God's Search for Men
GOD'S SEARCH FOR MEN
TEXT: Ezekiel 22:30
INTRODUCTION
A. God Created man in His image
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
B. He was created for fellowship with God
1. Sin marred this fellowship
2. God made a way to redeem man from his sin
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
C. God would send Jesus into the world to die for the sins of man
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
D. Through this man would be born again
John 3:1-8
E. After being been born again man is called to do God's work
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
I. GOD LOOKS FOR DECISIVE MEN
A. Joshua decided he would serve God
Joshua 24:15 ...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
B. Joshua decided that his family would serve God
1. The husband is the leader of the home
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
2. Since he is the leader, he should be the spiritual leader
II. GOD LOOKS FOR MEN WITH DESIRE
A. Desire to know the person of God
Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
1. Knowing God is a personal way
2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
B. Desire to know the plan of God
Psalms 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
1. God will make His will known to us if we seek Him
C. Desire to know the power of God
1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1. His power is available to keep us
1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
a. If we depend on our own power, we will fail
b. God gives the strength to serve
2. Notes Paul's words about the power of God
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
D. Desire to have the protection of God
Psalms 91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
1. God is able to guide man through all times of trouble
III. GOD LOOKS FOR MEN WITH DEDICATION
A. Dedicated to serve God
1. It takes a strong person to serve God
B. Dedicated to stand for God
1. Anyone can quit
2. Anyone can go along with the crowd
3. To stand and be different is difficult and requires God's help
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
C. Dedicated to suffer for the Lord
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
IV. GOD LOOKS FOR MEN WITH DETERMINATION
A. Willing to suffer for the Lord as Paul suffered
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
B. Willing to allow Satan to persecute as Paul was persecuted
Conclusion: God's work only goes forward as man does His work. God could use angles, but He depends on man. He worked through the judges, kings, prophets, disciples, apostles, and church leaders. He works through the laymen, who dedicated their lives to Him. The greatest need in any church is dedicated laymen.
Sam Jones tells the story that while he was preaching in a certain town, there was a boy who would come into the back part of the church and lie down and go to sleep. He was drunk. His father, who was a good Christian man, would take him home.
One morning after one of these experiences, the boy came downstairs. The father met him and said, "Hold on, Son. I want you to go to church with me and be a Christian." The son said, "No, Father, I do not want to be a Christian. I am not going to church. Please get out of my way, for I am going to town."
The father pleaded tenderly and said, "Son, your mother has slept little for nights. She is almost dying. You are killing us all. Please go and become a Christian like your father has." But the son glared at him and said, "Do you know who the man is who gave me my first drink?" The father answered, "No." Then as he rushed past him and out of the door, he angrily said, "You are the man, sir." The father said that if the boy had shot him through the heart, it could not have hurt more. Yes, we reap what we sow.