VOLUNTEERS
FOR GOD
Text:
Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I
send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Intro.
What are we [as a church] doing here? What is our purpose? Is it
really worth while? Are we doing that which is pleasing to God? How
about as individuals?
Isaiah
saw a need for a messenger from God to His people. He saw his own
unworthiness/ He experienced God's cleansing and preparation. Finally
he volunteered his services.
I.
The need for volunteers.
A.
God has always chosen to work through man.
B.
Those whose names are recorded in the tribute to the faithful are
those who volunteered to serve.
1.
Balaam spoke the truth in his prophecy, yet the only thing said of
him in the New Testament is derogatory.
2.
Jonah did a remarkable work in Ninevah, yet his very name is
synonymous with refusal to serve.
C.
God still needs volunteers in His service.
1.
He has chosen to save men by the foolishness of preaching..1
Cor 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom
knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save
them that believe.
2.
Can only be done by a preacher. Rom 10:14 How then
shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall
they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they
hear without a preacher?
3.
We are laborers together with God. 1 Cor 3:9 For we are
labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's
building.
II.
The outward look to see the need.
A.
The urgency. John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months,
and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes,
and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
B.
Hear the 'Macedonian Cry'. Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to
Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him,
saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
C.
Without this vision people will perish. Prov 29:18 Where
there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law,
happy is he.
III.
The Inward look. See the personal responsibility.
A.
Each lost person must see the need for a PERSONAL salvation.
B.
Each child of God must see his personal responsibility to Christ.
John
21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man
do?
John
21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come,
what is that to thee? follow thou me.
1.Paul's
expression of this truth. 1 Cor 9:16 For though I preach the
gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me;
yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
1
Cor 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if
against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
2.
Rom 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians;
both to the wise, and to the unwise.
Rom
1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you
that are at Rome also.
IV.
For what will YOU volunteer?
A.
Accept Christ or reject him? It is your choice.
B.
Follow him in baptism or live in rebellion?
C.
Present your body a living sacrifice ?
D.
Serve him in His Church or try to rob Him of his glory?
