"As for those who seemed to be important-whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance-those men added nothing to my message."
Galatians 2:6
Galatians 2:6
- One of the guys at our church uses the phrase "black belts" when referring to people who have known the Lord for a while. God doesn't use just black belts! God is not looking for ability but for availability. God took everyday people and did great things through them:
New Testament:
- Simon, James, Andrew-Fisherman (This job wasn't anything to write home about)
- Matthew- Tax Collector (Tax collectors were hated)
- Paul- Not only a zealous Jew who persecuted the church but a tent maker (Paul wasn't just an OK guy like these other guys, but he actually was attacking the church)
Old Testament:
- Nehemiah- Cup bearer (He basically drank the kings wine before the king did to see if it was poisoned. What a terrible job!)
- Rahab- Prostitute (Enough said...)
- David- Shepherd to king (He was a young shepherd and became king. He had many highs and lows)
- If men were to start a church today, they wouldn't pick this rag tag group of people. They would have Bill Gates ushers and Donald Trump preachers. But since the Creator of men is the head of the church, you get me!
- Ministry is not a business. Things like reputation and popularity don't factor in to God's choice of who to use. God looks past our attempts to look good with our painted on smiles and goes straight to the heart. "But the Lord said to Samuel 'Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart'". 1 Samuel 16:7.
- Christ set the example of a servant. Read Philippians 2:5-8 and you get an idea of just how far he was willing to go to serve. He lowered and humbled himself. Its a lot easier when you humble yourself than when God has to do it for you. "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:43-45. Jesus was a servant and that's what he saw in these people: a willingness to serve.
- I've heard it said that Jesus is like the Sun rise. If you lower yourself and become a valley, He will only be seen earlier. And he will pick you up to meet Him. And if you make yourself a mountain, you only take away from the glory of the Sun rise and he will take you down.
- So the question is, are we going to humble ourselves and leave everything behind so He can use us mightily or are we going to cling to pride and social standing? Because that's like being lost at sea and passing up a life raft to float on a toothpick!
Be sure to read the post under this. Its an update from the Cate's that was posted last week. I forgot to post telling everyone about it so make sure to give it a look over!
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