Ruined and Wrecked

Think about what it means to be a church where missions is central to everything done. A church of this kind is filled with Christ followers who are literally committed to “Living on Mission,” God’s mission. The Bible tells us in that mission is to:

Psalm 96:2–3 CSB

Sing to the Lord, bless his name; proclaim his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples.

Psalm 96:2-3

The context of this verse is found in where these exact words are found again in . It is a psalm written by David to be sung by God’s people after he had made a place to house the ark of the covenant in the city of Jerusalem. This represented God’s presence among His people. This passage was a command to God’s people then to live on mission for Him before all other nations.

Whether a church boast 20,000 members or 20 members, God’s mission is to reach the nations with the gospel, His followers declaring His glory to all people everywhere. Every church may claim they know the mission, but the truth is every church does not live this mission. The few churches who are missions central are healthy, thriving and growing in their spiritual maturity, not necessarily always in their attendance.

Whether a church boast 20,000 members or 20 members, God’s command is to reach the nations with the gospel, His followers are to declare His glory to all people everywhere. Every church may claim they know this command, but the truth is not every church lives on mission for God. The few churches who are missions central are healthy, thriving and growing , not necessarily always in their attendance, but always in their spiritual maturity. God cares much less about numbers than we do.

Personally, let me pastor a church of 50 people with God in their heart, loving Him genuinely, and telling His gospel passionately, faithfully storming the gates of hell; than pastor a church of 500 people with Bible in their hand, sitting comfortably in their seats each week waiting on heaven but never feeling a burden for the people who are dying in sin, going to hell. That kind of church can turn the world upside down like it says over in that the Christians did in the town of Thessalonica.

In that kind of church missions is not something they study once a year in VBS or Once a month in WMU. For church like that, missions is more than a place they go, a trip they take or an event on a calendar. To those Christ followers missions is more than just an offering. To a church of this caliber, missions is the very core from which they operate, a way of life for the entire church family. Disciples are made from this church every week every day.

IMB Missionary to Asia wrote an article about traits seen in such a church:

1. Has a Now Mentality - Working to advance the kingdom now instead of waiting on it to arrive with Jesus’ return. Going where God sends and doing what God says.

2. Is in it for the Long Haul - Consumed with a passion for worshipping God and telling everyone they can about Him. How long is not a question asked.

3. Has Cheerleaders - Plural. Not dependent on a pastor or missions leader to keep the missions fire burning in their core.

4. Spends time on their knees TOGETHER - knowing prayer is crucial in spiritual warfare.. The answer to their what and where question comes through prayer.

5. Is Flexible and Steadfast - “We’ve never done it that way before” is their motivation for innovation. Missions Central churches are not afraid of change or being creative.

6. Trains and Equips - Leaders are intentional in helping every member live on mission. Every member is eager to learn and share the gospel.

7. Networks with Others - Seeking advice from other churches already involved in a project or place. Works together with other churches for better effectiveness.

8. Sends - Caring more about how many go than about how many stay. Is outward focused reaching non-Christians in their community and everywhere, helping them become Committed Christ followers.

I agree with Chuck Lawless, professor of Evangelism and Missions at SEBTS, many people sitting in church pews keep sitting because they have never been discipled. It is not that these people do not care; it has to do with their spiritual maturity level. Many of them maybe 40, 50, 60, 80 years old and Christians most of their lives, but spiritually speaking are still babies in Christ needing someone to help them grow in Christ to live on mission.

Do these stir something inside of you when you think about yourself and our church? Do they move you beyond yourself?

Do you want to be a Christian that lives on mission? Do you want to be able to say JFBC is a missions central church that declares God’s glory to people everywhere?

If you answered yes then it begins right here (head) and right here (heart).

The Bible gives us no better example of that than the one of Isaiah encountering God in a worship service, if you will. We see that Isaiah was...

Ruined and Wrecked

STAND WITH ME AND REVERENTLY READ

Isaiah 6:1–8 CSB

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphim were standing above him; they each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies; his glory fills the whole earth. The foundations of the doorways shook at the sound of their voices, and the temple was filled with smoke. Then I said: Woe is me for I am ruined because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, and because my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Armies. Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said: Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for. Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking: Who should I send? Who will go for us? I said: Here I am. Send me.

