VISION OF GOD-FITNESS FOR SERVICE

ISAIAH 6:1-8

INTRODUCTION

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw”. King Uzziah died in 740 B.C. Uzziah had reigned 52years in Jerusalem. During all that time “he had was marvellously helped till he was strong”. But when he became strong, in his own eyes, his heart was lifted up to his destruction. He died a leper, for the Lord had smitten him. (2 Chron.26:18-21). King Uzziah tried to take over the high priest’s duties. At such a mournful time and in such distressing circumstances, the vision of the Holy, Holy, Holy One came to Isaiah. What a great change from the vision of a defeated, leprous King Uzziah to that of the exalted throne of the Eternal one. The day of shame and sorrow may be the day of a new revelation of hope.

Let us learn:-

I.  A GLORIUS VISION

• “I saw also the Lord sitting upon the throne, high and lifted up, the train of His robe filled the Temple” (V.1)
• Isaiah had seen the downfall of Uzziah, but now he has seen the Glory of the unfailing God.
• Isaiah saw the Lord enthroned and His glory filling the house.
• The Lord fills all the temple, there is no place for another.
• The pure in heart see God. We, like Isaiah, must have this vision
• We must have the need to see Jesus- “High and lifted up”, Exalted and enthroned, His glory fills the temple.
• These are the days of visions.

1. “Sons and daughters prophesying
2. “Young men seeing visions”
3. Old men dreaming dreams” (Acts 2:17-19)

II.  A HUMBLING CONFESSION (V.5)

• “Then said I, woe is me! For I am undone, I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips.”
  • A vision of the Highness and holiness of God is a self-humbling sight indeed.
  • “Unclean lips” are a weapon of unclean hearts.
  • Today people and even Christians have unclean lips judging by their “SMS messages” to each other.
  • When Job saw the Lord, he abhorred himself (Job 42:5-6)
  • God’s method is first Revelation, then self-discovery, self-abhorrence and self-abandonment.
  • There is the vision of Bethlehem, Calvary and Olivet.
  • Having seen the King, the Lord of Hosts, we see our own need and the need of the people for they also have unclean lips (V.5)
  • There is hope only when the servants of God have had a clear vision of God and of their own condition and need.

III.  A GREAT SALVATION

“The flew one of the Seraphim unto me, having a live coal in his hand” (v.6)

• The vision, the confession, and then the live coal.
• The Seraphim represents the Holy Spirit, the live coal is taken from the “Altar”, the lips were touched with fire because sin must be purged.
• This salvation is threefold:-

1. Pardon- “Thy sin is covered” by the blood of Calvary
2. Purity- “ Thine iniquity is taken away”
3. Power- “Lo, this has touched thy lips”

• The sealing of the Holy Spirit- His lips must be one with the Altar.
• Only the fire-touched lips can speak of the cross of Christ.
• Pentecost and Calvary must work together for sinners to be free.

IV.  A DEFINITE COMMISSION (V.8)

• The call of God was clearly heard “I Heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send”.
• God’s longing desire is to declare His mind and will to the people through His willing servants.
• The man with fire-touched lips is now ready to say “Here am I, send me”
• He who is cleansed and claimed by the Altar fire is ready and fit for service. “Go” (v.9)

CONCLUSION:

• Vision of God is fitness for the service of God.
• Worship is a service to God.
• Are you fit for service?