HOLDING ON TO THE VISION

Sermon Notes, January 28, 2018

Rev. Ricky Hoosier

            Pastor Garry is still out of town helping his mother as she recuperates from surgery.  Rev. Ricky Hoosier preached for us on Sunday.  His message was titled "Holding On to the Vision," and was based on Isaiah 6.

            "In the year that King Uzziah died. . ." Isaiah saw a vision.  Uzziah had brought profane things into the temple.  Things were chaotic.  People were not worshiping like they had been commanded.  There was no hope.  Does this sound like our culture today?  Isaiah told God, "I'm doing what you called me to do, but these people aren't doing it."  

            "I saw  the Lord, high and lifted up and the train of his robe filled the temple. . . "  As we walk into the sanctuary and the music starts, we are in God's presence.  It moves us.  Isaiah was part of the ceremonies of the temple, and he saw a vision of the Lord.  No matter how deep we think we are, there is always room for growth.

            "Above him were seraphim. . ."  beings from heaven.  Even the Bright Ones hide their eyes.  They are from heaven, but even they feel unworthy. "At the sound of their voices  . . the Temple was full of smoke. God filled it.  In our move, we saw a vision: people will come.   When Isaiah came and gave reverence to God, he was overcome.  We, too, are humbled in His presence.  God meets His people here, in corporate worship, and prepares them for His presence.  We need to show reverence to God all the time, all week, in all our interactions with people as we go about our business.

            "Then one of the seraphim flew to  me with a live coal. . ."  He touched Isaiah's lips with it, and said "Your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Are we ready to meet our uncleanliness with God's presence?  There are times when we realize there are things in our lives that need to be taken out and filled with God's presence.  We need to be clean. send?  Who will go?"  Isaiah said "Send me."  God has called us to go. . . and make disciples. (Matthew 28:16-20)  Are we ready for what God will do?  We can only worship and witness when we are cleansed.

              "For how long, Lord?"  We need to hold on to the vision.  Just as trees leave stumps when they are cut down, and sprouts grow up from the stumps, God's people will become the seed to witness to God's presence in the land.  Things to change: get rid of clutter and confusion.  We  need to see God with Reverence.  We need to respond with Readiness.  Then we can Rejoice.