volunteers for God

Text: Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall Isend, 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 arethose 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..
1Cor 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 toPaul 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.
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

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!
1Cor 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.
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?