Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
This sermon explores how to respond to God's call, utilize our abilities for His Kingdom, and make the invisible God visible through service.
Welcome, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, to this blessed gathering where we come together to seek wisdom, to find comfort, and to be inspired by the Word of God. We are here today, not by coincidence, but by divine appointment, to address a calling that is as old as the faith we share, yet as fresh and relevant as the morning dew. We are here to talk about our purpose, our abilities, and our service in His Kingdom.
Our guiding Scripture for today is from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 6, verse 8: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"
This is a powerful and stirring declaration of readiness, of willingness, and of courage. It is the response of a heart that is open and eager to fulfill God's purpose. It is a testament to the transformative power of God's call and the beauty of a life lived in service to Him.
As we ponder on this Scripture, let's remember the words of the great Christian theologian, Saint Augustine, who once said, "The purpose of the church is to make the invisible God visible." Isn't that a profound thought? That we, as the body of Christ, are entrusted with the task of making God visible in a world that so often seems blind to His presence.
How, then, do we make the invisible God visible? How do we respond to His call? How do we mobilize our abilities for Kingdom work? And how do we master the art of serving in His Kingdom? These are the questions that we will turn our hearts and minds to as we delve into the Word of God.
As we consider the words of the prophet Isaiah, we find ourselves confronted with a powerful question. It's a question that echoes through the ages, resonating in the heart of every believer. It's the voice of the Lord asking, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" This is not just a question for Isaiah. It's a question for you and me. It's a question that calls us to consider our availability for God's purpose.
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to lose sight of this divine purpose. We forget that He has a purpose for us, a purpose that is greater and more fulfilling than anything we could ever imagine. So, how do we make ourselves available for God's purpose? How do we align our lives with His plan? How do we say, like Isaiah, "Here am I. Send me!"?
Firstly, we need to recognize that availability for God's purpose begins with a willingness to listen. Just as Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord, we too need to attune our ears to His voice. We need to cultivate a habit of listening to God, of seeking His guidance in prayer and in His Word. The noise of the world can often drown out God's voice. But if we make a conscious effort to quiet our hearts and minds, to tune out the distractions and tune into God, we will begin to hear His voice more clearly. And as we listen, we will start to understand His purpose for our lives.
Secondly, availability for God's purpose requires a readiness to respond. When Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord, he didn't hesitate. He didn't make excuses. He didn't say, "I'm too busy" or "I'm not qualified." He simply said, "Here am I. Send me!" This is the kind of readiness that God is looking for. He's looking for people who are ready to say "yes" to Him, people who are ready to step out in faith and follow His lead.
Next, it involves a willingness to step out of our comfort zones. Isaiah's call to serve was not an easy one. It involved a lot of challenges and sacrifices. We too need to be willing to step out of our comfort zones. This can be scary and uncomfortable. But it's in these moments of discomfort that we grow and mature in our faith. It's in these moments that we discover the depth of our trust in God and the strength of His power at work in us.
Finally, availability for God's purpose entails a commitment to serve. When Isaiah said, "Here am I. Send me!" he was essentially saying, "I'm ready to serve." He was committing himself to the task of proclaiming God's message to the people. We are to be committing ourselves to serve. We are saying, "Lord, use me. Use my gifts and abilities. Use my time and resources. Use my life for Your glory."
Moses, who was called by God from the solitude of the desert to lead His people out of Egypt ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO