Audacious Prayers – “Send Me”
Icebreaker: Have you ever said, “YES” to go someplace or do something and later wondered, “What did I get myself into?”
Background: During King Uzziah’s 52 years reign, Israel experienced exceptional prosperity. Unfortunately, they were failing their calling as ‘the people of God.’ They were worshipping idols. They were consistently disobedient. God stepped in and called Isaiah on a mission.
Isaiah 6:1-8. 1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 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!”
Note: Seraphim. This word means fiery ones, in allusion, as is supposed, to their burning love. They are represented as “standing” above the King as he sat upon his throne, ready at once to minister unto him. Their form appears to have been human, with the addition of wings. – Easton’s Bible Dictionary
1.What did Isaiah see in the year that King Uzziah died? (Isaiah 6:1-4)
2. How does Isaiah seeing God on the throne, with emphasis on the throne, impact him? (Isaiah 6:1-4)
3. Why do Christians need to give Isaiah’s and John’s vision of God first place in their view of God? (Revelation 4:2, 9-11)
Revelation 4:2, 9-11 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it…….9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
4. Describe a time that God revealed himself to you and what was your response?
5. How did Isaiah see himself in the light of God? Why was his response very appropriate? (Isaiah 6:5, James 3:9-10)
James 3:9-10 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
6. What did the seraphim do to Isaiah? Why was “live coal” in the mouth necessary when we consider Isaiah’s sin and calling? (Isaiah 6:5-6)
7. What was the result after the “live coal” in the mouth?
8. What would be the New Testament equivalent to what the seraphim did? (1John 1:9)
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
9. For what purpose did Christ offer himself and cleanse our consciences? (Hebrew 9:14, 2 Corinthians 5:20-21)
Hebrews 9:14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
2 Corinthians 5:20–21 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
10. What did the Lord ask Himself before an audience of one? What is the significance that both “I” and “us” are referring to God? (Isaiah 6:8)
11. Why do you think God might have asked this question? (Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah 1:16-18, Romans 10:15, Matthew 4:19, 20)
Isaiah 1:18-20 18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; 20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.”
Romans 10:15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Matthew 4:19-20, 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
12. How did Isaiah respond? Why was Isaiah’s five-word prayer so bold and audacious?
13. How is “send” more than geography? Pastor Brian listed seven domains of life: Arts and Entertainment, Business, Education, Government, Family, Media, and Religion. Into which domain/s of society has God put/sent you? How do you or could you “go” for God into that domain?
14. Why must it be a 2-part response- “Here am I” and then “Send me”? What kind of time gap between the two parts has there been for you? Please explain.
15. 30-Day Challenge: For the next 30 days, tell the Lord, “Here am I” followed with a request for God to send you. Wait expectantly for God to speak to you and consider sharing your experience with the Circle Group.