.760 With two he covered his face. 00:00:26.879 --> 00:00:29.260 And with two he covered his feet. 00:00:29.260 --> 00:00:31.320 And with two he flew. 00:00:32.420 --> 00:00:35.079 And one called to another and said, 00:00:35.920 --> 00:00:40.719 Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. 00:00:41.380 --> 00:00:44.320 The whole earth is full of his glory. 00:00:45.460 --> 00:00:50.620 And the foundations of the threshold shook at the voice of him who called. 00:00:51.079 --> 00:00:53.180 And the house was filled with smoke. 00:00:53.939 --> 00:00:54.880 And I said, 00:00:55.280 --> 00:00:58.480 Woe is me, for I am lost. 00:00:58.479 --> 00:01:01.759 For I am a man of unclean lips. 00:01:01.759 --> 00:01:06.379 And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. 00:01:06.379 --> 00:01:10.519 For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. 00:01:11.920 --> 00:01:20.399 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 00:01:20.400 --> 00:01:23.680 And he touched my mouth and said, 00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:27.340 Behold, this has touched your lips. 00:01:27.840 --> 00:01:31.940 Your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. 00:01:31.939 --> 00:01:36.079 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:37.980 Whom shall I send? 00:01:38.379 --> 00:01:40.400 And who will go for us? 00:01:41.179 --> 00:01:42.439 Then I said, 00:01:42.620 --> 00:01:44.079 Here I am. 00:01:44.539 --> 00:01:45.319 Send me. 00:01:46.319 --> 00:01:47.280 And he said, 00:01:47.719 --> 00:01:50.879 Go and say to this people, 00:01:51.659 --> 00:01:55.019 Keep on hearing, but do not understand. 00:01:55.759 --> 00:01:58.280 Keep on seeing, but do not perceive. 00:01:58.280 --> 00:02:01.120 Make the heart of this people dull, 00:02:01.760 --> 00:02:02.920 And their eyes heavy, 00:02:03.379 --> 00:02:04.560 And blind their eyes, 00:02:04.980 --> 00:02:06.620 Lest they see with their eyes, 00:02:06.780 --> 00:02:08.199 And hear with their ears, 00:02:08.580 --> 00:02:10.319 And understand with their hearts, 00:02:10.599 --> 00:02:12.219 And turn and be healed. 00:02:13.500 --> 00:02:14.740 Then I said, 00:02:15.420 --> 00:02:16.560 How long, O Lord? 00:02:17.420 --> 00:02:18.599 And he said, 00:02:19.280 --> 00:02:22.159 Until cities lie waste without inhabitant, 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:24.379 And houses without people, 00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:26.860 And the land is a desolate waste, 00:02:26.860 --> 00:02:30.080 And the Lord removes people far away, 00:02:30.640 --> 00:02:33.140 And the forsaken places are many 00:02:33.140 --> 00:02:34.460 In the midst of the land. 00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:37.560 And though a tenth remained in it, 00:02:37.960 --> 00:02:39.300 It will be burned again, 00:02:39.780 --> 00:02:41.980 Like a tarbenth or an oak, 00:02:42.540 --> 00:02:45.100 Whose thumb remains when it is felt. 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:47.860 The holy seed is its thumb. 00:02:48.400 --> 00:02:49.320 This is the word of God. 00:02:49.319 --> 00:02:53.419 Great, thank you Anastasia. 00:02:53.939 --> 00:02:55.039 And good morning everybody. 00:02:55.359 --> 00:02:56.840 Great to see you all. 00:02:57.359 --> 00:02:59.099 And Joe, thanks so much for sharing. 00:02:59.239 --> 00:03:00.500 That was so wonderful. 00:03:01.519 --> 00:03:02.419 If you don't know me, 00:03:02.439 --> 00:03:03.019 My name is Kevin. 00:03:03.359 --> 00:03:05.620 And great to have you with us this morning. 00:03:06.340 --> 00:03:08.560 Now, this morning we're looking at this passage, 00:03:08.699 --> 00:03:10.039 Isaiah chapter 6, 00:03:10.099 --> 00:03:11.199 Or Isaiah chapter 6. 00:03:11.799 --> 00:03:14.259 And it's a stand-alone kind of passage, 00:03:14.419 --> 00:03:16.719 And part of the reason why we're doing this is, 00:03:16.719 --> 00:03:19.740 This year we've been looking at the book of 1 Corinthians, 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:21.520 Then we did a series on the body. 00:03:22.139 --> 00:03:24.039 Next week we're going to go back to 1 Corinthians. 00:03:24.659 --> 00:03:26.879 But I've just felt that the last couple of months 00:03:26.879 --> 00:03:28.439 Have been quite horizontal. 00:03:28.979 --> 00:03:31.579 Corinthians is often about the divisions in the church, 00:03:31.620 --> 00:03:32.139 And conflict. 00:03:32.379 --> 00:03:33.740 The body series was quite about, 00:03:34.079 --> 00:03:36.500 It's a little bit individualistic in me and my body. 00:03:37.219 --> 00:03:38.740 And one of the temptations that, 00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:40.780 I guess all humans we feel, 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:44.159 Is the constant temptation to be inward looking. 00:03:44.300 --> 00:03:45.860 To think about me and my life, 00:03:45.860 --> 00:03:47.260 And my body and my world. 00:03:47.880 --> 00:03:49.340 And I've just been feeling like, 00:03:49.780 --> 00:03:51.740 We need to constantly lift our eyes, 00:03:51.800 --> 00:03:53.160 And remember who is God? 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:53.920 Who is it that we, 00:03:54.040 --> 00:03:55.280 Who's at the center of the world? 00:03:55.360 --> 00:03:56.940 And how do we center our lives around Him, 00:03:57.340 --> 00:04:00.280 Rather than asking Him to center His world around us. 00:04:00.320 --> 00:04:01.680 And so today we're going to, 00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:04.320 Last week we looked at John 15, 00:04:04.520 --> 00:04:07.720 Dan reminded us to remain in Christ. 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:09.220 Only by remaining in Him, 00:04:09.300 --> 00:04:11.980 Can we bear any real fruit in our lives. 00:04:12.420 --> 00:04:13.820 And apart from Him we can do nothing. 00:04:13.819 --> 00:04:16.279 And today we're going to look at Isaiah chapter 6. 00:04:16.339 --> 00:04:17.319 So let me pray for us, 00:04:17.719 --> 00:04:18.620 And then we're going to dive in. 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:19.519 Father, 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:22.259 You've been speaking to us already this morning. 00:04:22.379 --> 00:04:23.659 Just your holiness, 00:04:23.939 --> 00:04:24.819 Your majesty, 00:04:25.540 --> 00:04:26.800 Those songs are so wonderful. 00:04:27.620 --> 00:04:29.659 Ed's encouragement to us. 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:30.980 Joanne's testimony, 00:04:32.039 --> 00:04:34.279 God, won't you continue to speak to us through your words? 00:04:34.439 --> 00:04:35.079 Spirit of God, 00:04:35.159 --> 00:04:36.420 We want to hear you, 00:04:36.539 --> 00:04:37.319 The living God. 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:40.579 And we know that you speak to us in diverse ways, 00:04:40.680 --> 00:04:41.480 But one of the main ways, 00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:42.120 Through your words. 00:04:42.120 --> 00:04:43.740 So God, come and speak to us. 00:04:43.800 --> 00:04:43.959 Lord, 00:04:44.699 --> 00:04:45.340 God, I pray, 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:47.980 That what Isaiah says in this passage in some ways, 00:04:48.060 --> 00:04:48.899 Won't be true of us. 00:04:48.959 --> 00:04:50.139 That our eyes won't be dull. 00:04:50.300 --> 00:04:51.399 Our ears won't be blocked. 00:04:51.939 --> 00:04:53.620 But we will hear you and see you. 00:04:53.800 --> 00:04:54.899 And we will respond. 00:04:55.639 --> 00:04:57.699 Help us, I pray in your great and glorious name. 00:04:58.459 --> 00:04:58.740 Amen. 00:04:58.740 --> 00:04:58.879 Amen. 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:00.540 Okay, 00:05:00.840 --> 00:05:02.100 The book of Isaiah, 00:05:02.360 --> 00:05:03.920 Is one of the most wonderful, 00:05:04.300 --> 00:05:05.899 And beautiful books in the whole Bible. 00:05:06.360 --> 00:05:07.139 If I had a son, 00:05:07.819 --> 00:05:10.220 The name Isaiah definitely would have been in his name, 00:05:10.220 --> 00:05:11.540 Somewhere along the line. 00:05:11.640 --> 00:05:13.400 It's just such an amazing book. 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:16.980 And it's this glorious and magnificent book. 00:05:17.440 --> 00:05:18.080 And sometimes, 00:05:18.640 --> 00:05:21.240 People call Isaiah the fifth gospel. 00:05:21.420 --> 00:05:23.100 Because it's so full of Jesus, 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:24.340 And the cross, 00:05:24.440 --> 00:05:25.360 And his death on the cross, 00:05:25.740 --> 00:05:29.040 Even though it was written 700 years before Jesus was born, 00:05:29.780 --> 00:05:31.180 That everyone says, 00:05:31.320 --> 00:05:32.740 It deserves a place, 00:05:32.780 --> 00:05:34.440 Along with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 00:05:34.439 --> 00:05:41.180 And it's a book in which Isaiah reveals the enormity of God's holiness, 00:05:41.379 --> 00:05:42.279 And his majesty, 00:05:42.459 --> 00:05:43.399 And his sovereignty, 00:05:43.980 --> 00:05:47.180 But also the enormity of his mercy, 00:05:47.360 --> 00:05:48.100 And his grace, 00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:49.500 And his love. 00:05:50.319 --> 00:05:51.980 And so today we're looking at chapter 6. 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:55.019 And it's a pivotal part in the book. 00:05:55.379 --> 00:05:56.860 In chapters 1 to 5, 00:05:56.920 --> 00:05:58.120 It's kind of like the prologue. 00:05:58.339 --> 00:05:59.620 It's setting the scene. 00:05:59.720 --> 00:06:02.220 It's telling us what's going on in the nation of Israel. 00:06:02.220 --> 00:06:05.340 And what we find is that the nation of Israel, 00:06:05.460 --> 00:06:06.140 God's people, 00:06:06.580 --> 00:06:09.260 Are in a deep and dark spiritual place. 00:06:09.900 --> 00:06:11.400 In chapter 2, Isaiah says, 00:06:11.780 --> 00:06:13.000 O house of Jacob, come, 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:15.320 Let us walk in the light of the Lord. 00:06:15.960 --> 00:06:17.280 But they refuse. 00:06:18.060 --> 00:06:20.000 And so chapter 5 ends like this. 00:06:20.060 --> 00:06:20.620 In verse 30, 00:06:21.200 --> 00:06:22.180 If one looks to the land, 00:06:22.300 --> 00:06:23.840 Behold darkness and distress. 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:26.740 The light is darkened by its cloud. 00:06:27.520 --> 00:06:30.000 God's people are refusing his word, 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:31.140 And they're walking in darkness, 00:06:31.139 --> 00:06:32.360 Rather than the light. 00:06:32.479 --> 00:06:33.979 But God is not done with his people. 00:06:34.639 --> 00:06:37.240 And so he sends Isaiah to be his spokesman. 00:06:37.339 --> 00:06:38.159 His mouthpiece. 00:06:38.259 --> 00:06:40.919 To call his people back to him. 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:42.279 But, 00:06:42.639 --> 00:06:46.159 Before Isaiah can proclaim God's message, 00:06:46.620 --> 00:06:48.259 He needs to encounter it himself. 00:06:49.019 --> 00:06:51.120 Before he can speak God's word, 00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:52.699 He needs to feel it. 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:56.680 And before he can proclaim God's majesty, 00:06:56.979 --> 00:06:59.019 He needs to experience it. 00:06:59.019 --> 00:07:01.060 And so in this chapter, 00:07:01.639 --> 00:07:03.959 Isaiah's life is turned upside down, 00:07:04.019 --> 00:07:05.939 As he encounters the majesty, 00:07:06.579 --> 00:07:08.699 But also the mercy of God. 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:10.399 And what we're going to discover in this, 00:07:10.479 --> 00:07:11.659 Is two things. 00:07:12.039 --> 00:07:14.539 How God reveals and calls, 00:07:14.719 --> 00:07:15.620 Reveals himself, 00:07:15.719 --> 00:07:16.759 And then calls Isaiah. 00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:18.799 That's going to be most of this morning. 00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:19.979 And at the end, 00:07:20.019 --> 00:07:21.919 We're going to see how God reveals himself, 00:07:22.039 --> 00:07:23.199 And calls us. 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:23.839 Okay, 00:07:23.839 --> 00:07:25.899 How God reveals and calls Isaiah. 00:07:26.339 --> 00:07:27.819 How God reveals himself, 00:07:28.359 --> 00:07:29.279 And then calls us. 