CAN GOD? SERIES PART #5
TEXT: Acts 9:1-6; 10-16
CAN GOD REALLY USE YOUR LIFE?
This story is about the great grace of
God. Saul was an unlikely candidate for the service of the Lord.
Yet, God took this man where he was and used him to change the
world. God used him – Paul’s ministry is still reaping fruit
today.
Jesus can and will use you if you will
make yourself available. “Can God really use my life? The
answer: “God can use my life!”
1.
YOUR PAST CONDITION IS NO OBSTACLE – vs.1
a.
According to Paul’s own testimony, he was guilty of doing
every thing in his power to put Christianity to death.
·
Acts 22:4
·
Acts 26:10
·
1 Timothy 1:13-15
·
When Paul received Jesus into his heart, he was
changed forever by the grace of God!
b.
There are 3 records of your past in the world.
1.
The record you have in your mind.
2.
The record by those who knew you before.
3.
The record by Satan.
·
But, God has forgotten you past and it’s no
obstacle to Him using you now or in the future.
·
Psalm 103:12
·
Isaiah 38:17
c.
God used people in spite of their past.
·
Simon Peter
·
Moses
·
Samson
2.
YOUR PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NO OBSTACLE – vs.2
a.
Paul was on his way to Damascus to find and put to death
Christians – filled with hatred – yet, in spite of all this, the
Lord was able to change this man to use him for God’s glory. He
can do the same in your life and mine.
b.
Moses – 80 years old
·
Exodus 4:1; 10; 13
·
Your present circumstance did not catch God by
surprise.
·
He knows everything there is to know about you
– Hebrews 4:13
·
He knows where you are – Job 23:10
c.
The secret: Romans 12:1-2
·
Desire
·
Decision
·
Determination
3.
YOUR PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS ARE NO OBSTACLE – 11-16
a.
Paul went to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles –
Barnabas had to go with him.
·
2 Corinthians 10:10
·
2 Corinthians 11:6
·
1 Corinthians 1:27
·
John 1:46
·
Regardless of who you are, where you come from,
what problems you have, what personality quirks you have, your
level of education, your level of acceptance by others, God can
and will use you if you will make yourself available to Him. All
He is looking for is “willingness.”
4.
YOUR PRIVATE CONCERNS ARE NO OBSTACLE – 2 Corinthians
12:7-9
a.
Like Paul, we may look at ourselves as weak and unable to
do much. The truth of the matter is that God does not need us to
be strong ONLY dependent upon Him and His power.
b. Some fight
·
depression
·
fear
·
loneliness
·
inferiority
·
feelings of being inadequate
·
To the Lord your problem is nothing – HE CAN
make YOU an INSPIRATION!
·
The secret: SURRENDER
Conclusion
God can really use your life!
·
Are you really saved?
·
Are you fully surrendered?
·
Are you available for Him to use?
·
Are you willing to be used by the Lord?
·
If the answer to any of these questions is “no”
– examine your heart and do that thing that you need to do right
now.
