QUALITIES GOD LOOKS FOR IN THOSE HE USES
Read - 1 Chronicles 11:1-3 & give a summary of what’s happening with God’s people.
King Saul and his son, Jonathan, have died in a battle against the Philistines. ... The people of Israel come and make David king. But, not all in the land God promised His people have accepted his kingship. Not all have accepted his rule. God gathered a group of people, a group of warriors around David to accomplish the mission God had given him. Notice some of the warriors God gathered.
1. Jashobeam - 1 Chronicles 11:10-11
He stood alone against 300 enemy and defeated them. He was a leader. The leader of the 30.
2. Eleazar - 1 Chronicles 11:12-14; 2 Samuel 23:10
He stood with David in a plot of barley, when all the other soldiers had fled in fear. God gave them a great victory.
3. Abishai - 1 Chronicles 11:20
He defeated 300 men with a spear.
4. Benaiah - 1 Chronicles 11:22-25
Killed 2 of Moab’s best men. Killed a lion in a snowy pit. Whipped a 7 1/2 ft tall Egyptian, with a huge spear, even though he was just armed with a club.
Chapter 12 tells us of other men, other troops & soldiers that joined & followed David. But, they followed the lead of the first ones. What was it that set those people apart? What was it that caused them to be so successful against such overwhelming odds?
What are the qualities God looks for in people He uses?
QUALITIES OF MIGHTY WARRIORS
1. They believe God. -
Read - 1 Chronicles 11:2
Oh my friend, do you believe God when He says He is going to do a work? Do you believe God has called you?
2. They trust God. - 1 Chronicles 11:11, 12-14, 20, etc.
Oh my friend, do you trust God? Are you willing to step out in faith and share a word about Christ with your neighbor? It was when they stepped out, when they took a stand, that God joined with them and gave them the victory.
- Do you remember when the Israelites, with Joshua, went to enter the Promised Land? The Jordan River was at flood stage. The people thought there was no way they would be able to cross that river. There was no way they could get across that water. God said, “When you step out, the water will stop.”
“Some years ago a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ was riding in a railway carriage, when two men entered the car and took the seat in front of him. One of them took a bottle out of his pocket, drank of its contents, and then passed it over to his companion. This was repeated a number of times. By and by the men began to swear - a stream of profanity issued from their mouths. Meanwhile the Christian held a little conversation with himself.
‘Henry, that man belongs to the devil.’
‘There is no doubt of that.’
‘He is not ashamed of it.’
‘Not a bit ashamed.’
‘Whom do you belong to?’
‘I belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.’
‘Are you glad or sorry?’
‘I am glad - very glad.’
‘Who in this car knows that man belongs to the devil?’
‘Why, everybody knows that for he has not kept it a secret.’
‘Who in this car knows you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ?’
‘Why, no one knows it, for you see I am a stranger around here.’
‘Are you willing they should know whom you belong to?’
‘Yes, I am willing.’
‘Very well. Will you let them know it?’
‘The Christian took a deep breath and began to sing.
“There is a fountain filled with blood Drawn from Immanuel’s veins; And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains.”
The singer had not concluded with the verse when the blasphemer turned around and looked at him with a face resembling a thunder cloud. The following conversation ensued:
‘What are you doing?’
‘I am singing.’
‘Well, any fool can understand that.’
‘I am glad you understand it.’
‘What are you singing?’
‘I am singing the religion of the Lord Jesus.’
‘Well, you quit.’
‘Quit what?’
‘Quit singing your religion on the cars.’
‘I guess not,’ said the Christian, ‘I don’t belong to the quit family; my name is Mead. For the last half hour you have been standing by your master; now for the next half hour I am going to stand up for my Master.’”
(Show Your Colors, from the Gospel Herald. Quoted in Knight’s Master Book of New Illustrations, 1956. Reprint 1990, p125).
Do you trust God? Do you trust Him enough to stand for Him?
Mighty Warriors, the ones God uses, trust Him.
3. They are more concerned for their brothers than for themselves.
- Read 1 Chronicles 11:15-19. The three mighty men, went and did something brave because their king wanted a drink from a special well.
They weren’t seeking honor. They weren’t seeking glory. They didn’t want to be recognized and get a pat on the back. They wanted the best for their brother, realizing that they were on the same team.
My friend, you and I are called to love our brothers as ourselves. You are to love and serve one another, not so the person will be in debt to you, not so you can get a pat on the back, not so you’ll be recognized, but because you are concerned for them.
My friend, how concerned are you for your brother’s welfare, for his reputation? Do you put your fellow believers’ reputation ahead of your own?
The people God uses in mighty ways are more concerned for their brothers than they are for themselves.
4. They are determined -
- Read 1 Chronicles 11:12-14; 2 Samuel 23:10
He stood with David in a plot of barley, when all the other soldiers had fled in fear. He stuck to his calling, refusing to leave, refusing to stop until his hand cramped to his sword.
My friend, mighty warriors are determined people.
My friend, God is still looking for and using people who believe God, who rust Him, who are more concerned for their brother than they are for themselves. He is still using determined people. ...