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:29.560 And so, 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:30.859 Let's look at the first one. 00:07:30.899 --> 00:07:32.199 How God reveals himself, 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:33.419 And calls Isaiah. 00:07:33.579 --> 00:07:33.719 And, 00:07:34.119 --> 00:07:35.299 In this part, 00:07:35.379 --> 00:07:37.500 There are four kind of stages in this drama. 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:39.299 And so let's work through them. 00:07:39.339 --> 00:07:40.199 The first stage is this. 00:07:40.299 --> 00:07:41.679 God reveals himself. 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:43.500 God reveals himself. 00:07:43.500 --> 00:07:47.879 Most of us have a mental picture in our minds, 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:49.639 Of what God is like. 00:07:50.699 --> 00:07:51.720 A.W. Tozer said, 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:54.079 The most important thing about any person, 00:07:54.600 --> 00:07:57.079 Is what comes to mind when you hear the word God. 00:07:57.819 --> 00:08:00.579 What is the mental image that you have of God? 00:08:01.300 --> 00:08:04.759 Maybe the mental image you have is of a doddery old man, 00:08:05.220 --> 00:08:06.660 Who's kind, 00:08:07.199 --> 00:08:08.680 And gentle, 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:10.740 But doesn't really have, 00:08:10.740 --> 00:08:11.759 You know, 00:08:11.780 --> 00:08:13.660 Is kind of largely out of touch with reality. 00:08:14.180 --> 00:08:15.500 A kindly old grandfather. 00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:18.699 Or maybe you think of a strict authoritarian, 00:08:19.019 --> 00:08:20.199 An upholder of the law, 00:08:20.740 --> 00:08:22.860 A defender of the principles and morality. 00:08:23.400 --> 00:08:25.680 One who is ready to throw lightning bolts, 00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:28.199 And strike anyone who stands out of line. 00:08:28.960 --> 00:08:31.560 And yet someone who is short on compassion, 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:33.220 On lesser mortals like us. 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:34.320 Well, 00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:37.399 I don't know what Isaiah's mental image of God is like, 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:38.460 But on this day, 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:41.860 Isaiah sees God, 00:08:41.940 --> 00:08:42.980 In all his majesty, 00:08:43.100 --> 00:08:43.800 In all his glory, 00:08:44.180 --> 00:08:45.360 And all his brilliance. 00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:47.460 And Isaiah sees not a caricature, 00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:49.040 Or a mental picture, 00:08:49.220 --> 00:08:50.500 He sees God. 00:08:51.280 --> 00:08:52.660 And so look at verse 1 with me, 00:08:52.700 --> 00:08:53.940 Look at what he sees. 00:08:54.580 --> 00:08:54.879 It says, 00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:57.460 In the year that King Uzziah died, 00:08:58.019 --> 00:08:59.400 I saw the Lord, 00:08:59.900 --> 00:09:01.220 Sitting upon a throne. 00:09:02.040 --> 00:09:04.780 The throne obviously resembles the fact that, 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:05.920 God is the king, 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:07.579 He is Lord of all, 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:09.319 He's the one who holds supreme authority, 00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:10.759 Over all the cosmos, 00:09:11.339 --> 00:09:12.319 Over all creation. 00:09:12.479 --> 00:09:14.120 God is seated on the throne. 00:09:15.079 --> 00:09:15.500 And he sees, 00:09:15.599 --> 00:09:16.899 I see him sitting on the throne, 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:19.179 High and lifted up. 00:09:19.719 --> 00:09:20.159 In other words, 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:21.819 God is not just one of us, 00:09:22.279 --> 00:09:24.039 He's not one of the myriads of gods, 00:09:24.099 --> 00:09:25.000 Of the ancient world, 00:09:25.099 --> 00:09:26.339 The God of the Babylonians, 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:28.759 And the God of the Midnight, 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:30.439 And all these other gods. 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:31.759 He's high and lifted up. 00:09:31.799 --> 00:09:33.179 He's above all other gods, 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:34.139 All other creation. 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:35.720 He's on the throne. 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:37.319 He is set apart, 00:09:37.939 --> 00:09:39.319 Elevated and exalted, 00:09:39.460 --> 00:09:40.840 Above all gods and religions, 00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:41.620 And customs, 00:09:41.779 --> 00:09:43.139 And superstitions and cultures, 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:44.899 Apart from all creation, 00:09:45.539 --> 00:09:46.360 And all cultures. 00:09:47.799 --> 00:09:48.379 And then it says, 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:50.319 I saw him on the throne, 00:09:50.439 --> 00:09:51.460 High and lifted up, 00:09:51.860 --> 00:09:54.379 And the train of his robe filled the temple. 00:09:55.179 --> 00:09:55.539 In other words, 00:09:55.539 --> 00:09:58.120 God's presence is all encompassing. 00:09:58.419 --> 00:09:59.480 It's all pervasive. 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:01.240 The idea, 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:02.600 The picture that God sees, 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:03.860 That Isaiah sees of God, 00:10:03.920 --> 00:10:05.220 Is not a small God, 00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:07.779 Just occupying his corner of the universe. 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:08.600 It's like, 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:09.740 You've got God over there, 00:10:09.779 --> 00:10:10.899 And you've got this God over there. 00:10:11.159 --> 00:10:11.300 No, 00:10:11.379 --> 00:10:11.399 No, 00:10:11.539 --> 00:10:11.980 This God, 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:14.759 His presence fills all of creation, 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:15.600 All the cosmos, 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:17.159 And the universe. 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:18.700 It fills all the, 00:10:18.700 --> 00:10:19.279 The temple, 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:21.180 All the cosmos is his temple. 00:10:21.899 --> 00:10:22.480 His dwelling, 00:10:22.580 --> 00:10:23.620 There's no place of it, 00:10:23.680 --> 00:10:23.840 Upon, 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:26.100 Which is outside of God's bounds. 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:27.759 We sang earlier, 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:29.240 All heights and all depths, 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:31.720 Furthest east to furthest west, 00:10:32.259 --> 00:10:33.700 You distant burning stars, 00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:35.420 All creatures near and far, 00:10:35.980 --> 00:10:36.920 Part of God's creation. 00:10:37.040 --> 00:10:38.060 He's Lord over all, 00:10:38.139 --> 00:10:38.820 Over everything. 00:10:39.940 --> 00:10:41.320 And this is what Isaiah sees, 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:43.620 This magnificent picture of the, 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:44.840 The splendor, 00:10:45.340 --> 00:10:46.639 And the majesty of God. 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:48.899 And A.W. Tozer says this, 00:10:49.220 --> 00:10:50.600 We must not think of God, 00:10:50.960 --> 00:10:52.060 As the highest, 00:10:52.360 --> 00:10:53.820 In an ascending order, 00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:55.080 Of beings. 00:10:55.080 --> 00:10:56.940 Starting with the single cell, 00:10:57.379 --> 00:10:58.759 And then moving on to the fish, 00:10:58.840 --> 00:10:59.580 And then the bird, 00:10:59.660 --> 00:11:00.340 And then the animal, 00:11:00.660 --> 00:11:01.379 And then man, 00:11:01.520 --> 00:11:02.280 And then the angel, 00:11:02.400 --> 00:11:03.139 Then archangel, 00:11:03.280 --> 00:11:04.740 And finally you get God. 00:11:05.500 --> 00:11:05.820 No, 00:11:05.920 --> 00:11:06.440 He says, 00:11:07.040 --> 00:11:08.360 God is as high, 00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:09.720 Above the archangel, 00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:11.360 As above the caterpillar, 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:12.600 Or the amoeba. 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:14.240 For the gulf, 00:11:14.580 --> 00:11:15.940 That separates the archangel, 00:11:16.020 --> 00:11:16.860 From the caterpillar, 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:17.520 Is finite. 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:18.960 But the gulf, 00:11:19.060 --> 00:11:20.080 That separates God, 00:11:20.160 --> 00:11:21.740 From all other creation, 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:23.060 Is infinite. 00:11:23.059 --> 00:11:25.739 So God's not just the end of a spectrum, 00:11:25.739 --> 00:11:27.179 Of ever increasing, 00:11:27.319 --> 00:11:27.539 Higher, 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:28.000 Stronger, 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:28.439 Better things. 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:29.959 God is in a different category, 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:31.479 Completely separate, 00:11:31.539 --> 00:11:32.719 From all other creation. 00:11:34.119 --> 00:11:35.659 And that's what Isaiah is showing us here. 00:11:36.359 --> 00:11:38.559 His categories have been blown away, 00:11:38.619 --> 00:11:39.679 As he sees the majesty, 00:11:39.819 --> 00:11:40.779 And the breathtaking, 00:11:41.179 --> 00:11:42.479 Awesomeness of God. 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:44.899 That God is not simply one deity, 00:11:45.059 --> 00:11:45.899 Who is slightly bigger, 00:11:46.059 --> 00:11:46.399 And stronger, 00:11:46.479 --> 00:11:47.919 And better than all the other deities. 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:50.219 He's in a completely separate category, 00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:52.539 A different category altogether. 00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:55.399 Which is what we see in verse 2. 00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:57.059 Look at verse 2. 00:11:57.219 --> 00:11:57.639 It says, 00:11:58.479 --> 00:11:59.099 Above him, 00:11:59.619 --> 00:12:00.639 Stood the seraphim. 00:12:01.359 --> 00:12:01.799 Seraphim, 00:12:01.959 --> 00:12:02.959 In Hebrew means, 00:12:03.099 --> 00:12:04.000 The burning ones. 00:12:04.079 --> 00:12:04.539 It's like these, 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:05.659 Angelic beings, 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:07.739 That are a nuclear ball of energy. 00:12:07.939 --> 00:12:08.059 Right? 00:12:08.459 --> 00:12:09.799 They're alive with fire. 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:10.039 It says, 00:12:10.119 --> 00:12:10.500 Above him, 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:11.799 Stood the seraphim. 00:12:12.239 --> 00:12:13.319 Each had six wings, 00:12:13.419 --> 00:12:14.579 With two he covered his face, 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:15.879 With two he covered his feet, 00:12:16.179 --> 00:12:16.919 With two he flew, 00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:18.739 And one called to another, 00:12:18.739 --> 00:12:19.139 Saying, 00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:19.959 Holy, 00:12:20.179 --> 00:12:20.579 Holy, 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:21.139 Holy, 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:21.160 Holy, 00:12:21.580 --> 00:12:22.860 Is the Lord of hosts. 