WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.259 --> 00:00:09.519 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:15.280 redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:22.080 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.659 Our reading is from the prophet Isaiah chapter 6 verses 1 through 8 as printed in your liturgy. 00:00:38.759 --> 00:00:45.179 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne, 00:00:45.880 --> 00:00:48.579 and the train of his robe filled the temple. 00:00:49.679 --> 00:00:53.019 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings. 00:00:53.700 --> 00:00:58.060 With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, 00:00:58.460 --> 00:00:59.840 and with two they were flying. 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:02.140 And they were calling to one another, 00:01:02.619 --> 00:01:05.159 Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty. 00:01:05.739 --> 00:01:08.079 The whole earth is full of his glory. 00:01:09.180 --> 00:01:13.140 At the sound of their voices, the doorposts and thresholds shook, 00:01:13.700 --> 00:01:15.500 and the temple was filled with smoke. 00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:21.299 Woe to me, I cried, I am ruined, for I am a man of unclean lips, 00:01:21.719 --> 00:01:24.460 and I live among a people of unclean lips, 00:01:24.620 --> 00:01:28.000 and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty. 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:33.620 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, 00:01:34.040 --> 00:01:36.079 which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 00:01:37.079 --> 00:01:39.400 With it he touched my mouth and said, 00:01:39.960 --> 00:01:41.819 See, this has touched your lips. 00:01:42.319 --> 00:01:45.500 Your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for. 00:01:45.500 --> 00:01:48.280 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 00:01:48.819 --> 00:01:51.239 Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? 00:01:51.780 --> 00:01:54.620 And I said, Here am I, send me. 00:01:55.359 --> 00:01:56.739 This is the word of the Lord. 00:01:57.460 --> 00:01:58.560 Thanks be to God. 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:02.460 Well, good morning. 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:03.420 My name's Andrew. 00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:04.579 I'm one of the pastors here. 00:02:05.219 --> 00:02:08.080 And it's good to be with you this morning. 00:02:08.219 --> 00:02:10.180 It was fun at Boxes of Love yesterday. 00:02:10.699 --> 00:02:12.259 Man, people can move really fast. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:14.460 I was on the tape. 00:02:15.480 --> 00:02:17.259 This is the last part of the bottleneck, right? 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:18.680 And you've got to tape those boxes shut. 00:02:19.180 --> 00:02:21.580 And this guy, he said, Hey, you come do the tape with me. 00:02:21.580 --> 00:02:22.320 I was like, Oh, shoot. 00:02:22.960 --> 00:02:24.240 And he was a machine. 00:02:24.380 --> 00:02:28.400 He was like, And I was like, Sorry, sorry. 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:30.860 But everyone else, you did such a great job. 00:02:31.060 --> 00:02:33.360 And I can't wait for it again next year. 00:02:35.060 --> 00:02:35.800 What are we doing? 00:02:35.960 --> 00:02:36.920 Okay, we're preaching. 00:02:40.920 --> 00:02:43.880 So you may have noticed we're in this fall series. 00:02:43.880 --> 00:02:45.939 We were in this fall series called Explore God. 00:02:46.080 --> 00:02:48.800 We joined with hundreds of other churches in the Bay Area, 00:02:49.260 --> 00:02:50.680 exploring God for seven weeks, 00:02:50.680 --> 00:02:51.740 asking big questions. 00:02:52.740 --> 00:02:54.439 And there were two weeks, though, 00:02:54.620 --> 00:02:57.080 in between our Explore God series and Thanksgiving, 00:02:57.599 --> 00:03:00.780 where Jonathan and I wanted to just preach sermons 00:03:00.780 --> 00:03:04.260 that spoke particularly to our specific moment 00:03:04.260 --> 00:03:08.439 in this moment of our history as a church, 00:03:08.520 --> 00:03:09.460 Christ Church East Bay. 00:03:09.700 --> 00:03:13.620 So last week, Jonathan announced our capital campaign 00:03:13.620 --> 00:03:16.860 to raise $600,000 to pay off what we owe 00:03:16.860 --> 00:03:19.360 on this historic, strategic church property 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:20.860 by the end of next year. 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:23.540 And another thing that's going on in our churches, 00:03:23.900 --> 00:03:25.980 as you know, we're looking for a worship director. 00:03:26.180 --> 00:03:28.700 And I'm the interim worship director right now. 00:03:28.760 --> 00:03:30.660 So Jonathan, last week, he preached on, 00:03:31.280 --> 00:03:32.060 you know, he preached a sermon 00:03:32.060 --> 00:03:34.200 that most pastors never want to preach, right? 00:03:34.740 --> 00:03:36.800 He preached on giving and generosity, 00:03:37.220 --> 00:03:39.120 about how the ancient people of God 00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:42.020 gave gratefully and cheerfully and generously 00:03:42.020 --> 00:03:44.060 to build a place of worship, 00:03:44.260 --> 00:03:45.260 to build the tabernacle. 00:03:45.259 --> 00:03:47.959 And if you think that the main point, though, 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:49.739 of that story was generosity, 00:03:49.979 --> 00:03:51.979 just generosity toward a house of worship, 00:03:52.079 --> 00:03:53.519 I want to remind you this morning 00:03:53.519 --> 00:03:54.939 about how that story ended. 00:03:55.679 --> 00:03:57.879 Because remember, not only did they give generously, 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:00.439 not only did they build that tabernacle, 00:04:00.519 --> 00:04:01.560 but more importantly, 00:04:02.259 --> 00:04:05.259 when the tabernacle was completed, what happened? 00:04:05.939 --> 00:04:08.739 The glory of the Lord fell upon 00:04:08.739 --> 00:04:12.219 and filled that tabernacle in a thick cloud. 00:04:12.219 --> 00:04:15.020 The point of that story about the building of the tabernacle 00:04:15.020 --> 00:04:17.240 and all the extravagant giving 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:20.560 that went toward that capital campaign project, 00:04:21.100 --> 00:04:22.920 it wasn't just a story of generosity. 00:04:23.040 --> 00:04:24.519 The point was that for God's people, 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:27.980 there was nothing more valuable to them, 00:04:28.120 --> 00:04:30.000 nothing more worthy of their investment 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:34.379 than the worship of God and his presence among them. 00:04:35.620 --> 00:04:37.660 Like see, generosity toward the church is one thing, 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:39.740 but apart from worship, 00:04:39.740 --> 00:04:43.600 apart from a passion for the presence of God. 00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:45.180 If we give and give and give, 00:04:45.220 --> 00:04:46.519 even with lavishness, 00:04:46.939 --> 00:04:50.060 but God is not wanted and worshiped here, 00:04:50.620 --> 00:04:53.620 and thus God is not pleased to dwell here amongst us, 00:04:53.639 --> 00:04:55.040 then we could raise that 600K, 00:04:55.079 --> 00:04:56.340 we could raise a trillion, 00:04:57.639 --> 00:05:01.300 but it will only be toward a four-walled waste of money. 00:05:01.740 --> 00:05:05.720 If there are no praises here for our God to inhabit. 00:05:05.720 --> 00:05:09.200 As King David said in Psalm 22, verse 3, 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:10.740 you are holy, 00:05:11.380 --> 00:05:12.240 and literally it says, 00:05:12.520 --> 00:05:15.900 you inhabit the hallelujahs of your people. 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:19.260 You inhabit the hallelujahs of your people. 00:05:19.340 --> 00:05:21.300 You sit enthroned in their praises. 00:05:22.660 --> 00:05:23.580 So Christ Church family, 00:05:23.740 --> 00:05:25.580 yes, we want to be generous, 00:05:25.940 --> 00:05:28.680 and yes, we do believe God wants us to preach the gospel 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:31.820 and minister here in this historic and strategic location 00:05:31.820 --> 00:05:33.780 in Berkeley, the Bay, and beyond, 00:05:33.779 --> 00:05:35.500 and hopefully we will call this property, 00:05:35.779 --> 00:05:37.639 you know, truly our own without debt, 00:05:38.659 --> 00:05:39.679 but make no mistake, 00:05:40.559 --> 00:05:42.559 if God is not worshipped here, 00:05:43.479 --> 00:05:45.979 if his glory is not beheld here, 00:05:46.019 --> 00:05:48.219 and if his presence doesn't fill this place, 00:05:48.259 --> 00:05:50.719 and he is not enthroned in our praises, 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:54.139 then I hope he sabotages our capital campaign. 00:05:55.599 --> 00:05:58.099 I hope he sabotages all our plans for this building 00:05:58.099 --> 00:05:58.859 and for this church 00:05:58.859 --> 00:06:02.279 if we do not worship him here in his presence. 00:06:02.279 --> 00:06:05.119 So the question isn't simply, 00:06:05.459 --> 00:06:06.539 will Christ Church, 00:06:06.659 --> 00:06:09.259 will we as a church family be generous enough 00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:10.279 to raise 600K? 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:12.259 The question is, will we worship? 00:06:13.559 --> 00:06:14.639 Will we worship here? 00:06:14.719 --> 00:06:16.159 This is my question for us today, 00:06:16.199 --> 00:06:16.879 as your pastor, 00:06:17.059 --> 00:06:19.299 as your interim worship director, 00:06:20.299 --> 00:06:23.159 as we look ahead to owning this place debt-free, 00:06:23.299 --> 00:06:24.619 and as we look for a new worship director, 00:06:24.699 --> 00:06:27.799 and as we're in this season of re-exploring, right, 00:06:27.839 --> 00:06:29.599 and rediscovering the heart of worship, 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:31.879 apart from all the bells and whistles 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:33.439 maybe many of us got used to, 00:06:33.660 --> 00:06:34.379 will we worship? 00:06:35.660 --> 00:06:37.600 Will we fill this place with the kind of praise 00:06:37.600 --> 00:06:41.420 that the holy, holy, holy God desires to inhabit? 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:45.600 And in case you're wondering what that might look like, 00:06:46.480 --> 00:06:49.740 that's why we had Cherubha read that passage this morning 00:06:49.740 --> 00:06:52.120 from Isaiah chapter 6, 00:06:52.280 --> 00:06:54.780 Isaiah describing his famous vision of the Lord. 00:06:54.779 --> 00:06:56.679 I saw the Lord, he says, 00:06:57.299 --> 00:06:59.779 enthroned amidst hundreds of hallelujahs, 00:07:00.799 --> 00:07:01.779 hundreds of holy hallelujahs. 00:07:02.519 --> 00:07:03.500 So what we're gonna do this morning 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:05.659 is we're gonna walk through this passage, 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:07.719 kinda like I'm gonna be your tour guide, 00:07:08.479 --> 00:07:10.579 and I just wanna point out to you 00:07:10.579 --> 00:07:14.259 what it means to be a worshiping church. 00:07:15.359 --> 00:07:17.039 You know, this week, this passage, 00:07:17.159 --> 00:07:19.299 it just really wrecked me. 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:23.160 There's just so much that I saw in it, 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:25.600 that God spoke to me in it, 00:07:25.639 --> 00:07:28.500 and I had no idea how to organize all those thoughts. 00:07:29.400 --> 00:07:31.660 And I trembled to consider 00:07:31.660 --> 00:07:34.460 being up here preaching this text 00:07:34.460 --> 00:07:36.540 with my own unclean lips. 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:40.720 How do I preach this holy, holy, holy God? 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:45.600 But I think we'll find out in Isaiah chapter 6 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:47.439 what kind of a God he is 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:50.600 and how he enables even preachers like myself 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:54.180 to come before him, to serve him, 00:07:54.860 --> 00:07:58.140 and to fill his church that we might serve him as well. 00:07:59.060 --> 00:08:00.200 So, you know, I haven't prayed yet. 00:08:00.340 --> 00:08:02.280 I wanna do that this morning. 00:08:03.640 --> 00:08:05.160 And I think it's fitting, actually, 00:08:05.320 --> 00:08:06.939 to pray on my knees. 