Calvary Baptist Church - Canyon Texas - David Crump, Pastor

Jesus said everything you do comes from your heart.

We live from our heart.

We learned what to say and do.

We learned to filter our hearts, but the Bible tells us to guard our hearts, to watch over it, watch what goes into it and comes out of it.

Not to filter our hearts, but to deal with them.

We recoil at bringing those things out into the light.

One way to understand some sin is as a debt/debtor relationship.

Debt hangs over the relationship

If we don't deal with them.

Psalm 38:1-4

Guilt - is an overwhelming sense that I've done wrong.

Guilt will negatively impact your relationships.

Guilt is not what God desires for His people.

"It is your kindness, o God, that leads us to repentance."

Guilt is a monster, not a tool.

Apart from the cross, guilt is normal.

Because of the gospels power, you can be completely free of all guilt.

Don't buy the lie that cultivating guilt and wallowing in your shame is somehow pleasing to God or promote holiness or spiritual maturity.

God is glorified when we believe with all our hearts that those who trust in Christ can never be condemned.

Jesus' sacrifice did away with our guilt, it did not add to it.

He removes our guilt; takes it away.

My guilt and your guilt was buried with Jesus.

It was done away forever.

Guilt says, "I owe you."

I did something wrong, now I owe you.

Lies rob people from making a decision based on the truth, it robs the relationship.

When a husband or wife leaves, it robs the spouse, the children.

There is a debt/debtor relationship.

We experience it like a weight or a burden.

When we confess it, we feel like a weights been lifted.

The guilt you pick up, you carry back into your family and relationships.

You carry guilt with you everywhere you go.

When you carry unresolved guilt, you take it into your relationships.

In the middle of guilt, there is anger.

You are angry at yourself.

"I said, 'I'd never,' then I did."

You're angry at you.

You let your kids, spouse, parents down.

You carry it with you in every aspect of your life.

It is almost impossible to please a man or woman who carries guilt.

"Since I didn't live up to my expectations, I'm not going to allow you to either.

Since I disappointed me, I'm going to find a way for you to disappoint me too."

It's hard to see in yourself, but the people around you see it.

They don't know why they can never measure up.

"I'm just trying to help" "I'm a perfectionist"

No, your disappointment in you impacts the people around you.

Guilt eats at your heart.

It grows in the darkness and eats at you.

You may feel like its in the past, so it's something that cannot be undone.

Bringing it out in the light may scare you to death.

There are only two ways to deal with guilt.

1st, since it's like a debt, return what was taken.

But how can you repay hurt? Repay a past broken relationship?

It's almost impossible.

Or, 2, ask the person you took it from to cancel your debt

Both require confession.

Confession breaks the power of guilt.

Psalm 32:1-5

You will never adequately forgive yourself until you first confess to the person you stole from

The Bible has more to say about confessing to other people than to God.

We think the way we deal with guilt is to tell God.

You get rid of guilt by shining the light of truth on it.

Zacheaus - admitted his abuse of power, offered to pay back, Jesus said salvation is near.

When leaving your gift, make things right with your brother.

The Bible calls us to a lifestyle of confession, being honest with ourselves, with

our family, everyone around us.

Keep short accounts.

Be quick to confess, apologize, make right.

James 5:16 - confess your sins to one another

The goal of confession is not a clear conscience.

The goal of confession a change of heart, a change of life.

You live from your heart.

Make restitution - sometimes impossible to pay back what we've taken

Andy Stanley:

How are things in your heart?

Any secrets?

Colossians 1:13, 14

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

We are taught at an early age behavior modification

We are taught to filter our words and behaviors

Matt 15:10-20

Jesus said the mouth speaks from the heart

What lurks there in your heart will at some point come out

You'll want to say that's not like me.

But it is, it's from your heart

Int he context of marriage, we have a hard time maintaining our filter

Something will come out in our words and behavior that we've been careful to keep from coming out.

In relationships, if you spend enough time around someone, your filter will break down, you'll do or say something that will shock you and the people around you.

You have a heart problem.

Slander, jealousy - I don't feel good about me, when I'm around you, I really feel it.

So I say something about you, to tear you down a notch so I feel better about me.

Women tend to do this about looks.

