The Kind of Person God Uses
So, what kind of person does God use? We know from scripture that man's usefulness is not dependent upon his/her position or place in life. God used rich and poor, king and shepherd, men and women, old and young, bold and timid. But, we do know that God doesn't use everyone for great things, either. So, what are some keys to finding ourselves "God worthy"?
Here in Acts 8, we find a truly amazing story of a man named Philip who is greatly used by God! Earlier Philip preached the gospel and a great many Samarians believed. God also worked great signs and wonders through Philip. Here in v. 26 - 40, we find Philip used by God to lead an Ethiopian government official to faith in Christ and subsequent water baptism. So, what can we learn from this man's life?
First observation is that this man Philip is just an "ordinary" man. He is NOT an apostle. He is just a "regular" disciple or follower of Jesus! This is important because some of us believe that God did extraordinary things through the hands of the Apostles (which He certainly did), but that you had to be an original "A" to be used in great ways. No, Philip shows us that God's power is not limited to certain positions.
Second, I notice that although Philip was "ordinary", he seemed to have extraordinary faith! He preached the gospel among seemingly hundreds of unbelievers in Samaria. And then here, we find him responding to two commands from God. One was the voice of an angel of the Lord (not sure how distinct this was), and the other was the voice of the Spirit. To both voices he obeyed right away! "So he arose and went"..."So Philip ran to him"! No doubt, this "immediate obedience" is a characteristic of the man or woman who can be greatly used by God! Without it, we left among the great number of mediocre Christians who have "good intentions", but whom have not immediately obeyed.
Third, it seems that Philip had set himself aside to be used by God! I think of this as "Active Availability"! Not only was Philip able (he was a faith-filled man), but he was available to God! We wasn't too busy to hear or respond to God's leading in his life. No, it seems that sharing Christ was his particular calling/gifting, and he was mindful of using his gift and fulfilling his calling above all else! It seems that this was his passion in life. Did he have a job? We don't know. But, he was not only gifted, he set himself apart to use his gift and serve the Lord.
No doubt there is more...but, from this one man, here are 4 characteristics that we can find in him (and all) whom God uses...
1) Ordinary people
2) ExtraOrdinary Faith
3) Immediate Obedience
4) Calling Conscious
Father, help me to be like Philip in these ways. I know that i am just an ordinary man...but, i desire to be a man of extraordinary faith! I also desire to be immediately obedient to Your voice when you call. Tune me into You, and give me a heart that is willing to follow, no matter what. And, keep me mindful of my calling...that i would seek to be faithful to use the gifts that you have given me for your glory and others good! I want to be a faithful man...
Here in Acts 8, we find a truly amazing story of a man named Philip who is greatly used by God! Earlier Philip preached the gospel and a great many Samarians believed. God also worked great signs and wonders through Philip. Here in v. 26 - 40, we find Philip used by God to lead an Ethiopian government official to faith in Christ and subsequent water baptism. So, what can we learn from this man's life?
First observation is that this man Philip is just an "ordinary" man. He is NOT an apostle. He is just a "regular" disciple or follower of Jesus! This is important because some of us believe that God did extraordinary things through the hands of the Apostles (which He certainly did), but that you had to be an original "A" to be used in great ways. No, Philip shows us that God's power is not limited to certain positions.
Second, I notice that although Philip was "ordinary", he seemed to have extraordinary faith! He preached the gospel among seemingly hundreds of unbelievers in Samaria. And then here, we find him responding to two commands from God. One was the voice of an angel of the Lord (not sure how distinct this was), and the other was the voice of the Spirit. To both voices he obeyed right away! "So he arose and went"..."So Philip ran to him"! No doubt, this "immediate obedience" is a characteristic of the man or woman who can be greatly used by God! Without it, we left among the great number of mediocre Christians who have "good intentions", but whom have not immediately obeyed.
Third, it seems that Philip had set himself aside to be used by God! I think of this as "Active Availability"! Not only was Philip able (he was a faith-filled man), but he was available to God! We wasn't too busy to hear or respond to God's leading in his life. No, it seems that sharing Christ was his particular calling/gifting, and he was mindful of using his gift and fulfilling his calling above all else! It seems that this was his passion in life. Did he have a job? We don't know. But, he was not only gifted, he set himself apart to use his gift and serve the Lord.
No doubt there is more...but, from this one man, here are 4 characteristics that we can find in him (and all) whom God uses...
1) Ordinary people
2) ExtraOrdinary Faith
3) Immediate Obedience
4) Calling Conscious
Father, help me to be like Philip in these ways. I know that i am just an ordinary man...but, i desire to be a man of extraordinary faith! I also desire to be immediately obedient to Your voice when you call. Tune me into You, and give me a heart that is willing to follow, no matter what. And, keep me mindful of my calling...that i would seek to be faithful to use the gifts that you have given me for your glory and others good! I want to be a faithful man...
