Where can you find hope for the hopeless, 00:00:03.20\00:00:07.94 opportunity for transformation, 00:00:07.97\00:00:11.57 peace amid life's storms? 00:00:11.61\00:00:15.58 Only in God's free gift of eternal life. 00:00:15.61\00:00:20.48 From New York, join us on the Pathway of Hope. 00:00:20.52\00:00:24.82 God's purpose is not always easily identified 00:00:30.66\00:00:34.56 in every situation in life. 00:00:34.60\00:00:37.80 This was Isaiah's experience 00:00:37.83\00:00:40.34 in Chapter 6 verses 1 through 8. 00:00:40.37\00:00:44.57 He was disappointed that 00:00:44.61\00:00:46.24 King Uzziah died as the story begins. 00:00:46.27\00:00:51.11 But as the dynamics unfold, 00:00:51.15\00:00:54.12 he receives and accepts the appointment 00:00:54.15\00:00:57.59 from God to go and speak for Him. 00:00:57.62\00:01:02.72 Initially, the prophet is disappointed. 00:01:02.76\00:01:06.49 But when God called, he accepted the invitation. 00:01:06.53\00:01:11.10 Dig into the word with Dr. Jules, 00:01:11.13\00:01:13.84 as he discovers rich gems from our preaching passage, 00:01:13.87\00:01:18.94 our subject "From Disappointment to Appointment." 00:01:18.97\00:01:23.41 The love of God is greater far 00:01:56.21\00:02:02.18 Than tongue or pen Can ever tell 00:02:02.22\00:02:08.42 It goes beyond the highest star 00:02:08.46\00:02:14.33 And reaches to the lowest hell 00:02:14.36\00:02:20.64 The guilty pair 00:02:20.67\00:02:24.04 Bowed down with care 00:02:24.07\00:02:26.98 God gave His Son to win 00:02:27.01\00:02:33.15 His erring child He reconciled 00:02:33.18\00:02:39.25 And pardoned from his sin 00:02:39.29\00:02:43.89 O love of God How rich and pure 00:02:48.56\00:02:54.67 How measureless and strong 00:02:54.70\00:03:00.81 It shall forevermore endure 00:03:00.84\00:03:07.02 The saints' and angels' song 00:03:07.05\00:03:13.09 O love of God How rich and pure 00:03:21.53\00:03:26.60 Could we with ink The ocean fill 00:03:39.38\00:03:45.39 And were the skies 00:03:45.42\00:03:48.59 Of parchment made 00:03:48.62\00:03:51.46 Where every stalk 00:03:51.49\00:03:54.40 On earth a quill 00:03:54.43\00:03:57.40 And every man a scribe by trade 00:03:57.43\00:04:03.24 To write the love of God above 00:04:03.27\00:04:09.38 Would drain the ocean dry 00:04:09.41\00:04:15.28 Nor could the scroll 00:04:15.32\00:04:18.45 Contain the whole 00:04:18.49\00:04:21.39 Though stretched from sky high To sky 00:04:21.42\00:04:25.96 O love of God 00:04:30.73\00:04:34.10 How rich and pure 00:04:34.14\00:04:37.54 How measureless and strong 00:04:37.57\00:04:43.65 It shall forevermore endure 00:04:43.68\00:04:48.02 The saints' and 00:04:54.99\00:04:58.73 Angels' song 00:04:58.76\00:05:04.50 O love of God 00:05:16.95\00:05:20.02 How rich and pure 00:05:20.05\00:05:22.12 O love of God 00:05:33.73\00:05:37.23 Let us pray. 00:05:47.18\00:05:50.31 Our loving God, 00:05:50.35\00:05:53.78 we today want to catch a new glimpse of You in 00:05:53.82\00:05:56.52 Your holiness and might and power. 00:05:56.55\00:06:00.56 Some minds traverse the biblical paths, 00:06:00.59\00:06:06.16 help us to see and experience You anew. 00:06:06.19\00:06:10.37 Help us to experience You as You are. 00:06:10.40\00:06:13.90 Oh, wonderful and mighty God, 00:06:13.94\00:06:17.11 help us as we study this word this day to 00:06:17.14\00:06:20.11 inculcate some of the principles enunciated 00:06:20.14\00:06:22.51 here into our daily living. 