00:08:08.100 --> 00:08:09.760 I don't normally do this here, 00:08:09.840 --> 00:08:11.240 and I don't mean to make you uncomfortable 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:12.620 or to make this a show, 00:08:12.620 --> 00:08:15.800 but I think we need this. 00:08:25.180 --> 00:08:26.060 Father, you know, 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:29.480 this is gonna be a different kind of sermon. 00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:35.259 Father, who am I 00:08:35.259 --> 00:08:38.620 to preach your glory 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:41.919 and your holiness 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:44.059 and your majesty 00:08:44.059 --> 00:08:47.179 with my unclean lips? 00:08:48.939 --> 00:08:50.019 And who are we 00:08:50.019 --> 00:08:53.220 to come before you 00:08:53.220 --> 00:08:57.120 to take the body of your son 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:58.639 and his blood upon our lips, 00:08:58.720 --> 00:08:59.740 our unclean lips, 00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:01.059 as a church? 00:09:01.059 --> 00:09:05.299 Lord, open our eyes. 00:09:08.319 --> 00:09:10.379 Would you set before us 00:09:10.379 --> 00:09:14.439 your immense holiness? 00:09:18.619 --> 00:09:22.359 Would we be stunned, Lord God, 00:09:23.099 --> 00:09:24.319 in your presence, 00:09:26.799 --> 00:09:29.279 arrested by your holiness, 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:32.360 would we catch this vision? 00:09:32.459 --> 00:09:33.159 Would we see you? 00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:34.779 Would we encounter you 00:09:34.779 --> 00:09:37.959 as the God that you are? 00:09:41.339 --> 00:09:42.959 And would you fill us with praise, 00:09:43.740 --> 00:09:44.799 reverent praise, 00:09:45.299 --> 00:09:46.980 but also confident praise, 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:49.220 for you have provided the way 00:09:49.220 --> 00:09:50.839 before your throne 00:09:50.839 --> 00:09:52.299 in Christ Jesus. 00:09:52.299 --> 00:09:54.299 and would you 00:09:54.299 --> 00:09:55.559 so fill our hearts 00:09:55.559 --> 00:09:57.079 with adoration for Christ, 00:09:57.759 --> 00:09:59.039 who has brought us near 00:09:59.039 --> 00:09:59.959 to the holy God. 00:10:01.819 --> 00:10:03.439 And Lord, as we always pray, 00:10:03.559 --> 00:10:05.299 would this be a sacred place, 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:06.719 Christ's church? 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:14.599 Would you inhabit 00:10:14.599 --> 00:10:16.459 our hallelujahs? 00:10:16.460 --> 00:10:21.720 would our praises go out, 00:10:21.800 --> 00:10:22.680 would they go forth? 00:10:27.480 --> 00:10:28.960 Would the nations be glad 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:30.720 along with us 00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:34.160 because of the great salvation 00:10:34.160 --> 00:10:37.500 you've offered us in Christ? 00:10:39.700 --> 00:10:41.240 So be honored, Lord God, 00:10:41.800 --> 00:10:43.080 in the preaching of your word, 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:46.340 and give us eyes to see, 00:10:47.200 --> 00:10:49.879 hearts that are longing, 00:10:51.280 --> 00:10:52.300 in Jesus' name. 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:53.620 Amen. 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:02.800 I'm just gonna walk us through 00:11:02.800 --> 00:11:03.840 this text, 00:11:04.520 --> 00:11:06.220 and I want us to have worship 00:11:06.220 --> 00:11:07.560 on our minds. 00:11:08.800 --> 00:11:09.980 Jonathan sent me something 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:11.560 really kind of humorous, 00:11:11.559 --> 00:11:13.439 but also like so profound 00:11:13.439 --> 00:11:14.339 this week 00:11:14.339 --> 00:11:15.779 from a pastor friend of his. 00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:17.639 He said, 00:11:19.059 --> 00:11:19.239 you know, 00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:21.559 if you ask a typical churchgoer 00:11:21.559 --> 00:11:24.579 you know, 00:11:24.619 --> 00:11:25.979 just how they experienced 00:11:25.979 --> 00:11:27.219 Sunday worship 00:11:27.219 --> 00:11:28.719 or what they expected 00:11:28.719 --> 00:11:29.439 to experience 00:11:29.439 --> 00:11:30.219 at Sunday worship, 00:11:30.339 --> 00:11:30.779 they might say, 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:31.559 well, you know, 00:11:31.579 --> 00:11:32.559 there's gonna be some music. 00:11:33.419 --> 00:11:34.719 I kinda like the song selection 00:11:34.719 --> 00:11:36.259 this week compared to last week. 00:11:36.979 --> 00:11:38.299 The pastor had, you know, 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:39.399 two or three points, 00:11:39.719 --> 00:11:41.259 and this is something funny 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:41.939 that he said, 00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:43.600 and then the donuts 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:44.340 were kinda nice. 00:11:45.480 --> 00:11:45.819 Right. 00:11:47.659 --> 00:11:48.860 But if you ask Isaiah, 00:11:49.399 --> 00:11:50.000 right, 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:51.720 if you ask Isaiah 00:11:51.720 --> 00:11:53.580 what he experienced 00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:54.779 in worship, 00:11:55.779 --> 00:11:58.240 he would say, 00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:00.779 I saw God. 00:12:02.679 --> 00:12:03.860 I saw God 00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:05.319 for who he was. 00:12:05.320 --> 00:12:08.440 and then I saw myself 00:12:08.440 --> 00:12:11.020 for who I am 00:12:11.020 --> 00:12:11.740 before him 00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:15.240 and it was terrifying, 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:19.040 but I also saw his mercy 00:12:19.040 --> 00:12:22.960 and I saw my calling 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:24.640 from that day forward. 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:27.180 I was transformed 00:12:27.180 --> 00:12:29.480 because I saw God. 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:33.500 every Sunday 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:34.279 when we come here, 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:35.620 we don't come here 00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:36.300 to mess around. 00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:38.920 We come here 00:12:38.920 --> 00:12:41.220 to encounter God. 00:12:43.220 --> 00:12:44.700 I teach my girls this 00:12:44.700 --> 00:12:46.420 every Sunday. 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:47.360 I say, 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:48.159 girls, 00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:49.080 what day is today? 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:50.620 And I've trained them 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:50.940 to say, 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:51.879 it's the Lord's day. 00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:54.399 It's the Lord's day. 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:56.060 And I say, 00:12:56.159 --> 00:12:57.019 and what do we do 00:12:57.019 --> 00:12:58.159 on the Lord's day? 00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:59.980 And they say, 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:01.199 we worship God. 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:04.199 We worship God. 00:13:05.219 --> 00:13:06.959 This is not something 00:13:06.959 --> 00:13:08.179 to take lightly. 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:10.059 We worship 00:13:10.059 --> 00:13:10.939 the holy, 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:11.659 holy, 00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:13.219 holy God. 00:13:14.059 --> 00:13:14.759 So let's see 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:16.559 what Isaiah saw 00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:19.019 in Isaiah chapter six. 00:13:20.779 --> 00:13:22.159 Now look with me 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:22.819 at verse one. 00:13:22.820 --> 00:13:28.580 This isn't some fantasy 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:29.379 that he's having, 00:13:29.540 --> 00:13:30.420 some mythical fantasy 00:13:30.420 --> 00:13:32.180 that he's trying to make up. 00:13:32.280 --> 00:13:33.180 He is rooting this 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:34.200 in a historical moment. 00:13:34.300 --> 00:13:35.100 In the year 00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:37.720 that King Uzziah died, 00:13:38.420 --> 00:13:39.180 I saw the Lord, 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:39.720 he says. 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:41.120 High and exalted, 00:13:41.640 --> 00:13:42.740 seated on a throne, 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:44.680 and the train of his robe 00:13:44.680 --> 00:13:46.180 filled the temple. 00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:49.839 There's a lot packed 00:13:49.839 --> 00:13:50.799 into this right here. 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:52.459 There's a lot going on 00:13:52.459 --> 00:13:53.859 in this historical moment. 00:13:53.959 --> 00:13:54.039 See, 00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:55.739 because King Uzziah, 00:13:56.419 --> 00:13:57.079 you could argue, 00:13:57.179 --> 00:13:58.179 was one of the greatest kings 00:13:58.179 --> 00:13:58.759 of Israel. 00:13:59.739 --> 00:14:00.559 He's the king 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:00.899 that reigned 00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:01.679 the second longest 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:02.599 of all the kings, 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:03.279 and the king that reigned 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:03.899 longer than him, 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:04.439 Manasseh, 00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:05.099 he was wicked. 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:05.559 He was awful. 00:14:05.599 --> 00:14:06.339 He was one of the worst. 00:14:06.339 --> 00:14:06.859 All right? 00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:08.039 But King Uzziah, 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:10.139 he reigned for 52 years, 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:12.579 and Israel prospered, 00:14:12.979 --> 00:14:14.199 and Israel followed, 00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:14.940 and worshipped, 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:16.680 and feared the Lord. 00:14:17.560 --> 00:14:18.500 Very good years. 00:14:18.560 --> 00:14:19.180 You could read about it 00:14:19.180 --> 00:14:20.379 in 2 Chronicles 26. 00:14:21.520 --> 00:14:22.540 He reigned from the time 00:14:22.540 --> 00:14:23.360 he was 16. 00:14:23.580 --> 00:14:24.680 He listened to the priest 00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:25.740 who taught him. 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:27.080 He sought the Lord. 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:28.660 He was victorious in battle. 00:14:29.300 --> 00:14:30.340 The nations paid him tribute. 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:31.420 He was famous. 00:14:32.020 --> 00:14:33.160 The soil was fertile. 00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:34.680 There were large herds. 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.960 He built many monuments 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:36.660 and structures. 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:39.720 He fortified the nation of Israel. 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:42.120 And he had a whole huge army, 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:43.160 mighty warriors, 00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:44.939 to defend his people. 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:46.699 He was successful in every way 00:14:46.699 --> 00:14:49.779 until he grew proud. 00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:52.019 He grew proud of all these accomplishments 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:53.100 as we often do. 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:55.579 He grew so proud that he thought, 00:14:56.519 --> 00:14:57.459 apparently I can do anything, 00:14:58.039 --> 00:14:58.759 so I'm going to walk 00:14:58.759 --> 00:15:00.819 into the holy place of the temple. 