WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.540 Isaiah chapter 6, on page 5, 7, 1. I've never been in an earthquake. They're not that common are they in West London and all South Wales. 00:00:14.620 --> 00:00:23.940 ! But when you come to Isaiah 6, there is an earthquake. But actually, when you understand Isaiah 6, it is more appropriate to call it a Godquake. 00:00:23.940 --> 00:00:37.120 And the effects of what happens in the temple on that day, and the larger focus of this amazing chapter, is on God. 00:00:39.060 --> 00:00:48.359 The Godquake. God is the author. The problem in Isaiah, we've had five chapters of Isaiah, but in Isaiah 6, something happens that means he will never be the same again. 00:00:48.359 --> 00:00:59.619 After what he experiences. Isaiah discovers, doesn't he, that God is the first Quaker. You're probably a bit surprised at that, that I'm not telling you that God is a Presbyterian. 00:01:00.500 --> 00:01:12.460 But of course he is. But he was also the first Quaker. Because any time that God comes into anyone's life, any time he reveals himself, there is a quake. 00:01:12.459 --> 00:01:20.979 And everything is shaken, and everything is reordered. Nothing is ever the same again, once you meet with God. 00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:28.759 And here's one of the things that I hope that we all grasp today, I suppose my big theme is that to be a Christian is to experience God. 00:01:29.039 --> 00:01:37.159 A Godquake in your life. So that your life is totally reoriented in a different direction from the one that it was going. 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:41.759 That doesn't mean, does it? It doesn't mean that you're going to have the same experience as Isaiah. 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:45.819 And what he witnessed that day, that was unique to him. 00:01:45.899 --> 00:01:54.359 But the basic trajectory, the basic route of what Isaiah went through that day, is the trajectory that everyone goes through as a Christian. 00:01:55.859 --> 00:01:59.780 So here's what I hope you're going to see. I hope you're going to encounter the Holy God in your life. 00:02:00.199 --> 00:02:04.039 And God will move from being a concept to a reality. 00:02:04.040 --> 00:02:12.420 That when you encounter God, God moves from being a concept to a reality in your life. 00:02:13.420 --> 00:02:15.140 We're going to divide the chapter in the four parts. 00:02:15.819 --> 00:02:21.920 And first of all, in chapter 6 verses 1 to 4, Isaiah's vision of God. 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:28.379 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. 00:02:28.379 --> 00:02:33.240 On the train of his road filled the temple, and above him stood the seraphim, each had six wings. 00:02:34.299 --> 00:02:39.699 With two the seraphim come in his face, and with two the seraphim come in his feet, and with two he flew. 00:02:40.479 --> 00:02:45.099 And one called to another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. 00:02:45.180 --> 00:02:48.960 The whole earth is full of his glory, and the foundations of the threshold shook. 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:54.620 And the voice of him called, and the house was filled with smoke. 00:02:54.840 --> 00:02:55.719 There's much here, isn't there? 00:02:56.100 --> 00:02:58.879 What I want to try and do is I want to look at the mountain peaks, really, in the chapter. 00:03:00.020 --> 00:03:01.800 That give us a sense of wonder. 00:03:03.420 --> 00:03:07.879 Six things that we're told about God, that Isaiah wants you to know this morning. 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:10.920 First of all, Isaiah wants you to know that God is alive. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:13.020 God is alive. 00:03:13.020 --> 00:03:17.340 And that might seem really, really basic to you. 00:03:18.060 --> 00:03:20.640 But I think that that is what Isaiah wants us to see in his vision. 00:03:20.980 --> 00:03:22.000 Do you see verse 1? 00:03:22.240 --> 00:03:25.580 In the year that King Uzziah died, Isaiah had been a good king. 00:03:26.300 --> 00:03:28.840 He's reigned for 52 years at this point. 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:32.500 He's reigned over a period that had been very prosperous for the land of Judah. 00:03:32.600 --> 00:03:33.600 He's one of the great kings. 00:03:34.060 --> 00:03:38.760 But for the last ten years of his life, King Uzziah had been shut away from everyone, 00:03:38.760 --> 00:03:40.580 because he was suffering from leprosy. 00:03:40.580 --> 00:03:44.560 It was as a result of him disobeying God in the temple. 00:03:45.080 --> 00:03:47.400 And now Isaiah says the king is dead. 00:03:48.260 --> 00:03:49.420 Look at verse 5. 00:03:53.480 --> 00:03:54.180 He says, 00:03:54.720 --> 00:03:55.240 What was me? 00:03:55.280 --> 00:03:55.740 For I'm lost. 00:03:55.820 --> 00:03:56.800 For I'm a man of unclean lips. 00:03:56.840 --> 00:03:58.780 And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. 00:03:58.820 --> 00:04:00.020 For my eyes have seen the king. 00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:01.100 I thought the king was dead. 00:04:02.860 --> 00:04:06.980 And Isaiah realises that he is gazing upon the one who he describes as the king, 00:04:06.980 --> 00:04:09.140 the Lord Almighty, the king, the Lord of hosts. 00:04:09.139 --> 00:04:11.959 And there's an intentional contrast. 00:04:12.099 --> 00:04:13.399 It's deliberate on Isaiah's point. 00:04:13.479 --> 00:04:14.379 There's a dead king. 00:04:14.599 --> 00:04:15.939 And there's an alive king. 00:04:16.459 --> 00:04:20.079 And Isaiah wants us to understand that there is a king who is alive forever. 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:21.339 And that is God. 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:27.319 There's not one single head of state in this world who will be here a hundred years from now, is there? 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:30.139 The turnover in world leadership is 100%. 00:04:30.139 --> 00:04:32.759 But God will still be living. 00:04:33.779 --> 00:04:35.019 And he will still be ruling. 00:04:36.199 --> 00:04:37.719 And he always has been. 00:04:38.180 --> 00:04:39.779 And he always will be alive. 00:04:41.060 --> 00:04:46.079 And so it doesn't matter what period of history that you live in, whether King Isaiah is alive or whether he is dead. 00:04:46.939 --> 00:04:50.560 Whether Queen Elizabeth is alive or whether she will die. 00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:52.420 You will have to deal with this God. 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:55.100 Because this God is alive. 00:04:57.480 --> 00:04:59.660 Secondly, Isaiah shows us that God is in charge. 00:04:59.780 --> 00:05:04.459 Because the first thing that Isaiah sees is the Lord sitting on a throne. 00:05:06.459 --> 00:05:10.139 And any time in the Bible, I don't know, there's a cottage industry, isn't there? 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:12.980 There are people who say that they have died and gone to heaven. 00:05:12.980 --> 00:05:16.759 For kind of half an hour to 20 minutes and they see heaven. 00:05:16.980 --> 00:05:18.020 It's an absolute lie. 00:05:18.140 --> 00:05:19.180 They're just trying to make money. 00:05:20.640 --> 00:05:22.379 And they find God doing all sorts of things. 00:05:22.460 --> 00:05:29.200 But when you see God in the Bible, a vision of heaven, God is not cutting the grass. 00:05:29.840 --> 00:05:31.400 And God is not polishing his shoes. 00:05:32.240 --> 00:05:33.920 And God is not finishing up some paperwork. 00:05:34.060 --> 00:05:35.319 He's not loading a van. 00:05:35.700 --> 00:05:36.439 He is sitting. 00:05:36.960 --> 00:05:38.780 And he is sitting on a throne. 00:05:38.779 --> 00:05:44.439 And the reason he is seated on a throne is because he is the rightful ruler of the universe. 00:05:45.599 --> 00:05:48.099 And he is the ultimate authority in all things. 00:05:48.179 --> 00:05:49.719 And he is everything under control. 00:05:49.859 --> 00:05:50.739 He is in charge. 00:05:51.699 --> 00:05:53.479 And so God is alive and God is in charge. 00:05:53.839 --> 00:05:56.239 And the third thing we see is that God is resplendent. 00:05:57.399 --> 00:06:01.099 And Isaiah sees that God is on a throne high and lifted up. 00:06:01.179 --> 00:06:03.719 And then he notices the robe. 00:06:04.559 --> 00:06:07.119 And the trade of God's robe fills the temple. 00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:10.379 We had a wedding yesterday at our church building. 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:13.379 And you imagine that the bride comes to the front of the church. 00:06:13.459 --> 00:06:14.439 She comes up the aisle. 00:06:14.879 --> 00:06:16.040 And she gets to the front. 00:06:16.100 --> 00:06:17.079 And she meets the groom. 00:06:17.160 --> 00:06:18.259 And their eyes meet. 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:21.300 And the bridesmaids are there. 00:06:21.660 --> 00:06:22.920 And they fix the trade. 00:06:22.980 --> 00:06:24.459 But the trade goes out of the chapel. 00:06:25.019 --> 00:06:26.759 And it goes out of the hallway. 00:06:27.100 --> 00:06:28.860 Onto the front door. 00:06:29.819 --> 00:06:31.959 And out to the, I'm Drayton Green. 00:06:32.300 --> 00:06:33.639 And across the road. 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:35.920 And onto the park. 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:36.899 Just by the swings. 00:06:37.899 --> 00:06:40.120 And so the bridesmaids gather in the road. 00:06:40.239 --> 00:06:42.039 It takes them about 20 minutes while we're all waiting. 00:06:42.199 --> 00:06:43.399 And there's robe. 00:06:43.539 --> 00:06:45.079 There's a train of robe everywhere. 00:06:45.239 --> 00:06:45.939 There's this train. 00:06:46.219 --> 00:06:47.299 It covers us all. 00:06:47.399 --> 00:06:48.120 We're all there. 00:06:50.359 --> 00:06:52.179 And it covers the front area of the church. 00:06:52.279 --> 00:06:54.479 It covers the back area of the church. 00:06:54.539 --> 00:06:55.379 It covers the seats. 00:06:55.500 --> 00:06:56.299 It covers the people. 00:06:57.459 --> 00:06:58.399 And that's the vision. 00:06:59.539 --> 00:07:00.560 That Isaiah sees. 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:01.219 Can you see it? 00:07:01.219 --> 00:07:04.339 There is a train of his robe that fills the temple. 00:07:04.339 --> 00:07:09.979 And that highlights the fact that God is a God of incomparable splendour. 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:12.899 Of dazzling splendour. 00:07:13.659 --> 00:07:15.500 Who's over and above all things. 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:16.919 Who's more splendid than anything. 00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:20.759 The fourth thing is God is rightfully worshipped. 00:07:20.920 --> 00:07:21.000 Right? 00:07:21.140 --> 00:07:22.100 As Isaiah tells us. 00:07:22.600 --> 00:07:24.780 That above the Lord there were these seraphs. 00:07:24.840 --> 00:07:25.580 Or seraphim. 