Use Me

INTRO: We Build People Overview

FIRST BASE: COMMITTED TO MEMBERSHIP (Include Them) “Come and See…” – John 1:39.

NON-NEGOTIABLE VALUE: “Every person has the right to a presentation of the gospel at his or her level of understanding.

PRIMARY FOCUS: Evangelism * Assimilation * Ministering to needs * Building relationships

FOUR HABITS:

1. Minister to their needs.

2. Build relationship with them.

3. Include them in groups.

4. Share the gospel with them.

101CLASS: Discovering Faith Assembly (Membership Class)

SECOND BASE: COMMITTED TO MATURITY (Instruct Them) “Come and Follow…” – Mark 1:17.

NON-NEGOTIABLE VALUE: Every person needs a biblical moral compass to guide and protect him or her throughout life.

PRIMARY FOCUS: Nurturing new believers * Discipleship/teaching * Assimilation * Care ministry

FOUR HABITS:

1. Enroll them in a discipleship group.

2. Teach spiritual disciplines.

3. Establish mentoring relationships.

4. Model a biblical lifestyle.

201CLASS: Discovering the Life You Have Always Wanted – A study of the spiritual disciplines.

THIRD BASE: COMMITTED TO MINISTRY (Involve Them) “Come and be…” – Mark 3:13.

NON-NEGOTIABLE VALUE: Every believer has unique gifts to be discovered, developed and used to strengthen the church.

PRIMARY FOCUS: Ministry discovery * Mentoring * Training * Equipping

FOUR HABITS:

1. Help them identify their ministry gifts.

2. Establish ministry apprenticeships with them.

3. Provide leadership training for them.

4. Model servant character before them.

301CLASS: Discovering Spiritual Gifts – The biblical purpose of Spiritual Gifts and their use.

HOME PLATE: COMMITTED TO MISSION (Invest Them) “Remain and Go…” – John 15 & Matthew 28:19 & 20.

NON-NEGOTIABLE VALUE: Every believer has a purpose in advancing the global mission of Christ and the church.

PRIMARY FOCUS: Ministry development * Life purpose * Evangelism * Missions

FOUR HABITS:

1. Provide cross-cultural experiences.

2. Provide leadership experiences.

3. Provide opportunities to disciple others.

4. Provide continued leadership training.

EXAMPLE CLASSES ON THE 400 LEVEL:

1. Becoming a Contagious Christian – A proven approach designed to equip believers for effective evangelism in today’s world.

Illustr. – God has used some pretty unusual things down through history. He used a stick to part the Red Sea. Jesus used a boy’s lunch to feed a multitude. He took 12 basically uneducated men (the disciples) and used them to change the world. And He can use you! With His help, you cannot fail!

PROP: GOD WANTS TO USE YOU TO MAKE AN ETERNAL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS DURING YOUR TIME ON EARTH.

TEXT: Isaiah 6:1-8 (READ)

INTERR. QUESTION: WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER TO GOD’S QUESTION – “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Are you full of excuses when God calls, or are you willing to say, “Here I am – use me!”?

Illustr. – THE DOG

I’m telling you, God is ready to use you. You don’t have to prove anything to Him. All you have to do is say, “Here I am, Lord – Use me!” It’s not hard. In fact, I’m going to share three things with you that are the secret to being used by God. IF YOU PRACTICE THESE THREE THINGS I’LL GUARANTEE YOU, GOD WILL USE YOU! THE FIRST THING GOD IS LOOKING FOR IS…

I. HUMILITY. “‘Woe is me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I AM A MAN OF UNCLEAN LIPS, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.’” – Isaiah 6:5

When Isaiah saw the Lord in all His glory, he felt completely unholy and unworthy. He felt disqualified from service. And yet, it was just the opposite. It was necessary for Isaiah to have an encounter with God before God could use him. Isaiah quickly realized it was God’s holiness and worthiness that qualified him for ministry. If God could only use holy people, He would have no one to use! We are all just sinners saved by grace. God is not waiting for you to get perfect, He’s just waiting for you to get honest and admit that you need Him.

HUMILITY is where it all begins. Isaiah said, “I’m not worthy.” And God said, “But when I touch you I’ll take your guilt and sin away.” When HUMILITY bows before Eternity God always responds positively. When He touches you, He qualifies you. The first step to being used by God is HUMILITY. Some of you struggle with UNWORTHINESS. Others are hampered or hindered by just the opposite. A great many Christians aren’t being used by God because they are too self-absorbed. It’s all about their needs, their comfort and their pleasures. We come to Jesus asking, “What can you do for me?” instead of, “What can I do for you after all you’ve done for me?” We want God to use us on our terms. Our priorities are way out of line.