Men tend to do this about competence or strengths

We try to fix our filter.

The words aren't just a slip up, they reflect whats in your heart.

Studies prove this out, if people knew there would be no consequences, the majority would do terrible things

Until we deal with our hearts, our relationships will suffer and we'll remain in that darkness.

Solomon wrote on all kinds of things, with wisdom for all kinds of aspects of life.

Prov 4:23 guard your heart above all else

The heart drives relationships, handling money, raising children, your married life

The filter never heals the heart.

It never deals with the real issue - I have evil in my heart.

The reason I'm messed up, is because of my hurt.

We would all say, yes, I'd be messed up too

Will you learn to guard, take responsibility for your own heart?

how long you're going to let those things control you? Pick the date

Giving breaks the power of greed. Write a check.

Fix my heart first - it doesn't work backwards

Andy Stanley began something with his kids when they were little:

Is everything ok in your heart?

Mad at anyone?

Anyone break a promise or hurt your feelings?

Want kids to guard their hearts not just their behaviors, to monitor their hearts

Stand guard over what goes in and what comes in.

Christianity is not about behaving, but about having your heart cleansed

David prayed to God, "create in me a clean heart"

Why? Because he knew his heart wasn't clean.

He needed God to create it within him

Your heart is your responsibility.

It is yours to work on with God.

I know you've been hurt, bad things happen to people in this life and they have a tendency to lodge things in your heart.

We need the self-awareness to know when our hearts need cleansed by God

Is everything ok In your heart?

Has someone hurt you?

R u waiting for someone to come to u to make things right?

R u having extended conversations?

Have you secretly celebrated someone's failure?

Lied to someone you love?

Do you find yourself saying negative things about people?

Criticizing or picking out their faults?

Teach me to guard my heart, it is the wellspring of my life.

Do your work to create in me a clean heart?

Help me pay attention to my heart, help me to guard it.

Genesis 1:26-27

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Femininity - reflects the heart of God

Compassion, beauty, nurturing, love, care

Masculinity - reflects the strength of God

Strength, leadership, courage

Men and women are equal in their importance - both reflect God's character.

Neither adequately represents God, but together, they are an image of God - not perfect because of sin - but an image of God nonetheless.

In all creation, marriage is the fullest expression of God's image.

1. Harmony and unity in the relationship

2. Equality and importance of persons

3. Difference in role and authority

Your marriage reflects the image of God.

In God, there are distinct persons, but united in being, in purpose, and in nature.

Each is eternal, each is holy, each is righteous.

Genesis 2:18-24

Likewise in marriage there are two distinct persons; united physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

When your marriage is united in purpose and direction, you reflect the glory of our Creator.

In the Godhead, there is a continual honoring of the members.

John 17:1

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.

When you honor your spouse, you reflect the glory of our Creator.

How do you honor your spouse?

Start by not dishonoring them - then...

Ephesians 5:25-33

When Paul wrote about the love a man should have for his wife, he could not help but to write about Jesus' love for his bride, the church.

So what do we do with this?

Do we tell our kids, "if you want to see God, just watch your mom and me"?

No, we are an imperfect representation of God - Jesus is perfect.

If you want to know what God is like, you have to look to Jesus.

But, I do tell our kids, "I want to love your mom well because that's how Christ has loved me - and when I do, it's because of him."

When I love her well, imperfect as my love is, God is honored, Jesus is glorified, and my marriage works fantastically

Your marriage reflects the image of God and each of you plays a part in reflecting his image.

When your marriage is united in purpose and direction, you reflect the glory of God.

When you honor your spouse, you reflect the glory of God.

Next week: the problems in marriage that go all the way back to the fall of Adam and Eve and the redemption of the marriage relationship found in Jesus Christ.

Back to the garden

When it comes to practically every question about God’s intentions for men and women, the answer is almost always the same: go back to the garden.

Jesus was asked about marriage (Matt. 19:4–6), He answered from Genesis 2.

Paul was discussing the role of women in relation to men (1 Tim. 2:11–14), he found his answers in Genesis 2.

The New Testament sees issues of gender and male-female relationships answered in the opening chapters of the Bible: the basic teaching on creation in Genesis 1 and the record of God’s specific dealing with the first man and woman in Genesis 2. It is here that we should search for the Bible’s most basic teaching on masculinity and femininity.