00:06:22.54\00:06:26.01 Grant that Your Holy Spirit may give utterance, 00:06:26.05\00:06:29.38 and Your people may be obedient. 00:06:29.42\00:06:32.02 In the name of Jesus we pray. 00:06:32.05\00:06:34.36 Amen. 00:06:34.39\00:06:36.86 In the Book of Isaiah the 6th Chapter, 00:06:36.89\00:06:42.13 verse 1 reads, 00:06:42.16\00:06:43.50 "In the year that King Uzziah died, 00:06:43.53\00:06:48.67 I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, 00:06:48.70\00:06:53.34 high and lifted up, 00:06:53.38\00:06:56.18 and his train filled the temple. 00:06:56.21\00:07:00.72 Above it stood the seraphim: each one had six wings, 00:07:00.75\00:07:05.99 with twain he covered his face, 00:07:06.02\00:07:07.86 and with twain he covered his feet, 00:07:07.89\00:07:11.29 and with twain he did fly. 00:07:11.33\00:07:15.06 And one cried unto another and said, 00:07:15.10\00:07:17.23 Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: 00:07:17.27\00:07:22.90 the whole earth is full of his glory. 00:07:22.94\00:07:27.64 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, 00:07:27.68\00:07:32.81 and the house was filled with smoke." 00:07:32.85\00:07:37.92 Tonight, I want to bring to you the message entitled 00:07:37.95\00:07:40.72 "From Disappointment to Appointment." 00:07:40.76\00:07:45.59 At 16 years old Uzziah 00:07:45.63\00:07:49.26 also called Azariah, 00:07:49.30\00:07:52.73 was swept into office 00:07:52.77\00:07:54.14 as the 10th monarch of the kingdom of Judah. 00:07:54.17\00:07:59.74 He reigned for 52 years doing 00:07:59.77\00:08:02.28 what was right in the eyes of the Lord, 00:08:02.31\00:08:05.28 2 Chronicles 26:4. 00:08:05.31\00:08:09.38 And scripture informs us that he sought the Lord 00:08:09.42\00:08:14.29 and that the Lord made him prosper, verse 4. 00:08:14.32\00:08:18.83 As a prosperous potentate, 00:08:18.86\00:08:22.66 Uzziah had several significant contributions. 00:08:22.70\00:08:28.10 He defeated the Philistines, 00:08:28.14\00:08:30.34 longtime fierce enemies of the people of God. 00:08:30.37\00:08:34.98 He fortified the capital city of Jerusalem, 00:08:35.01\00:08:38.65 installing huge catapults, 00:08:38.68\00:08:41.08 capable of firing arrows and hurling stones 00:08:41.12\00:08:44.55 at any advancing enemy. 00:08:44.59\00:08:47.16 He expanded his territorial holdings, 00:08:47.19\00:08:50.36 became commander in chief of a standing army 00:08:50.39\00:08:54.90 that numbered about 307,500. 00:08:54.93\00:09:00.30 He amassed wealth. 00:09:00.34\00:09:01.67 He became very famous, for his name spread abroad. 00:09:01.70\00:09:06.57 He rebuilt facilities 00:09:06.61\00:09:07.94 at the port city of Elath in the south. 00:09:07.98\00:09:11.68 But having secured 00:09:11.71\00:09:13.05 the defenses of both his capital and his country, 00:09:13.08\00:09:17.39 his pride infected his influence, 00:09:17.42\00:09:21.09 wanting to be a divine king 00:09:21.12\00:09:22.56 like his heathen contemporaries. 00:09:22.59\00:09:26.43 Uzziah entered the temple to burn incense, 00:09:26.46\00:09:29.50 a duty reserved exclusively for the priest. 00:09:29.53\00:09:34.14 When Azariah the high priest 00:09:34.17\00:09:35.74 and 80 of his associates confronted him, 00:09:35.77\00:09:39.47 the king responded in anger instead of repentance. 00:09:39.51\00:09:43.91 But God who is not a respecter of persons 00:09:43.95\00:09:47.45 would have no such violation of His will, 00:09:47.48\00:09:50.39 whether from monarch or minister, 00:09:50.42\00:09:52.95 priest or prelate. 