GOD DEVELOPS CHANGEMAKERS, COOPERATE!
By Pastor Peter Tan-Chi
The main message today is about how God develops change makers. Change makers are individuals who are designed by God to make a positive difference in the lives of others. God's plan for everyone is to be Salt and Light, meaning to impact people for eternity and make a meaningful difference in their lives. The key is to be intentional in wanting to be a change maker and cooperate with God's work. God is always at work, whether we like it or not, but it's up to us to be willing to cooperate with Him in order to become effective change makers.
GOD USES PROBLEMS
(Judges 6:1-2, Hebrews 12:5-11)
God uses problems to wake us up and get our attention. He allows problems in our lives to create holy discontent and make us realize that something is wrong. Problems are meant to sanctify us and make us better, not bitter. God loves us so much that he will not allow us to remain unchanged. Problems are a form of discipline from God, and they are a sign of his love for us. As Hebrews 12:6 says, "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son." So, if you are facing problems in your life, remember that God sees your potential and wants to train you progressively. He wants you to partner with him and seek him in all circumstances. Don't wait for problems to become severe before turning to God, but seek him daily and trust that he will use your problems for your growth and transformation.
GOD SEES YOUR POTENTIAL
(Judges 6:12-16, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29)
Gideon was initially insecure and felt inadequate, but God saw his potential and called him a valiant warrior. Gideon, however, doubted himself and questioned God, focusing on his weaknesses and his family's low status. But God reassured Gideon and told him to go in his strength because God had sent him. Gideon's initial response is a common reaction when we feel inadequate or unworthy of God's calling. However, God's perspective is different. He sees our potential in Christ and is willing to use us despite our weaknesses and limitations. We need to humble ourselves and trust in God's strength and guidance as we step into the plans and purposes He has for us.
GOD TRAINS US PROGRESSIVELY
(Philippians 1:8, Judges 6:25-26)
The Lord said to Gideon on the same night, "Remember step by step before you fight the middle Knight, you learn to obey me first, okay, step by step". Gideon was instructed to take his father's bull and tear down the altar of Baal, the male god, and the Asherah, the female goddess, that they worshiped. The principle taught here is that before you can worship God, you need to remove the idols, or the "badass," in your life. Martin Lloyd Jones defines idols as anything in our lives that occupies the place that should be occupied by God alone. Idolatry can take the form of trusting people, possessions, or positions to do for us what only God can do. The most dangerous idol in our lives is self-centeredness and self-sufficiency. Pursuing happiness as an idol can lead to self-worship and sin, but holiness, setting apart our lives for God, leads to true happiness as a byproduct. Progressive training is part of God's work in our lives. God uses problems and challenges to shape and mold us. God sees our potential and trains us progressively to become who He wants us to be. God's progressive training involves removing idols from our lives, trusting Him, and pursuing holiness rather than happiness.
PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD
(Judges 6:34-37, Judges 7:2-8)
So, lastly, God wants us to partner with Him. What do I mean by partnership with God? Well, I have a simple formula for it. Partnership with God simply means that God is the big boss, and this is the formula: partnership with God means you are committed to God's will. You want to do it in God's way, and you want to do it in God's time and with God's power. That's what partnership with God is all about.
Let me repeat. God's will. How do you know God's will? You study the Bible and you need confirmation. I'll tell you how to confirm God's will for your life. God's way. Doing God's will means you have to do it in God's way. It cannot be your way. What do I mean by God's way? Well, let's say you see a problem and God wants you to solve the problem. What is God's way? You have to do it in love. You don't gossip, you don't leave in rebellion. God's way is humility and lovingly.
God's time. God works in amazing time. And God's power. What is going to be the result? God's victory and God's amazing glory. Do you know that Joshua, when challenged by God in Judges 6:36, this is what happened? Gideon said to God, "If you are going to save Israel through me, partnership, God is at work, but you want to use me as a partner, as you have spoken. And behold, I am putting a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only and it is dry all around, then I will know that you will save Israel through me." Now, you may not understand what he's talking about. It's called the famous test of the fleece. Have you heard of that expression? Gideon was saying to God, "To prove and let me know that you really want to use me and you have called me, let's put this fleece out at night, and in the morning when the surrounding area is dry and the fleece is wet, then I'll know you're calling me." Do you understand? Scientifically impossible! How can the surrounding area be dry and the fleece be wet? Wow! But God did it.
Then he said, "Now, Lord, let's do it another way." What's the other way? The other way is to make the fleece dry and the surrounding area wet. Okay, so God did it. Do you see what I'm saying? Gideon wanted to be sure. So, the first time, every place is wet except the fleece. Next, only the fleece is wet, but the surrounding area is dry. So, Gideon said, "Okay, I'm sure. I'm sure. I'm sure of it." Is it wrong to ask God for confirmation? Yes or no? You see, Gideon was not testing God. Gideon wanted to be sure. If I were you, I would do this in my own life. I ask for confirmation because sometimes we can be presumptuous.
CONCLUSION
God uses problems in our lives to wake us up, sanctify us, and make us better. He sees our potential and wants to train us progressively, removing idols from our lives and leading us to pursue holiness. He desires for us to partner with Him, committing to His will, doing things in His way and His time, and relying on His power for victory and glory. Just like Gideon, we can seek confirmation from God and be willing to step into the plans and purposes He has for us, knowing that He is with us every step of the way.
QUESTION:
- What is the challenging situation you are facing right now? What has been your perspective and response?
- What struck you the most about God's work through Gideon? How can you relate this with your present situation?
- What has God convicted you to change or continue in your perspective and response to your present challenges?