00:07:25.660 --> 00:07:27.520 That means burning ones. 00:07:29.140 --> 00:07:30.220 Fiery ones. 00:07:30.220 --> 00:07:35.100 And as such they are these suitable kind of attendants. 00:07:35.260 --> 00:07:38.040 Of the ruling resplendent holy God. 00:07:39.600 --> 00:07:41.540 Their wings are kind of down folded. 00:07:41.700 --> 00:07:43.700 And at the same time they're outstretched. 00:07:46.440 --> 00:07:50.280 They lift these huge flaming seraphs. 00:07:50.340 --> 00:07:51.600 Surrounding the throne of God. 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:52.360 And in verse 4. 00:07:52.640 --> 00:07:54.000 When they speak. 00:07:54.620 --> 00:07:56.940 Well the foundations of the threshold shake. 00:07:56.939 --> 00:08:03.199 And yet as the fiery as the angelic beings are. 00:08:03.300 --> 00:08:04.300 As great as they are. 00:08:04.379 --> 00:08:06.620 As untainted by human sin as they are. 00:08:06.980 --> 00:08:09.240 They've never sinned these fiery angels. 00:08:09.699 --> 00:08:11.600 But their reaction before the holy God. 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:13.819 Is that they must hide their faces. 00:08:14.959 --> 00:08:17.279 In humility and fear before the Lord. 00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:19.539 And we must think. 00:08:19.719 --> 00:08:22.519 If those fiery angels. 00:08:22.719 --> 00:08:23.779 Who have never sinned. 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:25.399 If that is how they must react. 00:08:25.500 --> 00:08:26.319 Before God. 00:08:27.559 --> 00:08:30.039 Think of how we should react. 00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:32.860 Before this holy resplendent God. 00:08:32.919 --> 00:08:34.220 Who is rightfully worshipped. 00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:35.399 And is revered. 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:36.699 Even by angels. 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:37.659 God is alive. 00:08:37.819 --> 00:08:38.639 God is in charge. 00:08:39.220 --> 00:08:40.220 God is resplendent. 00:08:40.319 --> 00:08:41.559 God is rightfully worshipped. 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:44.019 And then the highest mountain really is verse 3. 00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:45.259 Is that God is holy. 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:48.559 And they call to one another. 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:49.360 And say holy. 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:50.080 Holy. 00:08:50.439 --> 00:08:50.779 Holy. 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:52.220 Is the Lord of hosts. 00:08:52.819 --> 00:08:55.139 The whole earth is full of his glory. 00:08:55.779 --> 00:08:57.460 It's not some kind of liturgical chant. 00:08:57.600 --> 00:08:59.580 They are saying look how holy he is. 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:01.179 Look how holy he is. 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:02.720 John Piper points out. 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:04.279 That we really at this point. 00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:05.860 Come to realise our limitation. 00:09:07.340 --> 00:09:08.740 That we're a little bit like Rupert Chee. 00:09:09.080 --> 00:09:10.259 The gallant mouse. 00:09:10.379 --> 00:09:10.960 In C.S. Lewis. 00:09:11.080 --> 00:09:12.220 The voyage of the dawn trailer. 00:09:12.539 --> 00:09:14.700 He sails to the end of the world. 00:09:14.700 --> 00:09:17.320 Because Piper says. 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:18.460 When we come to this description. 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:21.240 This description of God as holy. 00:09:22.300 --> 00:09:24.280 It's like holy is that little boat. 00:09:24.400 --> 00:09:26.360 Where we reach the world's end. 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:28.620 In the ocean of language. 00:09:29.100 --> 00:09:30.120 Because in a sense. 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:30.820 It's inadequate. 00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:32.759 To describe it. 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:35.759 The word holy means weighty. 00:09:37.640 --> 00:09:39.200 It's something of substance. 00:09:39.379 --> 00:09:39.960 But in essence. 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:41.640 When you say God is holy. 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:44.139 You are saying that God is God. 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:48.059 You're pointing to his superlativeness. 00:09:48.439 --> 00:09:49.240 If there's such a word. 00:09:49.519 --> 00:09:51.419 You're pointing to the fact that he is separate. 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:52.600 He is weighty. 00:09:52.740 --> 00:09:55.220 He is morally pure and perfect. 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:57.059 That he is sizzling. 00:09:57.259 --> 00:09:58.139 Red hot. 00:09:58.299 --> 00:09:59.259 Perfect and pure. 00:09:59.679 --> 00:10:00.919 And the seraphs know that. 00:10:01.019 --> 00:10:01.899 So they don't just say. 00:10:01.960 --> 00:10:03.439 Holy is the Lord God almighty. 00:10:03.580 --> 00:10:04.259 They say holy. 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:04.919 Holy. 00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:05.559 Holy. 00:10:05.559 --> 00:10:05.679 Holy. 00:10:06.939 --> 00:10:07.579 And you know generally. 00:10:07.699 --> 00:10:08.359 In the Hebrew language. 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:10.019 There was no kind of. 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:11.539 Underlying or bold font. 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:13.299 When he wanted to repeat something. 00:10:13.479 --> 00:10:14.659 Or something of magnitude. 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:15.679 He repeated it. 00:10:17.099 --> 00:10:18.699 So Genesis 14.10. 00:10:18.819 --> 00:10:20.739 We're told that there were deep pits. 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:22.579 But in the Hebrew. 00:10:22.719 --> 00:10:23.439 It says there were pits. 00:10:23.579 --> 00:10:24.039 Pits. 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:24.479 Pits. 00:10:24.619 --> 00:10:25.799 That's how they did it. 00:10:26.779 --> 00:10:28.759 2 Kings 25.15. 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:29.619 Our translation. 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:31.159 Talks about pure gold. 00:10:31.839 --> 00:10:32.799 But in the Hebrew. 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:34.219 It's just gold gold. 00:10:34.220 --> 00:10:36.600 The word is just repeated. 00:10:36.940 --> 00:10:37.420 But in Hebrew. 00:10:37.660 --> 00:10:39.259 Isaiah 6. 00:10:39.320 --> 00:10:40.580 It's repeated three times. 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:43.759 But the fact that. 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:44.320 God's holiness. 00:10:44.540 --> 00:10:45.580 Is so far beyond. 00:10:45.700 --> 00:10:46.480 Our comprehension. 00:10:47.320 --> 00:10:47.720 That our. 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:49.379 Super superlative. 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:49.840 Is added. 00:10:50.160 --> 00:10:50.980 It's the only time. 00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:51.940 The Bible describes. 00:10:52.160 --> 00:10:52.220 Something. 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:53.440 Three times. 00:10:55.040 --> 00:10:55.960 Because God's holiness. 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:57.019 It is Godness. 00:10:59.259 --> 00:11:00.600 And it sits at the core. 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:01.420 Of his identity. 00:11:03.139 --> 00:11:04.200 It is his identity. 00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:04.779 A unique. 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:05.820 Divine essence. 00:11:05.940 --> 00:11:06.860 It defines who he is. 00:11:06.940 --> 00:11:07.680 And what he does. 00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:09.840 And so we try to find the words. 00:11:09.920 --> 00:11:10.560 And we speak about. 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:11.240 His majesty. 00:11:11.420 --> 00:11:12.019 His divinity. 00:11:12.160 --> 00:11:12.700 His greatness. 00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:13.899 But in the end. 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:15.340 When it comes to God's holiness. 00:11:16.019 --> 00:11:16.420 Language. 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:17.360 Runs out. 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:20.660 And so all the Sarah. 00:11:20.660 --> 00:11:21.600 Can keep on doing. 00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:22.300 Is they keep repeating. 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:22.860 Holy. 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:23.840 Look how holy he is. 00:11:23.940 --> 00:11:24.300 Holy. 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:24.700 Holy. 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:25.040 Holy. 00:11:25.040 --> 00:11:25.139 Holy. 00:11:27.080 --> 00:11:27.639 Ask them on. 00:11:27.680 --> 00:11:28.440 Luke's got his glory. 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:29.259 Verse 3. 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:31.259 Holy. 00:11:31.340 --> 00:11:31.540 Holy. 00:11:31.660 --> 00:11:31.879 Holy. 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:32.799 Is the Lord of hosts. 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:33.439 The whole earth. 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:34.259 Is full of his glory. 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:34.759 As Matthew. 00:11:34.759 --> 00:11:34.919 Matthew. 00:11:34.919 --> 00:11:35.080 Matthew. 00:11:35.080 --> 00:11:35.320 Who has written. 00:11:35.820 --> 00:11:37.360 Three great commentaries on Isaiah. 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:38.919 Helpfully points out. 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:39.840 That God's holiness. 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:40.820 And his glory. 00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:41.559 Are related. 00:11:43.179 --> 00:11:44.279 This is what Matthew says. 00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:45.980 Holiness is God's hidden glory. 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:47.159 And glory. 00:11:47.659 --> 00:11:49.120 Is God's all present holiness. 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:50.039 Very good. 00:11:51.519 --> 00:11:52.600 What he means by that. 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:53.779 Is when we talk about God. 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:54.620 Being glorious. 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:56.179 It means that he's gone public. 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:57.200 With his holiness. 00:11:57.200 --> 00:12:00.759 That his glory. 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:03.240 Is the open revelation. 