STEWARDSHIP OF AVAILABILITY

Transcription

1 STEWARDSHIP OF AVAILABILITY INTRODUCTION God wanted to use Isaiah for His work and at the same time He wanted the willingness and availability of Isaiah also. For that the Lord said whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Isaiah heard and replied, Here am I. People of Judah were arrogant toward God. They were God s chosen people. God brought them out of Egypt, where they were not treated well. He blessed them with Land full of Milk and honey and fruits but they were not satisfied. Isaiah was called to warn them about God s judgment. Isaiah had received a direct call from God to save His people of Judah. People of Judah were in great need. Spiritually they were dying because they had forsaken God. They were not ready to listen to God but He wanted to save them as these people were His chosen people. So, he wanted Isaiah to be a counselor for these people. God does not begin by asking our ability, only our availability and if we prove our dependability. He will increase our capability. Neal A. Maxwell Now let us focus on the meaning and the characteristics of Availability and what does God expects from us to do:- I. Meaning of Availability: Dictionary meaning of availability is whether someone or something can be accessed or used. Biblically, availability means to adjust our agenda, plans and schedules to fit the agenda of God and others first. This teach us to give first priority to the God and then to others? Our talents, gifts, time, treasures should be available for other s use first. As God is always available for us we also are to be ready for others with all are capacities which God has given to us. Availability is self denial. Mathew 16:24, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me, self denial means: a) Your life is under the control of the Lord. b) You acknowledge Jesus Christ and His right claim to your life. Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ live in me; and the life which I now live by faith in me. Best example of self denial is Jesus Christ. Deny one s self, forget one s self, lose one s own interest is the biblical meaning of availability. II. Characteristics of Availability: Availability is the key to achieve any target or goal in life. When we deny ourselves means ready to accept Jesus with all His requirements. According to me the characteristics of availability are as: 1. Wiliness to Accept: Mark 1:17 Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men Jesus called Simon (Peter) and Andrew to become His disciples. They were doing their own work/business, fishing but as soon as they heard the voice calling them, they left their work and 1

2 follow Jesus. There was no hesitation in joining Jesus or becoming His disciples even they left their own work. Both of them heard the voice and willingly left their job to follow Jesus as Isaiah did. Isaiah 6:8-13 Here am I, send me. Why disciples and prophet Isaiah made up their mind to leave the present job and listen to the Lord because they received a direct call from Lord. They recognized the authority, clarity and worthiness, and then accepted the call. Why God called Isaiah by his name? : a. God wanted to have close relationship with him. b. God has a special purpose for Isaiah s life c. God wanted to save His chosen people through him. d. God kept special gift for the people whom He calls. e. He will be always with them whom He calls. Isaiah was an ordinary man, he was not perfect, so it s not Isaiah s perfection that was needed by the lord it is only and only his willingness to receive the blessing. God always wanted the common people like you and me, Are we willing to accept His call? Isaiah was found worthy because of his willingness with faithfulness. 2. Give than Take: Giving is part and parcel of availability as Jesus Christ shown His availability to His father to sacrifice His life for the forgiveness of our sins. he gave His life for each one of us that s why giving is the golden rule for Christians. Luke 6: 38, Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measure to you. Mark 1:17, Come yea after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. These verses of bible says very clearly that if you give something than only your will get everything. Good examples of availability as motivator of Giver rather than taker. Jesus asked disciple to leave the job or first give up your job then I will give you the authority to win the lost souls. Same way first you give and as you, I will give back to you in the same manner. a) Jesus made Promise: In bible every illustration has a promise whether it is Mark, Luke Corinthians or Proverbs. Lord is promising that if you give little I will give you in abundance. Story of talents is known by each one of us. The servants who worked hard, has given his time, talents, his rest and many other things to earn double, received promise that he will be in charge of many things. the servant who has not used his knowledge, his time, his energy got nothing, not only this, even things he was having also have been taken away from him and given to the first one who has given something. We all know that our Lord always fulfills His promise. b) Teaching Business tactics: Jesus tried to teach us the business tactics. As much as you give you will get, even some times with interest as in parable of talents. 2

