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Sermon Notes,
June 23, 2019 AM
Investigating God #4
The Day The
Foundations Shook
Steve W. Reeves
stevewreevessermons.blogspot.com
INTRODUCTION
A. In
the early mong hours of July 16, 1945, the first atomic bomb was detonated
in
the desert of New Mexico. Those who were to
observe the blast from ten to twenty miles away were instructed to lay on the ground with their feet pointing toward the
blast sight and cover their eye with their arm. No one was to look at the blast since it
was expected to be brighter than the son. Some of the observers were praying.
Nothing like this had ever occurred. Would this blast set in motion a chain of events in
which they would all be killed. At 5:29 a.m. the countdown ended at O. There was a
burst of energy, a brilliant light that lit up the sky, a distant rumble that grew louder
and louder as a shock wave impacted the observers blowing sand and dust . The
world would never be the same.
B. Have you ever witnessed something so incredibly powerful that it made an
unforgettable impression on your mind?
1. This was the experience of Isaiah, an 8th century B.C. prophet in Judah. The 8th
century B.C. was a critical time in the history of the ancient world. Athens and
Sparta had risen to political, philosophical and military prominence. The Assyrian
empire was a rising military power that would conquer the northern kingdom of
Israel in 722 B.C.
2. In the southern kingdom of Judah, Uzziah became king in approximately 780 when
he was sixteen years old. He reigned for 52 years during which Judah prospered
economically. Although Uzziah began as a good king he became consumed with
pride and spent the last years of his life as a leper (See 2 Chronicles 26).
. Against the backdrop of these sweeping changes it would be easy to wonder if
God is still in control.
C. At this critical time in history Isaiah was witness to an event that overwhelmed every
aspect of his life. No investigation of God is complete without considering the scene
pictured in Isaiah 6:1-8.
I. ISAIAH’S EXPERIENCE
A. In Isaiah 6:1- 4 the prophet records his experience.
1. It occurred during the year of Uzziah’s death. This was approximately 740 B.C.
2. There are some dates you remember because of their significance. For some of
you the memory of December 7, 1941 is etched in your memory. For more
ecent generations September 11, 2001 is a date you will never forget.
3. For Isaiah and the people of Judah the death of Uzziah was huge. For 52 years
he had reigned. Suddenly the political stability he had brought was gone. Who
was in control?
B. Isaiah described his experience. “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and
exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. 2 Seraphim stood above Him,
each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his
feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called out to another and said,
“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”
4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out,
while the temple was filling with smoke.”
1. Isaiah saw the Lord. Notice the three discriptions of God.
a. His authority – sitting upon His throne.
b. His appearance – lofty and exalted.
c. His adornment – the train of his garment filled the temple.
2. In our country we do not have a monarch. Our presidential inaugurations are
modest compared to the coronation of a monarch. When Princess Elizabeth
became Queen Elizabeth in 1952 (she is still reining at the age of 93), she wore
a dazzling gown with a long train that required several attendants to walk behind
her to carry it. It was a sign or royalty and splendor.
3. As if this wondrous scene was not enough, I saiah saw, above the Lord,
Seraphim.
a. The appearance and actions of these heavenly beings demonstrate their
purpose of praising God.
b. They had six wings.
1.) With two they covered their eyes. Why?> Because of the brightness of
God’s glory. We understand the importance of not looking directly at the
sun. How much brighter is the glory of God? In Acts 9:3 as Saul (Paul)
approached Damascas a light flashed about him blinding him. Acts 22:6
says this was about noontime so the light Saul encountered was brighter
than the noon sun.
2,) With two they covered their feet as a sign of humility.
3.) With two they flew.
c. More important than their appearance was their announcement.
“Holy, Holy, Holy!”
1.) In English grammar we use a variety of tools to give emphasis to a word or
sentence. We use italics, underlining, bold type and exclamation marks.
2.) Ancient languages utilized repetition as a means of emphasis. esus
prefaced his statements by saying “Truly, Truly.” In Galatians 1:8-9 Paul
repeated his admonition, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should
preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to
be accursed.” God is not merely “Holy.” He is “Holy, Holy, Holy.” No other
characteristic of God is given such prominence. The word “Holy” means
“separate.” God is set apart. His is higher than our highest thoughts and
greater than our greatest imagination.
II. ISAIAH’S EXCLAMATION
A. Isaiah’s experience touched every aspect of his life.
1. He saw the Lord.
2. He heard the Seraphim.
3. He felt the foundations of the temple shake. Even inanimate objects responded
to the power of God.
4. His nostrils were filled with the scent of the smoke that filled the room.
B. Can you imagine what it would be like to see God? Look at Isaiah’s response in
verse 5, ““Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips,
and I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the
LORD of hosts.”
1. In the midst of God’s awesome holiness Isaiah was confronted with his own
unworthiness.
2. “I am ruined.” The King James Version says, “I am undone.” When compared to
the splendor, grandeur and greatness of God Isaiah was literally coming apart at
the seams. How could someone witness the glory of God and live?
C. Suddenly Isaiah broadsided by a startling fact. It is the fact of his personal
unworthiness and sinfulness in the sight of the One who is “Holy,, Holy Holy.” He
cried, “I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips.”:
1. In all of the Old Testament prophets this is the only occurrence where one
pronounces a woe upon himself.
2. When a jewler displays a diamond he lays it out against a black background to
highlight its brilliance. Against the background of God’s holiness Isaiah
understood his own sin and unworthiness.
D. On this occasion Isaiah came to realize two essential truths.
1. Who God is. Notice in verse 5 he said, “My eyes have theen the king, the LORD
of hosts.” The word used for “”Lord” in verses 1 and 5 are not the same. Verse
1 is the word “Adonai” meaning “socvreign.” Verse 5 is the unpronounceable
covenant name of God.
2. Who Isaiah was.
3. It is only when we appreciate and acknowledge the incomprehensible power,
awesomeness and holiness of God that we understand ourselves.
3. Many years ago in Memphis there was a facility known as the “Home for
Incurables.” It was a massive old building in the heart of the city with only the
most severely handicapped and disabled people living there. In those days it
was run down, not very clean and certainly did not smell very good. Each year
our high school class would visit and each year I dreaded going. Now that I think
of it, I am that that person whose life is handicapped and maimed by sin. I am
the one who exclaims, “Woe is me.”
III. ISAIAH’S EAGERNESS
A. As this scene reached its climactic point one of the Seraphim takes a burning coal
from the altar with a pair of tongs and touches Isaiah’s lips (verse 7). Then he
proclaims, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and
your sin is forgiven” (verse 8).
1. The altar was where the sacrifices for sin were made. Without the sacrifice there
could be no forgiveness. Hebrews 10:4 reminds Christians that it was impossible
or the blood of bulls and goats to remove sin. It took the shedding of the Savior’s
blood. 2.with the blood
2. Unless our lives are cleansed by the blood of Jesus our sins will not be forgiven.
B. On the heels of this spectacular, earth shaking event, Isaiah heard God’s call,
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”
1. Isaiah’s experience with God did not end with the forgiveness of his sins.
2. There was work to be done. There was a mission to be accomplished. Idaiah
eagerly replied, “Here am I, send me.”
C. Your encounter with God did not end when you dried off after being baptized. On
the contrary, it was just beginning. You were enlisting in Godd’s army. You were
joining God’s team. You were saying, “Here am I, send me.”
CONCLUSION:
A. God is still on His throne. He is still “Holy, Holy, Holy.” He still offers forgiveness for
our sins. He still calls, “Who will go for me?
B. Stop. Listen. Do you hear Him calling you? How will you respond?