Protect and Serve

In his book, the "Masculine Mandate," Richard Phillips points to Genesis 2:15 where we read, “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”

He points to this passage as God's calling on men. He refers to this as the masculine mandate.

The Hebrew word translated, “work,” is avad, also translated “serve,” “labor,” and “cultivate.”

Men are called to work to cultivate something worthwhile for the glory of God and for the well-being of their fellow men, while providing for their families.

Men are to be workers and builders at their work, in their homes and churches.

Notice that work was not the result of the curse. Adam was to work in the garden before the curse. The curse brought pain and suffering to work, but man was always to work.

The second part of the masculine mandate is found in the word, “keep.” The Hebrew word, shamar, is also translated, “watch over,” “guard,” “protect.”

“A man is not only to wield the plow but also bear the sword. "

Being God’s deputy lord in the garden, Adam was not only to make it fruitful but also to keep it safe,”

To be a man is to stand up and be counted when there is danger or other evil to be faced.

Nehemiah 4:16-18 is a perfect picture of the role of a man.

Working and building, protecting and guarding.

In our families, our presence is to make our wives and children feel safe and secure.

At church we stand for truth and righteousness.

In society we stand up against evil and defend our families and nation from danger.

But it's easy for us to get forget which we are to wield and when.

God's calling for men is to work and keep - or protect and serve

This can be anything that accomplishes good. A man can make eyeglasses, do scientific research, or manage a store; the examples are almost endless.

Our mandate to work means we should be devoting ourselves to building good things and accomplishing worthwhile results. There is nothing wrong with a man working simply to earn a wage, but Christians rightly want their labors to yield more than money for themselves and their families. Christian men should also desire to cultivate something worthwhile for the glory of God and the well-being of their fellow men.

Leadership deficit

America is facing a leadership crisis. Real, honorable, self-sacrificing leadership is difficult to find, especially in Washington.

Our families, our community, our nation and our world are relying on the church to produce selfless, self-sacrificing, godly, honorable men to work and to keep.

Men, will you encourage each other to be honorable men?

Will you engage the next generation of men to grow in godliness and courage?

God refers to Himself over and over again as the Holy One of Israel, The God of Jacob, The Lord your God.

He identifies Himself in intimate relationship with Israel.

Even though they forgot him, even though they fell deep into sin and chose idols over Him.

God will not abandon us. He will not forsake us. He will not forget us.

Isaiah 49:15-16

Isaiah was written 700 years before Jesus' birth.

He was given greater revelation from God about the suffering and death of Jesus than any other prophet.

The description of Jesus' suffering is shockingly detailed as God'sSuffering Servant.

It is also shocking to hear that God's plan was to use His Servant's suffering to take away our sin.

This is what sacrifices were for: lambs, rams, dove, not people.

Isaiah 53:1-3 He was despised and rejected

Isaiah 53:4-6 He took our sins upon Himself

Jesus bore our sin and brokenness and brought us peace and healing by his suffering.

Isaiah 53:7-9 He suffered and was killed unjustly

Isaiah 53:10-12 This is God's plan to save mankind and glorify His servant

Jesus' suffering was God's offering to take away our guilt.

Jesus' suffering was not only to pay the penalty for our sins.

Jesus suffered to provide an example for us to follow when we suffer.

1 Peter 2:21

To this [suffering] you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Jesus' suffering paid the penalty for our sins.

Jesus' suffering gives us an example to follow when we suffer.

Jesus entered into our suffering.

There is direct suffering as the one suffering, and then there is suffering because someone you love is suffering.

God suffered with us like the way we suffer when our children struggle.

That pain is real, it hurts our hearts when someone we love suffers.

God loved us so much, he sent Jesus into this broken, sinful world to suffer with us - to enter into our suffering.

Hebrews 5:8-9

Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

God knows everything.

He didn't need to learn about suffering in the sense that He didn't understand it.

Jesus suffered so that He could sympathize with us and comfort us in our suffering.

Hebrews 4:15-16

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

When you are suffering, you don't want to hear from someone who has never really struggled.

You want to be comforted by someone who's been there, someone who's struggled, someone who's been through that hurt.

