“Our heart posture for God’s call”
Sermon Title: Our heart posture for God’s call
Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8
To be on mission requires a particular posture; a particular disposition. For all that we do flows from the heart (Prov 4:23). As we learn more about God in our walk with Him, we'll see that our heart is often not God's heart towards the world. We wrestle with being loving and impartial to those who may be seen as difficult or challenging to be with. This heart posture towards someone with a different religious or worldview than us, or towards certain groups of people, or even towards those we cannot stand because they have wronged or frustrated us. What does it mean to have the right heart?
The Message
In today’s message, we look at two different ways in how people may respond to God’s call for them to be missional and go out into the world.
Earlier this year, we looked at the story of King Uzziah. He was one who led Israel for 62 years and in the beginning, sought the Lord and obtained success during his reign. However, in his success, he was overtaken with pride and overthrew the authority of the Lord (2 Chr 26:16-21). In the aftermath, the people of Israel were confused and questioning their future with no ruler in sight.
Isaiah was a prophet who also sought the Lord for his next steps - of how to go out into the world and be a prophet over the people of Israel. In the temple, Isaiah encounters the fullness of the Lord's divine grace and holiness (6:1-3). In his encounter with the Almighty Lord, Isaiah takes on the posture of someone on a mission.
There are two parts of being prepared for missions.
Woe to me. (Isaiah 6:5a)
When we enter into the presence of God, we undoubtedly receive a deeper revelation of our brokenness and insignificance in comparison to the holy and Almighty God. The mindset we bring into missions isn't that we are clean and others are not and hence why they need 'missions' - we are all in need of the Lord's grace and mercy.
I live among a people of unclean lips. (Isaiah 6:5b)
This statement acknowledges that we are also a part of the problem. Our culture so easily has us distance from things that are unfamiliar and difficult, but as the church, we ought to lead the way in confessing and owning the challenges and brokenness that is innate in us all. However, we don't stop there and drown in our problems - God's holiness is accompanied by grace and forgiveness available to all.
Application
Isaiah's response to God's invitation is one of gratefulness and openness. It is rooted in joy and comfort for he knows who is in control and has authority over all. Similarly, we find strength in seeing the Lord lifted high and exalted, and we are filled with power and a sense of authority. God is looking for people who are ready and waiting to partner with Him - those who are saying "Here I am, send me!". We are no different than the people out there. The difference is only in how we address and respond to it.
Questions:
What is your current posture towards God over the past month or half a year? How has this affected your relationship with Him?
Discuss the first part (“Woe to me”) that Pastor John mentioned about preparing for missions. Is this a mindset you think about when think about missions? What can be a challenge to having this mindset?
Does the power and sovereign might of God strike you as strength for what lies ahead for you? If not, what is missing in how God has demonstrated He is in control and He is exalted above all others?
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