00:15:01.579 --> 00:15:03.919 I'm going to burn my own incense unto God. 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:05.639 I'm going to worship him how I want 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:07.319 because I'm this amazing king. 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:09.759 And he went in and did what only the priests 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:11.220 were allowed to do. 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:13.560 And so the priests, 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:14.980 60 of them said, 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:16.720 no, you cannot do this. 00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:17.899 You must not do this. 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:18.680 They rebuked him. 00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:19.540 They withstood him. 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:21.080 And he got angry. 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.600 But in his anger, 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:24.759 as soon as he was angry, 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.560 in response, 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:26.779 God struck him, 00:15:27.040 --> 00:15:28.019 his forehead, it says, 00:15:28.180 --> 00:15:28.980 with leprosy, 00:15:29.560 --> 00:15:30.720 which meant that 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:31.920 for the rest of his life, 00:15:32.560 --> 00:15:33.180 he could, one, 00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:35.600 no longer even live in his own palace, 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:36.639 and two, 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:38.399 he never stepped foot 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:41.120 into the temple ever again. 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.420 And he lived alone 00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:44.300 and he died alone. 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:46.639 That's what happened. 00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:49.500 That's the context around this 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:52.440 in the year that King Uzziah died. 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:56.300 So if you are a part of the nation of Israel, 00:15:56.420 --> 00:15:57.060 you are nervous. 00:15:57.340 --> 00:15:58.779 This was the greatest king 00:15:58.779 --> 00:16:00.340 that you've seen in a long time. 00:16:00.420 --> 00:16:01.639 52 years of prosperity. 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:03.540 Now he's struck with leprosy. 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:04.579 Now he's dead. 00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:07.019 Also at this time, 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:08.219 the Assyrians had started 00:16:08.219 --> 00:16:09.480 their major conquest 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:10.779 and they were coming closer 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:13.199 and closer to Israel every year. 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:15.939 And according to Jewish tradition, 00:16:16.339 --> 00:16:18.019 not only was this a time 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:19.519 of political, national instability 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:20.399 for Israel, 00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:22.679 Isaiah personally would have felt this 00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:24.199 because according to the Jewish tradition, 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:28.000 Isaiah's dad and Uzziah's dad 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:28.500 were brothers. 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.459 So they were cousins. 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:32.419 Isaiah was part of this royal family 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:34.299 and this was happening to his cousin. 00:16:34.939 --> 00:16:35.139 All right? 00:16:36.299 --> 00:16:38.819 Lots of hard stuff is going on here 00:16:38.819 --> 00:16:42.299 as we come into Isaiah chapter six, verse one. 00:16:43.579 --> 00:16:45.059 And yet it's precisely in this moment 00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:45.819 of instability 00:16:45.819 --> 00:16:50.719 that God reveals himself to Isaiah. 00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:53.379 In the year that King Uzziah died, 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:56.399 I saw the Lord seated on a throne. 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:57.639 Right. 00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:03.659 And I love how Jackie Hill Perry puts this. 00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:05.900 In this moment when Israel's questioning 00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:08.339 their well-being, 00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:09.680 Jackie Hill Perry, 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:10.900 if you haven't read her book, 00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:11.759 Holier Than Thou, 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.879 I highly recommend it. 00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:14.139 But she says, 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:15.539 Uzziah is dead, 00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:18.339 but the King of God's people is alive, 00:17:18.740 --> 00:17:19.660 sitting on his throne. 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.799 Maybe that seems obvious, 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.480 but don't miss this. 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:25.120 A big part of the holiness of God 00:17:25.120 --> 00:17:27.500 is that God has never not been alive. 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:29.299 God is self-existent. 00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:30.640 He exists because he exists. 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:33.200 He needs no one but himself to be. 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:35.099 Therefore, he always has 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:36.400 and will always be. 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:38.380 He was before was, 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.700 was, she says. 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:42.900 So in the year that King Uzziah died, 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.900 this great King of Israel, 00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:45.500 God reveals himself 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:47.579 as an alternative King, 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:48.519 as a better King, 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:50.240 a King that will never die. 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:52.279 And that's who he sees 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:53.440 in this vision, 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:54.539 high and lifted up, 00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:56.420 seated on a throne. 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:58.579 Now another thing 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.440 that's interesting though, 00:17:59.559 --> 00:17:59.700 right, 00:17:59.819 --> 00:18:00.900 is Uzziah, 00:18:01.120 --> 00:18:01.940 what was he punished for? 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:03.120 He was punished for trying to be 00:18:03.120 --> 00:18:04.620 both a king and a priest. 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:06.039 That never happened before 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:08.279 in all of the nation of Israel's history. 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:08.920 Right? 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:10.660 And yet somehow, 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:12.240 in this temple vision, 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:14.319 you have this king sitting on the throne, 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:16.039 and it's okay for him 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:16.740 to be on the throne. 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:19.480 You have a king and a priest there, 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:20.339 it's the Lord. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:22.420 There's something utterly unique 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.120 about this king, 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:24.339 and we'll talk about that more later. 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.500 Look with me now at verse two. 00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.799 What else is going on here? 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:30.360 Above him were seraphim, 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:31.579 each with six wings. 00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:32.819 With two wings, 00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:33.799 they covered their faces. 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:34.700 With two, 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.579 they covered their feet. 00:18:35.660 --> 00:18:36.200 And with two, 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.660 they were flying. 00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:39.440 So, 00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:40.860 in case you're wondering 00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:41.680 what seraphim are, 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:42.360 they're probably like 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:43.539 these angelic figures. 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.019 This is the only place 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:45.860 in all of scripture 00:18:45.860 --> 00:18:47.799 that talks about these figures. 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.779 There's these seraphim, 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:50.720 literally the burning ones. 00:18:50.919 --> 00:18:51.019 All right? 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:51.159 So, 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:52.519 they're these burning creatures, 00:18:53.159 --> 00:18:53.500 angels, 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.859 unfallen creatures, 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.839 with six wings. 00:18:57.399 --> 00:18:58.319 Two to fly, 00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.700 two to cover their faces, 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:01.200 and two to cover their feet. 00:19:01.399 --> 00:19:02.559 They're covered from head to toe. 00:19:02.919 --> 00:19:03.180 Why? 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:04.980 Because even though 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.740 the very thing 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.599 that they're created for, 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:07.419 the only thing scripture 00:19:07.419 --> 00:19:08.500 ever tells us about them 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.180 is that they're here 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:10.119 to worship God, 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:11.500 they can hardly do that. 00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:12.980 They can hardly be 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.779 in the presence of God, 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:14.799 even though they're created 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:16.659 to be in the presence of God, 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:17.259 even though they're 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.619 unfallen creatures. 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:22.299 And if anyone of us 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.359 saw one of these creatures 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:24.440 like flying to this place, 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.680 it'd probably freak us out. 