The largest thrill in life does not come from riding the largest roller coaster.
The largest thrill in life does not come from jumping out of an airplane.
The largest thrill in life does not come from Bungee jumping.
The largest thrill in life comes from being obedient to God. God uses people, ordinary people, to do great things.
There is nothing like getting a spiritual high -five from God. Walking by the spirit and walking according to God‘s purpose, has the best psychological effect. There is no drug or activity that can give you this feeling.
When you are in the moment, when you find yourself, in a certain situation and you know that God is in the mist and He is using you accomplish is plan his; there is no better feeling.
I think to myself: this is why I’m here, this is why am I was made, this is my purpose, this is my value, this is my niche, and this is what I am supposed to be doing.
You see, you and I were made for such things. We were made for such as a time as this. If you just live for yourself; you were going to live a very unfulfilled life. Eventually, your life will become boring, because your life is not a big enough quest to live for. You see, before I said yes to God I almost committed suicide. We need something bigger than ourselves that pulls us out of our-selves! We need something to strive for and God gives us that function. Without a Goldly purpose life is dim.
We were not made to get a job, make it a career, then to retire, and then die. We were not made for ordinary things. No! God created us in his image for more extraordinary things. We were made for eternal consequence. We have been shaped so that God can use us where we have been placed. My friends, God wants to use you! God has placed you in his kingdom and has given you very special gifts and talents.
Romans 6:13, KJV: “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
So, you see here the above scripture it tells us that we are chosen and we can be used by God. God uses the ordinary person to do extraordinary things.
My friend, that means you!
My friends that means the person setting beside you.
My friend, that means even me!
God put this church body together to be an instrument for his purpose. God has given this church a vision and a mission. What is your role? If you don’t know ask him!
Don’t disqualify your self!
Because of the mercy of God God can use anyone.
It doesn’t matter what sin that you committed.
It doesn’t matter what you have failed at doing. It doesn’t matter that you make poor decisions.
It doesn’t matter what you think of yourself.
You and I matter, because God created you who are purpose.
No, one person has ever been used more by God,than Paul. He almost singly spread the gospel of Jesus Christ all over the Roman empire. He planted churches all across the Roman empire too. In fact, Paul wrote most of the epistles in the New Testament. But, before he became a Christian he wanted to kill off all Christians. If anyone should have felt unqualified it should have a Paul.
In second Corinthians chapter 4 Paul wrote to the church of Corinth; which was in Greece. Here, we find five secrets on how we can be used by God to fulfill His plan.
If you want to know that your life stands for something: then you need to know these five secrets Paul gives in 2 corinthians 4.
If you want to know that you are fulfilling the purpose that you were created for; then, you need to know these five secrets.
If you want your life to count and you don’t just want to be a spot on the planet; then, you need to understand these five principles.
We find the first principal in 2 Corinthians 4:1. This scripture reads as follows: “4. [1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;” So, your first secret is mercy.
Mercy is unmerited forgiveness with God. (Undeserved forgiveness and undeserved kindness.)
For example, when someone gives you undeserved kindness that is mercy. When someone gives you undeserved forgiveness; then, that is mercy.
God treats us with mercy every second of our lives.
Everything God does For us, is because of God‘s mercy.
Everything God bless through us, is because of God‘s mercy.
Everything God does with us, is because of God‘s mercy.
We have not earned it and we don’t deserve it, but God gives it.
The scripture also mentions ministry. Ministry means that anytime you use the talents that God gave you to help someone else; then you are ministering.
Everyone of us has our own ministry. It is not always something you do in church, but it is something that you use in the world. We were not made just to take up space. God created us for a purpose! We were created to love God and to love others. God did not create us to live for ourselves. We have to look beyond me, myself, and I and minister to other people.
There are a couple of benefits, that the Holy Spirit revealed to me, about understanding the mercy of God. When we realize that God shows us mercy every second of our life even when we blow it that relieves workaholism. We no longer have to prove ourselves. God is going to love us regardless of our actions. We do not have to prove our worth. When we work, work, and work ourselves to the bone; then, perhaps we are trying to prove our worth. Sometimes, we believe that when we are successful at our work then we are worth something. However, with this mentality a failure brings depression. Your worth has nothing to do with your work, your service, or your ministry. You’re worth is identified, because you are a child of God. God created you, God gave you a purpose, God sent his son to die for you. & -this creates your worth.
Benefit Number two about God‘s mercy is that we do not have to wallow in self-pity. Yes, we make mistakes.
Yes, we sin.
Yes, not every idea we have works out. Yes, we fall into temptation.
Yes, we make dumb decisions.
-But because God loves us He gives us mercy. Knowing this, we can move forward. We can run the race set before us! (Hebrews 12:1)
So, before you tell me that God cannot use you or ordinary people let’s look at Paul’s life. If Paul was alive today he would be part of a terrorist group, like Isis, whose main objective was to murder Christians. Then, he meet Jesus Christ and this turned his life around.