00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:24.460 The word holy, 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.340 Doesn't mean, 00:12:25.940 --> 00:12:27.000 Morally perfect, 00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:27.759 Or morally, 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:29.600 Or religiously good. 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:31.500 It means to be set apart, 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:32.540 To be distinctive. 00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:33.620 It's like you've got, 00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:35.100 All of creation here, 00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:36.280 Burning stars, 00:12:36.400 --> 00:12:36.980 And galaxies, 00:12:37.300 --> 00:12:37.940 And universes, 00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:38.879 And nebulae, 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:39.600 And then you've got, 00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:40.659 A separate category, 00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:41.939 Called God. 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:43.840 God is in a separate category, 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:46.700 It's distinct from all the rest of creation. 00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:48.299 And day and night, 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.779 These angelic beings declare, 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:51.759 The complete distinctiveness, 00:12:51.899 --> 00:12:52.580 Or otherness, 00:12:52.919 --> 00:12:54.779 Of the God that we've been singing to today. 00:12:55.399 --> 00:12:55.899 Holy, 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:56.559 Holy, 00:12:56.779 --> 00:12:57.179 Holy, 00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:57.939 Distinct, 00:12:58.039 --> 00:12:58.439 Separate, 00:12:58.779 --> 00:12:59.600 Is this God. 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:00.980 And they cry, 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:04.059 The whole earth is full of his glory. 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:05.539 And what that means is, 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:07.339 God is not just glorious, 00:13:07.519 --> 00:13:08.079 And majestic, 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:09.899 And wonderful up in heaven, 00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:11.000 And he's up there, 00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:12.120 And we kind of down here. 00:13:12.579 --> 00:13:15.339 God's glory wants to spill over, 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:16.759 Into our creation. 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:19.079 God is glorious and majestic there, 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:22.199 But he's pouring out his glory into us. 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:23.959 Into our creation. 00:13:24.079 --> 00:13:25.120 The whole earth, 00:13:25.679 --> 00:13:26.819 Is full of his glory. 00:13:27.599 --> 00:13:29.219 God's will is for us, 00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:29.919 And Hong Kong, 00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:30.659 And Watermark, 00:13:30.699 --> 00:13:31.539 And the whole earth, 00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:33.319 To come to recognize, 00:13:33.319 --> 00:13:34.139 And know, 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:36.059 And join in, 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:38.879 Worshipping his distinctiveness, 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:40.379 His majesty, 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:42.439 His otherness. 00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:43.919 Now, 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:45.379 Immediately, 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.720 This should strike us, 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:48.919 As being something, 00:13:49.419 --> 00:13:50.139 At odds, 00:13:50.179 --> 00:13:51.100 Or at least challenging, 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:52.879 The kind of culture, 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:54.559 Of benign tolerance, 00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:57.319 Which is the supreme value of our age. 00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:59.080 Benign tolerance means, 00:13:59.179 --> 00:13:59.960 Benign means like, 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:01.000 Kindly, 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:01.539 Gentle, 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:02.379 Just tolerance. 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:03.840 In other words, 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:06.139 One of the values of our age, 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:07.120 Is that, 00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:09.419 You can believe whatever you want. 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:11.480 You can worship whatever you want. 00:14:12.019 --> 00:14:14.000 As long as you keep it to yourself, 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:15.679 And you don't impose it on anybody else. 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:17.199 So you can worship, 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:18.720 Or think whatever you want about God, 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:20.279 Your truth is your truth, 00:14:20.360 --> 00:14:21.939 Just don't impose it on anybody else. 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:23.819 Now, 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:25.740 There's two problems to that. 00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:26.259 Firstly, 00:14:26.439 --> 00:14:28.340 That's just not logically possible. 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:28.819 Right? 00:14:28.819 --> 00:14:30.559 It just doesn't make any logical sense. 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:32.879 Even those that believe that, 00:14:32.959 --> 00:14:34.119 Don't live by that themselves. 00:14:34.299 --> 00:14:34.439 Right? 00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:35.179 Which is why this, 00:14:35.599 --> 00:14:39.519 This worldview is so militaristically imposed upon us. 00:14:39.839 --> 00:14:41.399 You must keep to yourself. 00:14:41.619 --> 00:14:41.899 Don't, 00:14:41.979 --> 00:14:43.979 Don't you dare impose your view on anyone else. 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:44.179 Right? 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:46.199 It doesn't make logical sense. 00:14:46.919 --> 00:14:47.719 But also, 00:14:47.839 --> 00:14:48.619 Here we see, 00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:50.139 Isaiah discovers, 00:14:50.359 --> 00:14:51.500 And he reminds us, 00:14:52.079 --> 00:14:54.239 This is just simply not who God is. 00:14:54.919 --> 00:14:55.899 It's not reality. 00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:57.959 The God of the Bible, 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:59.399 Is the self existing, 00:14:59.579 --> 00:15:00.840 Uncreated one, 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:02.959 The uncreated truth, 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:05.419 Who is making this earth, 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:08.039 An extension of his throne room in heaven, 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:11.120 And he is pouring his glory into this world, 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:12.980 And he is invading this world, 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:15.259 And he does want to invade our lives. 00:15:15.819 --> 00:15:16.819 God does not say, 00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:17.079 Listen, 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:18.379 You just honor your truth, 00:15:18.439 --> 00:15:19.459 And I'll do my truth. 00:15:19.960 --> 00:15:20.500 God is saying, 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:21.360 My truth, 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:22.679 Which is that I am utter, 00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:23.220 And distinctive, 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:23.860 And glorious, 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:24.399 And majestic, 00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:26.079 Is coming into your world, 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:28.659 And I want it to invade your world. 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:29.659 Particularly, 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:30.500 I want it to invade, 00:15:30.939 --> 00:15:32.419 The throne room of our hearts, 00:15:32.459 --> 00:15:33.100 And our lives. 00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:35.539 So this is the picture that Isaiah sees. 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:37.179 In the year the king Uzziah died, 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:38.480 I saw the Lord seated, 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:40.319 High and exalted on the throne, 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:42.500 And I saw the whole earth, 00:15:42.579 --> 00:15:43.799 Being filled with his glory, 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:44.659 And his majesty. 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.860 So what happens next? 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:47.919 Well, 00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:49.000 Isaiah, 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:50.740 Sees himself, 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:52.179 Or confesses himself. 00:15:52.939 --> 00:15:53.960 Having seen God, 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:55.919 Isaiah now sees himself. 00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:57.959 And so look what happens in verse 5. 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.620 Isaiah says this, 00:16:00.059 --> 00:16:01.019 Woe is me, 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.579 I am lost, 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:03.100 Literally, 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:04.019 I am ruined, 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.759 I am destroyed. 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.939 I am a man of unclean lips, 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:09.379 I dwell amidst the people of unclean lips, 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.939 And I have seen the king, 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:13.019 The lord of hosts. 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:15.699 Isaiah sees God, 00:16:15.699 --> 00:16:18.659 And that causes him to see himself in a new light. 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:20.360 And what he sees about himself, 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:23.379 Is the fact that he is not perfect. 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:25.620 The fact that he is a sinner. 00:16:26.779 --> 00:16:27.919 He sees who God is, 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:29.639 And that's contrasted with who he is, 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:32.399 And this contrast is bad news, 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:34.139 And he feels undone. 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:35.399 Now, 00:16:35.580 --> 00:16:35.960 Again, 00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:36.840 By and large, 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:37.759 As human beings, 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:39.179 If you are anything like me, 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:39.879 Maybe you are different, 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:41.159 But if you are anything like me, 00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:43.179 What we tend to do, 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:45.200 Is to see the faults and the failings, 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.480 Of everybody else, 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:49.080 And we minimize our own faults and failings. 