INTRODUCTION The prophets of God in the Old Testament and the apoetles in the New were alike in two important respects, phey knew that their message was divinely given, and their knowledge gave them a deep feeling of urgency about their mission. The apostle Paul declared, “I must make it clear to you, my friends, that the gospel you heard me preach is not human invention. I did not take it over from any man; no man taught it me; I received it through a revelation of Jews Christ,” (Galatians 1:11-12). wle prophets saw themselves as servants of the Lord, heralds of His word. So strongly did Jeremiah feel this compulsion that he admitted, “If I say I will not mention him or speak any more in his name, his word is in my heart like a burning fire, shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot,” (Jeremiah 20:9). The prophets spoke because they could not keep silent. This was precisely Isaiah’s experi ence. He did not seek the prophetic office; tliere were enough self appointed “false prophets already. LESSON BACKGROUND When Isaiah was born, Uzziah reigned in Jerusalem as king of Judah'.'For the most part he was a good king, and certainly he was a capable and popular leader. During his long reign of 52 years the nation was more prosperous than at any time since the reign of Solomon some 200 years earlier. Conditions were hot good in Judah in the - declining years of Uzziah. The people were outwardly religious blit the worship of God had lost its spiritual and moral character. The fact that God is holy and righteous and demands righteousness of His people was forgotten or ignored. In spite of the good economic climate, many were in abject poverty because of unscrupulous profiters in the market place and crooked judges in the courts. Leaders in government were rebellious against God and they associated with underworld characters and hoodlums. They took bribes and perverted justice, (Isaiah 1:23). The times were foreboding, therefore, when Isaiah was called to be a prophet. - ; The Vision: Even in the worst of times, God does not leave Himself without a witness to His sovereignty and to His will. But even die most dedicated messenger might hesitite to champion God’s cause in rebellious times. If Isaiah was filled with gloom and fear because of conditions in Judah, a revelation from God would renew his confidence. God would not Send out His messenger without first reassuring him and equipping Mm for his task. “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord. He was sitting cm His throne, high and exalted, and his robe filled the whole temple. Around him flaming creatures were standing, each of which had six wings. Each creature covered its face with two wings and its body with two and each other: “Holy, holy, holy! The Lord Almight is holV! His glory fills the world.” The death of the popular King Uzziah must have been accompanied by loud lamentation from the people. A righteous leader was dead when the nation most needed his kind of leadership. However, although the earthly king was dead, God, the Supreme Ruler of the universe, was still on His throne. “The sound of the voices made the foundation of the Temple shake, and the Temple itself became filled with smoke. I said, There is no hope for me! I am doomed because every word that passes my lips is sinful and I live among people whose every word is sunful. And yet, with tny own eyes, I ha ve seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Then one of the creatures flew down to me, carrying a burning coal that he had taken from the alter with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with the burning coal and said, “This has touched your lips flhd now your guilt is gone and your sins are forgiven, (Isiah 6:4-7); God responded to Isaiah’s cry of guilt bj immediately assuring him of forgiveness Isaiah desperately needed that assurance, and no one but God could give it: Many people today suffer from unforgiven guilt. They think they can forget their guilt by burying it. They don’t realize that, like a guerilla, guilt flourishes best underground, in the dart, damp soul of an unforgiven soul. GOd harbors no revenge against us, but wishes to bathe us in His cleansing mercy. - T.The Mission - (Reed Isaiah 6:8) When . Isaiah saw the Lord, be was overwhelmed by a feeling of Uiiworthiness, a sense Of : uncleanness But GOd cleansed him and took sway bis sin. Then his feeling was one . k mission. His vision of God led to a sense of ’i^ng I Catawba Presbytery Men’s Council To Host Seminar By Karen Parker Port Staff Writer Harold Parks, president of the Catawba Presbytery Men’s Council, announced