The Heart of Worship
Isaiah 6:1-8
The heart of worship is not just about what we do in church but about encountering God in a way that transforms us. Worship is more than just singing songs or attending a service—it is an “encounter with the living God”. Isaiah 6:1-8 gives us a powerful picture of worship: it begins with a vision of God, moves to repentance, leads to transformation, and sends us into service. Today, we will use the word WORSHIP as an acronym to walk through Isaiah 6:1-8 in sequential order, understanding the “heart of worship”.
W – Witness God’s Glory (Isaiah 6:1)
“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.”
Isaiah begins his vision with “God’s throne”—the “center of all true worship.” King Uzziah had been a great king, but he had died. This moment reminded Isaiah that earthly rulers come and go, but God remains sovereign. True worship starts with seeing God as He really is—glorious, exalted, and in control.
Question: Am I focusing on God’s glory in worship, or am I distracted by lesser things? Worship is not about me—it is about God’s majesty.
O – Offer Reverence to God (Isaiah 6:2-3)
“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. And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.'”
The angels cover their faces and feet as they cry, “Holy, holy, holy.” Even sinless angels approach God with reverence and humility. True worship involves offering God the reverence He deserves.
Do I approach worship with reverence and awe? Worship is not about what I get —it’s about what I offer to God in humility. What would change if I prepared my heart before worship instead of just showing up?
R – Recognize My Sinfulness (Isaiah 6:4-5)
“At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke. ‘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.'”
The temple shakes, and Isaiah immediately feels unworthy in God’s presence. Seeing God’s holiness exposes my own sinfulness. I must come before God in worship with humility and honesty, recognizing my own brokenness. True worship humbles me before God—it leads to repentance.
Am I aware of my own sinfulness when I come to worship? Do I let God’s presence convict me and change me?
S – Seek God’s Cleansing (Isaiah 6:6-7)
“Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.'”
God does not leave me in guilt —He sends an angel to cleanse Isaiah, and He desires to cleanse me too. The coal represents purification—God atones for my sin. True worship not only reveals my sin but leads me to cleansing and restoration.
Am I allowing God to cleanse and transform me in worship? Worship is not just about singing—it’s about letting God purify my heart.
H – Hear God’s Call (Isaiah 6:8a)
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?'”
After Isaiah is cleansed, he is now able to hear God’s voice. Worship is not just about what I say to God—it is also about listening to God. True worship positions me to hear God’s call and respond.
Am I listening to God in worship, or am I just going through the motions? Worship should lead me to a place of surrender where I am open to God’s direction.
I – Initiate My Response (Isaiah 6:8b)
“And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!'”
Isaiah does not hesitate—he immediately responds, “Here am I. Send me!” True worship moves me to action—it leads me to obedience. Worship is not complete until it transforms my life and sends me out.
Am I willing to say yes to God when He calls me? Worship is not just about an experience—it should lead to commitment and action.
P – Proclaim God’s Message (Isaiah 6:9-13)
“And he said, ‘Go and tell this people…'”
Worship is not just about personal experience—it should lead me to share God’s message. God commissions Isaiah to go and proclaim His word, and He commissions me as well. True worship results in mission—it fuels me to take God’s truth to others.
In these verses, we see that Isaiah is called to speak out to the God’s people who have been disobedient. God tells Isaiah that the people won’t listen. (Sounds like today, doesn’t it?)
Isaiah asks “Until when?” or in other words, “How long do I keep sharing God’s message?” Until judgment comes.
How is worship leading me to share my faith? Worship should send me out with a heart to reach others. Worship is not just about singing—it is about encountering God and being transformed. What is my next step in worship? Do I need to refocus on God’s glory? Do I need to confess and seek cleansing? Is God calling me to step out in faith and serve? Let’s move beyond routine worship and truly encounter God—allowing Him to transform us.
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