3 Proverbs 11:1, A false balance is an abomination to the lord, but a just weight is His delight. Psalms: 112:5, it is well with man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with Justice. These are few bible verses which teaches us to deal with our business and how can be successful businessman. Are we really the business people? Do we have any deal with God to get His blessings? c) Giving is worship: Every Sunday we go to the Church. offering is the part of worship, I Corinthians 16:2 on the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. Here Paul teaches them giving to the Church for its use is the part of worship. Tithe is Lord s money. Paul says God loves a cheerful giver. May be no one is here to check us, what we are giving for Lord s work but Almighty is always awake, knowing everything we do and accordingly He blesses us. Are we in need of God s blessings abundantly? 3. Obedience in fullness: I remember a story which says in a stable lives a goat that had a pretty little kid, of which she was found of. This kid was too young to go about with her mother; and the mother was afraid to leave by herself. But the mother was afraid to leave by herself. But the goat was obliged to out to get food. One day she said to her little kid, my dear, I am going to fetch a cabbage and a lettice for your dinner. Mind you do not go out while I am away. lock the door of our stable, and do not open it to anyone who knocks, without first looking out of the window to see who it is? Pray, mind what I say to you and do as I bid you. Yes, mother, said the kid, do not be afraid, I will do as you bid me. so mother went, but she waited outside the door, while the little kid shut the door and she look back very often to see that it was kept shut. A wolf who live near saw the goat pass by; He has often wish to eat up the nice tender young kid, and this day having no meal he was very hungry. Ah! - ha! now the old mother is out. I will eat that silly young kid. She will be sure to leave the door open. He went to door with a bounce, thinking to push it open, but he was mistaken and could not get in. Although you have fastened the door, Miss kid, I will eat you, I will knock and you will be sure to come and open the door. He was so pleased with the thoughts of eating the little kid that he licked his lips and lifting his paw gave a loud knock at the door. who is there outside? asked the little kid from within. I am dear said the wolf, trying to speak like the goat. I, your mother open the door quickly. O, no, you cannot be my mother, said the kid, the wise little kid went up to the window and looked out. 3

4 O you bad wolf, you try to cheat me but will not eat me, so go away, she laughed. I take care to mind what my mother says to me. The wolf gnashed the teeth and went away and soon after the goat come back. She knocked at the door; again the kid looked out of the window and saw it was her own mother. She ran quickly and opens the door. Dear mother, she said such a large cruel wolf has been here but I did as you bid me. I look out of the window before I open the door. Mother said good wise kid, if you had not obeyed me that cruel, greedy wolf would have eaten you up, you would never have been seen your mother again. Good child, to do as I bid you. Like this little kid and Naaman who obeyed and got saved life and cured, if we Christians obey our Lord God, He has given us promises which are very very powerful, simple, joyful, pure without any mixture, permanent and precious than gold or any other things. What are these promises. a. Promise of Long Life - Proverb 3:1-2 b. Promise of Protection - Ecclesiastes 8:5 c. Promise of Joyfulness - Acts 2:41 d. Promise of Peace - Psalm e. Promise of Salvation - 1 John 3:24 f. Promise of Answering the Prayers - 1 John Availability is an attitude: Attitude means a way of thinking, or feeling or having opinion about something or someone. Attitude reflects the state of mind of a person and his positivity or negativity about someone. It is a one s temperament, personality, emotions or thinking. We can say it is just a mood of a person. Bible says that attitude is your personal character, your personal integrity, your humility. Your actions, your prayers, and the ways you praise and worship the Lord God. It includes all our deeds. Example of best attitude is Jesus Christ s attitude. He was having selfless attitude, servant attitude, sacrificial attitude humble attitude, obedient attitude, patient attitude. I would say that these are the qualities which we need to develop in us. Because self discipline play a great role in our success and our effectiveness. Roman 13:13, Let us walk properly as in the daytime not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. Bill Graham, It is not body s posture, but the hearts attitude that counts when we pray. We can see the right attitude in Jesus Christ saying I have my own will yet I will the will of God. Mathew 15:18, But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart and this defiles a person. 4

5 It shows that attitude is your choice of walking, talking and behavior you do with others. Even it includes Prayer and Worship of Lord God. The truth is that your attitude directly affects on the blessing which we receive from lord. Naaman had a horrible attitude towards Elisha s solution to his leprosy; he criticized the method and the man of Lord. But in the end his servants requested him to go for the same solution and dipping in river Jordan 7 times. Despite of his bad attitude he was healed. God blessed with healing to Naaman only due to His own attitude not because of Naaman s attitude. CONCLUSION: Isaiah 6:8, clarifies the attitude of Isaiah when he received the call saying, whom shall I send who will go for us? Here I am send me He willingly accepted the call to go for brings back the people Judah. Christian steward is the manager of everything God created in the World. We are not the owner but only and only stewards to manage everything which includes our gifts, talents, possess, time, pleasures and even our own availabilities also, so that on the day of judgment we should be standing on His right. We should be able to hear from the Lord good and faithful servant Thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of the lord. Isaiah lived in the day s of arrogance and corruption like the days we live. God had chosen Isaiah to prepare these people to repent. Today God is calling you and me. Are we ready to hear His voice and say, here am I, send me. If YES then let s see how we can develop our availability for God. Here are few suggestions for me as well as for you. 1. I will not seek my own pleasure. I will keep others ahead of me. 2. With my achievements for myself; I will help others for their own achievements. 3. I will be willingly ready to go and serve the lord whenever He called 4. I will be using my time, talents, treasures and pleasure for serving others first. 5. I will be good steward to manage my availability for right reason and right person. And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than fat of rams. May God continue to bless as you prepare yourself to be available for God and for the others. P.P. MASIH HONY.STEWARDSHIP SECRETARY 5