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:50.980 We see everybody else's problems, 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:52.340 And their hypocrisy, 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:53.100 And their, 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:53.759 You know, 00:16:53.900 --> 00:16:55.139 The way they behave, 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:55.980 And their immaturity, 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:57.080 And yet, 00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:59.259 We are kind of blind to our own sin, 00:16:59.300 --> 00:16:59.960 And our own failing. 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:03.020 But God's revelation of himself, 00:17:03.300 --> 00:17:04.559 Look what it has done to Isaiah. 00:17:05.360 --> 00:17:07.160 It has caused him to see himself freshly, 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:07.860 In new light. 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:10.180 He has seen himself very clearly. 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:13.360 And one of the things that is remarkable here, 00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:14.640 Barry Webb points this out, 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:15.880 Is he says, 00:17:16.300 --> 00:17:19.000 Isaiah identifies himself completely, 00:17:19.520 --> 00:17:21.480 With the sins of those people, 00:17:21.580 --> 00:17:23.180 That in the previous five chapters, 00:17:23.280 --> 00:17:24.180 He's been denouncing. 00:17:25.140 --> 00:17:25.580 Previously, 00:17:25.780 --> 00:17:27.259 He's been going to the people and saying, 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:27.540 Listen, 00:17:27.840 --> 00:17:29.340 You're not following God. 00:17:29.820 --> 00:17:30.680 You're sinning. 00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:31.880 You're going your own way. 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.300 And now Isaiah, 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:36.080 Identifies himself with the very people, 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:36.900 He's been denouncing. 00:17:37.340 --> 00:17:37.800 And he says, 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:38.600 Woe is me, 00:17:38.780 --> 00:17:39.780 For I am ruined. 00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:41.580 I'm a man of unclean lips, 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:44.220 And I'm just like all my other people. 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:45.420 I'm just like them. 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:48.660 Now the word for lost here, 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.460 Or ruined, 00:17:49.620 --> 00:17:50.779 Comes from the Hebrew word, 00:17:50.920 --> 00:17:51.960 To be silenced. 00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:53.200 In other words, 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:55.079 To be cut off from the land of the living. 00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:56.799 That's what Isaiah says. 00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:57.160 He says, 00:17:57.360 --> 00:17:58.400 I'm cut off. 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.059 I'm doomed. 00:17:59.180 --> 00:17:59.720 I'm dead. 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:01.920 Martin Lloyd-Jones, 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:03.900 Who was the greatest preacher in the last century. 00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:04.980 He says, 00:18:05.100 --> 00:18:06.220 One way that you know, 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:08.660 That you've truly encountered the living God, 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:10.120 Not just the God of your imagination, 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:12.460 Is your mouth has been stopped. 00:18:12.900 --> 00:18:14.079 You've been silenced. 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:15.740 All the excuses, 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:16.960 All the blaming, 00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:18.460 All the playing the victim, 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:20.259 All the other person's fault, 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:21.140 All the excuses, 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:22.420 Why it's not really my fault, 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.600 That I am the way that I am, 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:25.039 Silenced. 00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:26.400 Stopped. 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:28.140 And when you encounter God, 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:29.660 And you see him for who he is, 00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:30.960 And you see yourself, 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:33.079 The only thing you can say is, 00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:34.440 God, I'm ruined. 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:36.240 It's not their fault, 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:37.880 It's not Oscar's fault, 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:38.720 My parents' fault, 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:39.620 Or the government's fault, 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:41.059 Or big tech's fault, 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:41.960 Or, 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:43.759 Whoever, 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.559 God, I'm sorry. 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:47.179 I'm sorry. 00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:49.899 And all Isaiah can say here is, 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.659 Woe is me, 00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:51.539 I'm ruined. 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:53.039 I'm a sinner. 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:57.220 Here we learn an extremely important lesson, 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:59.500 That those who know God truly, 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:00.720 Are those who have banished, 00:19:00.779 --> 00:19:02.019 Any sense of performing, 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:02.920 Or pretending, 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.440 Or positioning. 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:06.139 I've got a friend in India, 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.700 Akshay Rajkumar, 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:08.500 And he says this, 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:08.839 He says, 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.699 You will either, 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:11.740 Be a real repenter, 00:19:12.179 --> 00:19:13.619 Or a real pretender, 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:15.199 But you can't be both. 00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:17.519 You'll either come and pretend your way, 00:19:17.939 --> 00:19:18.899 Like you got it all together, 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.419 Or you'll get real, 00:19:20.639 --> 00:19:21.980 But you can't do both of those. 00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:23.699 And here, 00:19:23.939 --> 00:19:24.919 Those who know God, 00:19:24.959 --> 00:19:26.359 Are those who have faced the reality, 00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:27.379 Of their situation, 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.240 Without excusing, 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:28.819 Or minimizing, 00:19:28.959 --> 00:19:29.639 Or blame shifting. 00:19:30.399 --> 00:19:31.579 And that's what Isaiah does here, 00:19:31.639 --> 00:19:31.859 He says, 00:19:31.939 --> 00:19:32.339 Woe is me, 00:19:32.399 --> 00:19:32.899 I'm ruined. 00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:35.599 So how does God respond? 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.319 Well, 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:39.199 God liberates Isaiah. 00:19:39.879 --> 00:19:41.299 Look at verse 6 with me. 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:42.599 It says, 00:19:42.939 --> 00:19:43.939 Then one of the seraphim, 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:46.299 One of these burning balls of fire, 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.439 Flew to me, 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:49.419 Having in his hand a burning coal, 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:51.000 That he had taken with tongs, 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:51.519 From the altar. 00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:53.419 And he touched my mouth, 00:19:53.459 --> 00:19:53.839 And he said, 00:19:53.919 --> 00:19:54.419 Behold, 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:55.859 This has touched your lips, 00:19:56.219 --> 00:19:57.659 Your guilt is taken away, 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:59.779 Your sin is atoned for. 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:00.980 Friends, 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.740 Here we see, 00:20:02.139 --> 00:20:03.480 One of the clearest pictures, 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:04.199 In the whole Bible, 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:06.279 The picture of the gospel. 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:07.799 In that, 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:09.900 The response, 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:11.440 To Isaiah's confession, 00:20:11.840 --> 00:20:13.080 Which is Isaiah's response, 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:14.240 To seeing God, 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:16.160 God moves towards, 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.220 This imperfect, 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.600 Fallen man, 00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:20.779 And he meets his failure, 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.860 And his shame, 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:23.200 With grace, 00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.220 And mercy. 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:26.019 Isaiah says, 00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:27.019 I'm ruined. 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.120 And God says, 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:28.319 No, 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:28.980 You're saved. 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.299 And Isaiah says, 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:31.240 I'm cut off. 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:32.359 And God says, 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.839 Let me include you, 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.900 In my people. 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:36.160 And Isaiah says, 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:37.079 I'm guilty. 00:20:37.620 --> 00:20:38.420 And God says, 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:40.400 Your guilt has been taken away. 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:41.460 Isaiah says, 00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:42.420 I'm unworthy. 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.480 And God says, 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:46.039 Your sin has been atoned for, 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.099 Dealt with, 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.700 Gone forever. 