Rethink Church - Who God Uses

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple for the time of prayer at three in the afternoon. A man who was lame from birth was being carried there. He was placed each day at the temple gate called Beautiful, so that he could beg from those entering the temple.

The Holy Spirit Uses People who:

Focus on God

Where were they headed - to pray and worship

Yeah it was tradition - also where they saw God just move

The more we fill our lives with the things of God - The more we will be ready

Philippians 4:8 CSB

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.

The Holy Spirit Uses People who:

2. Pay attention to the needs of others

Acts 3:3–4 CSB

When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple, he asked for money. Peter, along with John, looked straight at him and said, “Look at us.”

The Holy Spirit Uses People who:

2. Pay attention to the needs of others

They were not looking for what they could do but what God could do

Jesu challenged them to do this - feed the people, heal, etc.

God sees the real need - life transformation not just circumstance appeasement

Ministry is an opportunity not a destination

Don’t miss it by being in a hurry to get to your seat

What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.

- Augustine

The Holy Spirit Uses People who:

3. Share what they have

Acts 3:5–6 CSB

So he turned to them, expecting to get something from them. But Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”

The Holy Spirit Uses People who:

3. Share what they have

What he said is “I do not have what you want”

When we share, when we are generous it is not our ability but it is out of God’s abundance

It could be our time, talent or treasure

It is a a deep understanding that all I have and all I am is His

How could we not share?

The Holy Spirit Uses People who:

4. Give God credit

Acts 3:12 CSB

When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Fellow Israelites, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk by our own power or godliness?

The Holy Spirit Uses People who:

4. Give God credit

Anything we can do is not that impressive

There will always be someone faster, stronger, smarter

Ephesians 3:20–21 CSB

Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Who God Uses

Get the pattern -

Inward look - things of God

Outward view and action- seeing as God sees, doing as God would want

Upward worship - God gets the credit

“God does not so much want us to do things as to let people see what He can do.” ~A.B. Simpson