INTERNATIONAL BIBLE TRAINING COLLEGE
SOUTH WEST, IBADAN CAMPUS
PREACHING PRACTICE - PASTOR RAUF K. ISAAC – CT/IB/18/1708PT
SUSTAINING AND VISION AND PASSION FOR GOD’S SERVICE
Sustaining What’s God’s Service? (Mark 16:15). What’s God’s Vision? – (II Peter 3:9). How do
one Sustain the Vision for the Service? What should be our disposition to God’s Service?
(Matthew 6: 33; Jude 1:3)
1. Consecration and Passion in Submitting to the Vision of God’s Service
2. Condemnation and Peril for Snubbing the Vision for God’s Service
3. Commendation and Profits for Sustaining the Vision for God’s Services
CONSECRATION AND PASSION IN SUBMITTING TO THE VISION OF GOD’S SERVICE
Isaiah 6: 1 – 8 - Isaiah had been preaching and prophesying, but now a new experience of purging,
purifying, sanctifying and cleansing, which is the second work of grace as we know it in the New
Testament came upon him, and after that — as we all know that God will only use clean vessels —
the voice of the Lord came, asking, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah answered
without hesitation, “Here am I; send me”. Just like us, Isaiah had heard these words and had served
the Lord before, but now, a new voice came, he responded to the voice and went to obey, preaching
the word of God. God was concerned about the perishing, ignorant, those in darkness and His voice
related that concern, and Isaiah responded, “Here am I, send me”. Three things described Isaiah’s
consecration and passion to God’s service: the vision, the voice and the vow.
The Vision Isaiah saw the vision of the holiness, greatness and majesty of God, and he cried out, “Woe
is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of
unclean lips...!” There are many voices speaking, driving, drawing and pulling us here and there. But
when we hear the glorious, majestic and compelling voice of the Lord, we will know that this is
different, and our life is about to turn around, with new things about to start, and a new assignment
about to come Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord and he said “Here am I, send me” On seeing the
vision, and hearing the voice, Isaiah made a vow. We have to make a commitment and a vow to the
Lord.
Acts 18:9
Acts 9:3-7
CONDEMNATION AND PERIL FOR SNUBBING THE VISION FOR GOD’S SERVICE
I Samuel 15:1,19 - Saul went out and obeyed God partially. He did not fully do all that he was
supposed to do. And God saw it as evil in His sight. Saul pushed the blame on the people, whereas, he
was the king, he had the power and authority to instruct the people, vs I Samuel 15: 20-21. He was
blamed and punished. Some people are always making excuses. Excuse makers will be excused from
the rewards in the day of reckoning. I Samuel 15: 22-23. Partial disobedience is as bad as total
disobedience. Samuel told Saul that the sin of disobedience is as terrible as the practice of witchcraft,
and that Saul will end up where witches go in eternity. Stubbornness in going against the will of God
is as evil as idolatry. May we not be rejected by God, in Jesus’ name.
Jeremiah 9:12-13 - The children of Israel refused to obey God’s voice. They preferred to obey the
voice of their fathers and serving their idols. For this, God’s condemnation and judgment came upon
them. Jeremiah 44:16-17, 22-23. The Israelites knew that the words and instruction came from God
but willfully disobeyed it. Some people do same today. They are self-centered and self-willed.
Rejecting the vision for God’s service and not amending our ways brings unnecessary and avoidable
judgment and calamity.
We must check our lives and service, how much of the voice and vision of the Lord are we obeying?
How many of the great commission are we carrying out? How much of our time and days are we
spending in carrying out God’s service? And Remember, God does not wish to punish us, He prefers
we repent and amend our ways, Jeremiah 26:13.
COMMENDATION AND PROFITS FOR SUSTAINING THE VISION FOR GOD’S
SERVICES
The Lord desires us to respond, submit and obey His vision, instructions and commandments just like
the angels. Immediately they receive instructions from God, they carry it out without wasting time,
delaying or making excuses. The Angels as we see in Psalm 103:20-21. Abraham, was regarded as
father of faith, father of many nations, God’s friend because he responded to the voice, vision of God
asking him to sacrifice his son, Isaac the one he loved so much. Yet, proceeded to give him to God
willingly. Genesis 22:1-3,15-18. We also see in the lives of The Apostles in Acts 5:28-29. “... we
ought to obey God rather than men...” The apostles chose to obey God rather than men by continuing
to preach the gospel despite very stiff opposition and persecution from the scribes and Pharisees. What
of Moses, Samuel, Joseph, David and our greatest example, Jesus, obey the Lord’s vision and were
passionate doing it.
How Did These People Obey the Lord?
1. Immediate Obedience – Prompt
2. Independent Obedience – Personal
3. Improved Obedience - Progressive
4. Impressive Obedience - Praise-worthy
5. Impartial Obedience – Pure
6. Incorruptible Obedience – Persevering
7. Irreversible Obedience – Permanent
Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 7-13 - The Lord will promote, exalt and bless us above everything we ever
imagined in this life, and in the life to come, He will reward us. We have opened our mouth to the
Lord, and there is no going back. The work of God will prosper in our hands in Jesus name. Amen and
Amen!