The truth for you in what we see happening to Isaiah is this; like him, before you can or will respond to God’s call to live on mission, you must become ruined and wrecked in the presence of Holy God.

Isaiah, by using the word ruined, meant he knew completely how his own way of trying to do right is a failure in the presence of God. The word Isaiah uses, combined with the recognition of God as literally “my Lord” and the description he gives of the scene, lets us know the thought running through his mind is, “Oh no, I am a dead man about to perish under the Supreme power of the Maker of the Universe.” The word carries the meaning of dumb or silent. Isaiah knew he could only stand as a mute in the presence of the Holy One of Israel, the Sovereign Ruler of the heavens and Earth.

The truth for you in what we see happening to Isaiah is this; like him, before you can or will respond to God’s call to live on mission, you must become ruined and wrecked.

When you are ruined and wrecked like Isaiah, you will do 3 actions from your heart and mind. First, you will have a complete fearful and debilitating:

Awareness of God’s Holiness

v.1 - This is best translated as description of the Lord and not where He is sitting. High in His Holiness. High in His nature. Description of majesty & transcendence.

v.2 - The name for the angels around the throne mean “Burning Ones.” Fire is the chief symbol in the Bible for God’s Holiness. (Remember the burning bush when God called Moses to serve Him.) Their wings made it look like flames around the throne.

Holy let’s us know that God is sacred and set apart. It shows us that God is free from all the fallen characteristics of humanity. Nothing like Him, ever and anywhere.

The name for the angels around the throne mean “Burning Ones.” Fire is the chief symbol in the Bible for God’s Holiness. (Remember the burning bush when God called Moses to serve Him.) Their wings made it look like flames around the throne.

v.3 - Holy let’s us know that God is sacred and set apart. The word in all its forms is used over 800 times in describing God in OT. Nothing like Him, anywhere at any time.

Brightness is another word used in some translations - revealing how unapproachable God is - we would have a better chance of reaching the sun than approaching God.

The repetition of the word Holy let’s us know that God’s holiness is so far beyond what our minds can fathom that some super-emphatic means had to be used to get us even close. Brightness is another word used in some translations - revealing how unapproachable God is - we would have a better chance of reaching the sun than approaching God.

Isaiah, by using the word ruined in v.5, meant he suddenly knew completely how his own way of trying to do right is a failure in the presence of God. Isaiah here in the midst of this religious service, recognizes the emptiness of religion as he had lived it in comparison to God in His holiness.

The word carries the meaning of dumb or silent. Isaiah knew he could only stand as a mute in the presence of the Holy One of Israel, the Sovereign Ruler of the heavens and Earth.

Sermon Starters, Volume 5 Third—The Prompting of the Confession

Dwelling close to God will help you see yourself as very defiled and God as very holy in all His splendor.

This awareness is a deep conviction from which you should give a repentant:

Your view of God determines everything in your life. The way you act in church vs. elsewhere. The way you treat other Christians. The thoughts you have towards people who are not Christians. The way you take care of God’s resources. Etc. Etc. is all determined by how you see God.

Seeing God how He really is, however, causes you to see you for who you really are. When you look at yourself through the lens of God’s holiness, you do not think so highly of yourself nor so lowly of others.

It should cause you to do the 2nd action of giving a repentant:

Acknowledgement of Your Sinfulness

Ac

Sermon Starters, Volume 5 A Confession of Desert

“Woe is me! for I am undone.” That says he deserved judgment. Man often thinks he is so good that God couldn’t keep him out of heaven. But that was not the case with Isaiah. Before God he recognized that he was doomed. This was not a mild recognition, but Isaiah recognized he was in serious trouble.

Pay attention to how Isaiah responds when he is fully aware of the utter holiness of God.

v.5 - looking at the end of the verse reveals why Isaiah made the confession he did.

The word Isaiah uses, and the description he gives of the scene, lets us know the thought running through his mind is, “Oh no, I am a dead man about to perish or be wrecked by the Supreme power of the Maker of the Universe.” In the midst of this revelation of God’s glory, Isaiah saw himself as so unworthy before God that he knew what He deserved was the severest of punishments.