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:50.799 Amazing. 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:53.039 What has Isaiah done? 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.180 Has he gone on a, 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:55.319 A month long pilgrimage? 00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:57.359 Has he burnt a thousand bulls, 00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:58.220 Of sacrifices? 00:20:58.980 --> 00:20:59.100 No, 00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.600 All he's done, 00:20:59.660 --> 00:20:59.920 He says, 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:00.299 God, 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.779 I need your mercy. 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:02.759 And God says, 00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:03.079 Okay, 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:03.819 Here it is. 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.680 God meets his, 00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:06.960 Fallenness, 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.660 His sin and his shame, 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:10.120 With unbelievable grace. 00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:12.380 And in the storyline, 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.059 Of the Bible, 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:14.920 This is what Jesus did, 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.480 In the cross. 00:21:16.600 --> 00:21:17.759 Jesus goes to the cross, 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.640 To bear our sin, 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.740 To bear our shame, 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:21.600 That those who trust in him, 00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:22.600 May have their guilt, 00:21:22.600 --> 00:21:23.259 Taken away. 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:25.019 Their sin atoned for, 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:26.680 Their shame removed. 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:28.519 Now, 00:21:28.820 --> 00:21:30.539 There's lots more, 00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:31.259 We could say about that, 00:21:31.340 --> 00:21:32.480 But there's at least three, 00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:34.840 Applications or implications, 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.039 I want us to see here. 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.460 Three lessons, 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.240 That we need to see. 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.580 The first one is this, 00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:40.860 We've kind of spoken about it already, 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:41.820 But the first one is this, 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:44.080 What marks true Christianity, 00:21:44.620 --> 00:21:45.779 Is not perfection, 00:21:46.320 --> 00:21:47.039 But confession. 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.500 Not perfection, 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:49.180 But confession. 00:21:49.840 --> 00:21:50.880 Barry Webb points out, 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:51.460 He says this, 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.360 Ironically, 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:54.120 It's not the fact that Isaiah, 00:21:54.120 --> 00:21:54.920 Is a sinner, 00:21:54.920 --> 00:21:56.700 Like his fellow Israelites, 00:21:57.340 --> 00:21:58.480 But his confession, 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.220 Of being a sinner, 00:21:59.300 --> 00:22:00.360 Like his fellow Israelites, 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:02.340 That sets him apart from them. 00:22:03.140 --> 00:22:04.400 So Isaiah doesn't say, 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:04.820 Listen, 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:06.380 All those rascals are like that, 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:06.779 But God, 00:22:06.840 --> 00:22:07.720 I am different. 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:08.900 He actually says, 00:22:09.060 --> 00:22:09.300 God, 00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:10.120 I'm just like them. 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.060 And God says, 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.420 Okay, 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.840 Now that you've confessed that, 00:22:13.080 --> 00:22:14.160 Let me set you apart. 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:16.320 It's his confession, 00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:17.860 That sets him apart from everybody else, 00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:18.720 Not his perfection. 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.320 Secondly, 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:21.919 I want us to notice, 00:22:21.919 --> 00:22:23.819 The difference between the gospel, 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:24.700 Christianity, 00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:27.960 And many modern self-help, 00:22:28.159 --> 00:22:29.139 Psychologies, 00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:30.279 Or theories. 00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:33.179 Many modern, 00:22:33.399 --> 00:22:34.079 Psychologies, 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.899 Or secular, 00:22:35.159 --> 00:22:35.960 Psychologies, 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:37.200 Or self-help theories, 00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:38.439 Will say this, 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:40.859 The problem that you and I face, 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:43.259 Is found with outside of ourselves. 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.720 It's our parents, 00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.639 It's our upbringing, 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:47.379 It's the school we went to, 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.980 It's the fact that we were single kids, 00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:50.519 It's the fact that I had five siblings, 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.740 It's the government, 00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:52.620 It's big tech, 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.400 It's the economy, 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:54.839 It's the Illuminati, 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.700 It's whatever it is, 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:55.940 Right? 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:58.579 That's the problem out there. 00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:01.339 And that influence has made me who I am. 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:03.339 And the solution, therefore, 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.680 Is look within yourself, 00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.940 Go back to your childhood, 00:23:06.339 --> 00:23:07.599 Discover the real you, 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:09.420 Find your real identity, 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:12.059 And live out the most truest version of you. 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:15.940 Christianity flips that on its head, 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:16.880 And says, 00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:17.360 Actually, 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:19.539 The biggest problem with most of us, 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.079 Is inside of us. 00:23:21.959 --> 00:23:23.719 It's the idolatry of our hearts, 00:23:24.459 --> 00:23:25.479 It's our pride, 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:26.240 And our fear, 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:28.339 It's the fact that we love creative things, 00:23:28.419 --> 00:23:30.299 It's the fact that we love ourselves so much, 00:23:30.719 --> 00:23:32.519 It's the fact that we don't love God and others, 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.379 But we love ourselves, 00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:34.859 We are numero uno, 00:23:34.959 --> 00:23:35.599 Number one. 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:36.719 Leo, 00:23:36.819 --> 00:23:37.759 Don't need to translate that, 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:38.259 Numero uno, 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:39.039 I think you get that, 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:39.259 Right? 00:23:39.959 --> 00:23:42.559 We are the center of our own world, 00:23:43.079 --> 00:23:44.119 And the solution, 00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:45.859 Is not look within yourself, 00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:47.500 It's look outside, 00:23:47.919 --> 00:23:50.379 To the one who came to us, 00:23:50.899 --> 00:23:52.059 With a burning coal, 00:23:52.639 --> 00:23:53.879 With scorching holiness, 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:56.039 Who came to us to free us, 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:56.859 And set us free. 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:58.339 Psychology says, 00:23:58.419 --> 00:23:59.099 The problem's out there, 00:23:59.159 --> 00:24:00.279 But look inside yourself, 00:24:01.099 --> 00:24:01.639 Jesus says, 00:24:01.699 --> 00:24:02.659 The problem's within ourselves, 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.699 Look outside of you, 00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:04.240 To me, 00:24:04.699 --> 00:24:05.959 I've come to save you. 00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:07.959 And look at the third thing here, 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:09.319 The third thing to discover is this, 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:11.559 God's encountering grace, 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:14.480 Is often as painful, 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.700 As it is liberating, 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:17.779 The seraph here, 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.659 Touches Isaiah's lips, 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.939 With a burning coal, 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.759 Now obviously the burning coal, 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:24.480 Represents something of God's holiness, 00:24:24.679 --> 00:24:24.899 Right? 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:27.599 But God doesn't change Isaiah, 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:29.259 By taking him to the spa, 00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:30.339 And giving him a massage, 00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:30.859 Right? 00:24:30.939 --> 00:24:31.519 Isaiah's shame, 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.019 Let me just, 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.939 Let me just massage out your problems, 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:34.220 Right? 