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:05.580 Of the secret of his holiness. 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:08.540 His glory. 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:09.840 Is his holiness on display. 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:13.220 And so if you want to behold his holiness. 00:12:13.440 --> 00:12:14.800 God has revealed it in the glory. 00:12:14.900 --> 00:12:16.400 That fills the heavens and the earth. 00:12:17.900 --> 00:12:18.660 That's what the Sarah. 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:19.480 Are telling us here. 00:12:19.560 --> 00:12:20.660 The whole earth. 00:12:20.780 --> 00:12:21.740 Is full of his glory. 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:24.419 You look around. 00:12:24.560 --> 00:12:25.460 At the wonder. 00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:26.799 At the beauty of creation. 00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:28.560 And it reveals his glory to us. 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:31.039 The problem is. 00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:32.139 Our view of that glory. 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:33.279 Is limited in some ways. 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:34.779 Because we've looked for that glory. 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:35.980 In all the wrong places. 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:39.299 You and I look for meaning. 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:41.580 For substance. 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:43.720 In cheap imitations of God. 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:46.639 The Danish philosopher. 00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:47.360 Sorry for cooking. 00:12:47.560 --> 00:12:48.180 Talks about. 00:12:48.639 --> 00:12:49.399 A couple. 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:50.879 Going out in a carriage. 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:52.059 An open top carriage. 00:12:52.320 --> 00:12:52.960 At night. 00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:54.120 To see the beauty. 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:55.000 Of the skies. 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:56.559 To see the glory of God. 00:12:56.939 --> 00:12:58.740 But either side of their heads. 00:12:58.820 --> 00:12:59.580 In the carriage. 00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:01.840 Are these gas lanterns. 00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:04.139 And as long as their heads. 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:05.080 Are surrounded. 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.039 By these lights. 00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:07.220 These gas lanterns. 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:08.480 By the artificial light. 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:10.120 The sky overhead. 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:11.240 Well it just seems empty. 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:11.799 Of glory. 00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:12.279 Doesn't it? 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:16.399 And what Kuriot says. 00:13:16.519 --> 00:13:17.279 In a sense. 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:18.299 You need this gracious. 00:13:18.299 --> 00:13:19.259 Wind of the spirit. 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.000 To blow out. 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:21.059 Our earthly lights. 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.860 So that in the darkness. 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:25.000 God's heavens. 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:25.779 Are clear. 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:27.120 As they really are. 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:28.019 Filled with stars. 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.179 And we behold. 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:30.000 The glory of God. 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:33.259 I don't know. 00:13:33.299 --> 00:13:34.019 If we can take all this. 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:34.679 In this morning. 00:13:34.799 --> 00:13:35.940 That Isaiah describes that. 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:37.139 There's an inadequacy. 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:38.139 In trying to preach it. 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:39.820 That even. 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:41.139 Trying to describe. 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:42.279 What he talks about here. 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.179 Is mind blowing. 00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:44.299 And yet. 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:45.100 Here is the thing. 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:46.539 That unless you've experienced. 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:47.779 That weightiness. 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:49.839 A length. 00:13:49.899 --> 00:13:50.419 You've experienced. 00:13:50.419 --> 00:13:51.379 The heaviness. 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:52.039 Of God. 00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:53.000 The holiness. 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:53.679 Of God. 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:54.879 The splendor. 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:55.500 Of God. 00:13:55.699 --> 00:13:56.439 The glory. 00:13:56.439 --> 00:13:56.919 Of God. 00:13:57.059 --> 00:13:57.480 God. 00:13:57.959 --> 00:13:59.620 Will just be a concept. 00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:00.579 In your life. 00:14:01.439 --> 00:14:02.620 He'll never be a reality. 00:14:04.839 --> 00:14:05.639 Let me try and flesh. 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:06.220 Another little bit. 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:07.360 If God is a concept. 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:07.959 In your life. 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:09.000 He's not weighty at all. 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:11.879 He's lighter than you. 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:12.139 Actually. 00:14:12.220 --> 00:14:12.579 In a sense. 00:14:12.580 --> 00:14:15.680 So when you have God. 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.480 As a concept. 00:14:17.820 --> 00:14:18.600 You actually. 00:14:19.020 --> 00:14:20.000 Fit him in. 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.620 To your existing life. 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:25.020 And you fit God in. 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:25.639 To your. 00:14:25.900 --> 00:14:26.740 Existing patterns. 00:14:26.800 --> 00:14:27.259 And behavior. 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:27.840 Beliefs. 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:28.340 And agendas. 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:29.620 So you might say to me. 00:14:29.680 --> 00:14:30.960 I believe in God. 00:14:31.020 --> 00:14:32.139 But has it changed you. 00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:32.780 That much. 00:14:34.540 --> 00:14:35.340 You may look pretty much. 00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:36.280 Like the people around you. 00:14:37.680 --> 00:14:38.580 Whether it's school. 00:14:38.680 --> 00:14:39.140 Or college. 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:39.780 Or work. 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:40.580 Or wherever you are. 00:14:40.660 --> 00:14:41.440 God is just. 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:42.560 Still a concept. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:44.720 You've been able to. 00:14:44.820 --> 00:14:45.500 Slot him in. 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:47.280 With your existing beliefs. 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:48.340 He fits him. 00:14:48.380 --> 00:14:49.220 With your agenda. 00:14:50.140 --> 00:14:50.860 And that agenda. 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:51.240 May mean. 00:14:51.300 --> 00:14:51.840 That you're in church. 00:14:51.880 --> 00:14:52.380 This morning. 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:53.860 You've come to church. 00:14:53.920 --> 00:14:54.680 Because you've been going to church. 00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:55.180 For years. 00:14:55.420 --> 00:14:57.080 But it's still part of your agenda. 00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:58.540 Because the real. 00:14:58.840 --> 00:15:00.000 Your real God. 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:00.240 Is. 00:15:00.420 --> 00:15:01.340 Well maybe you want to have less. 00:15:01.420 --> 00:15:02.020 Scratch in your life. 00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:04.240 Or you want to be more spiritual. 00:15:04.380 --> 00:15:04.860 Or something else. 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:06.560 God is simply. 00:15:06.920 --> 00:15:07.780 A means. 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:08.620 To an end. 00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:09.320 He's a concept. 00:15:09.420 --> 00:15:10.260 There's no weight. 00:15:10.420 --> 00:15:10.820 To him. 00:15:11.440 --> 00:15:13.580 And as a concept. 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:14.040 Actually. 00:15:14.040 --> 00:15:14.320 He's. 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:15.160 He's lighter. 00:15:15.280 --> 00:15:16.000 Than you are. 00:15:17.420 --> 00:15:18.980 But as a reality. 00:15:19.180 --> 00:15:20.880 As Isaiah experiences here. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.420 God is so much more weighty. 00:15:24.020 --> 00:15:24.900 God is heavy. 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:27.960 And when you come into contact. 00:15:28.060 --> 00:15:29.080 With the real God. 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:30.140 Then things in your life. 00:15:30.280 --> 00:15:31.340 They start to shake. 00:15:32.160 --> 00:15:33.040 And quake. 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.860 And they start to give way actually. 00:15:36.060 --> 00:15:37.260 And they get reordered. 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:40.019 Because instead of God fitting into your agenda. 00:15:40.200 --> 00:15:41.819 God becomes your agenda. 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:44.700 And when you encounter. 00:15:45.059 --> 00:15:46.559 The holy God in your life. 00:15:46.659 --> 00:15:48.240 God moves from being a concept. 00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:49.360 To a reality. 