Gripped by the Greatness of God Studying the Major Themes of Isaiah Notes for the October 21, 2012 message Ferndale Free Methodist Church Introduction We're beginning a new 7- week series today. It's like we're setting out on a mountain climbing expedition. Our goal is the summit. What's there? God Himself. There is a longing in every human heart to know if God is real and true. And at the core of that longing is a desire to encounter Him, to know His greatness. In the coming weeks we're going to seek God and be gripped by His greatness. Cat and Dog Theology Cats and dogs are really different. Think of how they act when their owner comes home. It's been said that dogs have masters, and cats have staff A dog might say, "You feed me, care for me, provide me shelter... You must be God." A cat might say, "You feed me, care for me, provide me shelter... I must be God" We laugh, but that can be a picture of a lot of people today. People look at their world and think, "I am amazing. Look at what's been done for me." The good news of Jesus Christ is about how great and awesome God is. He is God, and we're not. The goal of this series is to dig deep into God's Word and hear from Himself as to who He really is. Four Things We'll Keep in Mind to Maximize Our Study Who is Isaiah? He's considered the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. He's one of the major prophets. That simply means their writings were more lengthy than the minor prophets. Isaiah wrote around 740 BC and ministered to the affluent leaders of his day. He ministered without compromise in a day of moral decline. From his pen come some of the most treasured prophecies concerning Jesus.
Isaiah 9:6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 7:14 The virgin will conceive a child She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means God is with us ). Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. What Does it Mean to Be Gripped by the Greatness of God? Have you ever heard of silly, almost outrageous accounts of how people have encountered God? Some examples are of people seeing God in a tortilla, in wild vines, etc. Others have people reacting with laughing, even barking like dogs Every person in scripture who had a genuine encounter with the greatness of God responded in humble submission. Moses and Abraham trembled in God's presence. Isaiah said,"woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips..." Peter said to Jesus (recognizing his divinity) "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinner." John fainted like a dead man when he saw Jesus in His glory. When we have a clear, unmistakable revelation of God and who He is, our heart is captured - and we will never be the same again. How Will This Affect My Life? How will I know what this looks like? The Bible paints a picture for us that we are body and soul. It teaches us in Ephesians 2:1 that we're born dead in our sin. 1 Corinthians 2:14 tells us the natural person (that person who is not a Christian) can't perceive the things of God.
Romans 3:10,11 tells us that on our own we don't naturally seek God. And John 6:44 says that no one comes to God unless God draws them. So we're dead in our sins, we can't perceive God, and - on our own - we're not seeking God. Then Christ comes and draws us to Himself, removes the scales from our eyes, and we understand all He's done for us. We repent, experience true conversion, and life becomes real Everything changes. Your spirit is made up of three things: your mind, emotions, and will. When gripped by the greatness of God it affects our soul and spirit - mind, will, and emotions. As we go through this study you will be affected in your mind. The way you think. You'll learn things about God you didn't know before. This will enhance your understanding of God, your worship and your experience of Him. Second, you're going to be gripped in your emotions. You're going to feel some things. You'll deepen your passion for God. Third, your will will be affected. It's not enough to just know or feel some things. God wants us to act. People who are gripped by God's greatness do live differently. That's what it means to be transformed. How Will it Affect My Life? You will be transformed: in your mind, emotions, and will. When you are gripped by the greatness of God you will be transformed... in every area of your life. IsThis Really Possible? How can we say this? Because of the authority of God Himself. God is drawing you to Himself today. And He wants you to encounter Him. Hosea 6:3 Oh, that we might know the LORD Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.
James 4:8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Jeremiah 29:13,14 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you, says the LORD. I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land. Are You Ready to Begin the Journey? Today is the start of something very special. A journey to encounter God Himself. We don't say this presumptuously. We say it because it's God Himself who has brought you to this time and place. Don't settle for substitutes or cheap imitations. If you want to know God in His greatness, in His glory... tell Him. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. And remember, when we have a clear, unmistakable revelation of God and who He is, our heart is captured - and we will never be the same again. Are you ready to be gripped by the greatness of God? This series is based on the book by James MacDonald, Gripped By the Greatness of God, published by Moody Publishing-ISBN 0802447783 Ferndale Free Methodist Church 1950 Woodward Heights, Ferndale, MI 48220 www.ferndalefmc.com 248-541-2224