Wednesday, September 23, 2009

You’ve been set up

God has set us up for success.

Macky shared four ways last Sunday, Sept. 20, that God has set us up to succeed in sharing him with others.

(1) Internally
He puts a “God-shaped hole” in every heart.

God has set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:1), a God-shaped hole. Each person has it. And as believers, we know what fits exactly. The world offers other options: Sports, money, education, shopping, relationships, work, alcohol, thrills, spiritual highs, family, food, drugs…

But they never fill us up. Only the perfect thing designed to fit, Jesus Christ, will satisfy. Share him. He’s who everyone is made for (John 4:13-14).

(2) Externally
He makes his presence obvious.

You can’t miss him. God has plastered himself all through creation (Romans 1:18-20). All we have to do is point to what God has already done. God has set it up for us by making himself plain.

(3) Impeccable Timing
He puts each person in the right place at the right time.

God sets us up with divine appointments, not coincidences. He has us here and now, at this time and place, so we can best find him (Acts 17:26-27). We are where we are because of his infinite wisdom. Use the opportunities that he provides through your times and places to share him with others.

(4) Best Tools
He gives us his Holy Spirit and his Words to carry.

He has equipped us with master tools: 1. His Spirit, and 2. His complete and perfect Word. Share “the rest of the story” with those he places in your life. His Word won’t return empty (Isaiah 55:10-11).

* * *

Challenge for Christians:

  • Don’t be just a bench/pew warmer.
  • Take advantage of God’s setup.
  • See broken cisterns (Jeremiah 2:13) as opportunities.
  • Trust in God’s ability to draw people.
  • Show up to divine appointments.
  • Put God’s tools to use.

Challenge for Those Seeking:
  • Reflect on God’s setup for you.
  • Refuse to fill up on the temporal.
  • Seek Jesus and study his Word.
  • Welcome a “Philip” to help you (Acts 8:26-40).
God has done all the hard work for us. He’s set us up to do the easy stuff. His Spirit is at work. Are we?