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:51.279 And that raises a question. 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:51.840 Doesn't it? 00:15:52.439 --> 00:15:53.840 Maybe it's a question in some of your minds. 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:54.100 I know. 00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:54.319 But it is. 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:55.139 How do I know. 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:56.500 That I have actually encountered. 00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:57.539 The holy God. 00:15:57.539 --> 00:16:00.759 Because I read. 00:16:01.079 --> 00:16:02.339 What Isaiah writes here. 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.659 Well as I said earlier. 00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:05.980 It seems so far removed. 00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:06.279 Doesn't it? 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:07.599 From our regular experience. 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.399 How do I know. 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:10.459 That I have had a comparable encounter. 00:16:10.599 --> 00:16:11.240 With God. 00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:13.000 And the surprising thing. 00:16:13.099 --> 00:16:13.699 We see here. 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:15.360 Is when God moves. 00:16:15.459 --> 00:16:16.019 From being. 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:17.279 A concept. 00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:18.199 To a reality. 00:16:18.339 --> 00:16:18.939 In your life. 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.599 The first thing you do. 00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:22.740 Is start talking about yourself. 00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:25.039 The second. 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:26.000 Isaiah's confession. 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:28.360 You talk about yourself. 00:16:28.419 --> 00:16:29.539 It seems so narcissistic. 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.000 Doesn't it? 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:32.439 And start focused. 00:16:32.719 --> 00:16:33.879 And you start talking about yourself. 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:34.860 And when you've seen. 00:16:34.959 --> 00:16:36.379 This incredibly holy God. 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:37.779 Well. 00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:39.519 That is what seems to be the case. 00:16:39.579 --> 00:16:40.039 In verse 6. 00:16:40.219 --> 00:16:41.500 If you look at verse 5. 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:43.240 You start talking about yourself. 00:16:43.339 --> 00:16:43.980 But in a very. 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:45.059 Very specific way. 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.159 Isaiah says. 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:48.480 To me. 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:49.699 Woe is me. 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:52.259 Woe is me. 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:53.779 I'm lost. 00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:54.740 I'm ruined. 00:16:55.079 --> 00:16:56.419 For I'm a man of unclean lips. 00:16:56.419 --> 00:16:57.679 And I live among a people. 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:59.000 Of unclean lips. 00:16:59.079 --> 00:16:59.620 And my eyes. 00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:00.279 I've seen the king. 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.079 The lord of hosts. 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:03.639 So when God. 00:17:03.719 --> 00:17:04.500 Becomes a reality. 00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:05.000 In your life. 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:05.599 You become. 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:05.980 Don't you. 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.779 Acutely aware. 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:07.420 Of your sin. 00:17:09.339 --> 00:17:10.259 So the only thing. 00:17:10.339 --> 00:17:11.019 Isaiah knows. 00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:11.460 To do. 00:17:11.659 --> 00:17:12.460 After he's encountered. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.319 The holy God. 00:17:13.399 --> 00:17:14.379 Is to cry out. 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:15.579 Woe is me. 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:17.359 I am ruined. 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:18.539 I am undone. 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:19.619 And that is striking. 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.460 In and of itself. 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:21.500 Isn't it? 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:22.420 Because if you were here. 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:22.940 Last week. 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.299 Do you remember. 00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:24.240 Chapter 5. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:27.160 Last week. 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:27.620 You remember. 00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:28.299 That we were looking at. 00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:29.259 The six clusters. 00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:30.039 Of woes. 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:30.400 Weren't we? 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.519 Those wrong fruits. 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:33.160 And they were demonstrations. 00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:34.900 Of in the lives. 00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:35.779 Of the people of Judah. 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:36.759 How they've given up. 00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:37.400 On God. 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:40.259 And each of those. 00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:40.859 Six clusters. 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.440 Were marked. 00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:42.720 By an introspective word. 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:43.220 And the word. 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:43.599 You remember. 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.700 Was woe. 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:46.880 And Isaiah. 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:47.980 Called woe. 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.779 On the greedy. 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:49.700 Land grabbers. 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.740 And woe. 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.359 On the pleasure. 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:51.900 Speakers. 00:17:52.120 --> 00:17:52.759 And woe. 00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:53.480 On the spiritually. 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:54.160 Foolish. 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:55.500 Woe. 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:55.900 On those. 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:56.500 Who've reversed. 00:17:56.620 --> 00:17:57.299 Moral values. 00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:57.900 Woe. 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:58.359 On those. 00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:58.900 Who've called. 00:17:59.099 --> 00:17:59.299 Good. 00:17:59.420 --> 00:17:59.660 Evil. 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:00.099 And evil. 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.500 Good. 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.000 Woe. 00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:02.660 On those. 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:03.539 Who are in authority. 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:04.279 To themselves. 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.059 Woe. 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:06.099 To the false heroes. 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:06.960 Of those cultures. 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.019 But in Isaiah. 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.620 Isaiah's not saying. 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.140 Woe. 00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:11.720 You. 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:12.460 He's saying. 00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:12.880 Woe. 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:13.460 To me. 00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:16.380 Isaiah recognizes. 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.339 He does have the moral. 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:17.920 High ground. 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.279 That before the holiness. 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:20.440 And the splendor of God. 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:20.960 He's ruined. 00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:22.279 He's a dead man walking. 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:25.200 He's got no hope whatsoever. 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:25.960 He's a sinner. 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:28.859 So how do people grow as Christians? 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:30.059 How do you grow? 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.960 We grow as Christians. 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.799 As our appreciation. 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:37.059 Of God's holiness. 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:37.859 Deepens. 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.240 But at the same time. 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.539 As that. 00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:41.179 We realize. 00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:42.839 The depth of our own sin. 00:18:42.919 --> 00:18:43.440 We realize. 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:45.039 Actually how sinful we are. 00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:48.480 The reality of God. 00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:49.000 In your life. 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:50.159 The reality of Jesus. 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:50.679 In your life. 