1 Timothy 1:12-13 (King James Version)
“12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”
We learned from this scripture that Paul was thankful for his second chance. He was thankful that God gave him a ministry. He was thankful that Jesus was his stay. With the help of the Holy Spirit he turned his life around. And the Holy Spirit wants us to realize you and I can also turn your lives around.With the forgiveness and mercy of God our past can stay our past. Your sins are no longer held against you! Your sins are cast as far as the east is from the west! Therefore, we can start your life anew with Jesus Christ. It is possible today! Hallelujah!
What you have done does not disqualify you for serving God! God is going to use you in spite of the fact that you are broken.
The Holy Spirit wants me to share with you some famous people, in scripture, that were used by God in spite of their weaknesses.
1. Jacob was a chronic liar and he ran away from every difficult situation.
2. Leah was used by God in spite of her appearance. I used to think that could not be used by God, because I am fat. In fact, I’m obese. But, God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
3. Joseph was abused.
4. Gideon was very poor.
5. Sampson was reckless and he was codependent.
6. Rahab was a harlot for what we call a prostitute, but she appears in the Hall of Fame! The Hall of Fame appears in Hebrews chapter 11. he used her in spite of her mistakes, in spite of her lifestyle, and in spite of what other people thought of her.
7. Naomi was an elderly woman who was widowed, that God used her.
8. Jeremiah, suffered with chronic depression. In fact, he was known as the weeping prophet but, you see, call used even him.
9. King David had an affair and have her husband killed. I wouldn’t think that adultery would disqualify you, but God says no. Aren’t we thankful for a God of second chances. Aren’t we thankful for a God who uses ordinary people to view extraordinary things for the kingdom of God.
10. Peter was impulsive and I had extreme anger management problems. so, I ask you: do you have a problem with anger? Well, God wants to use even you.
11. Martha, worried a great deal. I ask you: are you a worry wart? Well, God steel can use even you. The Samaritan woman had at least five husbands. Have you been married more than once? Can I tell you, that God forgives he can use even you.
12. Zacchaeus was an un ethical. He stole from the government; which, would qualify him as a scam artist but, folks even used him.
So, I ask you: what is your excuse?
Take heed, every child of God has a past. Every forgiven sinner has a future in the kingdom of God. -God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things, because of his mercy.
The second secret Apostle Paul reveals in second Corinthians chapter 4 is spelled in verse two. In order to be used by God we must be genuine. Verse two says the following: “2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”
We do not try to trick anyone.
We’re not phonies or fakers.
We do not twist the word of God to meet our own agendas; instead, we teach the word of God.
We should have nothing to hide and should be completely transparent.
We need to live authentically and not try to hide our weaknesses. We should not be living behind walls or behind a masks. In order for God to use you we must have integrity. We must have God‘s spirit of mercy within us. This is especially true for our church, because sometimes we are the only Bible that people see. We are the hands and feet of Jesus especially in the food pantry and in the soup kitchen.
Are you ready for the third secret? The third secret for being used by God is remembering that life is not “all about me.“ We can be used by God when we know that we exist in the universe, but we do not own the universe.
I have found out that when people think life is all about them a few things happen:
1. They get bitter From problems.
2. They take everything personally.
3. Or they get prideful because of their blessings.
Paul says it like this in: 2 Corinthians 4:5 (King James Version) “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
The gospel message is not about ourselves it is about Jesus Christ. It is about Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
We are servants for Jesus sake! We work not for ourselves, but we work to spread the gospel. Remember, everything that we do unto others we do unto Jesus.
Now, I know that culture teaches that everything is about us, because I taught that craziness to kindergarten students. We made posters that said “all about me.” In fact, their parents loved them and some of them still have their posters today. (I still have Hayden’s poster.) In society, every advertisement and every bulletin board feeds into our self-centered in nature. Perhaps you remember those commercials that say: have it your way, hot and ready when you want it, or you deserve it; take a break!
A thousand times a day society wants us to remember: it’s what’s best for me, it’s what’s best for myself, or it’s what’s best for my family, but the Bible calls us to love one another as we love ourselves!( Luke 6:31). It is very hard to live a selfless life in today’s culture, but with the indwelling of the Holy Ghost you can!
You and I are not the center of the universe, because that position has already been taken! God is the center of the universe and the author of it!
Living a self-centered life you will become frustrated, board, and unfulfilled. God calls us to this mission and here we reach the community with our time, with our talents, and with the gifts God has given us. We are more than volunteers we are servants of God!
Paul is crystal clear in the scripture that he does what he does, because he is thankful for what Christ did for him. Have you ever seen the new convert volunteer to help? They are so full of gratitude, because of what Jesus Christ done for them that they want to work. Then, after a while they continue to work, because they like the flowers. They continue to work because they like the feeling and the connections that they make. this is especially apparent in young ministers who reach the status of the celebrity. At first, they were preaching and ministering with the right motives, but before long they were functioning in the role to gain more followers. What we do is important, but it is not as important as why are we doing ministry. God is concerned about. Do you want to gain treasures in heaven ? If yes, then you should also be concerned about the why. If God has placed you in the ministry of providing food in mainland; then, how our attitudes and our actions should always line up with love cause it’s not about us it’s about them.
