08/07/2017
*++SUNDAY SCHOOL++*
*JULY 9, 2017*
*THEME FOR JUNE, JULY, AUGUST: GOD'S URGENT CALL*
*THEME FOR JULY: CALLING OF PROPHETS*
*TOPIC: ISAIAH IN THE TEMPLE*
*TEXT: ISAIAH 6:1-8*
*++{GOLDEN TEXT}++*
*_Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I, send me!" Isaiah 6:8_*
**
*A. ISAIAH'S VISION (ISAIAH 6:1-5)*
Isaiah became an active prophet in Jerusalem from the year King Uzziah died (about 720BC) until Judah was invaded by the Assyrians. Although Isaiah had had series of visions before, in the year King Uzziah died, he had a dramatic vision from God to become a prophet to the people of Israel, who were spiritually deaf and blind. The message was delivered by angels (seraphs) who acted as God's spokesmen. In the vision, Isaiah saw the Lord seated on the throne, high and exalted while the train of His garment filled the temple (v. 2). In verse 3, the creatures (seraphs) acknowledged God's infinite holiness calling to one another, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory." At the sound of their voices, the doorposts and thresholds of the temple quivered and the temple was filled with smoke. Thereafter, Isaiah recognized his unworthiness to be in the presence of God, and confessed saying:" Woe to me!" I am ruined! In other words, he saw himself as unqualified to see the Lord Almighty probably for three reasons:
* He knew he was a sinner and therefore, he was not fit to see God face to face.
* He recognized that fact that he lives among a people of unclean lips (sinners).
* According to the Old Testament belief, anyone who saw the Lord face to face would die immediately (Exodus 33:20,Genesis 16:13).
Isaiah's vision in the temple can be likened to that of John the beloved who saw the throne of heaven. Around the throne, there were four living creatures who sang day and night saying repeatedly: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come" (Revelation 4:8). More importantly, Isaiah's vision is an indication that God needed someone through whom He would address the ills of His people and Isaiah was His choice.
*++DISCUSSION TIME++*
I. Discuss the importance of the triple use of the word "holy".
II. What would have been the response to this unusual experience if you were Isaiah?
III. What do you think God considered before He chose Isaiah to be His instrument in his days and how does this affect our choice of leaders today?
*B. ISAIAH'S RESPONSE (ISAIAH 6:6-8)*
Whenever God is ready to use anyone to accomplish His purpose on earth, He makes everything available to the person to fulfill the task. For instance, Moses felt incompetent to go to King Pharaoh and deliver the people of Israel from their slave masters even though God had equipped him for the mission (Exodus 3:11-13). Although, Isaiah was a man of unclean lips and dwelt among people of unclean lips (v. 5), God was ready to empower him to accomplish His task. However, his sins must be atoned for before God can use him. Consequently, one of the seraphs touched his mouth with a live coal taken from the altar and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sins atoned for" (v. 7). The cleansing made him suitable to serve God. Thereafter, Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord asking for whom to send, and Isaiah yielded himself. He declared, "Here I am send me! (v. 8). In like manner, when Jeremiah was called and commissioned as a prophet, the Lord touched his mouth with His words and appointed him over nations, and kingdoms (Jeremiah 1:9-10).
After Isaiah's sins were forgiven, God sent him to a nation that would be blind and deaf to his entreaties; but they would be taken captive and destroyed (vv. 9-10). Throughout the life of Isaiah, he preached God's righteousness and warned the people of God's judgment if they fail to repent. He also comforted them with the knowledge of God's love, forgiveness and glory for those who would remain faithful to Him. Isaiah was in the temple to worship when he had an encounter with God. If we would also be in the right location at the right time, we would have a life-changing experience with God.
*++DISCUSSION TIME++*
I. Discuss the importance of cleansing Isaiah's mouth with a live coal (v. 7).
II. Mention some things that can hinder us from serving God wholeheartedly and how to do away with them.
*}===={*
I. Sanctify my life O God, and make me useful instrument in Your vineyard.
II. Open my Spiritual eyes to see You, and give me grace to worship You with all sincerity.
**
* We should be expectant of a divine encounter whenever we are in God's presence.
* We should constantly ask for the forgiveness of our sins as sin will hinder us from serving God effectively.
* God needs us to fulfill His purpose on earth.
* All believers have been called to accomplish something for God.
* We must be ready to serve God with all sincerity.
*++NEXT LESSON++*
*JULY 16, 2017*
*THEME FOR JUNE, JULY, AUGUST: GOD'S URGENT CALL*
*THEME FOR JULY: CALLING OF PROPHETS*
*TOPIC: JEREMIAH'S CALL AND COMMISSION*
*TEXT: JEREMIAH 1:4-11*
*_fbcokelerin media_*
*_Shalom!_*