00:09:52.99\00:09:55.02 God intervened and struck the king 00:09:55.06\00:09:57.69 with dreaded leprosy. 00:09:57.73\00:10:00.40 Actually, ladies and gentlemen, this was grace 00:10:00.43\00:10:02.83 because God could have summarily killed him. 00:10:02.86\00:10:07.20 Remember, man by a similar name Uzzah? 00:10:07.24\00:10:10.17 A glorious career had been marred 00:10:10.21\00:10:12.71 by one inglorious and a rash act. 00:10:12.74\00:10:16.24 King Uzziah was forced to live, we're told in quarantine 00:10:16.28\00:10:20.72 for the rest of his days. 00:10:20.75\00:10:23.05 His son Jotham acting as coregent. 00:10:23.08\00:10:26.89 And finally, sacred history records 00:10:26.92\00:10:30.16 that King Uzziah died. 00:10:30.19\00:10:33.40 But just prior to this, Tiglath-Pileser III 00:10:33.43\00:10:38.23 had assume the throne of the Assyrian Empire. 00:10:38.27\00:10:41.60 His ascension ended a period of political 00:10:41.64\00:10:44.54 and military weakness in Assyrian history. 00:10:44.57\00:10:48.74 He initiated a series of military campaigns 00:10:48.78\00:10:51.88 against Babylon and Syria and Tyre, 00:10:51.91\00:10:54.68 Damascus, Carchemish, Israel and Judah. 00:10:54.72\00:10:59.02 Though widely successful, 00:10:59.05\00:11:01.66 his annals, journals frequently mentioned a king, 00:11:01.69\00:11:06.63 generally, accepted by scholars to be Uzziah 00:11:06.66\00:11:11.03 who resisted him constantly. 00:11:11.07\00:11:14.94 But now, Uzziah is dead. 00:11:14.97\00:11:18.57 Is Judah now at the fate of Tiglath-Pileser? 00:11:18.61\00:11:23.35 Sinfulness of the people 00:11:23.38\00:11:25.21 had forfeited divine protection. 00:11:25.25\00:11:28.05 Assyria appears invincible. 00:11:28.08\00:11:31.42 It seems that it is only a question of time 00:11:31.45\00:11:34.82 before Judah would topple. 00:11:34.86\00:11:37.69 And somebody must have said, 00:11:37.73\00:11:39.69 "Would that the glorious days of King Uzziah 00:11:39.73\00:11:43.33 be here again?" 00:11:43.37\00:11:45.27 But alas! The king is dead. 00:11:45.30\00:11:49.90 And what are we at a time of aching disappointment. 00:11:49.94\00:11:53.21 And with these thoughts dancing in his mind, 00:11:53.24\00:11:56.41 Isaiah the prophet 00:11:56.44\00:11:57.78 approached the temple precincts. 00:11:57.81\00:12:01.48 There a wonderful revelation 00:12:01.52\00:12:04.29 engaged and fascinated his attention. 00:12:04.32\00:12:07.92 The curtain that separates the human from the divine 00:12:07.96\00:12:11.53 was temporarily pulled back. 00:12:11.56\00:12:13.80 And the young prophet gazed in rapturous wonder on a scene 00:12:13.83\00:12:18.33 within the inner sanctum of the throne room of God. 00:12:18.37\00:12:22.94 As I look at this scene, there are four elements 00:12:22.97\00:12:25.94 that should capture our attention. 00:12:25.97\00:12:28.44 First, we'll see communion 00:12:28.48\00:12:30.58 taking place in that holy temple. 00:12:30.61\00:12:33.85 And communion here speaks of communication and revelation. 00:12:33.88\00:12:39.22 More intimately, 00:12:39.25\00:12:41.06 it is an invitation to meet with God 00:12:41.09\00:12:44.79 to see Him for who He really is. 00:12:44.83\00:12:48.20 Now what were the characteristics of God 00:12:48.23\00:12:50.97 revealed in this communion to Isaiah? 