the organisation com prised of 33 N.C. Presby terian churches will host the annual Council Com munion Breakfast Seminar January 21. Parks noted the theme for the breakfast seminar to be held at Johnson C. Smith University is “Churchmen In Global Mission: Strength For Tough Times.” Beginning at7:30a.m. the council will have breakfast in the 19 stairs portion of the Stu dent Union. All seminar sessions, which begin at 10:15 a.m., will be held in the Student Union confer . ence rooms. Parks, a member of C. N. Jenkins Memorial United Presbyterian Church, men tioned that four seminars will be held. They include: “Personality Conflict and Churchmen,” to be pre sided by Rev. George Goodman of C. N. Jenkins and Earl Russell of Memorial United Presbyte rian Church. Another seminar entitled “Presby terian Church Structure and Merger,” will be chaired by Rev. Edward Newberry of Memorial United Presbyterian_ Church, Rev. Dr. Raymond Worsley, Interim Execu^ tive Director for the Ca tawba Unit, and Oren Mc _ Cullough, Executive Se McConnell —• Needs Liver Transplant Continued From Page 1A and it had $400 in cash.” Shelley’s grandfather, a resident of Charlotte, owns a service station, Father Borrego stated. “Children come in with pennies and nickles. They ask him to please give it to his grand daughter.” Each cent will count. For the procedure, including Lear jet, intensive care and the liver transplant, could amount to or exceed one half million dollars. Your prayers for Shelley Rose and all other children who are seriously ill are needed and appreciated. If you would like to contri bute, send donations to The Shelley McConnell Liver Transplant Fund, 3601 Cen tral Ave., Charlotte, N.C. 28203. There are others in Char lotte and surrounding areas committed to raising funds for Shelley Rose Mc Connell. Curly Howard is one of them. At 5 a.m. Thursday, January 5, How ard was tied down, hands and feet to the hardwood at Tryon Mall (near the water fountain on the bridge). Lying on his back for four days - 80 hours - Howard’s inhuman feat has raised $50,000 for Shelley’s ope ration, Coughing with a cold Howard stated, “It was really rough. I had Boat bread and water and I lost weight. People would come by and those who hadn’t heard of the fund raising for Shelley would look at me like I was crazy. Some of them would say, ‘What’s wrong? Do you need some help?’ I would tell them that Shelley McConnell was the one who needed help. I would get donations right there on the spot.” “I would do It again,” Howard stated. “Each day that goes by she’s closer to death until we can raise the money for the operation.” Howard will seek donation over WCGC and sister stations WrtEG and WEGO. Also, if you visit Tryon Mall you may leave . y«r donations there or can MMWl or $88481$. Gaston County residents may call WCGC at SB-3812. Subscribe To THE CHARLOTTE *>; i^psrr Harold Parks .CPMC president > cretary-Treasurer for Na tional Men's Council. “Male Images and Our Youth" will also be pre sented during the semi nars. Conveners for this ses sion will be James Ross, director of the Cherry Community Organization, Dr. Samuel Byaurm, a retired sociologist of JCSU and Les Green, an affirm ative action officer at J. A. Jones Construction Com pany. “Commitment and Obligation’' will be con ducted by George Moore and Rev; Larry Hill of Catawba Presbyterian Church. According to Parks, the sessions will close at 11:45 a.m. Beginning at noon, Rev. Lloyd Morris of Grier Heights United Presbyte rian Church and Rev. Rudolph Hendricks of Huntersville United Pres byterian will host com-, muni on. Winners for an oratorical and essay contest will also be awarded. The themes for the essays were de rived from the subject of the Council Breakfast. Prizes will be $100 for the high school winner, who presents the winning essay of 700-750 words. The second prize of $50 will be awarded to the junior .high school student who pre sents the best material of 700-750 words and the third prize of $25 will be given to the fifth of sixth grader who presents the best ma terial in 300 or more words. The judges for the essay contest were selected by the Catawba Presbytery Men’s Council. A $6 fee will cover all the events planned for the Catawba Presbytery Men’s Council event. For more information about the Council Communion Breakfast Seminar, contact publicity chairman Oren McCullough at 377-2080. The program is scheduled to end at 1 p.m. Approximately 250 people are expected to attend. DIET CENTER. LITE YEARS AHEAD" Want to lose weight and keep it off forever? Talk to Diet Center. 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