Whom Does God Use?                                                                                                                                                                         

Question: Do you want to be used by God in your lifetime?

READ: II Timothy 2:20-21

March 19, 2006

 

Whether God Uses Me or Not Has...

 

       …nothing to do with:

 

1. Position - who I am

            - God is not obligated by position

            - I Kings 10:23-25 – Solomon…God-given wisdom, a great king

                 … “a great beg does not guarantee a great end”

 

2. Past Accomplishments

            - I Samuel 15:10-11

 

3. Knowledge of God

            - schooling

            - growing up at church

 

4. Personal Abilities

            - Saul was the “perfect king”

            - music, sports

 

5. Service Alone

            - don’t be as concerned with what you’re doing for God

                        … “business is next to godliness”

            - “faith without works is dead”

                   …but faith (worship!) has to be there first!!

Are you focusing on “you”?...what “you” can do?

 

Whether God Uses Me or Not Has...

 

       …everything to do with:

 

1. Purity - what I am

            - Daniel 1:8                               * what in your life currently

            - OT law / Beatitudes                           demonstrates your purity?

 

2. Present Faithfulness

            - II Corinthians 11:22-28 - suffering Paul encountered

            - Philippians 3:12-14 – pressing on for the prize

 

3. Hunger for God

            - Psalm 42:1-2, 63:1                  * what in your life currently

            - Matthew 5:6                                       demonstrates your hunger?

       …Mike Singletary - football

 

4. Availability to God                                                           LG leaders

           - Gen 22:1 (Ab) & I Sam 3 (Sam) - “Here I am” ushers - 9

            - sensitive to God - intimate relationship                        nursery dir

                                                                                                jr hi teacher

5. Heart Worship                                                                 Panama

            - service does not replace worship

             “To obey is better than sacrifice.” (I Sam 15:22)

            The greatest compttr of devotn to X is service for X

                   - Os Cham

   Luke 10:38-42 - Mary / Martha

 

READ II Tim 2:20 -- two vessels...a choice

READ II Tim 2:21

 

Are you available?     ...ever missed being used by God?  

 

   - lighthouse at school / work

 

 

Do I want to be used by God?               Do I miss being used by God?
What will I be remembered for?           What will Christ say to me?

 

“King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift--articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules.”         - I Kings 10:23-25

 

“Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel:  "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the Lord all that night.”  

- I Samuel 15:10-11

 

“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.”           – Daniel 1:8

 

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you…”            - Psalm 42:1-2, 63:1

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”   - Matthew 5:6