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:26.119 All right? 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:28.200 And they're just kind of 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:29.139 so strange, right? 00:19:29.159 --> 00:19:30.539 What is this image? 00:19:30.899 --> 00:19:31.440 I don't know. 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.559 It's hard to imagine, right? 00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:33.720 But I think the point 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:35.419 is to accent 00:19:35.419 --> 00:19:36.919 the strangeness, 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:38.059 the otherness 00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:39.319 of God. 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:40.899 Our holy, 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:41.700 holy, 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:43.259 holy God. 00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:45.799 Even the unfallen creatures, 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:46.519 these angels, 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:48.900 cannot bear his presence 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:50.360 without covering themselves 00:19:50.360 --> 00:19:51.500 with their wings. 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:53.840 Now look with me 00:19:53.840 --> 00:19:54.360 at verse three. 00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:55.120 What are they doing? 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.740 Well, they're worshiping. 00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.700 They're worshiping. 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:01.400 And they were calling 00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:02.319 to one another. 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:03.059 I love that. 00:20:04.080 --> 00:20:05.480 They're worshiping 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:07.200 by preaching 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.120 to one another 00:20:08.120 --> 00:20:09.420 the truths about God. 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:10.940 You know, 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:11.640 when I was 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:13.299 a young worship leader 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:14.039 in high school 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:15.680 and I used to pick the songs 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:16.519 for my youth group 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.180 or for my church, 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.980 I had this understanding 00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:19.440 of worship 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:21.380 that is all praise unto God. 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:23.180 And so I would only 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:24.400 pick songs 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:24.900 that were like 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.700 in the first person. 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.380 Like, 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.620 I want to know you. 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.860 I love you, Lord. 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:29.580 Right? 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:30.100 My Jesus, 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:31.039 I love thee. 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.500 Right? 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:33.580 And I tried not to pick songs 00:20:33.580 --> 00:20:34.019 that were like 00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:34.840 more in the third person 00:20:34.840 --> 00:20:35.519 about God. 00:20:35.820 --> 00:20:35.980 Like, 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.220 holy, 00:20:36.320 --> 00:20:36.480 holy, 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:36.860 holy 00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:38.660 is the Lord God almighty. 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:40.680 Because I wanted to direct 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.420 all my worship 00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:42.220 toward God. 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:42.500 But you know, 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.300 I was missing something. 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.080 I didn't realize 00:20:44.080 --> 00:20:44.960 that the point of worship 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:45.920 is not just to 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.900 approach God 00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:47.759 to lift our praises up 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.160 to Him, 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:49.200 but it's to encourage 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.019 one another. 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.759 It's to stir one another. 00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:53.120 It's to provoke one another 00:20:53.120 --> 00:20:54.640 unto praise. 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.279 And it's a beautiful thing 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:58.040 when we do that. 00:20:58.740 --> 00:20:58.880 Like, 00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.140 Christchurch, 00:20:59.220 --> 00:20:59.980 what if we came 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:01.680 into this place 00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:02.540 every Sunday 00:21:02.540 --> 00:21:03.740 ready to worship, 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:04.700 not lifting up 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.160 our praises 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:06.060 only to God, 00:21:06.059 --> 00:21:07.619 but what if we saw 00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:08.240 our ministry 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:08.859 as singing 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:09.679 to one another 00:21:09.679 --> 00:21:11.539 and provoking 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.500 the praise 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.440 of the holy, 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.059 holy, 00:21:14.379 --> 00:21:15.019 holy God? 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:16.879 You know, 00:21:16.919 --> 00:21:18.000 we do this thing now 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:19.839 where we have a playlist 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.519 every Sunday 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.539 if you'd like to listen ahead 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.319 to the songs 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:23.220 that are gonna be played 00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:24.639 for the following Sunday. 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.419 We try to highlight 00:21:25.419 --> 00:21:26.019 one of the songs 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:27.119 that might be lesser known 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:27.779 or that we're trying 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:28.859 to introduce. 00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:29.940 And so my family 00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:31.119 plays that quite often 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:31.940 at least on our way 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.919 to church on Sunday. 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.500 And one of the things 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.539 that stirs my heart 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.299 the most 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:38.359 is when I'm standing 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.319 next to my daughter, 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:39.839 Cammie, 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:41.200 and she's singing 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:41.839 every word. 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.279 Your goodness 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:45.779 is running after, 00:21:45.900 --> 00:21:46.900 it's running after me. 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:48.079 I will sing 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:48.559 of the goodness 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.200 of God, 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:50.339 right? 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.279 Praise God 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:52.700 from whom 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.680 all blessings flow. 00:21:55.079 --> 00:21:56.319 It's a beautiful thing 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:57.859 to hear the praises 00:21:57.859 --> 00:21:59.319 of God's people, 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.079 to sing them 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:01.519 to one another. 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:02.119 And that's what 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:03.160 the seraphim 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:04.220 are doing 00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:05.120 in this moment. 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:05.900 They are calling 00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.700 to one another, 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:07.960 it says in verse 3. 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.100 Holy, 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:09.560 holy, 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:09.960 holy 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.940 is the Lord 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.660 almighty. 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.360 The whole earth 00:22:12.360 --> 00:22:13.240 is full of his glory. 00:22:13.340 --> 00:22:13.900 They are pointing 00:22:13.900 --> 00:22:14.759 away from themselves, 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:16.540 pointing to the throne 00:22:16.540 --> 00:22:17.360 and saying, 00:22:17.540 --> 00:22:17.800 holy, 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:18.060 holy, 00:22:18.120 --> 00:22:18.240 holy, 00:22:18.360 --> 00:22:19.060 there is nothing 00:22:19.060 --> 00:22:19.860 like this God. 00:22:20.580 --> 00:22:21.279 And notice the song 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:21.620 they sing, 00:22:21.840 --> 00:22:22.100 holy, 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:22.420 holy, 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:22.620 holy. 00:22:22.660 --> 00:22:23.200 We sing it all 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:23.800 the time here, 00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:25.279 but it's so significant. 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:27.320 Throughout the scriptures, 00:22:28.060 --> 00:22:28.900 whenever you see 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:29.880 repetition, 00:22:30.820 --> 00:22:31.720 it means emphasis. 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:31.920 Jesus. 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:33.839 So, 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:34.480 for example, 00:22:34.600 --> 00:22:35.259 we might see 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:35.920 amen, 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:36.339 amen, 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:36.779 truly, 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:37.640 truly, 00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:38.380 right? 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:40.000 David cries, 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:40.519 Absalom, 00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:41.100 Absalom, 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:41.680 when he's sad 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.400 about his son. 