“A Fresh Vision that Transforms the Believer”
Dr. George Bannister
Renewing Spiritual Vision • Sermon • Submitted
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· 249 viewsThis passage calls the believer in Christ to seek God for the renewal of his spiritual vision and the revival of his desire to fulfill the Mission of Christ.
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SERIES: Renewing Spiritual Vision
MESSAGE #: 2
TITLE:
“A Fresh Vision that Transforms the Believer”
TEXT: Proverbs 29:18; Isaiah 6:1-13
18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.
1 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.
2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.
3 They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.
5 Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs.
7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
9 And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, ‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.’
10 Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.”
11 Then I said, “Lord, how long will this go on?” And he replied, “Until their towns are empty, their houses are deserted, and the whole country is a wasteland;
12 until the Lord has sent everyone away, and the entire land of Israel lies deserted.
13 If even a tenth—a remnant—survive, it will be invaded again and burned. But as a terebinth or oak tree leaves a stump when it is cut down, so Israel’s stump will be a holy seed.”
INTRODUCTION:
A- Vision defined:
1- What is “vision”? חזון (khaw-zone') = a special revelation from God ; like those received by prophets and apostles of old.
B- Without vision a church cannot survive. פּרע
1. (paw-rah') = to loosen; by implication to expose, dismiss); avenge, avoid, bare, go back, let, (make) naked, set at naught, perish, refuse, uncover.
2. Hebrew scholars comments & translations:
a. “Where there is no vision, the people get out of hand”
1) Implies that without vision, no unity can exist.
b. “Where there is no vision, the people are purposeless.”
1) Activities are diluted and the people lack direction.
c. “Where there is no vision, the people run wild.”
1) Without vision, there is no discipline, without which no group can function.
d. “Where there is no vision, the people are naked.”
1) The people are stripped of defenses and are helpless before Satan.
C- The vision of Isaiah provides a framework to help us understand the kind of vision we need as a people of God.
I. WE NEED AN UPWARD VISION OF OUR GOD (Isaiah 6:1-4).
I. WE NEED AN UPWARD VISION OF OUR GOD (Isaiah 6:1-4).
1 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.
2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.
3 They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.
A. We need to have a fresh vision of His authority (Isaiah 6:1a).
A. We need to have a fresh vision of His authority (Isaiah 6:1a).
1 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.
1. He is the sovereign Lord of everything.
a) Isaiah saw Him on a His eternal throne.
2. He is sovereign in the affairs of men.
a) Notice when Isaiah caught a vision of God:
(1) During a time of national crisis.
(2) During a time of personal crisis
B. We need to have a fresh vision of his glory (Isaiah 6:1b).
B. We need to have a fresh vision of his glory (Isaiah 6:1b).
1 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.
1. During a time that seemed bleak, God’s glory filled the temple.
a) The bottom of his robe filled the temple (symbolic of his glory).
2. Do you desire to see the glory of God present in His church again?
a) Demonstrated by the release of His mighty power?
(1) Central Baptist Church in Baton Rouge (in the early 1970’s)
(2) FBC, Euless, TX while Jimmy Draper was there
C. We need to have a fresh vision of his holiness (Isaiah 6:2-3).
C. We need to have a fresh vision of his holiness (Isaiah 6:2-3).
2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.
3 They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
1. The Lord is, above all else, Holy.
a) Notice that the angels did not emphasize any other of His attributes.
b) We need to catch a fresh vision of his absolute holiness.
D. We need to have a fresh vision of his power (Isaiah 6:4)
D. We need to have a fresh vision of his power (Isaiah 6:4)
4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.
1. The Lord’s awesome power was displayed before the eyes of Isaiah in the temple.
a) The doorposts were shaken.
b) The temple was filled with smoke.
2. Does your heart hunger for the display of the awesome power of the Lord in the midst of this fellowship?
a) It can happen again!
II. WE NEED AN INWARD VISION OF OURSELVES (Isaiah 6:5-7).
II. WE NEED AN INWARD VISION OF OURSELVES (Isaiah 6:5-7).
5 Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs.
7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
A. Personal sinfulness (Isaiah 6:5a).
A. Personal sinfulness (Isaiah 6:5a).
5 Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
1. A fresh vision of God in all of His holiness and awesome power results in an accurate vision of the sinfulness in our own lives.
a) An unwillingness to face our own sin will cause us to miss the vision of God and the release of the power of God in our own lives.
2. What is sin?
a) Sin is the transgression of God’s Law (1 John 3:4)
4 Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God.
b) Sin is rebellion against the will of God for your life
(1 Samuel 15:23).
23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
c) Sin is the lack of real faith.
(Rom. 14:23)
23 But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.
d) Sin is refusing to do what you should do. (James 4:17)
17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
3. How do you measure up against Jesus?
a) The question has never been, nor will it ever be, “How do I measure up against someone else?”
B. Personal compromise (Isaiah 6:5b).
B. Personal compromise (Isaiah 6:5b).
5 Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
1. Adopting the ways of the world.
a) Isaiah said he dwelled in the midst of a people of unclean lips.
