John Lloyd - Our Need For God's Greatness
/The Greatness of God: A Study of Isaiah 40
Our Great Need is to see the Greatness of God
Pastor John Lloyd
March 3, 2019
The name Isaiah literally means ‘the Lord saves.’ Isaiah brings his readers into the presence of the living God. As we experience the presence of God, He reveals both our own fallen nature and His great provision for our sins. It is this awe-inspiring vision of God that captures our souls. If immortal happiness is promised, how can I attain it? If there is everlasting woe, how can I escape it? Isaiah shares with us the God’s revelation and vision that helped him navigate through challenging times. As we see the greatness of God through this study, may our souls experience a feast of refreshment in God. May this refreshment strengthen us to be able to face anything that comes our way.
Passage: Isaiah 6:1-13
Why study Isaiah? In terms of theological significance, the book of Isaiah is the ‘Romans’ of the Old Testament. It shows the big picture of God’s purposes for His people and for his world. Something of its importance can be gauged from the fact that it is quoted no fewer than sixty six times in the New Testament, being exceeded only by the book of Psalms (79x). The New Testament moves to its climax by echoing Isaiah’s promise of death conquered, tears wiped away, and new heavens and new earth. It was Isaiah who gave us the term ‘gospel.’ By far the greatest importance of this book, however, lies in the witness it bears to Jesus Christ. Jesus quotes Isaiah 61;1-2 at the outset of his ministry in Luke 4:18-19. If we want to understand fully who He is and what he came to do, we must read this book. Barry Webb
What: “The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concering Judah and Jerusalem during the days of Uzziah, Hothan, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, Isaiah 1:1 This book offers us a way of seeing. God is offering a new perspective on everything. Isaiah was a seer. Open our eyes that we may see 2 Kings 6:17, Isaiah 2:5, 6:1.
Who: Son of Amoz. Amoz was brother to Amaziah, King of Judah, putting Isaiah into the royal family. His Hebrew name means ‘The Lord Saves.’
When: Between 742 BC and 681 BC. Isaiah 1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
I. Isaiah renews our vision of God’s __________________.
Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 66:2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Isaiah 40:22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; (Isaiah 40:15)
Lord give us a fresh vision of your power and greatness.
II. Isaiah brings ______________ for man’s great need for God.
Isaiah 1:11 “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.
Isaiah 14:13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ Is.29:13
Isaiah 6:5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” Isaiah 1:5-6, 53:6
Lord give us a fresh conviction of our great need for You.
III. Isaiah ______________ Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Isaiah 6:1-3 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
(See Isaiah 9:1-6, 11:1) Our atonement, Isaiah 53:9.
Destroying death, Isaiah 25:7-8. He will care for bruised reeds, 42:1-4.
Lord give us a fresh understanding of our Savior Jesus Christ.
IV. Isaiah calls his readers to respond in humble ___________ and ____________________.
Isaiah 30:15 For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? Isaiah 64:6
Isaiah 57:15b “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 53:11b by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 49:6b I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Isaiah 2:5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.
To distant coastlands and furthest islands Isaiah 66:19
The nations will come to the heavenly Jerusalem. Isaiah 60:5-9
Lord, we humbly ask you to make us a light
to both our neighbors and the world!
Spiritual Growth Questions for March 3, 2019
Opener: Who is the greatest person on this earth you have met? What did you learn about this person through this encounter?
1. Read Isaiah 6:1-2. Uzziah reigned for 52 years. How does the stability of the reign of King Jesus on his throne give us confidence, even in times of political instability? Isaiah says, “I saw the Lord on a high and lofty throne.” How can we ‘see’ the Lord now by faith in his word? How would such a spiritual vision fuel our worship?
2. Read Isaiah 6:3. What is the significance of the fact that the seraphim are sinless yet they still covered their faces before Jesus?
What does holy mean? Why would the seraphim say it three times? Why would you say holiness is an important attribute of God for us, as sinners, to embrace? How does the cross reflect holiness?
3. Read Isaiah 6:4-5, Luke 5:8. What effect did this awesome heavenly scene have on Isaiah? Why is this humble awareness so important in our walk with God?
4. Read Isaiah 6:6-7. How does the burning coal represent Christ?
5. Read Isaiah 6:8. In what way is the call of Isaiah unique and in what way is it a pattern for all Christians to follow?
6. Read Isaiah 6:9-10. Do you find this passage difficult to swallow? How can we understand the intentions of God in purposely hardening hearts and blinding eyes against spiritual truth? How does that message relate to Christ’s use of parables and the explanation for why the Jews could not believe in Jesus despite his miracles (John 12:39-41)? How does it relate to Romans 9:18?
7. Read Isaiah 6:11-13. What is God telling Isaiah will be the result of his ministry? How is the image of a stump, as it relates to Israel, both humbling and hopeful for them?
8. How do you feel the message of Isaiah 6 speaking into your life right now? As a result, what do you think God wants you to understand or do differently?
9. For next time: Read Isaiah 40 three times. Ask the Lord to give you a fresh awe and a greater vision of His greatness.