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.480 Jesus cries, 00:22:43.600 --> 00:22:44.059 Jerusalem, 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:44.740 Jerusalem, 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.279 right? 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:47.039 But never in all 00:22:47.039 --> 00:22:47.440 of scripture 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:48.019 do you see 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:49.240 a triple repetition. 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:50.539 Never. 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:53.000 Holy, 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:53.839 holy, 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:54.680 holy. 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.880 He's even distinct 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:58.400 in his distinctness. 00:22:58.400 --> 00:23:01.240 He's holy 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:03.420 to the uttermost. 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:05.000 Holy, 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:05.800 holy, 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:06.980 holy is the Lord 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:07.660 almighty. 00:23:08.040 --> 00:23:08.620 They cry out. 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.040 And what does that 00:23:09.040 --> 00:23:09.340 even mean? 00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:10.100 What does holy mean? 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:10.280 Well, 00:23:10.340 --> 00:23:11.160 to be holy 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:12.800 is to be set apart, 00:23:13.360 --> 00:23:13.560 right? 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.800 It's to be distinct. 00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:16.540 It's to be in a class 00:23:16.540 --> 00:23:17.840 of his own. 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.980 That's what God is. 00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:21.280 God is in a class 00:23:21.280 --> 00:23:22.100 of his own. 00:23:23.040 --> 00:23:24.280 This is the godness 00:23:24.280 --> 00:23:24.800 of God 00:23:24.800 --> 00:23:25.340 that they're getting 00:23:25.340 --> 00:23:25.640 at here 00:23:25.640 --> 00:23:26.240 when they're crying 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:26.660 holy, 00:23:27.060 --> 00:23:27.340 holy, 00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:28.019 holy. 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:28.879 Right? 00:23:28.939 --> 00:23:29.099 Notice, 00:23:29.199 --> 00:23:29.959 they don't cry 00:23:29.959 --> 00:23:30.579 love, 00:23:30.679 --> 00:23:30.879 love, 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:31.399 love, 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:32.720 or goodness, 00:23:32.919 --> 00:23:33.179 goodness, 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:33.639 goodness, 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:34.199 or, 00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:36.480 I don't know, 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.519 mighty, 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:37.919 mighty, 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:38.240 mighty, 00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:38.599 no. 00:23:39.679 --> 00:23:40.559 Say holy, 00:23:40.919 --> 00:23:41.240 holy, 00:23:41.419 --> 00:23:41.619 holy. 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.379 Why is that? 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.339 Why is this first? 00:23:44.439 --> 00:23:45.379 Why is this essential 00:23:45.379 --> 00:23:46.500 to the godness 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.039 of God? 00:23:48.879 --> 00:23:49.179 Well, 00:23:49.179 --> 00:23:49.799 it's because 00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:52.339 God could not be 00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:53.339 loving 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:55.519 if he were not holy. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:58.460 if God were not holy 00:23:58.460 --> 00:23:59.400 in and of himself, 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:01.680 never tempted 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:02.839 to do anything 00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:04.319 out of selfishness 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:05.619 or sinfulness 00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:06.799 or malice, 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:08.480 he could not love us. 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.339 He is holy, 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:10.579 holy, 00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:10.799 holy, 00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:11.759 so that he can be 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.839 holy in his love, 00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:14.000 holy in his goodness, 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:15.279 holy in his might, 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.420 holy in his grace, 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.879 holy in his mercy. 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.440 There is no, 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:22.099 it's not like there's 00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:23.460 this like love 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.860 that he participates in, 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:25.400 no, 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:27.240 he is love himself 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.799 because he's holy love. 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:32.519 There's no like goodness 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.680 that he just participates in, 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:33.860 no, 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:35.319 he defines goodness 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:36.279 because he's holy 00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:37.299 in his goodness. 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:38.519 His holy, 00:24:38.600 --> 00:24:39.100 holy holiness 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:40.340 is his transcendence, 00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:40.940 he's the source, 00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:42.140 he's the fountain. 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:44.860 Everything else 00:24:44.860 --> 00:24:45.460 is derived 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:46.299 from him. 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:49.740 Everything else, 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.340 and there's nothing 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:51.220 like that in all creation, 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:51.480 right? 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:52.839 Right, 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:53.879 your kids might say 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:54.539 something like, 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.679 you know, 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:56.500 hey, 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:58.139 daddy, 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:58.480 mommy, 00:24:58.599 --> 00:24:59.199 who created 00:24:59.199 --> 00:25:00.500 like the world? 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:01.000 And you would say, 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:01.240 well, 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:01.819 Genesis 1, 00:25:01.919 --> 00:25:02.199 God, 00:25:02.419 --> 00:25:02.720 all right? 00:25:02.939 --> 00:25:03.359 You think you're 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:04.179 a pretty good theologian, 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:04.399 right? 00:25:04.699 --> 00:25:05.839 And then number two, 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:06.379 they might say, 00:25:06.399 --> 00:25:06.500 well, 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:07.099 who made me? 00:25:07.419 --> 00:25:07.659 Well, 00:25:08.159 --> 00:25:08.439 you say, 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:08.659 well, 00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:09.240 God, 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:09.679 he knitted you 00:25:09.679 --> 00:25:10.139 in his womb, 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:10.579 right? 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:12.139 What do you do 00:25:12.139 --> 00:25:12.799 when they ask you, 00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:13.000 well, 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.759 who made God? 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:15.599 Right? 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:17.099 Who made God? 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:17.139 God. 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:20.199 When God is crying, 00:25:20.459 --> 00:25:21.119 when they're crying out 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:21.839 that God is holy, 00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:22.339 holy, 00:25:22.419 --> 00:25:22.539 holy, 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:23.039 when they're getting 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:24.359 at his supreme holiness, 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.639 they're getting at the fact 00:25:25.639 --> 00:25:26.459 that there is nothing 00:25:26.459 --> 00:25:27.240 in all creation 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.559 like this God. 00:25:28.659 --> 00:25:28.779 Again, 00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:29.519 he's in a class 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.339 of his own. 00:25:30.679 --> 00:25:31.000 Holy, 00:25:31.159 --> 00:25:31.399 holy, 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.359 holy is the Lord Almighty, 00:25:32.459 --> 00:25:33.259 is the Lord of hosts, 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:34.039 of all the armies 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:34.919 of heaven. 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.759 The whole earth 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:38.319 is full of his glory. 00:25:38.419 --> 00:25:39.839 It can't contain his glory. 00:25:40.139 --> 00:25:40.619 The whole earth 00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:42.480 is filled 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.559 with the weight 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:46.000 of his majesty. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:47.720 That's what they're singing 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.680 to one another. 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.480 And they're singing it 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:51.480 so loud, 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:51.819 right? 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:53.660 Verse four says, 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.779 at the sound of their voices, 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.680 the doorposts 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:57.000 and thresholds 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.559 shook 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:59.099 and the temple 00:25:59.099 --> 00:26:00.359 was filled 00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:01.539 with smoke. 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:04.299 Their praises 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:05.720 are rocking the place. 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.180 You know, 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.460 it's like, 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:08.700 maybe a little 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.599 tiny picture of that 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.599 is Easter here 00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:11.720 where Jonathan's like, 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:12.859 make some noise, 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.180 right? 