Message: “Man God Uses” from Min Oluleke

TITLE: THE SEARCH CONTINUES (The Man God Uses) 1 Samuel 15:22-23 22 But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” (1) Lessons from Saul's Life # It appears to me that the moment Saul fell from grace, a word came out from heaven that he had been "deposed", and the CV/qualities of the man who would replace him were also announced. In particular,  heaven wanted "a man after the heart of God." But for more than 20 years, the Lord searched all of Israel for such a man, but never found one. Yet, he remained patient. # David was not yet born when Saul became king; he was born after Saul had been king for 10 years. Then, he was anointed by Samuel among his brothers around 15 years old. God waited for more than 20 years to anoint the next king. And he declared: "I have found a man after my heart" (Acts 13:22), meaning that he had been searching for many years. # You see, although God accepts us the way we are at salvation, he cannot use us just the way we are. When it comes to the choice of whom to use for His work, God is very selective, and he has high tastes/standards. # It is apalling that out of millions of Isrealites, and note that most of them were very religious and carrying out the customary religious rites regularly, God did not find anyone "after his heart" for decades. # This calls for caution: among the multitude, it's possible that only very few people are sincerely seeking God. Dear folks, God is still searching for men! There are several needs and problems in our world today that require divine intervention. Yet, the Lord usually constrains himself to reveal his power, might and manifold wisdom through human vessels. God does not have a shortage of power, but a shortage of men. He cannot use just anyone because he has high requirements for those he will use for his glory. (2) The Man/Woman God Uses 1) Humble Humble people are aware: of their sinfulness and the grace of Jesus; of their inadequacy and their total dependence on Jesus; “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled. And he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). 2) Obedient or a Teachable Heart King Saul was engaged in serial disobedience. He never did things as he was instructed. He usually obeyed partially, or not at all. Either is not desirable. He never truly repented when corrected: he was sure to repeat the fault soon afer. 3) Has a Heart for People Jesus was a great role model of this: “when He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Compassion is being touched with the feelings of others and being considerate of what others are passing through. It is different from pity: pity does nothing. Compassion makes a move to help. 4) Available They are available to serve others. They make talents and gifts are available to meet the needs of others. E.g. the little boy with five loaves and two fish. 5) Faithful They are faithful with the little committed to them and do it excellently well, giving it all they've got.   Luke 16:10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 6) Holy and Pure 3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. Psalm 24:3-4 a) Clean hands: free from guilt, wrongdoing and sin. Does not practice sin habitually. b) Pure heart: clean, open, clear conscience before God and men. Conclusion It all boils down to the state of the heart. God is looking for people who are after His heart. humble quick to repent forgiving ready to obey God's word hatred for sin tender conscience love for people The human heart has a void; it was created with a vacuum Don't fill yours with junk: busyness, materialism, lust, sexual perversion, romantic relationships/fantasies, drugs, alcohol etc. Fill it with God; invite Him to fill it up for you, and He will! Luke 1:53 Those who hunger for him will always be filled, but the smug and self-satisfied he will send away empty.

Scripture References: 1 Samuel 15:22-23

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