Paul says in verse seven that we are like Jars of Clay. Let’s read that scripture together: 2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” Therefore, we are earthly vessels that in-house the Holy Ghost. Realizing, that each one of us is a jar of clay; we are broken vessels. No, not one of us is perfect, but we are all broken. God is the potter and we are the clay! He molds us into his likeliness. God has always used flawed instruments. God always picks up the broken pieces too! We have to be willing vessels for his use.
The fourth secret of being used by God is being ready to expose your pain. If you allow him to, God can use you were testimony of what he has brought you through, to help someone else. Now, Paul went through enormous pain in his life; which, was used to glorify Christ. Much later in this book, Paul gives his testimony about his pain. Look with me at 2 Corinthians chapter 11 verses 23 through 28.
2 Corinthians 11:23-28
(King James Version) “23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”
Thank about how many scars were on the back of Paul. We have psychological scars, but nothing compared to what apostle Paul through and his ministry. Paul was on the move, not for himself, but for the welfare of others. How many times have we went thirsty or hungry for the sake of another person? Paul done ordinary things that he done all of this through his pain and agony. Call went through shipwrecks, imprisonment, beatings, and so much more cause gratitude willingness to serve Christ.
We can find cars in the next two verses: eight. That’s read them together!
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (King James Version) We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;”
In times of trouble, God is with us. When we get knocked down we can get back up, because God the pieces back together. everyone is going to have in this, because it rains on the just and the unjust, that as well use it for good.
Paul says that our thing is for your period it’s called redemptive suffering. Let’s read first 15 now!
2 Corinthians 4:15 (King James Version) “15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.”
In life there are three types of suffering.
1. The first type of suffering of suffering that we bring on ourselves. It’s a fact; that we often make poor decisions. For example, if I know what my budget is and I over spend it; then I may not have a enough to pay my bills.
2. The second type of suffering is what I call innocent suffering. This is when we are hurt by or through the negligence of someone else. For example, when someone steals gas from your gas tank. When someone steals your fresh beef out of your freezer. When you get a call on the telephone and you believe the person on the other end, But you just got scammed. Or you are shopping and when you’re not looking you’re pick pocketed! Because, our society is so wicked these things happen.
3. The third type of suffering we incur is redemptive suffering. This is suffering right upon you, because you choose to suffer love someone else in order to bless someone else. For example, when Jesus was hanging on the cross he was redeeming the world and paying the redemption for your sins.
God can use all three types of suffering for good. We have to be willing to allow God to use our circumstances to bless others. Second Corinthians 4:15 says the following: “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.”
Paul was saying this: that he is not going to waste his pain. That he is ready and available to use his cane to glorify and bring honor to God. Paul was an amazing man for the Holy Ghost. We are amazing people to and we are awesome full of the Holy Spirit. So, what is our excuse? Several times I’ve given my testimony of healing, because the Lord told me someone else needed to hear that he is still alive, but he is still on the throne, loves us, and he will make away. Call said that he keeps going, because he knows that it is helping people find Jesus Christ isn’t that our mission today? Why do we volunteer to work the food pantry? why do we volunteer to work the soup kitchen? Why do we continually keep our eyes and our ears open when others want to do a few drops or a blanket dryer? I pray, that it is not for personal gain or ambition, but that it is to show the love of God; so others will come to know Jesus Christ.
In verses 16 and 17 of second Corinthians chapter 4 we find the reasons why Paul is teaching the churches that we should never give up. Let’s read it together! “16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Our physical bodies wrinkle and have pains. Eventually our physical bodies die. But the treasures that we have laid up in heaven are eternal. For example, Pastor Bonnie always equates how effective our ministry is, because for generations people have been praying, people have been tithing, and people have been giving. You see, we may never know what our prayers off, but God always answers them and we may never see the results on this side of heaven. When we are able to lead one more soul to heaven; we may never know the full effect of their ministry. So, when the mission job God gave you seems Mandane keep on keeping on.
The fifth Secret Apostle Paul reveals in second Corinthians chapter 4 is that we have to stay focused on the eternal. We must have an eternal perspective. The more that we understand and know how big our God is the less focus on our situation. When we forget that it’s not about now, our problems become huge and we become overwhelmed. I called this near sightedness we can see what’s right in front of us but, we can’t see the bigger picture. In other words, you can’t see the forest for the trees.
In fact, let’s re-look at verse 17! It says the following: (ESV) “17 For (A)this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,”. Paul explains in this verse that our little troubles takes our focusus away from God. This makes the potholes in our life become humongous ruts that entrap us.
We are to have an eternal Perspective. This means we should be concentrated and focused on laying treasures up in heaven. How do we do this? One way is to show love for others through our actions and through our deeds. I love my church, because God’s mission is our focus. God pours out his blessings upon us; so, that we can meet the physical and spiritual needs God‘s children.
When we understand that perspective;, we become more Christlike. We can live without sweating the small stuff! Our reactions and attitudes become more Christlike.
Therefore, verse 18 tells us that we do not have to focus or even worry about the troubles of this life. God will prevail!
He will never leave you or for sake you! He will stick closer than a brother!
Let’s look forward and meditate on what we have not yet seen.
Our troubles here on earth will give way to victory.
