Ordinary People Used By God
Text: I Corinthians 1:26-31
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of
the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
The artist Gainsborough, was said to have not only been an artist, but also a man who greatly desired to learn music. He bought a great variety of musical instruments that he would attempt to play. On one particular occasion, he went to hear a great violinist. Charmed by the musician’s talented performance, Gainsborough bought the violin from the musician. He deducted that if he would use the same violin that the great master of music had used, he would be able to play beautiful music also. He very soon realized that the beauty and charm of the music was not a result of a special violin, but the result of the skilled master who played the violin.
God has a great variety of instruments in His great world. It is not the instruments that gleam with beauty and are greatly polished and shined that God uses. God’s first choice for an instrument in his service is the willing heart of a humble servant who is amazed that God would even call such an unworthy soul as him.
Let us examine for a while some Biblical examples of such people.
I. David (see story in the book of I Samuel)
A. David’s Family Background
David was a young shepherd boy raised in a farming community with very common people. His family was what appears to be a typical family in Israel. Shepherding was a common occupation. The thing that brought David’s success in life was not his social status or his occupation or his family background. His success was found in his intense love for God and his humble spirit.
David lived in a period of time when Israel was under severe enemy oppression. In this case the Philistines were the cause of the trouble. David’s brothers were involved in the battles with the Philistines. David was sent to check on his brothers in the war.
B. David’s Call
The words of the giant as he defied David’s God stirred within the heart of David a holy anger and a sense of purpose that led him to conclude that if something was to be done, he would have to do it. When criticized by his elder brother, he replied, "Is there not a cause?" (I Sam.17:29). It is high time that the holiness churches across our great land rise to the challenge and face the social giants of our day with purpose and determination.
Wesley writes that,
[We] must not think it strange, if [we] be opposed by those from whom [we] had reason to expect assistance, but must humbly go on with [our] work, in the face, not only of [our] enemies threats, but of [our] friends slights, suspicions, and censures.
An angel or a voice from Heaven did not call David. His was a call of opportunity.
Because David had a vision and was obedient to that heavenly vision, he won the victory over the giant.
II. Gideon (Judges 6:11-16)
Throughout Israel’s history, we see a continuous cycle of sin, suffering, repentance, and deliverance. They would fall into sin, and be captured by a foreign nation. They would repent of their sin and God would send a deliverer.
Gideon lived in the portion of this cycle when the Midianites were keeping Israel under oppression. Midian and some other nations had been causing trouble for Israel for seven years.
A. Gideon’s Family Background
Gideon was born in an average family for his day. He was not born into a genealogy of royalty, or even of prophets. He was not born wealthy, or into an enviable social position. Making him feel even less capable for the task that God would assign him was the fact that he was the youngest in his family.
B. His Call
In spite of all that was against him, Gideon was the man that God desired to use to deliver Israel from the hand of the Midianites. As Gideon was working in the field one day, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him. The angel first called Gideon a "mighty man of valor." Gideon quickly told
the angel all the reasons why he was not a mighty man. Gideon’s humility may have been one reason why God chose him for this very special task.
C. His Obedience
Gideon hesitated at first when God called him. I do not believe this hesitation was due to rebellion, but to the fact that he did not want any question in his mind as to precisely what it was that God wanted him to do. After he knew God’s will, God reassured him, and he obeyed God fully.
D. His Victory
The first thing Gideon had to do before he could do anything to the enemy was to clean house himself. He went out into the night and destroyed everything on the property that was not pleasing to God. He broke down the idols of Baal. He tore down the groves that had been planted in Baal’s honor. He did a complete job of cleaning house.
Before any of us can gain any ground spiritually and stake any claims on enemy territory, we must first search our own hearts thoroughly and destroy whatever it is that distracts us from total surrender to God’s will.
After cleaning up his own property and removing those things from his life that angered God, he then was ready to complete the task the God had called him to do. The Midianites were easily defeated by God’s power and Israel was freed from the enemy’s oppression.
God had given Gideon a mission to accomplish, and because Gideon kept his vision clear, God brought down the enemy camp by "the Sword of the Lord and of Gideon."
III. Caleb
Numbers 14:5-10. God had nearly destroyed the nation of Egypt with plagues in order to bring out the people of Israel. He had performed many signs and wonders for them on the way to Canaan. They had crossed the Red Sea on dry land. He had sent down manna from heaven to feed them. He had sent them quail for food. After all this it seems that they would have believed that God could bring them safely into Canaan. They sent 12 spies into the land, ten of which came back with a discouraging report. The people rebelled against God and refused to enter the land. Joshua and Caleb spoke up and declared that God was able to give them a grand entrance into Canaan and to fight the battles for them.
Now forty-five years later Israel is advancing into the Promised Land. Jericho has been destroyed, AI has been destroyed, and now Caleb is making his request to Joshua for his inheritance. He has never lost the vision that God gave him 45 years ago.
He--
1. Recalls the promise (Joshua 14:9) "Moses sware on that day saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance."
2. Believes the Word. Not only does he remember God’s promise, but he also trusts in that promise.
3. Claims the blessing (Joshua 14:12) "Now therefore give me this mountain whereof the Lord spake in that day."
Caleb kept the vision that God had given him. To him age was not a restriction to fulfilling God’s plan for his life. God has a plan for every person of every age. You may think you are too young to do anything for God.
God has something for you to do. You may think you are too old. God has something for you to do. It may not be the same things you once could do, but it he still has great plans for you. You must catch the vision that He has for you.
