What Are You Doing For God? Series

WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR GOD?

Acts 3:1-10

Adapted from a message by Mike Fogerson

July 1st, 2007

Broadway Baptist Church

Rev Dan Bauder

INTRODUCTION

Today we are continuing our series on Stewardship by looking at the truths found in our text and the life of a well known 19th century evangelist. While reading about this evangelist I found out some things I never knew that prove what God can accomplish when a person gives everything he has to Him. Most of us have heard of D.L. Moody. He was the founder of several Christian schools the most well known being the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Theologians consider him one of the greatest evangelists of the 19th Century. During his life time he personally shared the gospel with over 100 million people yet he never was ordained as a preacher. He only had a seventh grade education, could barely read or write, but at the age of 17, in the back of his uncles shoe store, he gave his heart to Jesus. He immediately began to do whatever he could to tell people about Jesus. He eventually became one of the most successful shoe salesmen in the country. At the age of 33 he came to the conclusion God wanted him to sell his shoe business and serve Him full time as a layman. One day after he spoke at his church one of the deacons came to him and told him, “I think you can best serve God by remaining silent for the rest of your life. Your grammar is terrible.” To give you an example of what the deacon was talking about Moody replied, “I notice you good grammar.” The deacon said, “Yes I do.” Moody then asked, “What are you doing for God?”

I. ARE YOU DOING ALL YOU CAN?(Read Acts 3:1)

A. I have never heard a Christian say they didn’t want to be used of God. People who are used of God are people who are good stewards of their time.

1. Sunday Morning worship isn’t the only time we can gather to worship here at Broadway. There is also Sunday school and Wednesday night.

2. D.L. Moody worked all day, sometimes 7 days a week and at night he shared his faith with anyone who would listen.

II. ARE YOU WILLING TO BE INTERUPTED? (Read Acts 3:2-3)

A. People who are used of God are people who are willing to be interrupted. Peter and John came to pray but God had other things in mind.

III. DO YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF OTHERS? (Read verse 3-4)

A. People who are used of God are people who are always sensitive to the needs of those around them.

1. D.L. Moody saw people around his church in North Chicago that needed to know Jesus so he went out every Sunday morning and rounded them up and brought them to church.

2. Peter and John saw the lame man and minister to him.

IV. ARE YOU AN INSPIRATION TO OTHERS?

A. People who are used of God are people who do whatever they can to encourage and motivate those they come into contact with.

B. Needy people are drawn to those who encourage and motivate. (Read Acts 3:4-5)

1. They don’t always get what they expect.

a. The lame man thought he would get some money.

b. Many came to hear Moody just desire to hear what he had to saw but left with a new life in Christ.

V. ALWAYS REMEMBER OUR ABILTY TO MINISTER COMES FROM GOD.

A. Peter and John realized this (Read Acts 3:6)

B. God has always partnered with people to accomplish His purpose

1. Flood—Noah

2. Jericho—Joshua

3. Exodus from Egypt—Moses

CONCLUSION

God will use anybody that is sold out to and will give the glory to Him. Are you willing to put Him to the test?