Why? Because suffering gives you maturity. It deepens you.

It gives you authority to speak.

It gives you wisdom and perspective that others don't have.

So, walk with God through suffering.

Don't be afraid of it. Don't avoid it.

Walk through it with the One Who's been there, the One Who willingly entered into suffering so He could be there when you suffer.

When you are suffering, remember that God provided you the perfect counselor, comforter and friend for our times of suffering.

Two weeks ago we went through Isaiah’s vision.

He saw God, seated on His throne, exalted and in all his majesty.

But Isaiah was so struck by God’s fearsome holiness, that he was undone before him.

Instead of striking Isaiah, or casting him out of His presence, God took away his sin and called Isaiah into His work.

Last week we talked about how, even in the midst of chaos, God is the majestic sovereign.

He provides strength for His people.

Because He gives us strength, even in the midst of trouble, we can rejoice.

You’ve been through the tough part of Isaiah – all of God’s judgment on the nations – and the whole earth.

Chapters 1-35: Isaiah prophesied about the rise of Assyria and how God would use Assyria to punish the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

Chapters 36-39: Isaiah recorded Assyria’s fall and warned about the future rise of Babylon, who would come take Judah captive.

Chapters 40-66: Isaiah prophesies about the end of the Babylonian captivity of Judah.

Isaiah 40:1-2 – From punishment to comfort.

v. 1 – “comfort, comfort” – repeated for emphasis – “great comfort.”

The tone changes so much that it has caused some to debate that the rest of the book must have been written by someone else – and some of the prophecies are so specific – God calls out Cyrus the Persian by name, to defeat the Babylonians and allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem – 160 years before it happens.

It’s so specific, some people think it must have been written after those things took place.

Those are people who do not believe that God foretold the future through Isaiah. We are not those people.

God is promising a comfort and rest for His people.

“Hard service” probably refers to her time in Babylonian captivity.

“sin… paid for” by enduring the punishment of the Babylonian captivity – God said he would use the captivity to remove their sin and to turn the Israelites back to him.

God’s punishment through the Babylonian exile will last 70 years.

This is a prophesy of its end in 539 B.C. when Cyrus the Persian would unite the Persians and Medes and allowed the Israelites to return to their land in 538 B.C.

But, as with many prophesies, this one has multiple fulfillments – ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

This one also prefigures all of our salvation. God gives us this prophesy and these events in history so we can see understand and marvel at His salvation for us: comfort, rest from struggle, our sin paid for, receiving from the Lord.

Isaiah 40:3-5 – “voice calling in the desert” – a reference to John the Baptist.

“The glory of the Lord revealed and all mankind will see it.” - quoted by Luke about the birth of Jesus.

The glory of the Lord also seen in Jesus’ death and resurrection and in his return. But also in the redeemed.

Isaiah 40:6-8 – the glory and power of people are passing. The kingdoms of Assyria and Babylon will not last.

But God is everlasting, unending. He is forever. He will outlast every man, every kingdom, every world power.

God is the everlasting God.

Isaiah 40:9-11

v. 9 – “Here is your God” – declared to the people who would return from Israel, but also applies to the first coming of Christ and His second coming.

v. 10 – “Sovereign Lord” – two words that mean “Lord” are used together: Yahweh Adonai He is the Lord of Lords.

He rules with power and strength, His people are his “reward and recompense”

He fought for them and won them, like a warrior-king who won the spoils of victory.

v. 11 – How does He rule over His people? Like a shepherd.

He tends them, gathers them in his arms, carries them close to his heart, and gently leads them.

Which is God, the fearsome king who rules in strength and power – Is He the warrior-king?

Or is he like a shepherd Who cares for His flock?

Isaiah portrays God as a Shepherd-King – fierce in strength, power, authority and majesty.

Yet, loving, kind, and tender toward His people.

Do you know this?

It’s important to get both.

He is the Warrior-King Who is sovereign, powerful, clothed in awesome power and authority over everything.

And, He is your Shepherd – gathers you, carries you close to his heart, gently leads you.

Can you believe how tenderly this describes God?

I preach this to myself all the time.

