“Isaiah Principle” – part 2
So, we have the experience of Worship; which
may be different for each of us…however, it is truly being in the presence of a
holy God. We have the experience of Brokenness; which involves repentance and
confession. And, we have the experience of Cleansing; which signifies salvation
and a “Born Again” new beginning in life. However, the real problem is that
these are the only three experiences many Christians have.
Isaiah has a fourth experience which I call
“seeing the need.” In verse 8 -
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying ‘Whom shall I send?” and “Who will
go for us?” Jesus said in Matthew 9:37 -
“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few”…and again in Luke 4:35 - “I
tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
And of course, Romans 10:14 - “How can they call on the one they have not
believed in? And how can they believe if they have not heard? And, how can they
hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are
sent? How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”…Can you see the
need? I’m not talking about the need in
Africa, or Russia, or Nicaragua, we all see that need…and many give so someone
else can go; But, what about the need next door? What about the need even within our own
families? Do we see people who are forever lost and without God? Do we see
people who are just as we were before our worship, brokenness, and salvation
experiences? Do we see the need of those who are in darkness? In need of
healing? Do we see the need of those who are hurting because of financial or
family problems that are sucking the true life out of them? …“Who shall I
send?” says God… And everyone said; “Send the pastor!” Well, the last experience is what I call “willingness.” “Here I am, send me” says Isaiah…He is willing to go. This is where most of us fall short. Let me remind you of 2 Cor. 5:18 - “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” He gave us the message of reconciliation. Also in 2nd. Tim. 1:9 it says that “He has saved us and called us” …and each one of us ought to say; “Send me!”… Send me next door! Send me across the street! Send me to my co-worker! Send me to my family and friends… Send me.
So, I would say to you today, Catch a glimpse of the holiness and majesty and power of Almighty God…Open yourself up to a worship experience where you will see yourself for what you really are… In broken humility, confess and repent of your sin; your life and life-style that separate you from God…and seek his salvation through Jesus Christ His Son. But, don’t stop there. Ask God to show you the need, the need that’s right there all around you, and to send you to bring the good news of what God has done in your life! All of these experiences with God are just the beginning of the greatest journey in your life! They are the greatest experiences you will ever have!
Lent is a time when many people give up something as a type of “fast” or as an offering to God for His gift of Easter…The Cross was the final sacrifice; but Easter – the empty tomb – the resurrection – was God’s gift. Without the resurrection, Jesus would be just another dead Prophet! Without the resurrection there is no hope for eternal salvation!
Maybe it would be a good time to give up that old life and lifestyle that you know is not working…and accept what God has to offer…Because what God has to offer is a real, abundant, fulfilling, and free life!
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