00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:36.220 It's not how God deals with them, 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.980 He confronts him, 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:39.500 He wounds him, 00:24:40.380 --> 00:24:41.200 He hurts him, 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:43.140 Just like God did with Jacob, 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.539 Remember he wrestles Jacob, 00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:45.819 And he touches his hip, 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:47.539 And Jacob walks with a limp, 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:49.759 Just like God did with Saul, 00:24:49.860 --> 00:24:50.740 Who becomes Paul, 00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:52.180 He blinds him, 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:54.920 If you know the stories of Narnia, 00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:57.240 This is in the voyage of the dawn trader, 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:59.460 Eustace is this real brat of a kid, 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:01.420 And he turns into a dragon, 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:02.839 And God, 00:25:02.839 --> 00:25:04.559 Aslan wants to save him, 00:25:04.619 --> 00:25:05.679 And how does he save him? 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:07.419 He digs his claws, 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:09.099 Into his dragon skin, 00:25:09.439 --> 00:25:10.639 And he tears it off, 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.599 And it's painful, 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.480 And it's hurtful, 00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:14.639 And Eustace is set free, 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:17.419 And he becomes a delightful boy again, 00:25:18.199 --> 00:25:18.939 But it's hurtful, 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.500 It's painful, 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:19.819 Right? 00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:20.980 And why, 00:25:21.159 --> 00:25:22.579 And that's what God does to Isaiah, 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:24.980 He brings the scorching coal, 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:25.799 And he touches him, 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:26.240 And he says, 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.740 I want to set you free, 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:29.519 And why is it painful? 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.699 When God changes us, 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.879 Why does it hurt so much? 00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:33.400 The reason is because, 00:25:33.520 --> 00:25:35.720 A very core part of our identity, 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:36.880 Which is, 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.080 You are God, 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:40.000 You are the center of the world, 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:42.340 The whole universe revolves around you, 00:25:42.860 --> 00:25:45.180 That part of our identity needs to die, 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.860 And that hurts, 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:49.000 That always hurts, 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:51.320 And so Isaiah confesses his sin, 00:25:51.820 --> 00:25:53.840 And God comes and sets him free, 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:54.980 Isaiah says, 00:25:55.060 --> 00:25:55.460 I'm ruined, 00:25:55.560 --> 00:25:56.060 And God says, 00:25:56.100 --> 00:25:56.700 You're saved, 00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:58.880 And so finally, 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:00.960 The fourth part of this drama is, 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:03.380 Isaiah speaks for God, 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.819 God sends Isaiah out, 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:05.880 Now, 00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:07.440 Just when you think, 00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:09.759 The whole story is going to be wrapped up all nicely, 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.920 With a bow on top, 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:11.700 And you know, 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:14.279 Isaiah lives happily ever after, 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:16.140 The story takes a twist, 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:18.559 Look at verse 8 with me, 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:20.900 Isaiah encounters the holiness, 00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:22.340 And the majesty of God, 00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:24.919 And he confesses his sin, 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:26.339 God gives him amazingly, 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:28.039 Not what he deserves, 00:26:28.639 --> 00:26:29.139 Verse 8, 00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:30.779 I heard the Lord saying, 00:26:30.959 --> 00:26:32.039 Whom shall I send? 00:26:32.139 --> 00:26:33.240 Who will go for us? 00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:34.399 Then I said, 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.099 Here am I, 00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:35.819 Send me, 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:36.799 So, 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:38.259 That makes sense, 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:38.480 Right? 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.879 Having seen God's majesty, 00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:41.699 God says, 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.480 Who's going to take, 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:44.199 Who's going to tell the world about me? 00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:45.240 And Isaiah says, 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:45.699 Pick me, 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:46.199 Pick me, 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:46.519 God, 00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:47.939 I'll tell the people about you, 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.599 You're amazing, 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:50.959 And, 00:26:50.959 --> 00:26:52.220 Except there's a problem, 00:26:52.339 --> 00:26:54.279 The problem is, 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.559 Isaiah's going to go, 00:26:55.639 --> 00:26:57.079 And tell people about God, 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:59.220 But the people are not going to listen, 00:27:00.139 --> 00:27:02.199 They couldn't care less about God, 00:27:02.959 --> 00:27:04.919 Isaiah's message is going to fall flat, 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:05.799 On deaf ears, 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.000 In fact, 00:27:07.179 --> 00:27:07.879 Worse than that, 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:09.119 Isaiah's message, 00:27:09.199 --> 00:27:10.799 Is going to harden their hearts, 00:27:10.919 --> 00:27:12.539 And alienate them even more, 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:14.859 It's going to push them even further away, 00:27:15.919 --> 00:27:17.559 But God sends Isaiah anyway, 00:27:17.679 --> 00:27:18.500 Look at verse 9, 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:19.659 God said, 00:27:19.659 --> 00:27:21.019 Go and say to this people, 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:22.019 Keep on hearing, 00:27:22.339 --> 00:27:23.379 But do not understand, 00:27:23.879 --> 00:27:24.799 Keep on seeing, 00:27:24.939 --> 00:27:26.039 But do not perceive, 00:27:26.679 --> 00:27:28.299 Make the heart of this people dull, 00:27:28.699 --> 00:27:29.519 Their ears heavy, 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:31.279 And blind their eyes, 00:27:31.399 --> 00:27:32.659 Lest they see with their eyes, 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.659 And hear with their ears, 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.980 And understand with their hearts, 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:36.039 And turn and be healed, 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.359 So I said, 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:37.839 Lord, 00:27:37.939 --> 00:27:38.619 How long, 00:27:38.679 --> 00:27:40.480 How long should I take this message out? 00:27:40.939 --> 00:27:41.759 And he said, 00:27:42.179 --> 00:27:44.119 Until cities lie waste without inhabitants, 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:45.480 Houses without people, 00:27:45.919 --> 00:27:47.539 And the land is a desolate waste, 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:50.500 And the Lord removes his people far away, 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:53.559 It's a devastating announcement, 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:54.960 Of what is to come, 00:27:55.899 --> 00:27:57.319 Isaiah's going to go to his own people, 00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:58.819 And he's going to call them back, 00:27:58.920 --> 00:27:59.779 To turn to God, 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:01.379 To walk out of the darkness, 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.799 Into the joy of the light, 00:28:03.139 --> 00:28:05.180 To forsake worthless dead idols, 00:28:05.399 --> 00:28:07.859 And join in worship of the living God, 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:09.180 To be set free, 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:10.139 He will cleanse them, 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:10.759 And heal them, 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.440 And renew them, 00:28:11.839 --> 00:28:13.440 And they're going to kick against his message, 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.840 They're going to reject his gospel, 00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:17.039 And their story will end in ruin, 00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:19.200 It's going to end in Assyria firstly, 00:28:19.340 --> 00:28:20.019 And then Babylon, 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:22.700 And Israel is going to be decimated, 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:25.299 And what God tells Isaiah here, 00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:28.440 Is that his mission is to bring a message, 00:28:29.080 --> 00:28:30.980 That will humble some people, 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:33.000 But it will harden others, 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.660 You see, 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:37.299 God's word is never neutral, 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:39.279 It always works on us, 00:28:39.840 --> 00:28:41.779 And it works one way or the other, 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:43.299 It demands a response, 00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:45.019 God's message says, 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:45.860 God is supreme, 00:28:46.100 --> 00:28:46.580 And holy, 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.279 And glorious, 00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:47.920 And majestic, 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:50.279 And that he rules the universe, 00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:51.320 Unrivaled, 00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:53.000 And you and I belong to him, 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:54.380 And our lives belong to him, 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.539 And we should live for him, 00:28:56.120 --> 00:28:57.840 We should be orientated around him, 00:28:58.420 --> 00:28:59.680 And for some people, 00:28:59.820 --> 00:29:01.920 That message falls like rain, 00:29:02.340 --> 00:29:04.380 On dry ground, 00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:05.920 And it brings life, 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:08.019 And it softens the ground, 00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:10.220 And fresh shoots emerge, 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:11.019 And it brings healing, 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.600 And restoration, 