(1) He was a part of the group, had adopted some of their ways.
b) We are not to conform to the world
(Rom. 12:1-2)
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
(1) We are to be a separated people
(2 Cor. 6:17)
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.
2. Accepting the standards of the World.
a) Lax moral standards.
b) Loving the material world.
C. Personal cleansing (Isaiah 6:6-7).
C. Personal cleansing (Isaiah 6:6-7).
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs.
7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
1. Through confession and repentance (1 John 1:9).
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
III. WE NEED AN OUTWARD VISION OF THE WORLD (Isaiah 6:8-13)
III. WE NEED AN OUTWARD VISION OF THE WORLD (Isaiah 6:8-13)
8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
9 And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, ‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.’
10 Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.”
11 Then I said, “Lord, how long will this go on?” And he replied, “Until their towns are empty, their houses are deserted, and the whole country is a wasteland;
12 until the Lord has sent everyone away, and the entire land of Israel lies deserted.
13 If even a tenth—a remnant—survive, it will be invaded again and burned. But as a terebinth or oak tree leaves a stump when it is cut down, so Israel’s stump will be a holy seed.”
A. The call (Isaiah 6:8).
A. The call (Isaiah 6:8).
8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
1. The call revealed the need for someone to answer.
a) God is looking for someone who has received an upward vision and an inward vision to whom he can give an outward vision.
2. The call is given to the ones who have received his unconditional forgiveness and grace.
a) He calls on us to give of ourselves freely because we have received him freely (Matt. 10:8)
8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!
B. The commitment (Isaiah 6:9a).
B. The commitment (Isaiah 6:9a).
9 And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, ‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.’
1. The commitment is to be complete.
a) Isaiah’s response was to offer himself.
b) We are not to wait on others, but offer ourselves.
2. The commitment comes from the heart that yearns to do God’s will.
C. The commission (Isaiah 6:9b-13).
C. The commission (Isaiah 6:9b-13).
9 And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, ‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.’
10 Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.”
11 Then I said, “Lord, how long will this go on?” And he replied, “Until their towns are empty, their houses are deserted, and the whole country is a wasteland;
12 until the Lord has sent everyone away, and the entire land of Israel lies deserted.
13 If even a tenth—a remnant—survive, it will be invaded again and burned. But as a terebinth or oak tree leaves a stump when it is cut down, so Israel’s stump will be a holy seed.”
1. It is a commission to go as a messenger and witness for Christ.
a) You are not going for yourself, or for a church, but for Christ!
2. It is a commission to go to a needy people with the Gospel message (Mark 16:15)
15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.
a) Without a personal relationship with Jesus, they will spend eternity in Hell.
3. It is a commission to obey until the job is done.
a) For Isaiah, it was until the day that God judged Israel.
b) For us, it is until we die, or until Jesus returns to take us home.
CONCLUSION:
A- Illustration:
Charlie Peace’s Eve Of Hell Sermon (Why Revival Tarries, Leonard Ravenhill, Page 19).
Charlie Peace was a criminal. Laws of God or man curbed him not. Finally the law caught up with him, and he was condemned to death. On the fatal morning in Armley Jail, Leeds, England, he was taken on the death-walk. Before him went the prison chaplain, routinely and sleepily reading some Bible verses. The criminal touched the preacher and asked what he was reading. "The Consolation of Religion," was the reply.
Charlie Peace was shocked at the way he professionally read about hell. Could a man be so unmoved under the very shadow of the scaffold as to lead a fellow-human there and yet, dry-eyed, read of a pit that has no bottom into which this fellow must fall? Could this preacher believe the words that there is an eternal fire that never consumes its victims, and yet slide over the phrase without a tremor? Is a man human at all who can say with no tears, "You will be eternally dying and yet never know the relief that death brings"? All this was too much for Charlie Peace. So he preached.
Listen to this on-the-eve-of-hell sermon.
"Sir," addressing the preacher, "if I believed what you and the church of God say that you believe, even if England were covered with broken glass from coast to coast, I would walk over it, if need be, on hands and knees and think it worth while living, just to save one soul from an eternal hell like that!"
My reader, because the Church has lost Holy Ghost fire, men go to hell-fire! We need a vision of a holy God. God is essentially holy. The cherubim and seraphim were not crying, "Omnipotent! Omnipotent is the Lord! not "Omnipresent! and Omniscient! is the Lord," but "Holy! Holy Holy!" This vast Hebrew concept needs to penetrate our souls again. If I make my bed in hell, if I take the wings of the morning --yet He is there. God compasses us in time; God, the inescapable God, awaits us in eternity. We had better be at peace with Him here, and be in the center of His will now!
B- We need to ask God to give us a fresh vision.
1. An upward vision
2. An Inward vision
3. An outward vision.
If we don’t, how many more will spend eternity apart from Christ in Hell?
C- Invitation and Altar Call
DATES / PLACES PREACHED: