In His Presence

The first section of the sermon establishes the historical context of King Uzziah's death, one of the most successful kings of the Southern Kingdom who reigned for 52 years. Uzziah brought military victories and inventions that increased Judah's prosperity and fame. However, his pride led him to sin when he attempted to perform priestly duties by burning incense in the temple, which only priests were authorized to do. When the priests rebuked him, God's wrath fell upon Uzziah and he died. This crisis drove the prophet Isaiah, who had served King Uzziah for 40-50 years, to the temple seeking comfort and direction from God.

The second section develops the urgency of seeking answers when Isaiah receives a magnificent vision. In the temple, Isaiah sees the Lord seated on a high and exalted throne, with his robe filling the temple. Six-winged seraphs cover their faces with two wings, their feet with two wings, and fly with two wings, continually singing: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." The sound of their voices causes the doorposts and thresholds to shake, and smoke fills the temple. This vision reveals God's absolute holiness and glory, a special revelation that occurs only when Isaiah comes with a broken and humble heart.

The third section describes Isaiah's recognition of sin in the presence of God's holiness. Isaiah cries out: "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." God's absolute holiness makes Isaiah's sinfulness undeniably clear and overwhelming. The sermon points out that many Christians fail to recognize the depth of their sin, though they are forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ. However, one of the seraphs flies to Isaiah with a live coal taken from the altar using tongs, touches Isaiah's lips, and says: "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." This cleansing demonstrates God's grace of forgiveness.

The fourth section presents Isaiah's complete surrender when he hears the Lord's voice asking: "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" Isaiah immediately responds: "Here am I. Send me!" After being cleansed from sin, Isaiah is completely willing to accept the mission God entrusts to him. The sermon emphasizes that true worship is not merely "doing church" but genuine devotion in relationship with God.

The sermon's conclusion applies the message to contemporary life by connecting it to Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. Two thousand years ago, the announcement was made that the Nazarene was crucified and buried, which shook the foundations of the earth. But three days later, on a Sunday morning came the joyful announcement: "He's alive!" Sin and death have been overcome, and the gates of heaven have been opened to all who receive God's grace through faith in the Savior. Jesus issued the Great Commission to all believers: "Go and make disciples of all nations." The sermon urges listeners that we will not change until we come before God with a broken and humble heart, confessing our sins. When we do so and receive forgiveness, God will renew us and send us without hindrance to impact our community and the world for Christ.