God Wants to Use You

Intro

When we look further into the Christmas story, I think it is valuable to dive deeply not just into one part or another. We don’t want to look just at the prophecies, but the prophecies fulfilled. We don’t just want to look at the mainstream stories, but the true biblical stories. We don’t want to look, believe it or not, just at the baby Jesus either, but each individual that was involved in the story of His birth.

Why?

I am a firm believer that is it all about Jesus, but too, I believe that God makes no mistakes and has no accidents. Therefore, if we read about it in Scripture, it is valuable and worth our time.

2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

It is all profitable.

Tonight, we we are approaching Christmas, I want to look at a few people and things in Scripture that God used, and how that can apply to you and I!

In the Scriptures, we see God using very unexpected people all throughout, much of this leads us to the truth that there is not a certain “type” of person that God prefers or wants to use above another. This is why Jesus was so intentional in His ministry to call out the Pharisees for this behavior and, Himself, eat with the lowest of societies lows.

I think we see this throughout the history of God’s people with Moses’ speech impediment, Abraham’s doubt, Rahab’s past, Ruth’s status, and so many more stories.

Each one leading to Jesus.

Tonight, look with me at a few of those figures and see how God wants to use YOU, no matter what.

Mary

The most obvious person to look at first is Mary

Mary thge virgin mother of Jesus.

Now, there are those out there who idolize her and worship her above what they should.

The Scripture is clear that our worship is for God and God alone.

However, I think it is important to look at Mary and see how wonderful the story is that God chose to use her to carry and raise the birth of our Savior.

Both Mary and Joseph were descendants of King David, meaning they are in the prophetic line of David that led to Christ, no doubt.

But, Mary would not have been the one the Jewish leaders, let alone you and I, would have chosen to carry the Savior.

Why?

Mary was not spectacular. She was not a woman of great wealth. She was not well known or of a wealthy family.

She was simply … humble.

She was a humble servant of God.

Luke 1:46–55 “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him From generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, And exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, In remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, To Abraham, and to his seed for ever.”

She was obedient.

Here was Mary, this young teenager, whose life was about to radically change and all her plans were about to be uprooted. Yet, she humbly accepted her charge and praised the Lord.

God wanted to use the lowly and the humble.

Joseph

God wanted to use Joseph.

Similar to Mary, Joseph wasn’t some spectacular politician or leader.

He was a lowly carpenter.

Joseph was humble, a servant, and obedient.

Now, he didn’t accept the news the same way Mary did, but He took his position as the earthly father of Jesus serious and protected Mary and Jesus.

Matthew 1:20–24 “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:”

He was a humble servant of the Lord.

Not one that we would choose.

Mary and Joseph speak to the humble beginnings of the Messiah.

This is one of the greatest reasons Jews reject Jesus as the Messiah. He did not come in great splendor of majesty. Rather, he came from true humility, even down to his parents and the place God chose for Him to be born.

Bethlehem

Micah 5:2 “But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

Bethlehem, the place of birth for Jesus.

Note, this is not where Jesus was raised, but where He was born. This is where Joseph came from.

And, the Lord is clear in Micah, it was little among the thousands of Judah.

This small shepherding community was “no place for a King” some would say.

But, God chose the small to proclaim the mighty.

Bethlehem reigns today as the birth place of not only Jesus, but going back, King David.

God makes no mistakes and has no accidents.

He chooses the humble to lead the strong.

Nazareth

While Joseph was from Bethlehem, Mary was from Nazareth, where Jesus was raised.

John 1:46 “And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.”

Again, like Bethlehem, Nazareth was not the place one would choose for a king to be raised!

It was lowly, it was poor, it was no good!

For Nathaniel to say “Can there any good think come out of Nazareth?” means that Nazareth was not the greatest place in the area.

It was lowly, humble, not very spectacular.

Yet, this is where God chose for Jesus to be raised.

Conclusion

Church, God wants to use you.

But, are you like Mary? Are you like Joseph?

Are you like Bethlehem and Nazareth?

Are you humble, lowly, and willing to be an obedient servant?

It is no secret that this is what the Father wants, what Jesus desires.

If the Father specifically chose humble people and places for Jesus to be born and raised, why would he allow His Spirit to live and reign in the hearts of a prideful people?

He wouldn’t.

He wants to use you, but that requires your humility and obedience.

This Christmas, remember, the heart of God’s servant is one of humility, a lowly state, and a willing obedience to say “Yes God, use me!” no matter what.

Be Mary, be Joseph. Be Bethlehem and Nazareth.

God wants to use you, will you let Him?