Introduction: God uses all kinds of people to accomplish his work here on this earth. It doesn’t make a difference what your past brings, you can be used by God. These people are just a few examples of the people God uses.
The People God Used Made Excuses:
- Moses Felt Inadequate- Exodus 3:10-11 “Who am I”. Moses felt incapable to do a great thing for God- Exodus 4:10-13.
- Moses was able to confront Pharaoh and lead over 600,00 men plus women and children out of Egypt from slavery.
- Parted the red sea. Received and delivered the Law from God- 10 commandments.
- This is the kind of humility that God is looking for today, men and women who feel inadequate to do something for God.
- Elijah Thought He was Alone- I Kings 18:22; 19:4-5, 9, 10, 18. “I, even I only, am left”. God always has others around you doing something for Him. God restored Elijah gently by providing rest, food, and encouragement.
- Elijah defeated 450 prophets of Baal and 400 of Asherah.
- Elijah mentored his successor Elisha.
- Anointed Hazel as king over Syria and Jehu as king over Israel; Kings who brought judgments on the house of Ahab and idolatry in Israel.
- God took him in a whirlwind with a chariot of fire.
- Gideon Felt Incapable- Judges 6:11-15 “I am the least in my father’s house”. The Midianites had oppressed Israel for seven years and while threshing wheat and hiding from the Midianites, God calls Gideon. Gideon requested several signs from God to see if it was truly him calling him (fleece test).
- Gideon tore down his fathers Baal alter, an act of obedience that risked his life.
- Defeated a massive Midianite army with just 300 men. From 32,000 to just 300.
- They used trumpets, pichers, and torches in a surprise night attack causing them to turn on themselves and flee. He destroyed Idols in God’s strength.
- Jeremiah was Young and Inexperienced– Jeremiah 1:4-10 Jeremiah said he was too young to serve God. And God told him not to be afraid of their faces- you just preach.
- Jeremiah was able to prophecy the judgment and fall of Jerusalem. He warned Judah repeatedly about coming destruction due to idolatry.
- He prophesied a future return from Exile. He is known as the “whipping prophet”.
- Endured persecution while remaining faithful. Was put in jail in a cistern
- Paul Had a Bad Past– Acts 9:1-6; I Timothy 1:12-16 (Luke 12:48 “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more”.)
- Paul was a chosen vessel to bear the name of God before the gentiles, and kings, and children of Israel.
- Paul planted many churches, endured through suffering, wrote most of the New Testament.
- God doesn’t wait for perfect people, He transforms willing ones. “By the grace of God I Am what I am”.
Conclusion: God used me- although I felt unqualified, unworthy, and unprepared. God can use anyone, Don’t limit God. He knows you, and he is looking for someone who is faithful and will say yes to going. (The answers are along the way but you must take the first step).
Anchor Baptist Church 