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.339 And we get the cowbells 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:14.900 and people are like 00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:15.579 stomping their feet, 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:15.980 clapping their feet, 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.460 and their hands. 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.839 This is like that 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:19.539 on steroids, 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.400 all right? 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:22.380 People are just, 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:24.660 God's creatures 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.319 who are made 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:26.079 to worship him 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:27.140 are just offering up 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:28.259 this crazy noise, 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:29.579 shaking the whole place. 00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:30.779 It reminds me of, 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.220 you know, 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.519 actually around 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.319 Thanksgiving time 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:34.660 when I used to live 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.200 in Philadelphia 00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:36.220 during seminary, 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:37.579 I would go to this church. 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:37.940 It was called 00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:39.799 North Shore Baptist Church. 00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:41.319 And every, 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.799 I think it was the Wednesday 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.759 before Thanksgiving, 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:45.279 it was a tiny 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:46.200 little church 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:47.099 with a low ceiling 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:48.539 and they would do 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.220 testimonies 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:49.940 every Wednesday 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:50.660 before Thanksgiving 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.480 and people would give 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:52.559 like crazy testimonies. 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:53.640 There was this drug lord, 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:54.680 like he was a 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:55.559 multi-million dollar 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.279 drug lord 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:57.640 and he told a story 00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:58.660 of how he came to Christ, 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.379 how he was like 00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:00.599 in international prison 00:27:00.599 --> 00:27:00.819 and stuff. 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.660 It was wild, 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:01.980 all right? 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:03.119 They always had stories. 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.319 And hearing those stories 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:07.220 and responding 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:08.019 to those stories, 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:09.140 it was like testimony 00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:09.900 and worship 00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:11.200 and they worshipped. 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:12.080 man, 00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:12.940 with those low ceilings, 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.860 I know this is beautiful, 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.600 I love this, 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:15.480 but man, 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.380 those low ceilings, 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:18.120 they rocked that place 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:19.160 with worship. 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:19.819 It shook. 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:21.759 That's what I think about 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:23.080 when I think about 00:27:23.080 --> 00:27:24.860 this kind of praise 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:26.700 that God deserves 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.440 from his people, 00:27:28.840 --> 00:27:29.840 a praise that shakes 00:27:29.840 --> 00:27:30.700 this place, 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.700 that has an impact. 00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.039 Do you know 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.860 that people have come 00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:34.880 into Christ's church 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:36.720 just having heard 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.900 the music 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:39.240 from the street? 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:40.380 They've come in 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.059 through our doors. 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:45.039 It is a missional thing 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:47.039 to sing forth 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.779 God's praises 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.740 with all your might, 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.539 no matter how bad 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.000 you sing. 00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:51.279 In fact, 00:27:51.339 --> 00:27:52.299 that's a greater testimony 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:54.440 to the grace of God, 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:57.940 to the glory of God. 00:27:59.140 --> 00:27:59.640 So they're shaking 00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:00.099 this place, 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.120 but not only 00:28:01.120 --> 00:28:02.059 is the place shaking, 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:03.299 but here we go, 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:04.180 it's filled with smoke. 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:04.920 What does that mean? 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:05.759 There's fire, 00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:07.700 something dangerous, 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:08.500 right? 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:09.339 Something hot, 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.460 something burning, 00:28:10.599 --> 00:28:12.640 something being consumed. 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:13.859 What's going on here? 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:15.960 There's smoke, 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:16.680 and he sees it. 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:17.480 Verse five, 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.640 what does he say? 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:21.339 Woe to me, 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:22.799 Isaiah cried. 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:24.079 Woe to me. 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:26.099 Now, a question I have 00:28:26.099 --> 00:28:26.779 for us is, 00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:28.380 why does he say, 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.920 why is it woe 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.480 and not worship? 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:32.940 Why doesn't he join 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:34.240 the seraphim in worship? 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:34.920 Why doesn't he say, 00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:35.880 holy, holy, holy, 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:36.859 yeah, me too, 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.700 I affirm that, 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:39.080 amen, holy, holy, holy? 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:44.080 Because God's holiness 00:28:44.080 --> 00:28:45.080 is not just about 00:28:45.080 --> 00:28:45.960 his transcendence, 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:47.460 it's about his moral purity. 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.519 And when we come 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.420 into the presence of God, 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.279 we're not just struck 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:52.340 by his otherness 00:28:52.340 --> 00:28:53.779 as the I am, 00:28:53.860 --> 00:28:55.120 the holy, holy, holy God, 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.100 we are struck 00:28:56.100 --> 00:28:59.000 by his absolute purity 00:28:59.000 --> 00:29:00.319 and his righteousness. 00:29:01.120 --> 00:29:01.960 And like a mirror 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.519 before us, 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.559 we see ourselves 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:06.579 and we don't measure up. 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:08.839 We see ourselves, 00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:10.920 we not only see God 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.720 for who he really is, 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.639 but we see ourselves 00:29:12.639 --> 00:29:15.440 for who we really are. 00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:16.559 Right? 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:20.319 People of unclean lips. 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:21.779 He says, 00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:22.599 I am ruined. 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:23.339 You can say, 00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:24.200 I am doomed. 00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:25.640 I am undone. 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.519 I am lost. 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.640 For I am a man 00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:28.680 of unclean lips, 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:28.980 he says. 00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:29.519 It's interesting 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.019 that he says, 00:29:30.120 --> 00:29:30.920 I'm a man of unclean lips, 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:31.160 isn't it? 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:32.559 Because what's his job? 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.319 He's a prophet. 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:37.400 The very instrument 00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:38.360 that God gave him 00:29:38.360 --> 00:29:40.180 to most usefully serve him, 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:43.779 his own righteousness, 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:45.000 he's repenting of. 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:48.700 Because before this holy God, 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:50.500 the thing that he is best at, 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:53.660 he realizes is not enough. 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:54.400 It's unclean. 00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:55.839 It's wrong. 