Beholding the King

BEHOLDING THE KING
Isaiah 6:1-8

I. When The King Died, Isaiah Saw the Lord.

The year was 740 B.C. and Israel was economically doing great, but spiritually things aren't that good.

For 52 years this king had ruled and was credited with giving economic power and military might to Israel. Suddenly, the king is dead. Isn't that the way of life?

God wanted to show Isaiah that, though King Uzziah had died, the King was still on the throne.

How you view God determines the way that you go about living. What's your view of God?

II. When Isaiah Saw the Lord He Worshipped.

Verses 2-8 give three responses we should have to the King.

1) First be available to Him.

The whole earth is full of his glory." V 3

Above the throne stood seraphim to teach true worshipers are to be available.

2) Second element is adoration

And one cried out to another and said, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of his glory.' Verse 3

Adoration means, "To give our highest love and admiration; to be in awe of."

3) Third element is change

And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke." Verse 4

Smoke is a symbol for God's presence.

Soup simmers to get the best of what's in each ingredient. Sunday worship is to be the result of people who've been simmering all week in the presence of God.

III. When Isaiah Saw the King, He Confesses His Sin

"Then I said 'Woe is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.'" “V. 5

"You cannot think highly of God and yourself at the same time." John Flavel

Isaiah had a particular need, unclean lips. Notice the coal was applied directly to that need.

IV. Once Isaiah Saw the King, He Was Ready to Go Where God Would Send.

"Also, I heard the voice of the Lord saying 'Whom shall I send and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I. Send me.' " Verse 8

When I am ministered to by God, then I can hear God's voice telling me what he wants me to do.

It's not that we have to serve God we want to serve God because of what he's done.

God wanted to show Isaiah that we are not to put our hope and our trust in human institutions.’