Can God Count on You? - Pastor Stacey Shiflett
Can God Count On You?
1 Timothy 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Intro: Paul was thankful that God chose to use him.
· Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
In spite of the fact that before he was saved, he was:
A. Insulting – a blasphemer; speaking evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive
B. Invasive; Intrusive; Interrupting – a persecutor
C. Injurious – a persecutor and injurious
D. Ignorant – because I did it ignorantly…”
E. Infidel – “…in unbelief.”
In spite of all that, God saved Saul and was able to COUNT ON HIM.
Can God Count on you to…
I. Cooperate with His Enabling – “…who hath enabled me…”
A. His Enabling Provides the Strength
Paul knew where his power came from.
He readily admitted his source of strength.
See 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
See 2 Corinthians 12
· 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
· 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
B. His Enabling Provides the Sufficiency
· 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
C. His Enabling Provides the Sustaining
It will only be through God’s power and strength that you and I can finish the job.
Our burden cannot sustain us.
Our love for God cannot sustain us.
Our knowledge of Scripture cannot sustain us.
We need God to sustain us.
Can God Count on you to…
II. Commit to His Enterprise – “…putting me into the ministry;…”
A. Recognize the Privilege of Ministry
We’ve been dealing with this all week.
Korah minimized the tremendous opportunity he had to serve God in the ministry.
God could have used somebody else.
B. Respect the Priority of Ministry
Don't give God's work whatever is left over.
Give Him our best.
C. Remember the Purpose of Ministry
We're not building our name, reputation, platform, or kingdom.
We're doing His enterprise.
This is the Father’s business!
If God has put you into the ministry, put yourself into the ministry!
Can God Count on you to…
III. Comply with His Expectation – “…for that he counted me faithful…”
Notice what Paul didn't say:
· He counted me talented.
· He counted me intelligent.
· He counted me impressive.
· He counted me successful.
· He counted me popular.
None of those things are required.
That word COUNTED is powerful.
“Counted” — ἡγέομαι (hēgeomai)
The Greek word translated “counted” is ἡγέομαι (hēgeomai)
It carries the idea of: to consider; to regard; to account; to esteem; to judge or deem something to be so; to come to a settled conclusion about someone or something
We see that same Greek word in a couple of other verses.
· James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
James isn't saying number your trials.
He's saying regard them, consider them, evaluate them from a particular perspective.
It's the word translated “esteem” in:
· Philippians 2:3 …in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
It is translated “counted” in:
· Philippians 3:7 …what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Count is not based on VALUE: it is based on EVALUATION.
Paul is essentially saying:
· Christ regarded me as faithful.
· Christ considered me trustworthy.
· Christ deemed me dependable.
He counted him faithful, therefore, He put him into the ministry.
Before there was an assignment, there was an assessment.
The only thing God demands is FAITHFULNESS!
· 1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
You don’t have to worry about God abandoning you after he PUTS you into the ministry.
· 1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
· Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
What is God’s assessment of you?
What is God’s evaluation of your life when it comes to service?
Can God count on you to be faithful? Trustworthy? Dependable?
Can God count on you to be faithful?
…when you're tired?…when nobody notices?…when somebody else quits?…when you don't feel appreciated?…when it's inconvenient?…when there's no applause?…when you've been disappointed?
Can God count on you?