00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:56.759 I feel that all the time 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.380 as a pastor. 00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.759 How often I get up here 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:01.759 and I want to preach to you 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:03.099 because I do want to honor God, 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:03.720 but I kind of want 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.440 to honor myself. 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:06.839 I kind of want to glorify myself 00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:07.759 sometimes with the words 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.319 that I say. 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:12.019 Ask any worship leader. 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:14.339 They want to worship God, 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:15.199 but they kind of like 00:30:15.199 --> 00:30:16.799 letting people hear their voice. 00:30:18.679 --> 00:30:20.019 Same with Isaiah the prophet. 00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:22.119 We have unclean lips. 00:30:23.439 --> 00:30:24.779 Out of the overflow of the heart, 00:30:25.439 --> 00:30:26.619 out of the mouth comes 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:27.740 the overflow of the heart, right? 00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:28.839 Out of the abundance of the heart. 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.740 I'm a man of unclean lips, 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.319 he says. 00:30:34.119 --> 00:30:34.759 And not only that, 00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:35.859 but I live among a people 00:30:35.859 --> 00:30:37.480 of unclean lips. 00:30:38.659 --> 00:30:40.079 I'm surrounded by this. 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:41.519 I can't escape it. 00:30:41.919 --> 00:30:42.819 This is who we are. 00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:46.359 And with these unclean lips, 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:48.839 my eyes have seen something 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:50.319 that I'm not sure I can handle. 00:30:51.419 --> 00:30:53.399 My eyes have seen the King, 00:30:53.959 --> 00:30:56.220 the Lord Almighty. 00:30:57.139 --> 00:30:57.679 And he says, 00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:59.559 woe is me. 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:04.039 Do we come into worship 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:04.679 every Sunday 00:31:04.679 --> 00:31:07.399 with woe? 00:31:07.400 --> 00:31:11.980 Do we have a holy reverence 00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:13.060 to our worship? 00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:14.780 Is this truly a sacred place? 00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:18.480 Do we behold who God is 00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:19.820 and do we behold who we are? 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:22.519 See, Isaiah 6 is actually 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.420 where we get our liturgy. 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.740 If you look at your liturgies, 00:31:25.380 --> 00:31:26.220 this is the format. 00:31:27.060 --> 00:31:28.180 We come before God, 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.259 we sing his praise, 00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:30.540 right? 00:31:30.580 --> 00:31:31.860 We acknowledge who he is, 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:33.040 this glorious God. 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:36.200 And we also acknowledge 00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:37.159 our unclean lips, 00:31:37.420 --> 00:31:38.200 our uncleanness, 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:39.460 our sin before him. 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:40.500 We confess our sins, 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:40.720 right? 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.319 Every week, 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:44.019 we confess our sins 00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:45.119 to God 00:31:45.119 --> 00:31:47.480 and to one another. 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.159 It's coming right out 00:31:49.159 --> 00:31:50.940 of Isaiah chapter 6. 00:31:54.859 --> 00:31:56.319 And what do we do next, though? 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.440 What do we do about that? 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.759 What do we do 00:31:58.759 --> 00:32:00.019 when we realize that, 00:32:00.119 --> 00:32:00.220 yeah, 00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:01.500 we are unclean? 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:03.460 I think a lot of us 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:03.880 want to say, 00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:04.220 well, 00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:05.400 I just want to put aside 00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:06.240 the holiness of God. 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:07.000 That's one of my 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:08.900 less favorite things about him, 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.579 one of my least favorite 00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:11.700 doctrines, 00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:12.420 right? 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:15.019 But God says no. 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:17.519 And Isaiah says no. 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:20.960 Let's lean into this, 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.400 let's lean into the truth. 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:23.200 Woe is me. 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.440 Woe is me 00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:25.980 because I truly am unclean. 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:28.059 When we come into worship, 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:29.119 we face the truth 00:32:29.119 --> 00:32:29.779 about God 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.880 and about ourselves. 00:32:32.220 --> 00:32:32.980 And that can be 00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:33.640 a hard truth 00:32:33.640 --> 00:32:35.039 to face up to. 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:37.240 Super hard. 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:39.359 But get this, 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:39.799 the good news 00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:40.380 of the gospel 00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:42.380 is that that's not 00:32:42.380 --> 00:32:43.519 the end of Isaiah's vision, 00:32:43.660 --> 00:32:43.859 right? 00:32:44.940 --> 00:32:45.720 Verse 6. 00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:47.539 Then one of the seraphim 00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:48.819 flew to me 00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:50.059 with a live coal 00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:50.700 in his hand, 00:32:51.180 --> 00:32:52.099 which he had taken 00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:52.900 with tongs 00:32:52.900 --> 00:32:53.519 from the altar. 00:32:54.619 --> 00:32:55.000 With it, 00:32:55.039 --> 00:32:55.940 he touched my mouth 00:32:55.940 --> 00:32:56.400 and said, 00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:56.740 see, 00:32:57.079 --> 00:32:58.299 this has touched 00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:58.819 your lips. 00:32:58.819 --> 00:33:00.859 your guilt 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.700 is taken away 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:03.379 and your sin 00:33:03.379 --> 00:33:04.779 atoned for. 00:33:06.659 --> 00:33:08.000 It's crazy right now 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:09.179 that Isaiah's here, 00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:09.879 all right? 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:12.039 In this temple. 00:33:12.179 --> 00:33:12.960 So there are a couple 00:33:12.960 --> 00:33:13.879 details I want to point out 00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:15.079 to you in this vision, 00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:15.559 all right? 00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:17.339 So he's in, 00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:18.379 he sees the Lord 00:33:18.379 --> 00:33:19.399 seated on his throne, 00:33:19.659 --> 00:33:19.879 okay? 00:33:19.939 --> 00:33:20.639 And if you're familiar 00:33:20.639 --> 00:33:21.139 with that language, 00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:21.539 the throne, 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.460 what is the throne 00:33:22.460 --> 00:33:23.200 that was in the temple? 00:33:23.600 --> 00:33:24.140 What is considered 00:33:24.140 --> 00:33:24.640 as the throne 00:33:24.640 --> 00:33:25.160 of the temple? 00:33:26.660 --> 00:33:27.380 It was the Ark 00:33:27.380 --> 00:33:27.860 of the Covenant. 00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:29.360 Sometimes known 00:33:29.360 --> 00:33:30.380 as the footstool 00:33:30.380 --> 00:33:30.740 of the Lord, 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.279 but also known 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:31.779 as the throne. 00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:32.480 That's where God 00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:33.240 would sit, 00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:34.380 in the holy of holy 00:33:34.380 --> 00:33:36.840 place in the temple, 00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:38.039 the place that 00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:38.740 the high priest 00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:39.400 could only enter 00:33:39.400 --> 00:33:40.220 once a year, 00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:40.900 but somehow 00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:42.360 the Lord 00:33:42.360 --> 00:33:43.480 is sitting there 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:44.640 and Isaiah 00:33:44.640 --> 00:33:45.740 is present there, 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:46.640 all right? 00:33:48.100 --> 00:33:49.080 And notice 00:33:49.080 --> 00:33:49.940 the smoke 00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:50.580 that's in there, 00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:51.039 right? 00:33:51.360 --> 00:33:52.340 Because once a year, 00:33:52.339 --> 00:33:53.679 they would burn 00:33:53.679 --> 00:33:54.919 a sacrifice 00:33:54.919 --> 00:33:56.480 on that altar 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:57.119 at the Ark 00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:57.559 of the Covenant. 00:33:58.799 --> 00:33:59.559 So this is 00:33:59.559 --> 00:34:00.619 a special time, 00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:01.439 this is Yom Kippur, 00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:02.220 this is the day 00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:04.159 of atonement, 00:34:04.980 --> 00:34:05.240 right? 00:34:07.319 --> 00:34:08.079 And it's like, 00:34:08.779 --> 00:34:10.119 first of all, 00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:11.239 why is a king there 00:34:11.239 --> 00:34:12.219 and why is Isaiah there? 00:34:12.299 --> 00:34:13.380 How can that even happen, 00:34:13.819 --> 00:34:14.099 all right? 00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:15.440 Why is a king there? 00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.299 Why is Isaiah there? 00:34:16.639 --> 00:34:17.779 Why is a prophet there? 00:34:18.259 --> 00:34:19.039 Where's the priest? 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:21.559 Well, 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.920 that's what's spoken to 00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:24.239 here in verse 6 00:34:24.239 --> 00:34:24.779 and 7. 