Volunteer Wanted
Notes
Transcript
The old % in churches is the 80/20 rule. Ever heard of that? 20% of the people do 80% of the work. If you evaluate that, it probably is going to be pretty close for all kinds of reasons.
The old % in churches is the 80/20 rule. Ever heard of that? 20% of the people do 80% of the work. If you evaluate that, it probably is going to be pretty close for all kinds of reasons.
Today, I am going to get into a little bit on the volunteering for God’s work in ministry and to spread the word of Jesus.
Today, I am going to get into a little bit on the volunteering for God’s work in ministry and to spread the word of Jesus.
Volunteer’s Wanted
(Isaiah 6:8). 8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” 9 And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people,
(Isaiah 6:8). 8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” 9 And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people,
Matthew 24:14 “14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”
Matthew 24:14 “14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”
Pastors spend a lot of time (and much nervous energy) trying to get people to work in the church. They sometimes say, “If you want something done, ask somebody who is already busy”! These however are two different subjects aren’t they?
Pastors spend a lot of time (and much nervous energy) trying to get people to work in the church. They sometimes say, “If you want something done, ask somebody who is already busy”! These however are two different subjects aren’t they?
The initiative in Christian service, however, should not come from the pastor, nor from the individual Christian. Our text reveals the sovereignty of God in Christian service. “Whom shall I send?” It is his choice, his decision, as it was with Jesus later—“You have not chosen me but I have chosen you.”
The initiative in Christian service, however, should not come from the pastor, nor from the individual Christian. Our text reveals the sovereignty of God in Christian service. “Whom shall I send?” It is his choice, his decision, as it was with Jesus later—“You have not chosen me but I have chosen you.”
Pastors must teach their flock how to listen to the voice of God. The response to God’s initiative, however, is with the individual: “Then said I, Here am I; send me.” Divine selection is followed by the exercise of free will by the individual. This makes for volunteers in the Lord’s army, not conscripts; and as everyone knows, “One volunteer is worth two pushed men.”
Pastors must teach their flock how to listen to the voice of God. The response to God’s initiative, however, is with the individual: “Then said I, Here am I; send me.” Divine selection is followed by the exercise of free will by the individual. This makes for volunteers in the Lord’s army, not conscripts; and as everyone knows, “One volunteer is worth two pushed men.”
Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the eart1 A full-time volunteer
Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the eart1 A full-time volunteer
1 During the Second World War in England there was an army of Home Guards, men too old to be called into the armed forces, who volunteered for part-time service to defend the shores of Britain. They carried on their secular job but gave of their leisure time to serve in this volunteer army.
1 During the Second World War in England there was an army of Home Guards, men too old to be called into the armed forces, who volunteered for part-time service to defend the shores of Britain. They carried on their secular job but gave of their leisure time to serve in this volunteer army.
In the same way, some Christian workers are called into full-time ministry as pastors, ministers of youth, missionaries, evangelists, etc. Others carry on a secular occupation while serving God as tract distributors, Sunday school teachers, lay preachers, and in various other capacities.
In the same way, some Christian workers are called into full-time ministry as pastors, ministers of youth, missionaries, evangelists, etc. Others carry on a secular occupation while serving God as tract distributors, Sunday school teachers, lay preachers, and in various other capacities.
It is well to listen to the voice of God (sometimes speaking through his Word or through a preacher or Christian friend) to see if he is calling us into part time or full-time Christian work.
It is well to listen to the voice of God (sometimes speaking through his Word or through a preacher or Christian friend) to see if he is calling us into part time or full-time Christian work.
2 A willing volunteer
2 A willing volunteer
What made Isaiah so willing? First, he had a vision of the Lord God in all his glory and holiness. Many of us would be more willing to serve if we saw God in this way.
What made Isaiah so willing? First, he had a vision of the Lord God in all his glory and holiness. Many of us would be more willing to serve if we saw God in this way.
Isaiah was willing even though he could not see God’s ultimate purpose from the very beginning. “How long?” he asked in verse 11. Sometimes we are afraid to undertake Christian work because we cannot see the end from the beginning. We want to know what the future holds for us.
Isaiah was willing even though he could not see God’s ultimate purpose from the very beginning. “How long?” he asked in verse 11. Sometimes we are afraid to undertake Christian work because we cannot see the end from the beginning. We want to know what the future holds for us.
3 A patterned volunteer.....
3 A patterned volunteer.....
I have heard many many excuses in ministry, Im to quiet, I could never do that, Im to busy, .........etc
I have heard many many excuses in ministry, Im to quiet, I could never do that, Im to busy, .........etc
Have you ever asked God what it is He wants you to be doing for Him? We usually don’t because we are a little to comfortable aren’t we?
Have you ever asked God what it is He wants you to be doing for Him? We usually don’t because we are a little to comfortable aren’t we?
Isaiah was the supreme example of a servant of the Lord God.
Isaiah was the supreme example of a servant of the Lord God.
A. He was young. He answered God’s call in youth and then went on to serve him through four kingships—a total of forty to fifty years. In other words he gave God a lifetime. We should listen for God’s call to service as soon as possible after our Receiving Jesus Christ in our conversion.
A. He was young. He answered God’s call in youth and then went on to serve him through four kingships—a total of forty to fifty years. In other words he gave God a lifetime. We should listen for God’s call to service as soon as possible after our Receiving Jesus Christ in our conversion.
B. He was humble. “I am a man of unclean lips.” He did not flaunt his degrees or diplomas but immediately realized his unworthiness for divine service. HUMILITY
B. He was humble. “I am a man of unclean lips.” He did not flaunt his degrees or diplomas but immediately realized his unworthiness for divine service. HUMILITY
C. He was equally yoked. To acquire a female partner he went to a prophetess (8:3), one who would understand his work for God and who would support and assist him in that work. So many who are unequally yoked could serve God better if they had compatible partners.
C. He was equally yoked. To acquire a female partner he went to a prophetess (8:3), one who would understand his work for God and who would support and assist him in that work. So many who are unequally yoked could serve God better if they had compatible partners.
4 Isaiah—the volunteer, you and I
4 Isaiah—the volunteer, you and I
Isaiah had been privileged to see within the gates of heaven: seraphs, cherubs, and angels. These spiritual beings guarded the divine throne and worshiped their Lord. Isaiah could have said to God, “Why don’t you send one of them?”
Isaiah had been privileged to see within the gates of heaven: seraphs, cherubs, and angels. These spiritual beings guarded the divine throne and worshiped their Lord. Isaiah could have said to God, “Why don’t you send one of them?”
When asked why so many missionaries were women, one missionary replied, “When some men hear the call to the mission field, they reply, ‘Lord, here am I—send my sister.’ ”LOL…LOL…LOL...
When asked why so many missionaries were women, one missionary replied, “When some men hear the call to the mission field, they reply, ‘Lord, here am I—send my sister.’ ”LOL…LOL…LOL...
Mine are the hands to do Thy work, USE ME
Mine are the hands to do Thy work, USE ME
My feet shall run for Thee; USE ME
My feet shall run for Thee; USE ME
My lip shall sound the glorious news— USE ME
My lip shall sound the glorious news— USE ME
Lord, here am I, send me. USE ME
Lord, here am I, send me. USE ME
AMEN
Please stand and turn in our Hymnals to page 77 and let us sing one of my favorites Hymns, “How Great Thou Art”
Please stand and turn in our Hymnals to page 77 and let us sing one of my favorites Hymns, “How Great Thou Art”