Formerly Useless to You. Now He Is Useful

Sermon outline

The grace of God makes people useful, so empty yourself like Christ, disciple those placed under your wing, give hurting people a new meaning for their situation, and pray, because the church carries answers the world does not have.

1. See yourself in the 36, and be found faithful

   God wants you to define your desire; asking only for 'a blessing' is vague. The goal of 36 cell groups is specific, and the leaders will come from the people in the room. What is required of stewards and leaders is faithfulness: to the call of God, to your marriage, to your local church and to Jesus.

   Illustration: People ask to be prayed for, and when asked what they want they say, 'No, just a blessing.'

   “So the question is, see yourself within the 36. Get yourself ready.”

   • 2 Corinthians 8:7
   • 2 Corinthians 3:18
   • Proverbs 4:18
   • Ephesians 4:11-12
   • 1 Corinthians 4:2

2. Empty yourself before life empties you

   Have the mind of Christ, who held the highest position there is and emptied Himself, took the form of a servant and became obedient to death on a cross. Great grace is being empowered to do what you could not do in your own strength, as Paul worked harder than all of them by the grace of God in him. Ministry is service, so ask what you can do with the life God has given you.

   Illustration: In town with his younger brother he met a friend of his brother's who had lost both legs through running with the wrong gang, and heard that another friend had been killed. People who do not heed the call of God end up being emptied by life.

   “Don't wait for life to empty you out because of your disobedience. Christ emptied himself out willingly.”

   • Philippians 2:5-11
   • 1 Corinthians 15:10

3. Formerly useless, now useful

   Onesimus ran away from Philemon, a new convert who should have discipled him, and ended up in prison with Paul, who led him to Christ. Paul sends him back no longer as a slave but as a dear brother, useful to them both. No one is useless in God's eyes, but grace makes us useful in His kingdom, and new believers must find love under our wing rather than wanting to run away from us.

   Illustration: The person at home or at work who is there but not there, so you would rather do the job yourself. Yet the same person, in another place, may be the answer someone has been praying for.

   “Grace allows you to become a destiny helper to somebody who God has called you to be.”

   • Philemon 1:8-16

4. Give people a different meaning

   In counselling he has watched people with huge problems leave with the same problem and a different meaning for it. The gospel gives meaning and hope. That is what discipleship is, and it sits inside the church's four pillars: win people to Christ, consolidate them, disciple them and send them out.

   Illustration: Fall on the floor under the power of God in church and people say 'wow'; fall in a mall in your good clothes and it means embarrassment. And the person who has lost a job leaves counselling still without a job, but encouraged.

   “It's not about what happened, it's about the meaning that you give to what has happened to you.”

5. Have a heart for the least

   In Matthew 25 the King separates the sheep from the goats by what they did for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick and the prisoner, often without knowing it was Him. Train yourself this year to have a heart for souls, and go wherever God places you asking what you can do for His glory.

   “Train yourself this year when you go out wherever God has placed you, always say, Lord, what can I do for your glory?”

   • Matthew 25:34-46

6. When the church prayed, Peter was released

   Herod killed James and the church did nothing, and it pleased the people, so he took Peter too. But the church prayed and Peter was set free. Learn to discern when your spiritual life, finances or health are under attack, refuse to call it normal, and pray for the ministry as your own home, with your hand on the plough.

   “When you see something happening, begin to pray.”

   • Acts 12:1-5
   • Luke 9:62
   • Matthew 22:36-39

7. Measure your growth and go on assignment

   Take stock of whether you are growing or decreasing: how much of the word is in you, your wisdom and knowledge, and the quality of your relationships. The church is a training ground, and believers are needed in schools, universities, preschools and communities where the enemy has run havoc while Christians did nothing.

   Illustration: Someone realises they read only one book this year and decides to up their game so as not to become a casualty of their own ignorance.

   “When you come to church, you know that you're coming into church not only to be blessed, but you on an assignment.”

   • Matthew 10:16
   • 1 Corinthians 9:22

In this message