00:12:51.00\00:12:54.14 First, Isaiah looked at the scene 00:12:54.17\00:12:57.41 and he recognized that God was absolute, 00:12:57.44\00:13:01.91 that He is King. 00:13:01.94\00:13:04.01 Full of greatness and granger, high 00:13:04.05\00:13:07.72 and lifted up, magnified, 00:13:07.75\00:13:10.75 exalted and excellent, supreme and sovereign. 00:13:10.79\00:13:16.02 When Isaiah looked at the scene, 00:13:16.06\00:13:18.56 he saw that God is not like any earthly monarch. 00:13:18.59\00:13:22.66 Certainly Tiglath-Pileser does not equal this monarch, 00:13:22.70\00:13:27.20 for He is not a man, He is God. 00:13:27.24\00:13:29.87 Now Isaiah could have had confidence 00:13:29.90\00:13:32.81 that this king sitting upon his throne 00:13:32.84\00:13:35.24 is supremely beyond any great rival, 00:13:35.28\00:13:38.95 beyond any terrestrial power. 00:13:38.98\00:13:42.38 He's God and He's holy. 00:13:42.42\00:13:46.42 Now that same message impacts our lives today. 00:13:46.45\00:13:51.73 My brothers and sisters, listen to me. 00:13:51.76\00:13:54.10 Sometimes enemies and difficulties may seem 00:13:54.13\00:13:57.57 invincible and insurmountable. 00:13:57.60\00:14:00.74 Sometimes bills will be high and money will be low. 00:14:00.77\00:14:04.17 Sometimes your challenges stand higher 00:14:04.21\00:14:06.94 and more foreboding than Mount Everest. 00:14:06.98\00:14:09.88 Sometimes a conspiratorial congress 00:14:09.91\00:14:12.35 of conniving cowards will gang up against you. 00:14:12.38\00:14:16.18 But with perils all around you, I encourage you, 00:14:16.22\00:14:18.85 look up and catch a vision of God, 00:14:18.89\00:14:21.12 come into His temple 00:14:21.16\00:14:22.49 and take a glimpse at His kingship, 00:14:22.52\00:14:24.29 His Holiness, His universal glory, 00:14:24.33\00:14:26.80 His power that nor foresaw that Yahweh Sabaoth, 00:14:26.83\00:14:31.17 Lord of hosts, the one who fights for you 00:14:31.20\00:14:33.94 is on your side! 00:14:33.97\00:14:35.94 Now this element of communion 00:14:41.24\00:14:45.41 leads to confession. 00:14:45.45\00:14:47.85 Verse 5, as the prophet 00:14:47.88\00:14:49.58 was brought into communion with God. 00:14:49.62\00:14:53.79 He falls in awe of the great God. 00:14:53.82\00:14:56.93 So he confesses, "Woe is me! 00:14:56.96\00:15:00.50 For I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips. 00:15:00.53\00:15:04.70 I live in the midst of a people of unclean lips, 00:15:04.73\00:15:08.10 for my eyes have seen the Lord of hosts." 00:15:08.14\00:15:12.24 Ladies and gentlemen, the cry of woe is derived 00:15:12.27\00:15:14.41 from the funeral lament. 00:15:14.44\00:15:17.25 Death was a vulturous predator in the 9th century BC. 00:15:17.28\00:15:22.78 And life was generally short 00:15:22.82\00:15:24.59 and lived in deprecating circumstances. 00:15:24.62\00:15:30.56 Families were constantly robbed of loved ones. 00:15:30.59\00:15:35.30 And the cry of pain and loss was frequently heard, 00:15:35.33\00:15:39.17 ringing in the narrow enclaves of Jerusalem. 00:15:39.20\00:15:42.80 And by the time of the New Testament, 00:15:42.84\00:15:46.01 this had become so prevalent that people will pay to come 00:15:46.04\00:15:49.48 and wail and set off lamentation 00:15:49.51\00:15:52.55 of bemoaning. 00:15:52.58\00:15:54.75 It is in the context of such a reference of life 00:15:54.78\00:15:57.65 that we must understand Isaiah's cry, 00:15:57.69\00:16:00.49 "Woe is me!" 00:16:00.52\00:16:02.49 Further he says that he is undone. 