When I’m anxious or when I am tempted to get my security or significance from other people, I tell myself,

“Wait, The God of the universe, the Sovereign King over all, the Majesty of heaven cares for you like a shepherd.”

God’s care for me flows from His majesty and glory.

Knowing that He is both powerful and tender makes Him even more glorious, even more majestic.

It makes a bigger impact in your life.

It helps you escape from anxiousness and worry.

It also helps you escape from the sin of seeking other people’s approval over God’s approval.

“If God cares for me, if He loves me, if He accepted me and wants me, then what else do I need?”

Isaiah 40:25-27 – God calls out the stars, knows each by name.

Stars we cannot even see, God knows their names and calls each one of them.

His power and might sustain the stars.

Isaiah 40:28-31

v. 28 – “Everlasting God”, “Creator of the ends of the earth”. He is inexhaustible. “No one can fathom his understanding”

v. 29 – The God who sustains the stars gives strength to His people.

v. 31 – Those who hope in him are renewed in strength.

This is not hoping like “this may not happen”. This is “faithing.”

Knowing that God is Who He says He is, and having experienced His strength before, I am confident that God will give me strength.

Isaiah chapters 24-27 are referred to as "Isaiah's Apocalypse"

He refers to a time when God will bring judgment upon the whole world because of sin.

The response of God's fearsome holiness to the sin of the world is devastating.

All those who are not His will bear their own guilt for their sin - and the result is frightening.

Yet, In the midst of judgment, there are scenes where people are praising God.

Because of His majesty and because God is bringing His purposes to fruition, the threats of judgment are seen in the perspective of thanksgiving.

Because of God's majesty, we have reason to rejoice - always. Don't miss it.

Isaiah 26:1-6 God is Defender of His people

V. 1 "in that day" refers to a coming time when God will intervene dramatically amongst mankind.

In this case, the Isaiah has apparently had a view of "millennial reign" of Christ, when He will rule over the earth.

God's protection of His people is seen by Isaiah as a fortified city.

The people are protected within its walls.

The walls and ramparts are God's salvation - His saving actions for His people.

V. 2 the righteous may enter, they are people who trust in The Lord.

Don't miss this - the people of God know Him personally and He keeps them within His power and strength.

V. 3 the result is, the people of God have peace.

We cannot avoid struggles in this fallen world, but when we remember we can have peace in the midst of turmoil.

We all have things in our lives where what we believe does not match up to what we do or how we react.

In my head, I know that I should not let small, fleeting things ruin my day in anxiety or stress, but I often let small, fleeting things take my mind off of the majesty of God and the beauty of what He has done for me.

But this doesn't make any sense at all.

I believe that my struggles cannot measure up to the beauty and majesty of God.

I believe that my problems, no matter how bad, cannot compare to the joy that I should have because of what The Lord has done for me.

He's saved me, blessed me, took away my sin, calls me His Son when I was His enemy, he is working in me, He is including me in the greatest purpose on the planet.

Yet, I let small things crop up and act like none of that matters.

That's not what I believe.

I believe that those are the things that really matter.

It's the small stuff that doesn't matter.

But I find this incongruity between what I think and how I live.

We need the Lord to help make what is true in our minds also true in our lives.

V. 4 trust in The Lord, rock eternal - God Himself is our protecting rock.

Vv. 5-6 God will act justly - he will act against pride.

Isaiah 26:7-11 contrast: The righteous long for God. The wicked ignore the majesty of The Lord.

V. 7 - God helps us, leads us, guides us

V. 8-9 - God's people follow Him.

We wait on Him - in hope/expectation that we will see His goodness because He has already done so much, we trust in His goodness.

We desire Him - to be with Him - longing, yearning for His presence.

Vv. 10-11 the wicked do not respond to God's kindness.

They continue on their own way.

They do not regard the majesty of The Lord - don't let me miss your majesty.

I don't want to live like that. I want to live like someone who's been changed by God's work. I want to live like I'm His.

Isaiah 26:12

V. 12 - "all that we have accomplished you have done for us"

How can I have peace and rely on God's strength when I'm anxious or fearful or down?

How can you cooperate with God to make what is true in your mind also true in your life?