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.299 And life, 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:14.279 But for some people, 00:29:14.399 --> 00:29:15.819 Maybe even many people, 00:29:15.919 --> 00:29:16.740 In Isaiah's day, 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:17.559 In Jesus' day, 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.480 And even in our day, 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:21.220 That message falls like rain water, 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:23.299 On the hard glass surface, 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:24.319 Of our office blocks, 00:29:24.399 --> 00:29:25.559 And our buildings here in Hong Kong, 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.720 And it falls off, 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.700 And it goes into the gutter, 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.379 And into the sea, 00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:28.980 And disappears, 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:32.440 The Puritans used to say, 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.539 The same sun, 00:29:33.640 --> 00:29:34.880 That melts the ice, 00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:36.720 Also hardens the clay, 00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:39.180 And some people hear God's message, 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:40.759 That God is glorious and majestic, 00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:41.839 And we belong to him, 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:42.740 And they say, 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.240 Oh God, 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:44.079 I want more of you, 00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:46.019 And some people hear that message, 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.400 And say, 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.200 You've got to be kidding, 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:48.360 I'm done with this God, 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:49.759 I want a God, 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:51.039 That's going to make my life beautiful, 00:29:51.160 --> 00:29:52.500 And make me the center of the world, 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:55.599 And when you hear of God's greatness and grace, 00:29:55.640 --> 00:29:57.440 If your heart is soft and receptive, 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:59.180 It will warm your heart, 00:29:59.279 --> 00:30:00.119 It will draw you in, 00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:02.099 But if your heart is hard, 00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:02.819 Or proud, 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:03.480 Or arrogant, 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:05.160 It will push you away, 00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:07.279 And so here's one of the lessons, 00:30:07.400 --> 00:30:08.319 We need to take from this, 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:10.799 Every time you encounter God's word, 00:30:10.859 --> 00:30:11.900 And God speaks to you, 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:14.900 It will have an effect on you, 00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:16.319 It's not neutral, 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.980 It will work on you, 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:19.240 You'll come away from that exposure, 00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:21.059 Either humbled and closer to God, 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:22.779 Or harder and proud, 00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:23.839 And more self-reliant, 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:27.019 Now maybe you think to yourself, 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:29.379 Well you know what I really need, 00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:31.240 I need God to give me a miracle, 00:30:31.379 --> 00:30:33.139 Like maybe I need an angel to appear, 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:34.319 At the bottom of my bed, 00:30:34.359 --> 00:30:34.899 And tell me, 00:30:35.179 --> 00:30:35.779 It's all true, 00:30:35.899 --> 00:30:36.619 Jesus is real, 00:30:37.179 --> 00:30:37.460 Right? 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.579 Like Joseph and Mary, 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:40.259 And then I'll believe, 00:30:40.339 --> 00:30:41.359 Or maybe I need a miracle, 00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:44.240 I need Colin here to turn water into wine, 00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:45.279 If I could see that, 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:46.599 Then I would really believe, 00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:46.899 Right? 00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:49.279 But actually don't be so sure, 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:51.700 In the New Testament, 00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:52.700 In John's gospel, 00:30:52.879 --> 00:30:54.000 John chapter 12, 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:56.960 The apostle John says this, 00:30:57.579 --> 00:30:59.399 Verse 27 I think it is, 00:30:59.599 --> 00:31:00.079 37, 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:00.420 It says, 00:31:00.819 --> 00:31:04.319 Though Jesus had done so many signs and miracles before them, 00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:06.299 Still they did not believe, 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:07.579 So think about that, 00:31:07.660 --> 00:31:09.160 Jesus raises people from the dead, 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:10.559 He heals this person, 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:12.160 Sets this person free, 00:31:12.619 --> 00:31:13.700 He does all these miracles, 00:31:13.700 --> 00:31:14.519 And yet still, 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:15.440 Nah, 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:17.160 Not convince you the Messiah, 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:19.440 Don't think there's anything special about you, 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.980 And then, 00:31:21.140 --> 00:31:23.240 John quotes Isaiah chapter 6, 00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:24.519 This very passage, 00:31:24.880 --> 00:31:25.880 To explain why, 00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:27.400 And he says this, 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.300 John says, 00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:30.580 Isaiah said this, 00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:32.560 Because he saw his glory, 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.820 And spoke of him, 00:31:34.680 --> 00:31:36.400 Isaiah saw Jesus glory, 00:31:36.540 --> 00:31:38.040 He saw God's glory, 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:39.900 And he was amazed by that, 00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:41.300 And Isaiah understood, 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:43.980 Unless you see the glory of God, 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.620 And particularly, 00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:46.740 Unless you see his grace, 00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:47.519 And his mercy, 00:31:47.640 --> 00:31:49.559 Towards undeserving rebels like us, 00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:51.000 Nothing in the world, 00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:52.000 Will convince you, 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:53.160 Of his wonder, 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:54.900 And the centrality of God, 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:57.660 Unless you see the glory of God, 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.579 And the way that he treats, 00:31:58.620 --> 00:31:59.759 Undeserving sinners like this, 00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:01.079 We will be tempted, 00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:02.779 To stay on the throne of our lives, 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:03.880 And live for ourselves, 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:06.440 Not even a supernatural miracle, 00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:08.120 Or sign and wonder will change you, 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.680 And you may be religious, 00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:10.839 And you may come to church, 00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:12.620 And you'll simply go through the motions, 00:32:12.619 --> 00:32:13.699 And you'll check your watch, 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:15.259 And you'll daydream about your stocks, 00:32:15.419 --> 00:32:15.939 And business, 00:32:16.039 --> 00:32:16.799 And all sorts of stuff, 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:18.719 And it will have no effect on you, 00:32:19.419 --> 00:32:21.099 And the only way for our hearts, 00:32:21.199 --> 00:32:23.199 To be delivered from our hardness of heart, 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:25.119 Is to see the majesty of God, 00:32:25.859 --> 00:32:27.000 To see his glory, 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:28.959 To see his grace, 00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:31.059 But here's the question, 00:32:31.199 --> 00:32:32.219 How do we do that? 00:32:32.899 --> 00:32:34.399 How do we see God's glory? 00:32:34.879 --> 00:32:36.059 Where do we see God's glory? 00:32:36.179 --> 00:32:36.339 I mean, 00:32:36.699 --> 00:32:38.859 Maybe you've got to go on a pilgrimage to the holy land, 00:32:39.379 --> 00:32:41.000 You've got to retrace Isaiah's steps, 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:42.599 And do what Isaiah's did, 00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:44.859 Where do we see God's glory? 00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:46.220 How do we see God's glory? 00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:49.299 Here we see the second thing, 00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:51.079 How God reveals himself, 00:32:51.299 --> 00:32:52.380 And calls us. 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:55.339 Do you know how God reveals himself to us, 00:32:55.359 --> 00:32:56.039 And calls us? 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:58.380 We see Jesus, 00:32:59.220 --> 00:33:00.259 And particularly, 00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:02.279 You see Jesus on the cross. 