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.259 It gets bigger. 00:18:51.379 --> 00:18:51.720 And bigger. 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:52.259 And bigger. 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.799 And the more you understand. 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:54.539 Of his holiness. 00:18:55.659 --> 00:18:56.559 The more you understand. 00:18:56.639 --> 00:18:57.000 Your sin. 00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.799 And that is a problem. 00:18:59.899 --> 00:19:00.319 For us today. 00:19:00.399 --> 00:19:01.179 Because you and I. 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:02.279 We are experts. 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:03.819 At minimizing our sin. 00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:07.200 We don't want. 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:08.159 To understand. 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:08.519 To be. 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:09.460 How our sin. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:10.779 Gets bigger and bigger. 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:12.819 We don't want to know. 00:19:12.939 --> 00:19:13.659 How do we become. 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:14.759 More and more aware. 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.379 Of our sin. 00:19:15.419 --> 00:19:15.939 We're constantly. 00:19:15.939 --> 00:19:16.960 Trying to squeeze it down. 00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:19.659 We try to minimize it. 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:19.899 We. 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:21.679 Try to make our sin. 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.539 Seem smaller than it. 00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:23.079 Let me give you. 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:23.859 A couple of. 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:24.579 Examples. 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:25.639 So we. 00:19:25.679 --> 00:19:26.159 We are. 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.159 We're very good. 00:19:27.159 --> 00:19:28.179 At defending ourselves. 00:19:29.179 --> 00:19:30.200 Or being defensive. 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:31.819 Someone says something. 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:33.960 That exposes our sin. 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:35.120 Or life. 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.039 Some way or another. 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:37.240 And we are experts. 00:19:37.360 --> 00:19:38.779 At explaining it away. 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:41.420 Or switching the conversation. 00:19:44.080 --> 00:19:46.319 Or someone's just trying to justify our decisions. 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:48.360 That that wasn't really wrong at all. 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:49.220 If you knew what I knew. 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:50.259 You wouldn't think it was wrong. 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:52.600 Otherwise. 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:53.940 Others of us have fakers. 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.460 It's not a pity. 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:54.799 We. 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:57.140 Scribe to keep up occurrences. 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:57.580 We. 00:19:57.580 --> 00:19:59.519 We want to maintain a respectable image. 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.980 In large part. 00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:02.799 Because of our. 00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:04.259 Self image. 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:06.380 Is controlled by what other people think of us. 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:08.180 Rather than what God thinks of us. 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:09.460 We can be very good at hiding. 00:20:10.840 --> 00:20:11.220 Hiding. 00:20:11.340 --> 00:20:13.299 Or exaggerating our goodness. 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:14.480 To make up for our sin. 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:16.420 Or blaming other people. 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:20.600 It's really their fault. 00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:21.880 That I sin. 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:23.019 Or just don't cling it. 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.680 And the sobering thing. 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.660 Is every single one of us. 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.340 Hears those things. 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:27.100 I hear those things. 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:28.220 And my ability is charged. 00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:28.680 Don't we? 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:31.740 We can see it in our own lives. 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:32.059 And you see. 00:20:32.100 --> 00:20:33.519 The problem when we do that. 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:35.559 Is when we try to minimize our sin. 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:37.059 We are basically. 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.660 Wanting to keep God. 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.700 As a concept. 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.380 We want him to fit. 00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:42.500 Our agenda. 00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:43.680 We want him to fit. 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.380 Our beliefs. 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:46.160 We want to justify ourselves. 00:20:47.620 --> 00:20:48.420 And be accepted. 00:20:48.580 --> 00:20:49.700 Not because of him. 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.900 But because of how we look. 00:20:52.580 --> 00:20:53.500 Or how we appear to be. 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:53.980 What we do. 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:54.799 And what he's achieved. 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:58.180 But when you encounter. 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:59.519 The holy God. 00:21:00.399 --> 00:21:01.619 As Isaiah does. 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:03.079 You discover. 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:04.639 There is no minimizing of sin. 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.980 You've been found out. 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:09.259 You've been undone. 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:10.379 You're ruined. 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:13.180 And it's a clear sign. 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:13.839 That you've encountered. 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:14.599 The living God. 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.319 The holy God. 00:21:15.379 --> 00:21:16.960 That you start to talk about yourself. 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.779 In those terms. 00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:19.799 But in terms of being. 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:20.559 A ruined. 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.639 Guilty sinner. 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:23.599 Before this God. 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:23.679 God. 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.500 And as we followed along. 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.139 The reunion earlier. 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:28.899 You may have picked up. 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:29.619 But Isaiah thought. 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.619 It was curtain string. 00:21:30.699 --> 00:21:31.019 Doesn't he? 00:21:31.439 --> 00:21:32.439 It's verse 5. 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:33.439 I am lost. 00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:34.919 I'm ruined. 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.639 But it wasn't. 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.879 Because thirdly. 00:21:38.919 --> 00:21:40.039 There's a torment for sin. 00:21:41.699 --> 00:21:42.359 And in a sense. 00:21:42.419 --> 00:21:43.079 That must have given. 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.579 What gave hope. 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.299 As the prophet. 00:21:45.439 --> 00:21:45.980 Of these people. 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:46.859 That even though. 00:21:46.919 --> 00:21:47.500 He knows. 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:47.919 Doesn't he? 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:48.500 All the way through. 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.139 This light of judgment. 00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:49.599 Is coming. 00:21:50.939 --> 00:21:51.599 To Judah. 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.879 He sees that there is hope. 00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:53.259 Here too. 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.619 The question is this. 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:54.920 Isn't it? 00:21:55.079 --> 00:21:55.859 How can I. 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.740 In a ruined. 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:58.119 And lost state. 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:59.180 How can you find hope? 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.400 Well look at verse 6 and 7. 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:03.779 Then one of the seraphs. 00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:04.379 Flew to me. 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:06.140 Having in his hand. 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:07.220 A burning coal. 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:08.619 That he had taken. 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.379 With tons. 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.180 From the altar. 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.900 And he touched my mouth. 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:13.259 And he said. 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:13.599 Behold. 00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:14.579 This has touched your lips. 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.599 Your guilt has taken away. 