Prophets

What does success in God’s eyes really look like? If we measure it by results, then Isaiah’s mission was a failure. But in Isaiah 6, we see that God wasn’t calling Isaiah to be successful—He was calling him to be faithful.

In this episode of The Dirt Path Sermon Podcast, we begin our Lent series, Hearing Voices, by listening to the voice of the prophets. Isaiah was sent to speak God’s truth, knowing people wouldn’t listen. Yet, he still answered, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”

What about you? Are you willing to be faithful in sharing Jesus, even if you never see the results? Join us as we explore the challenge of obedience, the courage to step out in faith, and the trust that God is always working—whether we see it or not.

Listen now and be encouraged to say, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”

Linkoln shares his story on why he started coming to Ravenna Church of the Nazarene and shares why you should consider doing the same.

Ravenna Church of the Nazarene
530 Main Street, Ravenna, KY 40472

Enjoy this message? Consider visiting Ravenna Church of the Nazarene where Pastor Jason is the Senior Pastor. Have a prayer need? Want to share something with Pastor Jason?

Help spread the gospel through this podcast by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing this episode.

Chapters

• 0:00 Trailer [linktree link]
• 0:20 Theme song--"The Dirt Path" by Jeremy Edwards
• 1:25 Podcast Greeting
• 3:54 Introduction: Looks like failure
• 9:16 Reading of the Passage: Isaiah 6:8-10 [bible.com link]
• 10:04 Context: Isaiah's vision in verses 1-7
• 11:55 v8 God calls, Isaiah responds
• 14:06 v9-10 The hard reality of Isaiah's mission
• 17:04 What does this teach us?
• 24:17 Invitation: Faithful in every season
• 40:27 Closing prayer [contact form link]
• 42:24 Outro

Transcript

HEARING VOICES

#1 PROPHETS

     Our Lent series is focused on hearing voices. Not necessarily the voices in your head, but the voices of the people connected to the story of Jesus and the good news of salvation. These voices orient us to what God wants of us in response to the Cross.

     As we look to Isaiah 6 today, I was reminded of a story I read about a church preparing for VBS. It was their first attempt in some years, but they went all out. They spent money on decorations, invitations, ads, food, and everything needed for the event. The first day arrives, with all the excitement and anticipation of the leadership team. Only, not one kid shows up. And I am sure that knocked the air out of them like a mule kicking them in the stomach.

     The leader looked around, seeing the disappointment in everyone’s eyes. Rather than send everyone home, they all went through the events together like the kids were there. They found joy in the activities, celebrating their readiness and faithfulness to their God given call. I wish I could tell you the outcome was different, that the next night a bunch of kids did arrive. But I do not know that they did.

     Looking at their results, the world and often the church would label the event a failure. And if we measure success by how people respond, we may feel like failures if our events go the same way. But what if success in God’s eyes is something different?

     Isaiah 6:8-10(CEB):

8 Then I heard the Lord’s voice saying, “Whom should I send, and who will go for us?” I said, “I’m here, send me.” 9 God said, “Go and say to this people: ‘Listen intently, but don’t understand; look carefully, but don’t comprehend. 10 Make the minds of this people dull. Make their ears deaf and their eyes blind, so they can’t see with their eyes or hear with their ears, or understand with their minds, and turn, and be healed.’”

This is the word of God

For the people of God

Thanks be to God

     If you were here for Ash Wednesday, we discussed the first eight verses of this chapter. But for those who were unable to attend, I will summarize. Isaiah has been caught up in a vision, and Isaiah finds himself standing before God on His throne. Isaiah is an unholy man standing before the holy God, and Isaiah recognizes his sinfulness. God has a seraphim touch Isaiah’s lips with a coal from the altar, forgiving Isaiah’s sin and making him holy.

     Our text is a continuation of that vision. God calls out in verse 8, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” Isaiah immediately responds, “Here I am, Lord, send me.” This is not a coerced reaction from Isaiah, it is a response directly connected with the grace the prophet had received from God. His heart is so moved by what God has done for him, Isaiah desires to serve God. God grants Isaiah’s request, not because of Isaiah’s qualifications, but because of Isaiah’s willingness to be sent.

     God must be sending Isaiah to a people who are hungry to respond, right? Isaiah will be sent and thousands will turn their heart to God, right? That is not what is God tells Isaiah. In verses 9 and 10, God says, “Tell these people, ‘Listen intently, but don’t understand; look carefully, but don’t comprehend. Make the minds of the people dull. Make their ears deaf and their eyes blind, so they can’t see with their eyes or hear with their ears, or understand with their minds, and turn, and be healed.” This result is exactly the opposite we would expect.

     These verses contain a lot of irony. It is as if God is telling Isaiah to tell the people “don’t seek repentance” or “don’t look for salvation.” This is certainly not God’s objective for sending Isaiah. God is saying this because the hearts of His people had become so hardened, so accustomed to doing the opposite of God’s Word, that perhaps Isaiah telling them not to do it they would. Essentially, God is telling Isaiah that he will go speak on God’s behalf to a people who will not listen. Not only will they not listen, but the hearts of the people would only become more hardened against God because of Isaiah’s words. Isaiah’s willingness would be met with rejection, not visible results.

     Isaiah’s success wasn’t in changed hearts, but in his obedience. That brings us to the question—what does this teach us today? By our understanding, Isaiah’s ministry would be a failure. If there are no results, then there is no success. Why bother? Because God is not basing Isaiah’s success on results, God is basing success for Isaiah on the prophet’s faithfulness to share the message. Isaiah was not called to be successful, but faithful.

     The world measures success in numbers, influence, and acceptance. In many ways, the Church does the same thing, basing success on the number of people in the pews and size of the church bank accounts. But really, when it comes to the numbers there is only one that matters. Who was saved? Whose life was changed by encountering the message and love of Jesus? And how does that happen? Believers like you and me, who have been changed by grace, sharing the message. We share the message with our friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors not because we are obligated, but because we are so moved by what God has done for us that we cannot keep it to ourselves. Not because we are qualified, but because grace compels us. Our focus should be on faithfulness to God’s message rather than the response.

     If you are here and afraid to share your faith, know that God has redeemed you. That is not in jeopardy. You might fear sharing your faith leads to rejection. The prophet Isaiah was rejected, the other prophets were rejected, Paul was rejected, and even Jesus. You and I are not responsible for how people respond, only for sharing truth in love.

     If you are here and discouraged, maybe you feel like your efforts are being wasted, like that VBS team from the opening. God sees your faithfulness. His goal for you is not the results, but faithful obedience to the task He has called you to do. The results are God’s job, the responsibility to respond belongs to someone else. Our job is to take the step of faith and do it.

     Maybe you are here and are hesitant to answer God’s call. You think I am too broken, too much a sinner, and I do not know the answers. Meanwhile, God is sitting on His throne hearing the voices of the oppressed, the undervalued, the forgotten, and the lost. They are crying out, perhaps not to God, in need of rescue. God hears them, and He is asking, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” Jesus has washed your heart clean, all God is needing to respond is someone with a willing heart. Will you step out in faith, even if you never see the fruit? Will you trust that God is working, even when you can’t see it? If God is asking, ‘Who will go for us?’ what will your answer be?

     If I had a nickel for every time I invited someone to church, every time they have said “I will be there”, and then did not show, I would have a lot of nickels. So many times I have stared at the door and been let down. But I can tell you, I am willing to endure everyone of those times for the one time someone does come through the door. They come through the door, find a pew, and then leave having found Jesus. What about you? Are you willing to be faithful in sharing Jesus? Will you be like Isaiah and say, “Lord, here I am, send me.”