Why Do We Ask You To Volunteer? Series

INTRODUCTION

• SLIDE #1

• We have been working through a series entitled Why Do We Do That? Since you are here this week, I am glad we did not scare you off last week as we examined why do we take up an offering.

• This week we are looking at the question, WHY DO WE ASK YOU TO VOLUNTEER?

• When you consider how many people we need to be able to offer this gathering today, it takes over 40 volunteers to make this service happen.

• So, based on that thought it would be easy to conclude that we ask you to volunteer so that we can function, and on the surface, that is true; however, there are some deeper reasons we ask for volunteers.

• In a situation where we had enough financial resources, theoretically, we could hire people to be greeters, hostesses, to be a part of the Praise Teams and Praise band.

• We could hire folks to prepare and serve communion, and so forth…

• In some areas of service, we do hire some of the tasks out, Jerry and I are paid to help preach, teach, and lead.

• We have Paula and Linda in the office to keep consistency in the office. We also hire out the lawn care, and the nursery duties.

• But imagine walking into a Church were the person who greets you is paid staff, then you find out that there are no volunteers in the because ALL of the work is hired out, you can simply sit and be served.

• That would be weird!

• Today we are going to address the deeper reasons as to why we ask you to volunteer in the Church.

• The focus of the message today comes from the book of Romans in the New Testament. This was written by the Apostle Paul and it was addressed to the Church at Rome as Paul was trying to help the young Church to mature.

• SLIDE #2

• Romans 12:3 (HCSB) For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.

• SLIDE #3

SERMON

I. Your gifts come from God.

• When we cover Romans 12, we usually cover verses 1-2. Let’s take a quick peek at the passage or context sake.

• SLIDE #4

• Romans 12:1–2 (HCSB) Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

• In 12:1–2, Paul has encapsulated the gospel imperative: honoring God at all times through a transformed life that is in keeping with his will.

• In 12:3–15:13, Paul unpacks some of the specific components of that will.

• He begins in 12:3–8 by reminding us that we live out our transformed existence in community.

• Central to our community life is a fair and sober estimate of ourselves in line with the Christian faith and with the gifts God has given us.

• I had never really given any deep thought to the tie in between verses 1-2 and the text we are unwinding today.

• The passage we are examining together this morning is the where the rubber meets the road application of verses 1-2.

• We are called to be an active part of the body of Christ, the Church!

• Verse 3 begins with the word FOR, meaning, “LET ME EXPLAIN FURTHER WITH I MEAN ABOUT DEMONSTRATING GOD’S WILL” from verses 1-2.

• Before he digs down deeper, Paul uses the phrase FOR BY GRACE GIVEN TO ME, to let everyone know that his position as an Apostle came to him as a result of God’s grace.

• This fits in with Paul encouraging one to not think of oneself more highly that one should. I am going to let Jerry build on this thought in two weeks.

• Where I am going to take us today with this thought is that we are called to realize that the gifts we possess are from God and therefore we are to think sensibly when we consider our gifts.

• When one realizes that their gifts are from God, it will help to keep one centered and not think too highly of oneself.

• When one thinks sensibly about themselves, they will neither exaggerate or think too lowly of the gifts that God has blessed one with.

• We are told that God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.