The Man God Uses

As men gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the midst of a furnace, to blow fire on it, to melt it; so I will gather you in My anger and in My fury, and I will leave you there and melt you. Ezekiel 22:20 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: What kind of man will God uses? God is not looking for new methods or programs; God is always looking for someone to stand in the gap. One person can make a difference.

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but . . . I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. (Martin Luther King, Jr., from an address given the night before he died).

1. MAN OF PRAYER (Philippians 4:6)
The man that God uses must be a man of prayer. Hudson Taylor has said, “Prayer is transacting business with God.” Jonathan Edwards has said, “Prayer is storming heaven.” A. C. Dixon has said, “When we depend upon God, we get what God can do.” John Knox has said, “Give me Scotland or I die,” and that is prayer. Evans Roberts wore a hole through the carpet with his knees.

The word for prayer is a general term meaning worshipful conversation with God, while petition refers to a prayer with a sense of need (the Greek word was also used for requests between people). These two words often appear together in Paul’s writings. Thanksgiving focuses on the attitude of one’s heart in approaching God. Prayer combats worry by creating in us a thankful heart. Believers should come to God in prayer, thankful for the opportunity to even approach him, for his tremendous blessings already bestowed, and for the certainty that he will answer his children.

2. MAN OF PURITY (1 Timothy 4:12)
First of all, I want to say to you that God uses pure men. The Bible says, “Keep thyself pure.” Isaiah of old has given to us the counsel, “Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.” (Isaiah 52:11). The Bible still says, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matt. 5:8).

Paul knew firsthand the potential for problems in any church where people of a variety of religious backgrounds, cultures, and ages come together. Timothy’s character, and not his age, would determine his authority to lead. Paul called Timothy’s specific role an example—meaning he was to be a pattern or model. Whatever his age, Timothy was not to allow anyone to minimize his role but was to persist in being a good example.

3. MAN OF PERUSAL (2 Timothy 2:15)
The man of God must be a man of perusal. He must study the Book. The Bible says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15). The preacher must know the Word. The preacher must preach the Word.

Paul called Timothy to be diligent in carrying out the instructions included in this letter. Wholly means to give yourself completely over to the task, to make it your number one priority. As Timothy applied himself wholly to Paul’s instructions, progress would be seen both in his personal life and in the church.

4. MAN OF PERSPIRATION (Psalm 69:9)
The preacher that is successful in the work of God must be a man of perspiration. He must be a man of zeal and great enthusiasm. George Whitfield said, “I am determined to die fighting.” Dr. Theodore L. Cuyler said, “Put your whole soul into your work, love it more than a hungry man loves to eat his dinner.”

The Lord Jesus was consumed with a zeal for His Father’s house. Whenever He heard men speak insultingly about God, He took it as a personal insult. On that day in Jerusalem when He drove the money changers from the temple courts, His disciples remembered that it was written of Him here in Psalm 69, “Zeal for Your house has eaten me up” (John 2:17).

5. MAN OF PASSION (Psalm 126: 5-6)
The man of God that God uses is going to be a man of passion. Preacher Davis said, “Preach as though you were stepping from the pulpit into the great tribunal.” And the Word of God bears this out. The Word says, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalms 126:5, 6).

For generations, Psalm 126:5–6 has been precious to the people of God. Many of God’s faithful servants sow the seed of God’s Word in the people’s hearts but see little fruit from their efforts. A lack of visible results can cause any of us to become discouraged in the LORD’s work. When we are tired and feel that our labor is in vain, the enemy will tempt us to quit.

At such times, we should pour out our hearts to the Lord. He invites us to cast our burdens on Him and to come to Him for rest (Mt.11:28–29). We also need to fall before Him in worship and total surrender. When we do, we will find fresh strength to continue on in our labor for Him.

We also need to remember the promises of God’s Word. God’s Word will not return empty. It will accomplish what He desires (Is.55:11). We will, in God’s time, reap fruit for our labor, if we do not give up (Ga.6:9). In addition, we will reap an eternal reward from the Lord when we stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Co.3:6–14).

CONCLUSION:
Throughout Scripture, setting an example is stressed as an important element of discipleship.

Matthew 11:29—“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.”
Jesus told his followers to learn from his example of gentleness and humility.

Philippians 3:17—“Join with others in following my example.”
Paul urged believers to follow his example of enthusiasm, perseverance, and maturity.

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7—“You became imitators of us and of the Lord. . . . And so you became a model to all the believers.”
The new Christians at Thessalonica received training in discipleship from Paul, and even in suffering they modeled before others what they had learned.

1 Timothy 1:16—“In me . . . Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him.”

1 Peter 5:3—“Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
Peter taught Christian leaders to lead by example, not by commands. 1 Timothy 4:12

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