Title Send Me, Lord - Sermon May 13, 2007
Contents
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"Send Me, Lord"
Isaiah 6:8. May 13, 2007
The first sentences: Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?
two questions connected by AND
God takes the initiative, but we must respond. He does not force us.
There may be people He sends, but they won’t go.
The number who “go for us” is smaller then the number “Whom I send.”
First sentence: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
The two questions are linked by the word “and”.
God has the initiative, and we must respond.
God is not coercive.
God sent, but people don't go.
There are fewer “going for us” than “I send” people.
Let’s think about what God is trying to tell us in the question “Who will go for us?”
this is very important.
WHO: God is waiting for our response
WILL: it is our decision. Will we align our will (will) with God’s will?
GO: movement, change, unknown, cost, commitment
Going where: some off to college, some to work, some to homes
some alone, some with family
but everyone is going somewhere. Where are we going?
Are we going for ourselves, or for God and God’s people?
Let's think about what God asks, "Who will go for us?"
This is really important.
Luke: God Waits for Our Answers
Will you go: It's our decision. We must align our will with the will of God.
To go: action, change, uncertainty, cost, commitment.
Where to go: Some go to college, to work, or to home.
Some go alone, some with family.
But everyone is going somewhere. where do we go
Do we go for us? Or for God and His people...
FOR US: God includes Himself and God’s people
FOR: for our sake, on behalf of us
Why? For What?
To make us better
To draw us closer to God and each other
To represent us (God and God’s people)
To receive something we need (gifts of knowledge, skill, support)
To become what only they can be (hand, foot, ear, etc…)
to make body (of Christ, Calvary) stronger
For us: God includes both Himself and His people.
For: for us, on our behalf
Why? For what?
to make us better
To lead us into intimacy with God and each other
To represent God and His people
To give us what we need (knowledge, skills, gifts of help)
It becomes a part like a hand or a foot
In order to strengthen the Calvary community, the body of Christ,
Then there is the response to God’s two questions: Here am I. Send me.
Two parts:
Here am I = this is what I am. I am not perfect, but I know you made me for Your purposes
Send me = It is YOUR work, God. You do it IN me and THROUGH me as you wish.
SEND: sometimes some of us have to go out from the body to make it stronger.
we may need to receive things that we cannot get here
or God may want to do something in us and through us, that can’t happen here
Here are the answers to God's two questions. “I am here. Please let me go.”
Two parts:
“I am here.” = As it is. incomplete appearance.
But the fact that the Lord made it for His purpose
“Send me.” = God's work. as the Lord desires,
The fact that the Lord is working in me and through me
Send: Sometimes some come out of the body
have to go to make it strong
Some have to go to get things they can't get here,
or something that can't happen here
For what happens in and through us.
Never forget:
The purpose is God’s purpose, not ours.
He is seeking people who will participate in Him making the body of Christ,
and making it stronger.
We are always free to choose if we will participate or not. If we will allow His WILL or not.
We don’t have to be perfect, or understand.
We are incomplete, unwhole, unclean, but we are called by God, and that is enough.
Never forget:
That the purpose is God's, not ours.
God participates in God's work, making the body of Christ,
that he is looking for the Lord's people to make it stronger
It is our choice and freedom to participate or not. Do you accept God's will (will)?
that you don't have to be perfect
We are not perfect, we are not perfect, we are not
That God has called us, and that is enough.
“I am not worthy, but Your purposes are worthy,
so I will go wherever You lead, and do whatever You show me to do.”
I am useless, but God's purpose is honorable.
So I will go wherever the Lord leads, and do what He shows.
God says, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
God said, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” you ask
What is your response?
What is your response?