00:16:02.52\00:16:06.13 Now this comes from the Hebrew word edema, 00:16:06.16\00:16:08.90 which literally means to cut off 00:16:08.93\00:16:11.13 or to be destroyed. 00:16:11.17\00:16:12.97 So in the context of this theophany, 00:16:13.00\00:16:15.54 he thinks that he is finished. 00:16:15.57\00:16:20.08 How could one stand in the presence of 00:16:20.11\00:16:23.08 such an awesome figure? 00:16:23.11\00:16:25.88 After all, he is a man of unclean lips. 00:16:25.91\00:16:29.42 Now this expression points to impurity of mind and heart, 00:16:29.45\00:16:32.52 intellect and will. 00:16:32.55\00:16:34.06 In short, Isaiah recognizes that he's a sinner, 00:16:34.09\00:16:38.76 and as such, he cannot enjoy having seen the king. 00:16:38.79\00:16:43.06 I understand that 00:16:43.10\00:16:44.43 in the West African nation of Nigeria, 00:16:44.47\00:16:47.87 when a man was crowned king that was the last time 00:16:47.90\00:16:51.31 that any mortal could look on his face. 00:16:51.34\00:16:54.41 Even his mother, the one who gave him birth 00:16:54.44\00:16:56.48 and that whose bosom he suckled 00:16:56.51\00:16:58.81 could not be found looking at the contours 00:16:58.85\00:17:01.58 of his countenance. 00:17:01.62\00:17:03.55 Now that was a mere mortal man. 00:17:03.59\00:17:05.79 What do you think of the immortal God? 00:17:05.82\00:17:09.52 Isaiah was moved to confess his unworthiness, 00:17:09.56\00:17:12.79 so too we must confess our sinfulness 00:17:12.83\00:17:16.13 and unworthiness. 00:17:16.16\00:17:17.67 We are called to be servants of God, 00:17:17.70\00:17:20.17 not a mere mortal. 00:17:20.20\00:17:24.51 See that we are nothing in His great 00:17:24.54\00:17:26.94 and glorious presence. 00:17:26.98\00:17:29.78 There is nothing that we possess 00:17:29.81\00:17:31.61 which recommends us to countenance as close to His. 00:17:31.65\00:17:36.22 Not offer supposition, 00:17:36.25\00:17:37.65 not the length of our years of experience 00:17:37.69\00:17:40.39 that the special interest or connections 00:17:40.42\00:17:42.42 that we may have, 00:17:42.46\00:17:43.79 none of these recommend us to God, 00:17:43.83\00:17:45.73 none except our confession of unworthiness, 00:17:45.76\00:17:50.47 except the blood of our cleansing Christ. 00:17:50.50\00:17:53.23 You see, my friends, 00:17:53.27\00:17:54.60 confession now leads to cleansing. 00:17:54.64\00:17:58.47 Verses 6 and 7. 00:17:58.51\00:18:01.01 Coal was a common mineral found in Bible times. 00:18:01.04\00:18:05.81 It was derived from burning hardwoods 00:18:05.85\00:18:08.18 that had been covered with earth and leaves. 00:18:08.22\00:18:12.72 It was important for fuel, for cooking and heating. 00:18:12.75\00:18:16.26 But more importantly, it was used in smelting. 00:18:16.29\00:18:19.89 Coals were heated to super temperatures 00:18:19.93\00:18:21.96 in order to melt the metal like gold. 00:18:22.00\00:18:24.30 You see, heat and fire were important for two reasons 00:18:24.33\00:18:28.64 in the smelting process, 00:18:28.67\00:18:30.01 one, to extract the metal from the ore itself. 00:18:30.04\00:18:34.48 The gold was not found in a polished state, 00:18:34.51\00:18:36.78 it was covered in raw ore. 00:18:36.81\00:18:39.25 Apply heat was necessary in order to separate 00:18:39.28\00:18:42.52 the precious metal from the raw useless dross. 00:18:42.55\00:18:46.52 Secondly, it was used to produce the best quality 00:18:46.55\00:18:50.23 and the highest grade of gold. 00:18:50.26\00:18:52.26 Heat was applied. 