Topic: The Trauma of Holiness
Speaker: R.C. Sproul
Scripture: Isaiah 6

What?  (What does the Scripture say? What does it mean?  What is the truth being discussed)

• R.C. Sproul introduces his topic by speaking of a woman who was frustrated by what she perceived as her church’s hesitancy to speak of the holiness of God. Do you think that evangelicals sometimes hide the glory of God’s holiness by emphasizing other topics that are more warm and fuzzy? Why might this occur?
• John Calvin said that everyone who is exposed to the holiness of God, trembles at his presence?  Is this a part of your experience?
• What is the difference between an Old Testament prophet and a priest?  How did the judgment preached by the prophets and by Jesus relate to the topic of holiness?
• How did Isaiah’s pronouncement regarding his own condition relate to the holiness of God?

So What? (How does the truth apply to you, your church, and others?)

• Even often find a way to justify our failures until we see “the standard”?  What is the “standard” that Isaiah sees in Isaiah 6?  What is the standard by which we are to judge our lives?
• If our every thought and action will one day be brought into judgment, how can we hope to escape our guilt?  What do we learn from seeing how God dealt with Isaiah and his sin?

Now What?  (What is the proper response to this message?)

• God opened Isaiah’s eyes, cleaned him, and called him into ministry —   What would God have you see about your condition?  You cannot clean yourself; how does God clean you?  What is God calling you to?
• Can you honestly say, “God, here am I, send me”?

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This is the second lecture in the Ligonier teaching series The Holiness of God.

The Ligonier website describes the series as follow,

“The Holiness of God examines the meaning of holiness and why people are both fascinated and terrified by a holy God. This series closely explores God’s character, leading to new insights on sin, justice, and grace. The result is a new awareness of our dependence upon God’s mercy and a discovery of the awesomeness of His majestic holiness. Dr. R.C. Sproul says, “The holiness of God affects every aspect of our lives — economics, politics, athletics, romance — everything with which we are involved.”

Discussion questions and video for the rest of the series can be found at the following links:

1. The Importance of Holiness
2. The Trauma of Holiness
3. Holiness and Justice
4. The Insanity of Luther
5. The Meaning of Holiness
6. The Holiness of Christ

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Get “The Holiness of God” DVD Collection

Check out the Ligonier website for additional resources.

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Related

Holiness – Select Quotes

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