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This week we are continuing our study into the characteristics God looks for when choosing people to reach the lost. You can find the last message in this series here, for a quick review.

God uses Christians who build others up

The first characteristic we’ll look at today is the ability to build others up. In John 13:3–5: "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."  Jesus was able to build up others because He knew who He was. And He knew who He was because He was living in His full potential.

Christians who aren’t sure of their identity in Jesus will severely damage their ability to reach the lost, mainly because you can’t share what you don't have. Most times Insecure Christians eventually self-destruct. Because of their insecurities, they can’t share the victories they have because they want to keep it all to themselves. Also, they can’t share their defeats in the spiritual battles they face because of their paralyzing fear of criticism and embarrassment. I have seen this happen to those who once were closest to me.

In John 13 Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.  How could He do this? Would you wash someone else’s feet? Jesus was able to do it because He knew who He was and He understood the law of empowerment. What could you do if you truly knew who you were? Do you know who you are? Do you understand the power that resides in you?

The Law of Empowerment teaches that there is a big difference between secure and insecure Christians. Secure Christians exhibit certain characteristics that make them unique in such a self-serving world:



They focus on serving not on being served

They focus on who they are, not on their own abilities. 

They focus on making others better knowing that they get better in the process. 

They add value to others. 

Most importantly though, they share their God given authority with others understanding that they are here to freely give what God has given them.



Insecure Christians, on the other hand, focus on the complete opposite: 



They focus on their title or position. Seeking to portray an image of success. 

They seek status for the sake of self importance. 

They gain value from others by taking what they can from those around them. 

If in a position of leadership, they tend to keep the authority to themselves in an attempt to bolster their own ego.



God Uses Christians Who Depend on the Holy Spirit

 I remember many years ago, while praying one day, God revealed to me what I interpreted at the time as a leading to become a high school math teacher.  To make a long story short it was simply the catalyst to me getting into full-time ministry. It was all because I pursued His voice and began taking steps, even though I thought He was leading me somewhere else.

Ephesians 5:18 –20 says: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. “

Peter became one of the most courageous disciples and one of the strongest leaders in the New Testament. Before that though Peter first denied Jesus because he was fearful and lacked the moral courage to stand for the truth. What caused this radical change? Peter realized who he was and turned everything over to the Holy Spirirt.

The denying Peter was filled with self. Before Pentecost he was self-centered, selfish, self-sufficient.