00:18:52.29\00:18:54.66 Then the master artist will shape it 00:18:54.70\00:18:57.17 in a beautiful and exquisite design. 00:18:57.20\00:19:00.70 As we can see, 00:19:00.74\00:19:02.07 the fire was useful for cleansing 00:19:02.10\00:19:04.37 and useful for purification. 00:19:04.41\00:19:07.68 So when the angel applied the live coal to Isaiah's lips, 00:19:07.71\00:19:11.71 the intent was to remove the trust 00:19:11.75\00:19:13.92 and produce a high quality character! 00:19:13.95\00:19:18.19 Now follow me as we know that 00:19:18.22\00:19:21.22 the divine messenger touches the very thing 00:19:21.26\00:19:23.83 that Isaiah deemed to dirty his lips. 00:19:23.86\00:19:27.43 Now God takes care of Isaiah's most immediate need, 00:19:27.46\00:19:30.97 He cleanses him. 00:19:31.00\00:19:32.63 The pronouncement of the angel is instructive. 00:19:32.67\00:19:35.27 Your iniquity has been taken away 00:19:35.30\00:19:37.57 and your sin purged. 00:19:37.61\00:19:40.21 In Hebrew thinking, iniquity denotes 00:19:40.24\00:19:42.58 willful perversion of God's will 00:19:42.61\00:19:44.98 and all that results from those choices. 00:19:45.01\00:19:47.52 And sin on the other hand talks about active rebellion. 00:19:47.55\00:19:51.39 It is more than unwise judgment, 00:19:51.42\00:19:53.19 wrong choices, or bad behavior. 00:19:53.22\00:19:55.52 It is calamitous rebellion, a veritable attempt, 00:19:55.56\00:20:00.00 and a coup d'etat against the law of God, 00:20:00.03\00:20:02.80 the standard of righteousness. 00:20:02.83\00:20:05.43 Combine iniquity and sin 00:20:05.47\00:20:08.07 are a contradiction to the holiness of God. 00:20:08.10\00:20:11.51 But God has a plan for these. 00:20:11.54\00:20:14.34 He will take away and purge iniquity and sin! 00:20:14.38\00:20:19.65 The expression takeaway 00:20:19.68\00:20:23.62 comes from the context of washing. 00:20:23.65\00:20:26.55 It's where the one who is washing makes sure that 00:20:26.59\00:20:29.42 every stain is absolutely removed 00:20:29.46\00:20:32.63 until no trace could be found. 00:20:32.66\00:20:35.10 In English, synonyms would include expunge, 00:20:35.13\00:20:38.53 obliterate, erase, delete, blood out and explicate. 00:20:38.57\00:20:42.64 Isaiah 1:16-18, express it best when it says, 00:20:42.67\00:20:47.61 "Wash you, make you clean. 00:20:47.64\00:20:50.41 Though your sins be a scarlet, 00:20:50.45\00:20:53.01 they shall be as white as snow." 00:20:53.05\00:20:54.75 We get the picture, absolute cleanliness, 00:20:54.78\00:20:58.75 but in addition the angel adds that sin is purge. 00:20:58.79\00:21:03.46 This talks about the experience of atonement of being 00:21:03.49\00:21:06.23 brought back into right relationship with God. 00:21:06.26\00:21:09.23 It reminds us of David's cry, purge me with hyssop, 00:21:09.26\00:21:13.30 and I will be clean. 00:21:13.34\00:21:15.34 Hyssop was of historic importance 00:21:15.37\00:21:17.61 in cleansing ceremonies in the Bible. 00:21:17.64\00:21:20.11 When Israel was set apart from Egypt and slavery, 00:21:20.14\00:21:23.75 God directed that blood 00:21:23.78\00:21:25.41 they painted on the doorposts of the house. 00:21:25.45\00:21:28.15 This was the sign to the destroying angel 00:21:28.18\00:21:30.85 to pass over the house. 00:21:30.89\00:21:32.89 It meant that the inhabitants believe the Word of God. 00:21:32.92\00:21:36.32 It indicated their faith in God to protect them. 00:21:36.36\00:21:39.96 As a way of commemorating 00:21:40.00\00:21:41.33 this signal deliverance from slavery, 00:21:41.36\00:21:43.43 God directed the people to celebrate the Passover. 