00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:26.659 When the seraphim 00:34:26.659 --> 00:34:28.139 is flying toward him 00:34:28.139 --> 00:34:29.159 with a coal in his hand 00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:33.059 and taking it 00:34:33.059 --> 00:34:33.920 and touching his mouth 00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:34.420 with it 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:36.599 and getting rid 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.159 of his guilt, 00:34:37.820 --> 00:34:39.300 what he's doing 00:34:39.300 --> 00:34:42.259 is he's 00:34:42.259 --> 00:34:43.340 atoning for 00:34:43.340 --> 00:34:44.139 his sin 00:34:44.139 --> 00:34:45.619 from the sacrifice 00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:46.259 that's on the altar. 00:34:46.260 --> 00:34:47.520 There's a sacrifice 00:34:47.520 --> 00:34:48.220 as well 00:34:48.220 --> 00:34:49.680 in this scene. 00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:50.240 It's not just 00:34:50.240 --> 00:34:51.240 the Lord on a throne. 00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:52.100 It's not just 00:34:52.100 --> 00:34:53.200 Isaiah 00:34:53.200 --> 00:34:54.680 seeing all this. 00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:56.120 There's a sacrifice 00:34:56.120 --> 00:34:56.920 being burnt. 00:34:59.180 --> 00:34:59.840 And when 00:34:59.840 --> 00:35:00.840 Isaiah's lips 00:35:00.840 --> 00:35:01.880 are put in touch 00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:03.540 with that sacrifice, 00:35:03.700 --> 00:35:04.940 those burning coals, 00:35:06.760 --> 00:35:07.880 his guilt's taken away. 00:35:08.760 --> 00:35:09.340 His sin 00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:10.760 is covered. 00:35:12.760 --> 00:35:13.300 And I think, 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:13.600 you know, 00:35:13.700 --> 00:35:14.560 we might be tempted 00:35:14.559 --> 00:35:15.279 to think this is just 00:35:15.279 --> 00:35:16.380 a cheap, easy grace. 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:16.940 This is just something 00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:17.320 he does, 00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:18.179 some kind of ritual 00:35:18.179 --> 00:35:19.480 from these coals. 00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:19.900 Boom, 00:35:20.139 --> 00:35:20.759 he's clean. 00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:22.960 But if we have eyes 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:23.820 to see what's really 00:35:23.820 --> 00:35:24.599 going on here, 00:35:26.179 --> 00:35:27.340 this is a foreshadowing 00:35:27.340 --> 00:35:28.340 of the gospel. 00:35:29.360 --> 00:35:30.199 This is a picture 00:35:30.199 --> 00:35:30.920 of Christ. 00:35:32.799 --> 00:35:32.980 You know, 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:34.340 John chapter 12. 00:35:34.420 --> 00:35:35.420 In John chapter 12, 00:35:35.699 --> 00:35:37.039 the evangelist John, 00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:37.900 he says that 00:35:37.900 --> 00:35:39.599 Isaiah saw 00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:41.219 Jesus' glory. 00:35:41.219 --> 00:35:41.259 glory. 00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:44.439 It's in John chapter 12, 00:35:44.500 --> 00:35:45.019 verse 41. 00:35:45.939 --> 00:35:46.579 Isaiah saw 00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:47.559 Jesus' glory. 00:35:49.839 --> 00:35:50.980 And I think 00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:51.819 what he meant 00:35:51.819 --> 00:35:52.579 by that was 00:35:52.579 --> 00:35:54.339 he's seeing 00:35:54.339 --> 00:35:54.939 this, 00:35:55.459 --> 00:35:56.639 not only this king 00:35:56.639 --> 00:35:57.079 who's seated 00:35:57.079 --> 00:35:57.799 on his throne 00:35:57.799 --> 00:35:58.919 high and lifted up, 00:35:58.959 --> 00:35:59.819 but he's also seeing 00:35:59.819 --> 00:36:01.779 this sacrifice 00:36:01.779 --> 00:36:03.579 that's made for him, 00:36:03.639 --> 00:36:04.799 that's making him 00:36:04.799 --> 00:36:07.299 able to be 00:36:07.299 --> 00:36:07.919 in the presence 00:36:07.919 --> 00:36:08.959 of God. 00:36:08.960 --> 00:36:10.800 this purifying 00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:12.820 work of God, 00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:13.539 this initiative 00:36:13.539 --> 00:36:14.079 of God 00:36:14.079 --> 00:36:15.199 to come near to him. 00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:15.840 He didn't even ask 00:36:15.840 --> 00:36:16.380 for forgiveness. 00:36:16.599 --> 00:36:17.220 He didn't even ask 00:36:17.220 --> 00:36:17.639 to be clean. 00:36:17.860 --> 00:36:18.300 All he's thinking 00:36:18.300 --> 00:36:19.039 is woe is me, 00:36:19.119 --> 00:36:19.820 I'm dead. 00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:21.619 But God comes 00:36:21.619 --> 00:36:22.159 near to him, 00:36:23.340 --> 00:36:23.800 puts him 00:36:23.800 --> 00:36:24.800 into union 00:36:24.800 --> 00:36:26.940 with his sacrifice 00:36:26.940 --> 00:36:28.760 and his sins 00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:30.599 are atoned for. 00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:32.320 And listen, 00:36:32.380 --> 00:36:33.199 this changes everything. 00:36:33.720 --> 00:36:34.300 This changes 00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:35.260 everything 00:36:35.260 --> 00:36:36.920 about how Isaiah 00:36:36.920 --> 00:36:37.380 will live 00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:38.260 from then on. 00:36:38.960 --> 00:36:40.760 verse 8, 00:36:40.840 --> 00:36:41.760 this is the last verse. 00:36:43.699 --> 00:36:43.880 It says, 00:36:43.940 --> 00:36:44.760 sin's been atoned for. 00:36:44.840 --> 00:36:45.280 Then I heard 00:36:45.280 --> 00:36:45.980 the voice of the Lord 00:36:45.980 --> 00:36:46.340 saying, 00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:47.940 whom shall I send 00:36:47.940 --> 00:36:49.900 and who will go 00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:50.579 for us? 00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:53.300 And this guy, 00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:53.699 Isaiah, 00:36:53.780 --> 00:36:54.880 who goes from fearful 00:36:54.880 --> 00:36:56.360 and woe is me 00:36:56.360 --> 00:36:57.019 and I cannot 00:36:57.019 --> 00:36:58.679 behold the Lord, 00:36:59.380 --> 00:37:01.059 all of a sudden, 00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:02.800 because of this mercy 00:37:02.800 --> 00:37:03.840 that has come 00:37:03.840 --> 00:37:04.539 near to him, 00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:07.599 he says, 00:37:07.659 --> 00:37:08.219 here I am. 00:37:08.219 --> 00:37:08.980 Or in the Hebrew, 00:37:09.519 --> 00:37:10.259 behold me, 00:37:10.719 --> 00:37:11.179 he says. 00:37:12.719 --> 00:37:13.159 All of a sudden 00:37:13.159 --> 00:37:13.400 he says, 00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:14.159 behold me. 00:37:15.400 --> 00:37:16.239 Is he crazy? 00:37:16.820 --> 00:37:17.420 This is the holy, 00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:17.960 holy God. 00:37:18.420 --> 00:37:19.239 And he was saying, 00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:19.940 woe is me at first 00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:20.400 and now he's saying, 00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:21.119 behold me? 00:37:21.380 --> 00:37:22.179 How can he say 00:37:22.179 --> 00:37:23.099 something like that? 00:37:24.480 --> 00:37:25.779 How could any of us 00:37:25.779 --> 00:37:26.539 say that 00:37:26.539 --> 00:37:27.279 to the holy, 00:37:27.360 --> 00:37:27.539 holy, 00:37:27.619 --> 00:37:28.159 holy God? 00:37:28.159 --> 00:37:28.239 God. 00:37:30.299 --> 00:37:31.480 It's because his sins 00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:32.279 were atoned for. 00:37:32.319 --> 00:37:33.480 It's because of the sacrifice 00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:35.159 that was made for him. 00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:39.119 And if we look forward 00:37:39.119 --> 00:37:40.319 to what this was pointing to, 00:37:40.399 --> 00:37:41.859 it points to Jesus, 00:37:42.279 --> 00:37:42.599 all right? 00:37:42.879 --> 00:37:43.839 The Lamb of God. 00:37:45.759 --> 00:37:46.960 The Lamb who was 00:37:46.960 --> 00:37:49.339 foreshadowed in that sacrifice 00:37:49.339 --> 00:37:51.019 at this altar. 00:37:52.819 --> 00:37:54.219 The only one who is 00:37:54.219 --> 00:37:55.460 not only a prophet, 00:37:55.599 --> 00:37:56.440 but also a king 00:37:56.440 --> 00:37:57.500 and a priest. 00:37:58.159 --> 00:37:58.819 Who can go into 00:37:58.819 --> 00:37:59.799 the temple for us. 00:38:00.139 --> 00:38:00.859 Not just sitting 00:38:00.859 --> 00:38:01.359 on the throne, 00:38:01.460 --> 00:38:01.920 but who is 00:38:01.920 --> 00:38:02.839 our very sacrifice. 00:38:03.019 --> 00:38:03.619 What kind of a king 00:38:03.619 --> 00:38:04.139 is that? 00:38:05.799 --> 00:38:06.940 It's a priestly king. 00:38:07.839 --> 00:38:08.759 The Lamb of God 00:38:08.759 --> 00:38:11.319 slain for us. 00:38:12.699 --> 00:38:13.500 And this transforms 00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:14.799 everything about Isaiah. 00:38:15.339 --> 00:38:16.199 He sees God. 00:38:17.440 --> 00:38:18.480 He sees himself. 00:38:19.859 --> 00:38:21.039 He sees God's mercy. 00:38:21.699 --> 00:38:22.699 And he sees his calling. 00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:24.359 And he says, 00:38:25.199 --> 00:38:26.299 here am I. 00:38:26.559 --> 00:38:27.139 Behold me. 00:38:28.659 --> 00:38:29.940 I'm unafraid of you now, 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:30.239 God. 00:38:30.659 --> 00:38:31.519 Not because you are not 00:38:31.519 --> 00:38:32.420 a fearful holy God, 00:38:32.460 --> 00:38:33.579 but because you have 00:38:33.579 --> 00:38:34.960 made me confident 00:38:34.960 --> 00:38:35.639 to come near 00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:36.699 to your throne of grace. 00:38:38.420 --> 00:38:39.359 And here am I. 00:38:40.079 --> 00:38:40.539 Send me. 00:38:41.239 --> 00:38:42.000 Use me, Lord. 00:38:42.519 --> 00:38:43.440 However you want. 00:38:45.480 --> 00:38:46.000 In Christ's church, 00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:47.299 I hope that this church, 00:38:47.420 --> 00:38:47.899 this place, 00:38:47.940 --> 00:38:48.719 will be such a place 00:38:48.719 --> 00:38:49.219 of worship 00:38:49.219 --> 00:38:51.659 that we also see God, 00:38:52.419 --> 00:38:53.980 that we also see ourselves, 00:38:54.719 --> 00:38:55.879 that we see his mercy, 00:38:56.679 --> 00:38:58.659 and that we go forth. 00:38:59.019 --> 00:38:59.899 That's what the benediction 00:38:59.899 --> 00:39:00.919 is every week. 00:39:01.779 --> 00:39:02.959 Go in the name of Jesus, 00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:04.679 in the name of Jesus, 00:39:05.099 --> 00:39:06.319 in your union with Jesus, 00:39:06.819 --> 00:39:07.959 because of his sacrifice, 00:39:08.559 --> 00:39:10.379 to love and serve this world 00:39:10.379 --> 00:39:12.859 in response to his sacrifice. 00:39:12.860 --> 00:39:15.160 And I pray that that's 00:39:15.160 --> 00:39:16.180 the kind of sacred church 00:39:16.180 --> 00:39:17.079 we'll be. 00:39:17.220 --> 00:39:17.660 That's the kind of 00:39:17.660 --> 00:39:18.700 worshiping church we'll be. 00:39:19.539 --> 00:39:20.360 So will you pray with me? 00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:25.840 Amen. 00:39:25.840 --> 00:39:26.880 Lord God, 00:39:27.480 --> 00:39:29.019 help us to see. 00:39:30.000 --> 00:39:31.019 Give us this kind of 00:39:31.019 --> 00:39:31.720 holy vision. 00:39:32.780 --> 00:39:33.820 And make us this kind of 00:39:33.820 --> 00:39:34.240 holy, 00:39:34.840 --> 00:39:36.300 worshiping church. 00:39:36.300 --> 00:39:39.360 would you do it 00:39:39.360 --> 00:39:40.720 unto the glory of Jesus, 00:39:42.080 --> 00:39:43.420 with him lifted up 00:39:43.420 --> 00:39:44.539 before our eyes, 00:39:44.620 --> 00:39:45.560 the author and perfecter 00:39:45.560 --> 00:39:45.980 of our faith, 00:39:46.080 --> 00:39:46.700 the Lamb of God 00:39:46.700 --> 00:39:47.260 who was slain 00:39:47.260 --> 00:39:48.280 for the sins of the world, 00:39:49.580 --> 00:39:50.720 who's come near to us. 00:39:51.800 --> 00:39:53.060 Thank you for this mercy. 00:39:54.940 --> 00:39:55.800 Give us eyes to see 00:39:55.800 --> 00:39:56.760 the heights of your holiness 00:39:56.760 --> 00:39:58.920 and the depths of your grace 00:39:58.920 --> 00:39:59.940 all at the same time 00:39:59.940 --> 00:40:01.260 and make us a people of worship 00:40:01.260 --> 00:40:01.960 because of it. 00:40:02.100 --> 00:40:02.920 In Jesus' name. 00:40:03.519 --> 00:40:03.880 Amen. 00:40:06.300 --> 00:40:07.300 Amen.