Can God Use Me?

Can God Use Me? - Read the text

Let’s start with the Gospel. Jesus died for every type of person, even those who others consider “unclean” or unlikely to follow Him.

If you want to be useful to God...

1. Be Faithful

Work With What You Know

Acts 10:1–2 NASB95

Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually.

Worshiped YHWH instead of the Roman gods.

God-fearers may become proselytes by Circumcision, Baptism, and Temple Sacrifice.

Work With What You Have

Cornelius was a Roman, an Italian, and an Occupier.

60 Centurions in a Legion. 100 Soldiers per Centurion. 10 Cohorts of 600 soldiers made a Legion.

Italian Cohort

Possibly volunteers and archers. Stationed in Palestine to prevent Jewish revolts.

Not only a Gentile, but an occupier of the Promised Land.

Acts 10:7 NASB95

When the angel who was speaking to him had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants,

A God-fearing soldier. (30m)

If you want to be useful to God...

2. Be Obedient

Learn While You Obey, Not Before You Obey

Acts 10:17–23 NASB95

Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate; and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. “But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?” They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you.” So he invited them in and gave them lodging. And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

The angel did not preach the Gospel to Cornelius because God has appointed humans to preach the Gospel.

Trust is Demonstrated in Obedience

Acts 10:24–33 NASB95

On the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a man.” As he talked with him, he entered and found many people assembled. And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. “That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask for what reason you have sent for me.” Cornelius said, “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. ‘Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.’ “So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Cornelius obeyed the angel because he trusted in God. Peter obeyed the Holy Spirit because he trusted in God.

Faith is obeying God because we trust Him, even if we don’t understand Him.

Do you obey what God says in the Bible because you trust Him or because you trust yourself?

(20m)

If you want to be useful to God...

3. Be Listening

Acts 10:44–45 NASB95

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

Pay Attention to What God Says

The ones who listen to what God says get to see what God does.

Pay Attention to What God Does

Spirit Baptism was a sign to the circumcised Jews, not the Romans.

You can’t understand why God does things if you don’t read why He did things.

(15m)

If you want to be useful to God...

4. Be Committed

What We Think Drives What We Do

Acts 10:47–48 NASB95

“Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

The Gentiles’ belief in the Gospel motivated their action in baptism.

What We Do Drives What Others Think

It is hard to sell a life-changing Gospel to the world when they don’t see it changing the lives of God’s people.

(5m)

CONCLUSION

Age doesn’t matter. You can be useful to God.

God wants you to be faithful with who you are and what you have.

Don’t be ashamed to come to Him.

God wants you to be obedient with what you know.

Don’t be afraid to say or do the wrong thing.

God wants you to be listening to what He says.

Don’t look for answers from broken people.

God wants you to be committed to living for Him.

Don’t let the fear of others keep you from showing your commitment to God.