00:21:43.47\00:21:47.44 So when the angel announces this purging, 00:21:47.47\00:21:51.01 all this history is brought to bear on it. 00:21:51.04\00:21:54.84 It points to the fact that we are no longer 00:21:54.88\00:21:58.78 bound to the slavery of sin. 00:21:58.81\00:22:01.58 We are free! 00:22:01.62\00:22:04.35 And like ancient Israel, 00:22:04.39\00:22:06.19 we should celebrate the purging of God. 00:22:06.22\00:22:09.22 If you've been forgiven of your sins 00:22:09.26\00:22:11.43 and cleanse from all unrighteousness, 00:22:11.46\00:22:13.29 you have so much to thank God for today! 00:22:13.33\00:22:19.87 What liberation to be free of guilt 00:22:19.90\00:22:24.44 and find emancipation in the arms of Jesus. 00:22:24.47\00:22:27.71 How invigorating? How exciting? 00:22:27.74\00:22:30.81 Only when we come into communion with God, 00:22:30.85\00:22:33.72 make confession and undergo cleansing. 00:22:33.75\00:22:36.38 Are we ready for the final element, 00:22:36.42\00:22:38.65 in this experience commission? 00:22:38.69\00:22:41.69 Verse 8, the Lord says, "Who shall I send? 00:22:41.72\00:22:45.06 And who will go for us?" 00:22:45.09\00:22:47.40 Isaiah was unhappy and disappointed 00:22:47.43\00:22:51.47 when Uzziah died. 00:22:51.50\00:22:53.57 But God moved him from disappointment 00:22:53.60\00:22:56.67 now to this appointment. 00:22:56.71\00:22:58.91 The Lord asked Uzz two serious questions 00:22:58.94\00:23:02.88 that are related to a singular thing, mission. 00:23:02.91\00:23:06.92 In other words, 00:23:06.95\00:23:08.28 who may be appointed to take this mission? 00:23:08.32\00:23:11.02 But the focus of this verse is not on the divine queries, 00:23:11.05\00:23:13.99 the focus is on the response of Isaiah. 00:23:14.02\00:23:17.36 Here I am! Send me! 00:23:17.39\00:23:20.43 Now, let's just break this down. 00:23:20.46\00:23:21.96 The first part, 00:23:22.00\00:23:23.33 here I am points to availability. 00:23:23.37\00:23:26.03 The new man Isaiah, 00:23:26.07\00:23:27.70 who was hurt and disappointed 00:23:27.74\00:23:29.50 is now about to be appointed. 00:23:29.54\00:23:33.34 New man is now emboldened 00:23:33.38\00:23:34.74 by the presence and the power of God. 00:23:34.78\00:23:37.91 He's no longer looking at events 00:23:37.95\00:23:39.65 from the point of view of the horizontal. 00:23:39.68\00:23:42.38 That is the seeming unstoppable advents of Tiglath-Pileser. 00:23:42.42\00:23:46.99 He does not have to be afraid because God is in control. 00:23:47.02\00:23:50.43 He is the one who's suffering and extraordinary. 00:23:50.46\00:23:53.09 No mortal man can touch Him and hence, 00:23:53.13\00:23:55.53 no mortal man can touch His servants. 00:23:55.56\00:23:58.37 Isaiah is no longer disappointed 00:23:58.40\00:24:00.54 and the possible threat that comes his way, 00:24:00.57\00:24:03.74 and the possible destruction that might come their way, 00:24:03.77\00:24:06.98 and the tragedy that may come to Judah. 00:24:07.01\00:24:09.38 He has been appointed by a higher power 00:24:09.41\00:24:12.55 by a greater potentate! 00:24:12.58\00:24:14.48 Hence, he says, "Here I am! 00:24:14.52\00:24:19.82 I'm available!" 00:24:19.85\00:24:23.22 You would be surprised what God can do 00:24:23.26\00:24:26.19 with one who makes himself available to the Holy Ghost. 