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.799 And your sin is atoned for. 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:18.359 It's a terrifying thought. 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:18.599 Now. 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.480 These seraphs. 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.319 They fly. 00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:22.400 They fly full speed at him. 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.599 With a burning coal. 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.420 In a tong. 00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:27.400 And he must have thought. 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:27.900 This is it. 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:29.099 I really am done for. 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:29.319 Now. 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.160 This is the end. 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:33.740 And the other seraphs. 00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:34.740 And he touched his eyes. 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.039 Now. 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.279 The part. 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.180 Of the prophet. 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:41.039 That he himself. 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:41.980 Had actually picked up. 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:42.200 On us. 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:43.059 The source of his sin. 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:43.740 Can you see that? 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:44.440 He said. 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:44.960 Verse 5. 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:45.480 I am lost. 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:45.940 For a man. 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.460 Of unclean lips. 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:51.559 And then the seraphs. 00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:52.900 Speaks these amazing words. 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:53.340 Of grace. 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.079 He says. 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:54.400 See. 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.799 This has touched your lips. 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.539 Your guilt has taken away. 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.460 Your sin is atoned for. 00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:02.319 And we read that. 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:03.759 And we think. 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:04.759 Just like that. 00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:06.819 Just like that. 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:11.659 Your sin. 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:14.079 Atoned for instantaneously. 00:23:14.379 --> 00:23:15.039 And Isaiah says. 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:15.279 Yes. 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:15.779 Right away. 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:17.960 You mean. 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:18.659 All the sin. 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:19.139 In my life. 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:20.000 That I am constantly. 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.079 Trying to minimalize. 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.500 That I am constantly. 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.419 Trying to ignore. 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:24.159 All the guilt. 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.119 That has burdened me. 00:23:25.159 --> 00:23:25.700 For years. 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.619 The things I have done. 00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:27.899 In my distant past. 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:29.319 The things that I live with. 00:23:29.439 --> 00:23:30.439 Every day. 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:32.119 That weigh me down. 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:33.119 And burden me. 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.579 Day after day. 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.700 All the behavior. 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:36.679 That I am trying. 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:37.360 To justify. 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.180 It can be paid for. 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.759 In an instant. 00:23:41.060 --> 00:23:41.860 And the answer is. 00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:42.160 Yes. 00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:46.220 The chances are. 00:23:46.320 --> 00:23:47.420 You have not had. 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:48.400 A live cold. 00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:49.400 Brought to you. 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.420 By a blazing angel. 00:23:50.560 --> 00:23:51.259 To touch your lips. 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:51.940 If you have. 00:23:52.820 --> 00:23:53.660 We'd like you to come. 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.000 To the next. 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:54.539 This reason. 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.500 But that hasn't happened to you. 00:23:58.539 --> 00:23:58.759 Is it? 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.759 But the question is. 00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:02.279 What is the. 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.240 What is the connection. 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.920 Between Isaiah's experience. 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:05.680 And ours. 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.680 Is it? 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:06.680 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:06.680 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.680 Is it? 00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:07.860 And so. 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.299 Fourthly. 00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:08.880 The dynamic. 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:09.440 Of the gospel. 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.420 The answer comes. 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.019 Later on. 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.440 Doesn't it? 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.000 In the bible. 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.539 To another time. 00:24:15.620 --> 00:24:16.860 When there was another earthquake. 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:17.039 earthquake. 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:19.879 And the bible says. 00:24:19.939 --> 00:24:20.859 There was another earthquake. 00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:22.259 That affected the temple. 00:24:23.659 --> 00:24:25.059 Here's how the gospel writer. 00:24:25.179 --> 00:24:25.899 Matthew puts it. 00:24:25.959 --> 00:24:26.500 When Jesus. 00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:27.379 On the cross. 00:24:27.479 --> 00:24:28.359 Had cried out again. 00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:29.159 In a loud voice. 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.479 He gave up his spirit. 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:32.639 And at that moment. 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.679 The curtain of the temple. 00:24:33.859 --> 00:24:34.500 Was torn in two. 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:35.399 From top to bottom. 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:37.019 And the earth shook. 00:24:37.979 --> 00:24:38.799 And the rocks. 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.439 Split. 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:41.759 And there's another. 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:43.200 God quake. 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:45.700 That occurs. 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.400 That day. 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.799 Such that the temple. 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.400 Was affected. 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.360 And the earth was shaken. 00:24:50.620 --> 00:24:51.259 And the gospel. 00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:52.000 Writers. 00:24:52.100 --> 00:24:52.420 Tell us. 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.279 That the cause. 00:24:53.360 --> 00:24:53.680 Of that. 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.680 God quake. 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.320 That we don't often. 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:55.840 Think about. 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:56.100 In the. 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.559 At the death of Jesus. 00:24:58.180 --> 00:24:59.059 Was the death. 00:24:59.100 --> 00:24:59.640 Of the one. 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.799 Who had come to atone. 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:01.480 For the sins. 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.059 Of all. 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:02.539 Who were willing. 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:03.320 To cry out. 00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:04.360 Woe is me. 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:05.980 For I am done. 00:25:06.160 --> 00:25:06.620 I am ruined. 00:25:07.419 --> 00:25:07.939 And lost. 00:25:09.379 --> 00:25:10.359 There is a God quake. 00:25:10.419 --> 00:25:11.219 Because of the death. 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:11.719 Of this one. 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:13.059 Who is laying his life. 00:25:13.119 --> 00:25:13.959 Down on the altar. 00:25:16.459 --> 00:25:17.159 Whose life. 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:17.839 Was laid down. 00:25:17.899 --> 00:25:18.279 As it were. 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:18.919 As a sacrifice. 00:25:19.399 --> 00:25:20.739 So that the curses. 00:25:21.179 --> 00:25:21.919 The woes. 00:25:21.919 --> 00:25:23.119 That you and I deserve. 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:24.399 Would not fall on us. 00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.879 And you know. 00:25:27.879 --> 00:25:28.779 Why his death. 