No More Hiding: Echo Holy

Message Study Questions

Message Summary

The song, Echo Holy, is a vertical worship song that focuses our attention on God. The song emphasizes the holiness of God and our right reaction to that holiness. Centering more on who God is, His attributes, rather than what He has done, the natural result of that focus is worship. We honor God and speak and sing praise for His dominion (sovereignty), power, wisdom, and beauty. God is eternal, created all things and is independent from His creation. The focus of this song, and one of the highlights of God’s character and essence, is His holiness. God’s holiness means God is set apart from all creation. He is unique; there is no one like Him, and the repeated phrase holy, holy, holy emphasizes His purity, perfection and goodness.

The glory of God on His throne is like nothing we could comprehend. The Bible gives us glimpses, some of which may be symbolic and some literal. They expand our mind to begin to consider the majesty of God. Revelation Four and Isaiah Six picture God’s throne and worship, and Revelation Five pictures millions upon millions worshiping God and Jesus the Lamb. God’s presence is so holy that it makes any place He is manifested holy. Our sin makes us fearful of God’s holy presence. Isaiah fully realized his sinfulness, and God forgave his guilt and purified him. God isn’t looking to punish you, he wants to purify you. When we fully realize and confess our sinfulness, we receive forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Then we are no longer separated from the holiness of God. We now have access to the holy, holy, holy God. He, in his mercy, purifies us from all sin.

Can you share something you’ve seen or experienced that is difficult to describe to others?
What does it mean to worship God? What helps you to worship?

Consider This

We hide from God, because we know how sinful we really are and it feels like too much. We never feel like we will measure up. We justify our sin and minimize our actions – and avoid God.
1. Could you explain what God is like to someone who is unfamiliar with Christianity and the Bible?

Read Revelation Four.
- What stands out to you the most about the description of God’s voice and image on the throne (verses 2-3)?
- What or who do you think the twenty-four elders represent (verse 4)? What attitude is conveyed by the elders falling down before God’s throne (verse 10a)? What are their crowns, or what do you think they represent?
- What are the four living creatures around the throne (verses 6-8a)?
Compare and contrast what the four living creatures say about God in Rev 4:8b and what the twenty-four elders say about God in verse 11. What strikes you most about the attitude and actions of the worshipers?
What else do the twenty-four elders say about God and Jesus in Revelation 5:9-10?
Who else worships God on His throne in heaven, according to Revelation 5:11-14? What else do they worship Jesus and God the Father for? What does this mean to you?
Read Exodus 3:5. Why is it necessary to respond with reverence to God, even to any manifestation of God?
According to Isaiah 6:5-6, why was Isaiah afraid of the presence of God? How did he describe himself? How was he purified? What do these verses symbolize to New Testament believers?
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy…” (Hebrews 4:16a). Why can you come boldly to the throne of God? Why can you join the throng of worshipers?
What are some consequences of irreverence toward God in the Old Testament? How does God deal with irreverence in the New Testament?

Moving Forward – Application

When you consider God’s holiness and his other attributes, are there any changes you are moved to make in your life this week?
What is keeping you from God? What are you hiding behind? What moves can you make to change that (see 1 John 1:9)?
What can you do to better remind yourself of God’s holiness and majesty this week?
What could you do this week to make praise and worship a bigger part of your life?