Can God Really Use Your Life Series

Can God Really Use Your Life?

Acts 9:1-6; 10-16

Intro

Every time I read this story, I stand amazed at the great grace of God. I see the Lord take this man Saul, save him by grace, and transform him into the great Apostle to the Gentiles and I realize that there is hope for people like you and me to be used by the Lord.

The truth is, Saul was a very unlikely candidate for the service of the Lord. Here was a man who was feared and hated by Christians and one who did everything in his power to destroy the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, God reached down in grace and took this man from where he was and used him to change the world. God used him in such a great manner that Paul’s ministry is still reaping fruit today.

When we look at Paul, we may be tempted to think that he was some kind of super saint. We may feel that there is no possible way that the Lord could use us like He did Paul, or that God could even use us at all. I suppose that we all feel inferior and unworthy to be used of the Lord in His work, but I am here today to tell you that Jesus can and will use you if you will make yourself available.

Some of you may have asked the question, “Can God really use my life?” I would like to answer that question this morning by taking a some time to look at the like of Paul and by showing you the obstacles that seemed to be in the way of his service. Obstacles, which God had no problem in overcoming by His power and grace, because “God can use your life!” Now, from these verses and others dealing with Paul’s life and ministry, allow me to show you why I say God can.

I. Your Past Condition is No Obstacle (v. 1)

a. According to Paul’s own testimony, he was guilty of doing every thing in his power to put Christianity to death.

i. 1 Timothy 1:13-15, Paul tells us something about his past.

1. Paul was a murderer, he was a rebel against the Lord Jesus.

2. Religiously, he was a man to be envied, but internally, he was as wicked as any man who had ever walked the face of the earth.

ii. Paul was a wicked man, but this proved to be no obstacle to the grace and saving power of the Lord.

iii. When Paul received Jesus into his heart, he was changed forever by the grace of God!

b. Let me tell every person here today that your past is no obstacle to your future in the Lord’s work!

i. Regardless of what you did before you received Jesus as your Savior, it matters no more.

ii. When He saved your soul, He washed your past away forever!

iii. It is just as thought you got a brand new start at the precise moment.

iv. In fact, the Bible refers to that event as a “new birth.”

c. There are 3 records of your past deeds in the world today.

i. First, there is the record you carry in your mind.

ii. Second, there is the record carried by all those who knew what you were before.

iii. Third, there is the record carried by Satan, and he will throw your past back in your face all the time

iv. But let me remind you that even though I may remember my past, my friends and family may remember my past, and Satan surely remembers my past, God has forgotten my past and it is no obstacle to Him using me now or in the future!

d. Throughout the Bible, God used people in spite of, and after their greatest of failures.

i. Simon Peter preached his greatest message and had his greatest ministry after he denied the Lord

ii. Moses was a murderer, yet God used him for His glory.

iii. Abraham lied, yet he was used of the Lord.

iv. Jacob was a deceiver, yet the Lord transformed and used him greatly.

v. You can be used also for God’s glory.

II. Your Present Circumstances are No Obstacle (v. 2)

a. Paul was on his way to Damascus to find Christians to arrest and to take them to their deaths.

i. He was filled with hatred and wanted nothing more than to completely destroy anyone or anything connected with the name of Jesus Christ.

ii. Yet, in spite of all this, the Lord was able to change this man and to use him for His glory.

b. May I remind you that He can do the same thing in your life and mine.