1. Memorize helpful verses. Write them down. Remind yourself of them during the day. Meditate on them.

2. Ask The Lord to show you how you can trust Him with your struggle.

3. Journal about the times you're anxious, fearful, or depressed.

Answer these questions in a journal about your struggle:

A. The Situation - what were the circumstances?

B. Your Response - what did you do in response?

C. Your Thoughts - what did you think about what was going on?

D. Your Motives - what did you want out of - or in the midst of - what was going on?

E. How could your response be different?

4. You have to be in His presence, reading and meditating on His Word, and praying.

The ability to change comes from God's Spirit within us (v. 12).

The majesty of who God is and what He has done gives us joy, even in the midst of struggles. Lord, don't let us miss it.

King Uzziah began his reign when he was 16 years old. He reigned in Judah for 52 years. He was a good king. 2 Chronicles 26 says, “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”

Zechariah instructed Uzziah in the fear of God.

As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.

He built a powerful army, he rebuilt cities, he fortified the walls of Jerusalem with towers and devices to shoot arrows and hurl large stones from the walls.

But his success became his destruction. Uzziah became proud. He forgot that his success was from God.

2 Chronicles 26:16-21 - just read this, no slides needed.

Isaiah 6:1

After 52 years, the great king of Judah died in about 740 BC under tragic circumstances.

There would have been discouragement and disillusionment in Judah because their great king died tragically, in humiliation.

Where was God in the midst of tragedy and confusion?

He was seated on his throne, ruling and reigning in authority and power.

Almost everyone in the Bible who had a vision of heaven spoke about God’s throne.

The prophet Michaiah, Job, David, the sons of Korah, Ethan the Ezrahite, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, the Apostle John –when they saw heaven, they all saw the throne of God.

No matter what the times or circumstances look like, God is reigning.

We can rely on this in times of trouble.

He is not caught by surprise. He is not panicked. He is in control.

High and exalted,

The train of his robe, a symbol of honor and authority, filled his temple in heaven.

Isaiah 6:2-4

Seraphim – lit., “burning ones.” Speaks of their awesome appearance and their own majesty.

Ezekiel 1:13 describes cherubim: "their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches going back and forth among the living creatures. The fire was bright, and out of the fire went lightning."

The response of these majestic beings to God's majesty:

Six wings. 2 to cover his face (to show they are too lowly to look upon the LORD), 2 to cover his feet (to hide this “humble” area of the body, so nothing even possibly deficient is seen in the LORD’s presence), and 2 to fly.

Spurgeon: "the seraph remembers that even though he is sinless he is still a creature, and therefore he conceals himself in his nothingness and unworthiness in the presence of the three-times Holy One.”

They call out "holy, holy, holy" declaring the perfect holiness of God.

Holy means set apart. God is entirely unique, different from all of creation.

Creation has been wrecked by sin, humanity twisted by it.

But God remains pure, perfect, righteous.

The response to God's majesty:

The seraphim respond with humility and praise.

Isaiah 6:5-7

Isaiah's response, "woe to me, I am ruined"

"I am a man of unclean lips"

Similar experiences had by Job, Daniel, Peter and John - undone when they saw the majesty of God.

Most of them fell to the ground.

Why his mouth?

Perhaps he heard the seraphim, but realized he was too sinful even to praise God.

Perhaps because the mouth is often the outward expression of sin - lies, hate, gossip, pride.

The response to God's majesty:

The seraphim respond with humility and praise.

Isaiah responds with confession of his sin and the sin of his people.

God used the seraph to take away Isaiah's sin with a coal.

This theme of man's guilt before God, remedied by God is the Bible's theme.

It is foreshadowing God's plan to forgive sinners through Jesus' death on the cross.

God's response to a sinner:

He responds with taking away Isaiah's guilt.

Holiness, purity and righteousness flow from God.

Isaiah 6:8

God's calling to a cleansed sinner:

I send you. Go for us.

How strange it is that the God of majesty, sovereignty, and power asks for volunteers! He could make us robots to do His work, or command angels to carry out His will. But God wants willing, surrendered servants.

God's majesty transforms the lives of His servants and inspires them to join in His work.

Isaiah 6:9-13 - just read, no slides needed

Isaiah's mission, to preach to a people who will not listen.

But God will preserve a remnant who will receive His grace and favor.