Being Available For God To Use

Matthew 10:37-38

37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

INTRODUCTION

• The Call of God will pull on you

• God Called Ministers do not do it for personal acclaim

• Successfully fulfilling “The Call” requires:

o Preparation (Training – the more you train, the more effective you will be)

? Mentors – Spiritual Fathers

? Teachers – Sound Doctrine for Sure Foundations

? Networking – Holy Alliances

o Humility & Accountability (Covering)

? Pride will destroy you and the ministry God has called you too

? Live Grateful

o Fasting, Prayer & Anointing

I. The Call of God

A. Can be Lonely

1. Share about lonely times in ministry.

B. The Power of Adjustment & Flexibility

1. We cannot always do everything our way or on our timetable. (There’s a Higher Power at work here – God!)

II. Your friends and family may not understand the nature or the price of your call.

A. Jesus calling the disciples to leave their nets and follow Him

Matthew 4:18-20

18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

20 And they straightway left their nets and followed him.

Matthew 16:24

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

B. Let the dead bury the dead

Matthew 8:21-22

21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

C. Elisha follows Elijah and burning the oxen

1 Kings 19:19-21

19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.

20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?

21 And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

III. They’re God’s Bills!

A. How will they go except they be sent? – YOU CAN’T DO THIS ALONE!

Romans 10:14-15

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

B. Jesus had a group of women who ministered to them “of their substance” - Luke 8:1-8 (Read & Expound)

1. Resist Worry – They’re God’s Bills!

IV. The Call of God Requires Intercession

A. Intercession for those God has called you to (God puts a passion in you)

1. Intercession for those who are being sent

2. Everyone and everything must be saturated in prayer

B. Intercession could mean more than prayer

1. Intercession through financial involvement, mentorship, or endorsement through networking

C. Jesus interceded on the Cross when He prayed, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

1. The sacrifice interceded for its perpetrator

Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

CLOSING

We are entering a new year. Ask Yourself, “Have I offered myself to God for 2022?”

• Maybe a year of training

• Maybe a year of healing

• Stepping in and moving forward by faith