00:33:03.819 --> 00:33:05.259 When you look at the cross, 00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:06.339 What are you meant to see? 00:33:07.339 --> 00:33:08.319 What you meant to see, 00:33:08.399 --> 00:33:09.919 Is majesty and mercy, 00:33:10.859 --> 00:33:11.779 You see the holiness, 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:12.639 And the righteousness, 00:33:12.919 --> 00:33:14.500 And the glory of God, 00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:16.419 His set-apartness, 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.179 His distinctiveness, 00:33:17.319 --> 00:33:18.139 The fact that, 00:33:18.199 --> 00:33:20.319 God demonstrates his justice, 00:33:20.439 --> 00:33:21.539 And his moral perfection, 00:33:21.699 --> 00:33:23.699 By activating his divine justice, 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.799 Against all the wrong, 00:33:25.099 --> 00:33:25.799 And the wickedness, 00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:27.220 And the brokenness of this world, 00:33:27.939 --> 00:33:29.419 And our response ought to be, 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:30.220 Woe is me, 00:33:30.379 --> 00:33:30.819 God, 00:33:31.619 --> 00:33:32.939 If that's what I deserve, 00:33:33.119 --> 00:33:33.399 Jesus, 00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.599 If that's what I deserve, 00:33:34.599 --> 00:33:35.799 God woes me, 00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:37.759 I am undone, 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:40.319 And then you see, 00:33:41.079 --> 00:33:43.059 That God pulled that out, 00:33:43.139 --> 00:33:44.179 Not on me, 00:33:44.679 --> 00:33:46.059 But on himself, 00:33:46.859 --> 00:33:47.879 On Jesus, 00:33:48.659 --> 00:33:49.519 So that, 00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:51.199 God can look at me, 00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:52.139 And at you, 00:33:52.559 --> 00:33:53.240 And say, 00:33:53.939 --> 00:33:55.079 Your sin is atoned for, 00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:57.119 Your guilt is taken away, 00:33:57.899 --> 00:33:59.480 It is done, 00:33:59.480 --> 00:34:02.299 God, 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.799 Jesus is not just touched, 00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:04.519 On the lips, 00:34:04.579 --> 00:34:05.480 With a burning coal, 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:07.319 He's utterly destroyed, 00:34:07.420 --> 00:34:08.820 He goes through hell itself, 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.320 In our place, 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:12.480 So that all who trust in him, 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:14.139 Imperfect as we are, 00:34:14.800 --> 00:34:15.659 Can be saved, 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:16.260 Can hear, 00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:16.719 Behold, 00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:17.860 Your guilt is taken away, 00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:19.740 Your sin has been atoned for, 00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:22.219 And in that same chapter, 00:34:22.340 --> 00:34:23.000 In John's gospel, 00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:24.019 John chapter 12, 00:34:24.199 --> 00:34:24.539 A few, 00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:25.440 It's just a few days, 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:26.659 Before Jesus goes to cross, 00:34:26.780 --> 00:34:27.539 Jesus is praying, 00:34:27.619 --> 00:34:28.380 And this is what he says, 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:28.800 He says, 00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:31.240 Now my soul is troubled, 00:34:32.280 --> 00:34:33.160 And what shall I say, 00:34:33.280 --> 00:34:34.840 Father deliver me from this hour, 00:34:35.260 --> 00:34:36.820 But for this very purpose, 00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:38.280 I have come to this hour, 00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:40.000 Father glorify your name, 00:34:40.060 --> 00:34:40.380 In other words, 00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:40.860 Jesus says, 00:34:41.360 --> 00:34:42.140 Father show, 00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:43.820 These people your glory, 00:34:45.760 --> 00:34:46.760 And then Jesus says, 00:34:46.840 --> 00:34:48.100 When I am lifted up, 00:34:48.140 --> 00:34:48.800 From the earth, 00:34:48.860 --> 00:34:50.880 I will draw all men to myself, 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:51.760 And John adds, 00:34:52.360 --> 00:34:53.380 Jesus said this, 00:34:53.380 --> 00:34:55.000 To show by what kind of death, 00:34:55.080 --> 00:34:55.600 He would die, 00:34:56.640 --> 00:34:57.680 Isaiah saw God, 00:34:57.780 --> 00:34:58.780 High and lifted up, 00:34:58.800 --> 00:34:59.560 On the throne, 00:35:00.340 --> 00:35:01.280 John and the disciples, 00:35:01.280 --> 00:35:02.360 Saw Jesus high, 00:35:02.440 --> 00:35:02.960 And lifted up, 00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:03.640 On the cross, 00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:05.600 And they saw his glory, 00:35:06.560 --> 00:35:06.940 And do you remember, 00:35:07.060 --> 00:35:08.200 At the end of Mark's gospel, 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:09.800 Everyone in the gospels, 00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:10.780 They're not sure about Jesus, 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:11.660 Who is he really, 00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:12.500 Is the son of God, 00:35:12.580 --> 00:35:13.320 Who is this man, 00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:14.840 And a soldier, 00:35:15.019 --> 00:35:15.720 A centurion, 00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:17.320 Sees Jesus on the cross, 00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:18.660 High and lifted up, 00:35:18.680 --> 00:35:19.060 And he says, 00:35:19.140 --> 00:35:19.560 Behold, 00:35:20.220 --> 00:35:21.519 This is the son of God, 00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:22.980 Friends, 00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:24.380 If you see Jesus on the cross, 00:35:24.440 --> 00:35:25.500 And what he did for you, 00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:26.820 And that he went there, 00:35:26.820 --> 00:35:27.480 For your sin, 00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:28.199 And your shame, 00:35:28.260 --> 00:35:28.960 And your guilt, 00:35:29.780 --> 00:35:30.199 Do you know what, 00:35:30.239 --> 00:35:31.119 You'll see his glory, 00:35:32.039 --> 00:35:32.940 You'll see his glory, 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:33.599 And on one hand, 00:35:33.659 --> 00:35:34.179 You'll want to say, 00:35:34.820 --> 00:35:35.960 God I can't believe it, 00:35:36.000 --> 00:35:36.960 I'm so unworthy, 00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:37.800 And so undeserving, 00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:39.039 And the other hand, 00:35:39.099 --> 00:35:39.940 You'll be so secure, 00:35:40.039 --> 00:35:40.820 And filled with his love, 00:35:40.880 --> 00:35:41.800 It'll change your life, 00:35:41.800 --> 00:35:44.080 As we come to a close, 00:35:44.180 --> 00:35:45.400 In Exodus 33, 00:35:45.760 --> 00:35:47.100 Moses prays this prayer, 00:35:47.200 --> 00:35:47.480 He says, 00:35:47.560 --> 00:35:47.800 Father, 00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:48.180 He says, 00:35:48.340 --> 00:35:48.600 God, 00:35:48.700 --> 00:35:49.080 Not Father, 00:35:49.160 --> 00:35:49.300 He says, 00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:49.580 God, 00:35:49.800 --> 00:35:51.280 Please show me your glory, 00:35:51.780 --> 00:35:53.260 For years and years and years, 00:35:53.320 --> 00:35:54.039 I prayed that prayer, 00:35:54.120 --> 00:35:54.240 I said, 00:35:54.320 --> 00:35:55.500 God show me your glory, 00:35:55.840 --> 00:35:57.740 I want to see you like Isaiah saw you, 00:35:57.760 --> 00:35:58.800 I want to be blown away, 00:35:58.880 --> 00:36:00.080 God show me your glory, 00:36:01.000 --> 00:36:01.680 And then one day, 00:36:01.700 --> 00:36:02.880 I was reading John's gospel, 00:36:03.080 --> 00:36:03.940 John chapter 12, 00:36:04.019 --> 00:36:05.780 And I realized what Jesus was saying, 00:36:06.700 --> 00:36:07.440 And Jesus was saying, 00:36:07.500 --> 00:36:08.740 If you see me on the cross, 00:36:08.800 --> 00:36:09.420 And what I did, 00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:10.500 And what I went there for you, 00:36:10.620 --> 00:36:11.700 You've seen my glory, 00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:13.320 You've seen enough, 00:36:14.260 --> 00:36:14.860 And so friends, 00:36:15.500 --> 00:36:16.600 When you look at the cross, 00:36:16.660 --> 00:36:17.320 What do you see? 00:36:18.800 --> 00:36:20.360 Do you see a religious fanatic, 00:36:20.560 --> 00:36:22.320 That said some outrageous things, 00:36:22.400 --> 00:36:23.500 And ultimately brought about, 00:36:23.560 --> 00:36:24.780 His own untimely death? 00:36:26.280 --> 00:36:27.680 Do you see a moral teacher, 00:36:27.800 --> 00:36:28.740 Who got on the wrong side, 00:36:28.800 --> 00:36:30.480 Of the political and religious elite? 00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:33.820 Do you see a social libertarian, 00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:35.019 One who stood up for the poor, 00:36:35.100 --> 00:36:35.640 And the marginalized, 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:36.920 Said some good things? 00:36:38.180 --> 00:36:39.940 Or do you see what God wants you to see? 00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:42.440 Do you see His glory, 00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:43.579 The God of all creation, 00:36:44.220 --> 00:36:45.260 Coming to you, 00:36:45.360 --> 00:36:46.519 Coming for you, 00:36:47.059 --> 00:36:48.220 To die the death, 00:36:48.260 --> 00:36:49.079 That we deserved, 00:36:49.599 --> 00:36:50.800 In order to reveal, 00:36:50.900 --> 00:36:51.700 His majesty, 00:36:51.820 --> 00:36:52.559 And His mercy, 00:36:53.460 --> 00:36:54.159 His greatness, 00:36:54.360 --> 00:36:55.200 And His grace, 00:36:55.900 --> 00:36:57.260 So that we could be saved, 00:36:58.079 --> 00:37:00.019 So that we can hear the words, 00:37:00.220 --> 00:37:01.860 Your sin has been taken away, 00:37:02.659 --> 00:37:04.579 Your guilt has been atoned for, 00:37:04.579 --> 00:37:06.980 Enter into the joy of my presence, 00:37:07.699 --> 00:37:08.219 Friends, 00:37:08.299 --> 00:37:09.059 Why don't we come to Him, 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:09.779 And do that now, 00:37:10.699 --> 00:37:11.599 Let's pray together, 00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:13.840 Why don't you join me as we pray, 00:37:15.259 --> 00:37:16.199 Lord Jesus, 00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:17.539 This passage, 00:37:17.659 --> 00:37:19.579 Is one of the most glorious passages, 00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:20.779 In your whole Bible, 00:37:22.599 --> 00:37:24.199 As Isaiah sees the glory, 00:37:24.420 --> 00:37:25.039 And the greatness, 00:37:25.340 --> 00:37:26.599 And the grace of you, 00:37:27.420 --> 00:37:28.440 Isaiah saw you, 00:37:28.559 --> 00:37:29.340 And saw your glory, 00:37:30.159 --> 00:37:30.639 Lord Jesus, 00:37:30.759 --> 00:37:32.039 We want to see your glory as well, 00:37:32.039 --> 00:37:33.820 We want to see your majesty, 00:37:33.980 --> 00:37:34.619 We want to see, 00:37:36.320 --> 00:37:38.380 We want to see you for who you really are, 00:37:39.659 --> 00:37:40.219 Oh God, 00:37:40.300 --> 00:37:41.380 Open the eyes of our hearts, 00:37:41.559 --> 00:37:42.599 By your spirit, 00:37:43.259 --> 00:37:45.219 Help us to see Jesus on a cross, 00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:47.159 Who went there for us, 00:37:48.380 --> 00:37:50.400 And then God help us to get on our knees, 00:37:50.820 --> 00:37:52.420 And to praise you God, 00:37:52.480 --> 00:37:54.099 With everything that we have, 00:37:55.360 --> 00:37:57.340 God for those of us that are not Christians, 00:37:57.579 --> 00:37:58.900 God open the eyes of our hearts, 00:37:59.320 --> 00:38:00.980 Show us Jesus I pray, 00:38:00.980 --> 00:38:03.240 Show us why he died on the cross, 00:38:04.199 --> 00:38:05.659 And God call us to yourself, 00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:08.420 And God for those of us that are Christians, 00:38:08.579 --> 00:38:11.260 Lord I pray may we follow you wholeheartedly, 00:38:11.840 --> 00:38:13.199 Entirely devoted to you, 00:38:13.880 --> 00:38:15.139 Because we've seen who you are, 00:38:15.139 --> 00:38:16.119 And what you've done for us, 00:38:17.579 --> 00:38:18.920 God as a church, 00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:20.460 Corporately together, 00:38:21.059 --> 00:38:22.059 Show us your glory, 00:38:22.719 --> 00:38:23.440 Show us Jesus, 00:38:24.659 --> 00:38:25.659 Show us your grace, 00:38:26.519 --> 00:38:27.300 Pray this, 00:38:27.820 --> 00:38:29.139 In your great and wonderful name, 00:38:30.260 --> 00:38:30.559 Amen, 00:38:30.980 --> 00:38:31.639 I pray this thing, 00:38:31.740 --> 00:38:31.880 Amen, 00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:32.059 Amen, 00:38:32.340 --> 00:38:32.860 Amen, 00:38:33.139 --> 00:38:33.280 Amen, 00:38:33.340 --> 00:38:55.460 Amen, 00:38:56.340 --> 00:38:56.579 Amen,