Sermon Recap
God calls His people to distinguish between what is sacred and what is common and to live with our lives in proper order. Nothing is more sacred than the presence of the Living God. Yet, just as the people of Judah continued to worship while allowing their hearts and lives to drift away from God, we can participate in the practices of faith while losing our holy fear. When the fear of the Lord disappears, we begin determining for ourselves what is good, true, and sacred rather than allowing God to define those things for us. If we want Holy Fire to burn within us, Jesus must remain our first love and God’s presence must hold the highest place in our lives.
Isaiah 6 gives us a powerful picture of what happens when someone encounters the holiness of God. Isaiah sees the Lord high and exalted and responds first with terror: “Woe to me!” Standing before a holy God exposes Isaiah’s uncleanness and produces humility and confession. But God does not leave Isaiah in fear or uncleanness. The Holy Fire that exposes his impurity becomes the fire God uses to purify him. This leads Isaiah to awe and wonder as he recognizes both the holiness of God and the incredible grace of the God who makes him clean. When we lose this holy fear, sin becomes small and God becomes common; when holy fear is restored, we recognize again both the seriousness of sin and the greatness of our God.
Finally, the fear of the Lord produces reverence, and true reverence is demonstrated through surrender and obedience. After Isaiah is cleansed, he hears God ask, “Whom shall I send?” and responds, “Here am I. Send me!” Reverence is not primarily about outward religious traditions; it is a heart so devoted to Jesus that it is compelled to obey Him. Terror makes us recognize who God is and who we are, awe causes us to see God differently, and reverence compels us to live differently. When the fear of the Lord returns, sin becomes serious again, God’s majesty is restored, and obedience becomes non-negotiable. The proper response to God’s holy presence is a surrendered life that says, “Here we are, God! Send us!”
Key Scripture
Read through these passages together:
Discussion Questions
Discuss together, pushing yourself toward transparency. The more we are authentic and humble with one another, the more we can grow in Christ.
What does it look like practically to distinguish between what is sacred and what is common in your everyday life? Are there any “common” things that may have been given a place in your life or affections that should belong to God alone?
Isaiah’s first response to encountering God’s holiness was, “Woe to me!” How does a healthy fear of the Lord change the way we see our own sin, weakness, and need for God’s grace?
The sermon describes the fear of the Lord through three responses: terror, awe and wonder, and reverence. Which of these do you most naturally experience in your relationship with God? Which one do you believe the Holy Spirit may be calling you to recover or grow in?
Isaiah’s encounter with God ultimately led him to say, “Here am I. Send me!” If true reverence produces surrender and obedience, what is one area of your life where God may be asking you to move from simply believing or admiring Him to actually obeying Him?
Prayer
Holy God, restore in us a true fear of the Lord. Forgive us for the ways we have allowed what is common to take the place of what is sacred. Awaken us again to Your holiness, fill us with awe and wonder at who You are, and cultivate in us a reverence that leads to complete surrender and obedience. May our lives be aligned with Your heart, anchored in Your truth, and faithful stewards of Your presence. Here we are, Lord. Send us. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Life Application
Restore Proper Order
Take an honest look at your priorities, time, attention, and affections. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything common that has been elevated into a place that belongs to God. Choose one practical way this week to intentionally make the presence of Jesus your first priority.Recover Awe and Holy Fear
Set aside intentional, distraction-free time to simply focus on who God is. Read Isaiah 6:1–8 slowly, allowing the holiness, majesty, and grace of God to shape your view of Him. Ask yourself: Has God become too common or familiar in my life?Respond with Surrender
Reverence ultimately leads to obedience. Pray Isaiah’s words, “Here am I. Send me!” Then identify one area where you already know God is asking for your obedience. Take one concrete step this week to surrender that area and respond to Him.
Don’t Forget!
Additional Resources
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