00:25:28.919 --> 00:25:29.439 Would be accounted. 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.339 Can be accounted. 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.039 For your sin. 00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:31.419 Don't you. 00:25:31.699 --> 00:25:32.479 Because the night. 00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:33.359 Before his death. 00:25:33.459 --> 00:25:34.619 Jesus goes into the garden. 00:25:34.659 --> 00:25:35.419 Of Gethsemane. 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:37.539 To pray to the father. 00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:38.820 Knowing that he's going to the cross. 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:39.580 The next day. 00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:40.680 And he begins. 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.440 That prayer. 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.080 With the words. 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:42.880 My soul. 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:44.120 Is overwhelmed. 00:25:44.360 --> 00:25:45.220 With sorrow. 00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:47.080 To the point of death. 00:25:48.580 --> 00:25:49.820 It's another way of putting that. 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.420 Jesus. 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.400 Can pray in the garden. 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:53.779 The best. 00:25:53.840 --> 00:25:54.080 Secondly. 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:55.039 Woe is me. 00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:56.860 I'm ruined. 00:25:59.200 --> 00:25:59.960 We see. 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:01.480 In Jesus case. 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.400 No angel. 00:26:02.560 --> 00:26:03.500 Comes with a burning. 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.680 At all. 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.519 No coal. 00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:07.380 Is brought to atone. 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.000 For his sin. 00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:08.740 Because Jesus. 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.580 Is the atonement. 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.220 To his son. 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.200 And Jesus. 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:12.840 Was ruined. 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:14.340 Not for his own sin. 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:16.160 Because he was sinless. 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:16.800 For four hours. 00:26:17.580 --> 00:26:18.259 And Jesus. 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:18.920 Was cursed. 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:19.539 In our place. 00:26:19.600 --> 00:26:20.259 So that we do not. 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:21.060 Have to be cursed. 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:22.080 And Jesus. 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:23.000 We can say. 00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:23.920 Lost the father. 00:26:24.080 --> 00:26:24.779 So the curtain. 00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:25.680 Could be ripped open. 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.500 From top to bottom. 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:27.539 That you can cry. 00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:28.259 Abba father. 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:31.039 So that we can have full access. 00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:32.140 To this holy God. 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.700 And not be separated. 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.180 From him. 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.820 As we deserve. 00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:36.360 So that when we confess. 00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:37.320 With our lips. 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.500 And demonstrate. 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.620 With our lives. 00:26:40.060 --> 00:26:40.680 That Jesus. 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:42.039 Took our woes. 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:43.100 So that we are happy. 00:26:44.320 --> 00:26:45.860 And our sin is atoned for. 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.799 And we are forgiven. 00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:49.000 And consequently. 00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:49.560 Loved. 00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:50.460 And delighted in. 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.160 By the living. 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:52.480 Authoritative. 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.640 The splendid. 00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:55.360 Rightfully worshipped. 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:55.820 Holy. 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.740 Glorious God. 00:26:56.740 --> 00:27:00.099 And now there is one last thing. 00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:01.200 If you thought that was hard. 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.940 As the hardest part of the chapter. 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:03.859 Is this kind of. 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:05.000 Continuate sobering. 00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:05.279 Dianne. 00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:08.859 Because look at verses 8 to 10. 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.200 Isaiah says. 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:11.539 I hear the voice of the Lord say. 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:12.559 Who shall I send. 00:27:12.620 --> 00:27:13.640 And who will go for us. 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.759 And then I said. 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.440 Here I am. 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.099 Send me. 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:17.180 And he said. 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:18.759 Go and say to this people. 00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:19.779 Keep on hearing. 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:20.700 But do not understand. 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.759 Keep on seeing. 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:23.519 But actually you won't really see. 00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:24.279 You won't receive. 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:27.000 Make the heart of this people dull. 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.819 And their eyes heavy. 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:30.099 And blind their eyes. 00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:32.339 Lest they see with their eyes. 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.240 And hear with their ears. 00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:34.379 And understand with their hearts. 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.160 And train to be healed. 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.420 Now the first part. 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:39.299 Is what we like. 00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:39.700 Don't we? 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.799 Here I am. 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.500 Send me. 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:46.279 We like that part. 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:49.420 And for Isaiah. 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.319 It's a no brainer. 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.200 As anybody's asked. 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:52.380 His life has just been turned. 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.660 Completely upside down. 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.840 Or the right side up. 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:56.740 And he volunteers to go. 00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:57.000 He says. 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.660 I will go. 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:59.160 I will tell others of you Lord. 00:28:01.580 --> 00:28:02.519 But when we see. 00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:04.220 What God tells Isaiah. 00:28:04.340 --> 00:28:05.220 He is to preach. 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.680 It is astounding. 00:28:07.840 --> 00:28:08.160 Isn't it? 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:10.860 Verse 8 and 9 and 10. 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:14.279 There are some of the most difficult verses. 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:15.200 In the Bible really. 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:18.400 But God basically. 00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:19.460 He sends Isaiah. 00:28:19.600 --> 00:28:20.720 To tell the Israelites. 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:23.220 That they are not going to listen to him. 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:26.299 It actually looks like. 00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:26.680 Doesn't it? 00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:27.160 His preaching. 00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:27.660 It actually is. 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.299 That his preaching. 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:30.740 Is intended to harden their hearts. 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.860 And they are hard verses. 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:36.299 But they are some of the most frequently quoted verses. 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:37.160 In the New Testament. 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.720 In the book of Isaiah. 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:38.839 There. 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.100 So you figure out. 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:41.799 They are very important for you and I. 00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:44.360 And we cannot avoid them. 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:47.220 But it is very interesting. 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.400 As you look through sermons. 