The Man God Uses by Pastor Anwinli Ojeikere: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

Greater Works Require Available Men

John 14:12 declares that whoever believes in Christ will do the works he did and greater works besides. But this is not merely a motivational statement. It is a divine mandate that demands partnership.

Genesis 2:4-5 reveals something striking: every plant was already in the earth, and God had the ability to cause rain at any moment, yet he held back because there was no man to till the ground. Fertility existed. Divine enablement was ready. But without a man, productivity could not happen.

Divine enablement with the absence of men leads to unproductivity.

The rain had to be held back not because God lacked power, but because his plan required a steward, a willing vessel to partner with him. Just as the earth waited for man to till it, so too does the fullness of God's work wait for redeemed, Spirit-filled, reliable men to partner with the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:9 confirms this: "We are laborers together with God." In the Amplified Classic, it reads: "We are fellow workmen, joint promoters, laborers together with and for God." The only way God's work is promoted on earth is through men who partner with him.

Isaiah 6:8 shows us God's perpetual posture: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" He is always looking for men he can send. If one man is not available, he will look for another. The opportunity is not waiting for ability; it is waiting for availability.

Availability Is Not Ability

Availability does not mean ability. A person can have tremendous ability and still be completely unavailable. Moses came before God saying he was not eloquent, slow of speech and slow of tongue.

Exodus 4:10-12 shows that God's response was not to request a CV. He asked, "Who has made man's mouth? Have not I, the Lord?" God is not looking for men who are able. He supplies ability when a man is available.

Look at Gideon. He was not just the least in his family; his family was from the weakest clan. There was no ability there. Yet God introduced him as a mighty man of valor. When a man says yes to God, the ability comes on the way out.

The contrast appears in Luke 18:18-23. A ruler came to Jesus, having kept all the commandments from his youth. He had resources, discipline, and religious credentials. But when Jesus said, "Sell all you have and come follow me," the man turned away sorrowful because he was very rich.

He was too rich to be useful.

Richness may not even be much money. It can simply be being too attached to the little things you have to be useful. Some people cannot go where God directs because they are too used to their beauty, their comfort, their image, or their preferences. They are too attached to their own desires to be available.

Luke 16:19-21 tells of a rich man who feasted sumptuously every day while Lazarus lay at his gate full of sores, desiring even the crumbs from his table. Many Lazaruses are walking past lives daily. Greater works begin not with large crusades but with the Lazaruses at the gate. Before going far and wide to win souls, do not neglect those immediately around.

Greater works start with those around us.

God can use availability in an immediate environment to win souls. There are people who will not hear the word until someone feeds them, clothes them, or simply notices them.

The Characteristics of an Available Man

There are defining characteristics of a man who is truly available to God.

• An available man responds to immediate obedience. Luke 9:57-62 records three would-be followers of Jesus. One volunteered enthusiastically but was unprepared for the cost. Another was called and asked to first bury his father. A third said he would follow but needed to say farewell to his household first. Each carried excuses that were justified in their own eyes. Too many attachments. Too much looking back. Jesus said plainly: "No one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom." One of the marks of unavailability is always waiting for conditions to be ideal. Waiting to be married first. Waiting to get the job first. Waiting to reach a certain age or earn a certain income. The available man starts now.

• Available men are servants. Amos 3:7 says: "Surely the Lord God does nothing unless he reveals his secret to his servants." Not just to men. To his servants. It is possible to be present in God's house and not be his servant. God wants to reveal things so that his work can be fulfilled, but he does not reveal his secrets to just anybody. Servanthood is the mark of availability. If there is no willingness to humble oneself and serve in the house of God, that person is not ready for greater works regardless of how loudly they shout for God to use them.

  Philippians 2:5-8 shows the mind of Jesus himself: he did not consider equality with God something to grasp, but made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond servant, and becoming obedient even to death. He became a servant.

  John 12:26 promises: "If anyone serves me, him my father will honor." Service has a reward. Serving means giving everything, not holding back, not looking for the accolade.

  Mark 10:44 declares that whoever desires to be first shall be slave of all. Even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve.

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  An available man perseveres in service. Galatians 6:9 instructs: do not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season the harvest will come if the person does not give up. People will hurt, mock, and ignore. Some will never appreciate the service rendered. Some will never recognize it. But service is not done for recognition. The reward is not from men but from God. "Well done, good and faithful servant" is the word that matters.

  It is also true that perseverance in doing good must be pure. Many times people do good for self-recognition, or they want the person they helped to remain grateful indefinitely. That is not the attitude of a servant. Every time good is done, the gaze must shift away from men and fix on God. In due season, the harvest comes. That season is unknown, but it is certain for those who do not give up.

How to Position for Greater Works

1. Have Faith in God John 14:12, Hebrews 11:6

   Greater works are for those who believe. Without faith it is impossible to please God. He who comes to God must believe first that he exists and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Faith is not emotional. You cannot do the works of the one you do not believe in.

   Hebrews 11:32-34 lists those who through faith subdued kingdoms, walked in righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouth of lions, quenched fire, escaped the sword, out of weakness were made strong, and became valiant in battle. All of it was through faith.

   Faith grows through hearing. Intentionally keep hearing the word and listening to other people's testimonies. John 4:39-42 shows that the Samaritans first believed because of the testimony of the woman at the well, and then many more believed because of Jesus's own word. Faith is built when you hear testimonies and hear the word. Watch sermons. Observe leaders. Hebrews 13:7 says to remember leaders and to imitate their faith by considering the outcome of their lives.

2. Allow the Lord to Work in You Philippians 2:13

   It is God who works in a man both to will and to do for his good pleasure. He does not just command obedience; he creates the desire to obey. When struggling to do God's work, go to him and say: help me both to will and to do. If he does not help, flesh will fail.

   Mark 16:20 records that after Jesus ascended, the disciples went everywhere preaching, and the Lord worked with them, confirming the word with signs. It was not their effort alone. It was God's capacity, divine enablement, working through their availability.

   God works in his people through his word, which is living and powerful. He also works through process and discipline. Hebrews 12:11 says no chastening seems joyful at the time but is painful; nevertheless it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Trials shape maturity. Some things cannot be understood until they are experienced. Certain seasons build patience and create capacity for ministry. God also sometimes allows weakness so that his strength is made perfect. 2 Corinthians 12:9: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." God allows certain weaknesses so that believers depend on his sufficiency rather than their own.

3. Maintain a Life of Prayer Acts 2:42-44

   It is not possible to witness for God without a life of prayer. The early church continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. And the Lord added to the church daily. They continued daily. Stop allowing circumstances to interrupt prayer life. There is far more ahead.

   Prayer is not just talking to God. It is the means by which flesh is kept in check and the believer rises above temptation. It takes the power of the Holy Ghost to overshadow a man so that he can witness effectively. Peter's preaching on the day of Pentecost cut people to the heart. It was the Holy Ghost who did it. It takes God to convict a man.

Lord, saturate me with your power to will and to do. Cause me, O God, to have a consistent prayer life.