The Holiness and glory of God made him painfully aware of his own sinfulness and just how deep it went.

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Sin, Effects Of

A famous preacher of many years ago had a clock in his church that was well known for its inability to keep the time accurately. Sometimes too fast, sometimes too slow, it resisted all attempts to solve the problem. Finally, after its dubious fame became widespread, the preacher put a sign over the clock, reading, “Don’t blame the hands—the trouble lies deeper.”

The same is true of people: the real trouble lies deeper than what shows on the surface.1246

The word Isaiah uses, and the description he gives of the scene, lets us know the thought running through his mind is, “Oh no, I am a dead man about to perish or be wrecked by the Supreme power of the Maker of the Universe.” The word carries the meaning of dumb or silent. Isaiah knew he could only stand as a mute in the presence of the Holy One of Israel, the Sovereign Ruler of the heavens and Earth. He saw himself as so unworthy before God

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Sin, Effects Of

The same is true of people: the real trouble lies deeper than what shows on the surface.1246

What Isaiah confessed is true for all of humanity. Our sin problem is not a skin problem, it goes all the way to the soul. The words you choose to use, the attitude with which you choose to say them reveal more about your character than any act of religion. Maybe you have heard the old saying, “what you find in the bucket is what was brought up from the well.” Whatever is in your heart, people will find you talking it.

If you live close enough to God through consistent Bible study and prayer, God will show you the problem areas in your life needing confession.

Some of you ignore it, others receive God’s grace through repentance. If you understand just how great and Amazing God’s grace is, then you cannot help but do the 3rd action - show an intense:

If you understand just how great and Amazing God’s grace is, then you cannot help but do the 3rd action - show an intense:

Appreciation for God’s Forgiveness

v.6 - Angels only operate at the command of God, so this angel’s action was not based on its compassion, rather it was the love of God that moved the angel in the direction of Isaiah with the acceptable sacrifice. God was not willing for Isaiah to be destroyed.

v. 8 - The prophet’s experience of God’s amazing grace after experiencing God’s consuming holiness is so overwhelming that he is

yielded - Here am I

obedient - Send me

I often wondered why it took me so long to yield myself to what God had called me to do in following Him. It was once I realized just how much God had forgiven in me and how amazing His grace really was, that I realized that was the answer.

Do you have a right to breath or is oxygen a gift from God? Those who see oxygen as a gift do not smoke? Is your body yours or is your health a gift from God? Those who see it as a gift do not use drugs. Tony Evans says that when a Christian loses sight of grace being God’s gift they become irresponsible with the life He gave them.

If you believe you can solve most any problem in your life with a little help from God, then you just don’t get it. Unless you have come to the end of yourself then you have not fully encountered God nor appreciate His forgiveness. If that describes you then God is second fiddle. You are the Sovereign and He is the servant.

Back in the 1960’s J.B. Phillips wrote a little book titled “Your God Is Too Small.” In it he proposed that evangelicals were in danger of turning God into our personal genie, wrongly believing that God exists to serve us instead of us existing to serve God.

That kind of thinking does nothing but cheapen God’s grace making Him a dime store owner where we can run in and get an ice cream cone or lolly pop and run back out. We can bow the knee one way or another, but one way or another we will bow the knee.

Conclusion: Isaiah was cleansed to be a soul winner more than a worshipper.

Conclusion: What I find real interesting here is that the angel had to use tongs, but the coal could touch Isaiah’s lips without burning Him. That is an act of Divine love done for a Divine purpose. Isaiah was cleansed to be a soul winner more than a worshipper.

One commentator with conviction says, “The fire has not touched our lips so that we can taste the candy better.” Christianity is more about going to people than it is about coming to a building. That kind of thinking makes grace a throw away item.

Once we find ourselves having done these 3 actions of the heart and mind, we will find ourselves more willing and equipped to live on mission. The more of you who do these 3 actions, the more JFBC becomes a Missions Central Church.

Don’t leave today without doing them.

When God speaks be yielded and obedient. Tell me that you want to live on mission. Tell me that you care you just have never been discipled, and I will help you move from your seat to your feet.

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