00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:49.420 You notice. 00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:50.460 There are lots of sermons. 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.460 Preached in Isaiah 6. 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:51.980 That stop. 00:28:52.039 --> 00:28:52.740 And verse 7. 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:56.200 Because people don't know what to do with these verses. 00:28:56.400 --> 00:28:58.039 But I think they are very, very important for you and I. 00:28:58.120 --> 00:28:58.460 This morning. 00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:02.880 Because here is the sobering dynamic of the gospel. 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:04.319 And it is very serious. 00:29:04.620 --> 00:29:07.599 That every time you hear the word of God preached. 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:10.700 You hear the word of God read. 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:12.759 Or somebody shares the word of God. 00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:16.359 That as you come away from that exposure to the gospel. 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:19.679 You will be either a little bit closer to God. 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:21.719 Or a little bit further away from God. 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:28.699 The sun melts the ice. 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.219 Doesn't it? 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:31.699 And it hardens the ground. 00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:33.099 The same sun. 00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:34.799 Has two very different effects. 00:29:36.139 --> 00:29:37.039 And that is what we have told you. 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:37.979 The word of God. 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:39.579 Every time you hear it. 00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:42.179 You will either come a little bit closer to God. 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:44.079 Or you will go a little bit further away from God. 00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:47.299 Either a little more softened towards God. 00:29:47.399 --> 00:29:48.899 Or hardened towards God. 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:50.699 The one thing you never are. 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.879 When you hear the word of God. 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:53.779 Is the same before. 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:55.339 As you are after it. 00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:58.399 And that is true right now. 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:01.539 Particularly under the preaching of God's words. 00:30:02.119 --> 00:30:03.119 And preacher himself. 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:04.159 And all who listen. 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:05.039 Will leave here. 00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:07.699 And as a result of having sat under God's word. 00:30:07.699 --> 00:30:09.519 You are either going to be a little bit closer to God. 00:30:09.639 --> 00:30:11.139 Or a little bit further away. 00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:15.020 Because you see the God who we deal with. 00:30:15.120 --> 00:30:16.200 Is a holy God. 00:30:17.840 --> 00:30:19.840 And we are not dealing with a concept. 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:21.480 We are dealing with a reality. 00:30:22.820 --> 00:30:23.920 The real God. 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:25.840 And when you deal with a real God. 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:26.540 A holy God. 00:30:26.600 --> 00:30:28.759 He is a God that you cannot take for granted. 00:30:29.300 --> 00:30:31.320 He is a God on whom you cannot presume. 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:33.700 You cannot say. 00:30:33.780 --> 00:30:34.500 Okay God. 00:30:34.800 --> 00:30:36.980 Actually I am taking a break from really living for you. 00:30:37.040 --> 00:30:38.660 Or I will come back to this gospel. 00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:39.600 In a few years time. 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:41.980 When I have got a little bit more time under my belt. 00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:44.880 And when I have been able to have more fun. 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:47.140 And when I do the things that I want to do in my life. 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:48.580 I will come back to it then. 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:51.519 And every time you do that. 00:30:51.580 --> 00:30:53.460 You move a little bit further away from God. 00:30:55.080 --> 00:30:56.560 And when you keep saying that. 00:30:56.640 --> 00:30:59.279 Eventually you are going to get out of signal range. 00:30:59.360 --> 00:31:00.580 That you cannot hear him anymore. 00:31:02.360 --> 00:31:03.880 And that is what God is telling Isaiah. 00:31:05.600 --> 00:31:06.180 These people. 00:31:06.320 --> 00:31:08.300 They are going to get more and more honest in it. 00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:11.639 You are going to preach for year after year after year to them. 00:31:11.919 --> 00:31:13.039 And they are going to keep saying. 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:14.519 I don't want to hear this. 00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:17.659 I don't want to hear this Isaiah. 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.599 Until eventually. 00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:21.299 You will have to give them. 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.599 Poloetic justice. 00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:24.639 And God will say okay. 00:31:27.079 --> 00:31:28.519 And God will give you what you want. 00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:34.139 You can say over and over and over again. 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:35.539 I don't want to hear this. 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:37.159 And God will grant you your wish. 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:43.059 And you will not be able to hear this ever again. 00:31:44.659 --> 00:31:46.339 And God will give you what you ask for. 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:49.799 What is the most dangerous thing you do every week? 00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.379 What is it? 00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:54.579 What's the most dangerous thing you do every week? 00:31:54.639 --> 00:31:55.839 Some of you may have dangerous jobs. 00:31:55.899 --> 00:31:56.279 I don't know. 00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:59.680 Maybe you do dangerous things in your leisure time. 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.059 I don't know. 00:32:00.139 --> 00:32:01.680 What's the most dangerous thing you do every week? 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.440 It's come to church. 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.839 It's come to church. 00:32:04.839 --> 00:32:08.079 And you hear the word of God. 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:14.220 And what is so terrifying is that we do not know when that time is. 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:15.419 When God says enough is enough. 00:32:16.859 --> 00:32:18.720 And when God says you've rejected me. 00:32:19.659 --> 00:32:20.439 Yes, I reject you. 00:32:22.099 --> 00:32:23.539 And I pray that no one here. 00:32:25.699 --> 00:32:27.759 That no one here ever gets to that place. 00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:33.579 It's wise that the scripture says if you hear his voice. 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.779 Do not harden your heart. 00:32:38.140 --> 00:32:39.819 It's wise to come to church on a Sunday. 00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:42.160 To come to the worship of God is not a little thing. 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:45.559 It's wise to gather your family around you. 00:32:46.879 --> 00:32:48.220 Before you come and you pray. 00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:52.420 Because we are going to meet with the people of God. 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.600 And we're going to hear God's voice. 00:32:55.620 --> 00:32:57.360 Because it's the most dangerous thing you'll ever do. 00:32:59.299 --> 00:33:00.799 How do you not get to that place? 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:02.960 Well, you refuse to go that direction by saying, 00:33:03.039 --> 00:33:06.460 God, today I want you not as a concept in my life anymore. 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:07.720 But I want the real God. 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:10.559 Which means. 00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:14.339 You receive the word in such a way that you say, 00:33:14.420 --> 00:33:15.839 God, come to me in all your holiness. 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:16.980 In all your glory. 00:33:17.059 --> 00:33:18.299 In all your splendid beauty. 00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:20.539 Come to me not as a concept, but a reality. 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:23.559 I want to grow in my love and awareness of your holiness. 00:33:24.880 --> 00:33:25.860 And I want to. 00:33:26.339 --> 00:33:28.360 Even though I know I'm going to hate it. 00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:30.140 I want to be more aware of my sin. 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:35.720 And I want to come to Jesus as the one who atones for my sin. 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:37.000 And I'm going to try and stop. 00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:39.059 I'm going to stop trying to pay for it all myself. 00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:43.559 And I'm going to not stop treating you, God, as a concept in my life. 00:33:44.640 --> 00:33:46.039 And if you do that this morning. 00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:49.140 And say, I want to receive your word. 00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:51.140 I want the real God. 00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:55.799 God will stop being a concept. 00:33:56.279 --> 00:33:57.980 And he will become a reality in your life. 00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:01.539 And your life will be changed forever. 00:34:03.140 --> 00:34:04.059 Just like Isaiah. 00:34:05.720 --> 00:34:07.579 Stay as you hear his voice. 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:10.019 Pardon not your heart. 00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:12.320 Let's pray.