How Will God Use You?

1. If we are truly “Christian” and thus followers of Christ, then I have to believe God wants to use us.

(Mark 16:15 NIV) He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

(John 13:14-17 RSV) If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. {15} For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. {17} If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

(1 Th 1:6 NIV) You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

HOW?

2. In service, (Heb 10:24 NIV) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

To one another

To our families

To our neighbors and community

To our enemies

HOW

3. By example, (James 1:22 RSV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers (or speakers) only, deceiving yourselves.

The best sermon is a good example

Brothers Billie Watts and Ray Moldenhauer

Caring

Well grounded in the Word

Steadfast

Not puffed up

True servants

Do we practice what we preach?

PLEASE NOTE

4. There are some things God cannot or will not do.

You have free will; use it!

Use it to serve God and you will serve yourself and your fellow man as well.

God isn’t looking for military style, “Volunteers.” You must actually choose!

GOD HAS WORK FOR YOU, IMPORTANT WORK. Understand this.

5. Little things mean a lot

(Luke 16:10 RSV) "He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.

Be happy to be faithful in a little

6. Complexity is hidden by presentation

A Watch

A Movie

A Politician

The body of Christ

7. Teamwork is the underlying principle

Sow, water, reap

(1 Cor 3:6-9 RSV) I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. {7} So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. {8} He who plants and he who waters are equal, and each shall receive his wages according to his labor. {9} For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

Car analogy, engine, gas tank, water, wheels, tires, air in the tires, brakes, steering wheel, seat????

What’s really important is that the car remains under the control of the driver!

8. The seen and the unseen

What’s most important is frequently the unseen.

What’s most common is frequently what’s most valuable. For instance air and water.

Remember what Abraham Lincoln said about the common man, “God must have loved the common man, because He made so many of them.”

9. We are all important

Just as each part of the car is important so is each member of the body important!

Just as the car looses functionality as various parts fail to perform properly, so does the body of Christ loose its functionality as members fail to perform properly.

10. Here’s the bottom line regarding the title of this sermon, “How Will God Use You.”

We ought not be concerned about being used in a mighty way. We ought to be concerned about being used by the ALL MIGHTY in any way. The some way that he chooses.

Let’s each of agree today, right now, to make sure that we are where we ought to be; doing what we ought to be doing; and doing it with our best effort.

Let us pray.