By Jeff Himmel
as originally published in the January 10, 1999 edition of Life Lines
In Isaiah 6:8, the prophet recounts his call to prophesy: "And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me." The words of Isaiah's response should be on the lips of every Christian when there is a need for laborers in the kingdom.
Here am I; send me . . .
To teach. It isn't only the job of preachers or elders to try and reach the lost with Christ. It's everyone's duty! Paul instructed Timothy, "The things you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2). God never intended for teaching the lost to be a function solely of elders and evangelists. Acts 8:4 says that those who were scattered by the persecution in Judea "went everywhere preaching [proclaiming] the word." These disciples didn't leave it all up to a few fellows who were designated as preachers or overseers. Nor did they merely invite folks to services. They took it upon themselves to carry Christ to whoever they met!
Besides winning the lost, there is the vital work of teaching within the church for building up the body. When such instruction is neglected, the church becomes filled with folks who have no knowledge, no understanding, and no conviction about spiritual things. They are unable to resist temptation, unable to answer religious error, and unable to teach others themselves (see Hebrews 5:12-14). Ignoring our duty to teach spells disaster for the Lord's church.
To preach. "Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest" (John 4:35). Those words are as true today as they were two millennia ago. There is always a need for men who will devote their lives to proclaiming the gospel. Millions in foreign lands have never heard the simple message of Christ. Many in our own nation are immersed in worldliness or false religion. Saints in many places are hungering and thirsting for more of God's word. Who will meet the need? "How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!'" (Romans 10:14,15).
To help. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us to good to all, especially to those of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). Opportunities are certainly in abundance. Do we seize them or avoid them? Remember that pure religion requires personal contact with the suffering of others (James 1:27). Each of us must go beyond token words of sympathy and extend real help to those who need it - even if it means making sacrifices. "If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,' and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?" (James 2:14,15).
To serve. There is a crying need in many churches for men to serve as overseers. I fear that in past years many preachers, teachers, elders, parents, wives and husbands have simply failed in their duties, and the result is a dreadful shortage of men who are qualified to fill the capacity of leadership in local congregations. This is sad, considering that the qualities required of an elder are ones which every Christian man should strive for (see 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). Young men, listen! Start working, preparing, studying and praying now to meet those requirements. Don't shun the responsibility; accept the challenge! And young ladies, prepare now to be the kind of godly wife and mother who will help her husband be fit to function as an overseer.
To work."Do not be deceived; God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. . . . And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary" (Galatians 6:7,9). You and I must sow untiringly in the Lord's vineyard. There is always work to be done, and a "faithful few" can't do it all. Every one of us must give his best. You may face opportunities no one else will have; don't squander them by assuming that "someone" will take care of it. When the call comes for workers, will your reply be, "Here am I; send Fred"? "Here am I; send Tom"? "Here am I; send Jane"? God forbid! Let's all answer with Isaiah: "Here am I; send me."