00:24:26.23\00:24:30.60 The second part, send me, points to willingness. 00:24:30.63\00:24:35.50 It is not that Isaiah now thinks he's important, 00:24:35.54\00:24:39.34 or that he has all his ducks lined up. 00:24:39.37\00:24:42.41 Now what this means is that he finds confidence in his God, 00:24:42.44\00:24:46.95 and this makes him willing. 00:24:46.98\00:24:49.22 So he says, "Send me." 00:24:49.25\00:24:51.45 Those who are willing to be used by God are generally used. 00:24:51.49\00:24:56.06 Sometimes I have occasion to visit a graveyard. 00:24:56.09\00:24:58.43 I can't help but notice, when I do the tombstones, 00:24:58.46\00:25:03.57 sometimes I just walk around and read the inscriptions. 00:25:03.60\00:25:07.24 Some are elaborate, while others are very simple, 00:25:07.27\00:25:10.81 but one thing characterizes them all, the date. 00:25:10.84\00:25:15.68 It gives a date of birth, as well as the date of death. 00:25:15.71\00:25:20.68 And between both numbers is a little dash. 00:25:20.72\00:25:25.12 That dash may be small but it tells a big story 00:25:25.15\00:25:30.83 because it is the record of a person's lifespan. 00:25:30.86\00:25:35.13 What would your dash say? 00:25:35.16\00:25:37.90 That depends on the decisions you make right now. 00:25:37.93\00:25:41.24 Jesus wants in communion for you to see Him as He is. 00:25:41.27\00:25:45.81 He wants for you to be cleansed. 00:25:45.84\00:25:48.34 And He wants for you to make yourself ready 00:25:48.38\00:25:50.08 and available to His using. 00:25:50.11\00:25:52.68 Success or failure is in that dash. 00:25:52.71\00:25:57.59 Active or passive, right in that dash. 00:25:57.62\00:26:01.92 You are mighty or you are weak, right in that dash. 00:26:01.96\00:26:06.43 You are brave hearted or coward, right in that dash. 00:26:06.46\00:26:11.27 You were bold or you were either timid. 00:26:11.30\00:26:13.70 You are leader or follower. 00:26:13.74\00:26:15.60 You are hot, warmer or a discourager. 00:26:15.64\00:26:18.57 You are saved or lost! 00:26:18.61\00:26:21.84 I pray God tonight 00:26:21.88\00:26:25.38 that we will catch a glimpse of Him in communion, 00:26:25.41\00:26:29.38 then confess our condition. 00:26:29.42\00:26:32.09 We will certainly experience His cleansing, 00:26:32.12\00:26:35.12 and He will make us ready for the commission. 00:26:35.16\00:26:39.83 The year that Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the Lord. 00:26:39.86\00:26:45.43 God can move you tonight 00:26:45.47\00:26:47.94 from disappointment 00:26:47.97\00:26:50.91 to a divine appointment. 00:26:50.94\00:26:54.54 Loving Lord, we thank You for this Word. 00:26:54.58\00:26:57.91 May it bless the hearts of those who hear it, 00:26:57.95\00:27:00.98 in the name of Jesus, we pray. 00:27:01.02\00:27:02.88 Amen. 00:27:02.92\00:27:04.99 Thanks for watching Pathway of Hope. 00:27:05.02\00:27:08.06 If you would like to be prayed for, 00:27:08.09\00:27:10.39 or would like to learn more about God's Word, please call 00:27:10.43\00:27:15.03 1(877) 520-HOPE 00:27:15.06\00:27:19.87 or 1(877) 00:27:19.90\00:27:22.87 520-(4673). 00:27:22.90\00:27:27.11 You may also watch more of our programs online at 00:27:27.14\00:27:31.11 www.pathwayofhope.tv. 00:27:31.15\00:27:37.15 If you would like to make a tax deductible love gift, 00:27:37.19\00:27:41.02 please send your gifts to Pathway of Hope 00:27:41.06\00:27:44.43 at P.O. 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