Sermon Recap: How to Experience a Transformational Encounter with God (Isaiah 6)

We launched our new series in Isaiah by turning to one of the most awe-inspiring chapters in all of Scripture—Isaiah 6. It records the prophet’s personal, life-altering encounter with the living God. What makes this encounter so interesting and important is what we learn about God and how we should respond to him, because how you think about God will profoundly impact your life.

Do you see God as far off, high above, and unapproachable (transcendent)? Or near and tender (immanent)? Isaiah’s vision teaches us to hold both together. God is exalted and holy, yet also personal.

So, how can we experience a transformational encounter with God like Isaiah did?

1. Be Afraid. (Isaiah 6:1–6)

Isaiah’s first reaction in God’s presence was fear.

He was overwhelmed by God’s holiness and his own sinfulness. And that fear isn’t wrong; it’s biblical. Scripture consistently calls us to fear God, not just respect or admire him, but have a nuanced fear. Like fire, God is good and powerful, but dangerous to approach casually.

When we only think of God as close and comforting, we lose sight of his overwhelming majesty. When we see him rightly, like Isaiah experienced him, it produces a healthy, humbling fear that leads us toward change.

To fear God…

• Get to know all of God (e.g., as transcendent and immanent) through all of his Word.

• Stop comparing yourself to others, and start comparing yourself to God.

• Repent not only of your sins but also of your righteousness. Tim Keller, commenting on this passage, says, “The holiness of God shows you is not just the seriousness of your sin but also the sinfulness of your seriousness, of even your best efforts, of even the most moral efforts you can possibly come up with.”

2. Be Amazed (Isaiah 6:7)

Amazingly, God doesn’t destroy Isaiah. He cleanses him.

The burning coal from the altar touches Isaiah’s lips, symbolizing the removal of his guilt. That coal from the altar represents sacrifices made on that altar and ultimately points to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

Isaiah does nothing but admit his sin. God does everything else. Grace isn’t earned; it’s received.

3. Be Available (Isaiah 6:8–13)

Then comes God’s call, and Isaiah doesn’t hesitate:

He volunteers before knowing the assignment, which turns out to be daunting. Isaiah’s message will be largely rejected.

Jesus’ call is daughting. He calls us to come and die. Yet in dying, we find real life in him.

True transformation always leads to surrender. God doesn’t demand perfection. God asks for availability.

Even in judgment, God offers hope. Isaiah hears that “the holy seed will be the stump in the land” (v. 13), which refers to the coming Messiah. From death, life will spring. From judgment, redemption.

Photo by Armando Ascorve Morales on Unsplash

Snippet: Cynicism vs. Virtue

Snip·pet | ˈsnipit | noun a small piece or brief extract.

Here’s author and investor David Bahnsen on Monday’s The World and Everything In It podcast episode. He’s talking about his message to young adults from his latest Dividend Cafe newsletter:

“The universal takeaway is that we are in a position in society right now that we need more and more young men and women of faith to choose a life rooted to virtue and character.

“A lot of distractions exist from social media, the online world, the temptations of AI, the temptations of our phones and a life on a screen, as well as just, you know, the worldly elements that have been there forever. But then, I think right now, in this stage that we find ourselves in, there is a cynicism that can take over, where people believe that the system is rigged against them, that AI is going to take away all the job opportunities, that the state is out to get them, or the man is out to get them, or the system is out to get them.

“When I talk about virtue and character, what I’m encouraging young people to do is realize that God has a plan for their life that is not going to be derailed by self-pity and by victimhood, that you have it in you to do the right thing, to make the right decisions, and to overcome evil with good. In doing so, and in taking a career path, choosing every good endeavor to produce goods and services that meet the needs of humanity, you find a calling in that; you find a good life. And I think that this is a message that needs to become universally preached and taught and, hopefully, adhered to, and we’ll all be better off for it.”

Photo by John Lockwood on Unsplash