What does God want from you and me? I wish that every one of us in this auditorium would make the answer to this question the driving force in our lives. If we would only give it some genuine consideration this morning I believe that we would?leave here changed. I'm tired of just going through the motions of serving God. I cannot be satisfied with only a superficial commitment to God. I want to know God is real in my life, and I want Him to know that I mean business. What about you this morning? Do you want to know the answer to that question? Let me share with you some things that I believe God wants from you and me today, and then be open to God and allow Him to reveal specific areas to you.
I. God Wants Our Acknowledgement
"Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Ps. 46:10
A. Although we aren't ignorant of God, many choose to simply ignore Him,
1. For many years that was true in my case.
2. Our lives become so involved with people, events, and things that God is seldom, if ever, considered.
3. It is sad to say that many who name the name of Christ get so busy that God is left out of their life, or He is conveniently ignored until some crisis brings us back to Him.
B. Some intentionally ignore Him.
1. There are many who refuse to acknowledge God even exists,
2. God's Word says that they are fools!
3. They may deny His existence now, but God declares that one day every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!
C. When we acknowledge God properly there will be:
1. Confession
a. of sin
Proverbs 28:13, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."
b. of salvation
Romans 10:10, "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
c. of the Savior
John 4:15, "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God."
2. Admission
a. of our own weakness in the flesh
b. of our inability to help ourselves
c. of our total dependency upon Jesus Christ
d. Jesus said, "without me ye can do nothing." Jn. 15:5
e. Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13
3. Commission
a. We will commit our ways "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Pr, 3:6
b. We will commit our life, Paul said, "For me to live is Christ…" Ph. 1:21
c. We will commit our will, Jesus said, "Not my will, but thine." Lk. 22:42
D. Have you acknowledged Him today? He wants us to acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior!
II. God Wants Our Allegiance
A. Moses asked, "…Who is on the Lord's side let him come unto me." Ex. 32:26
B. Joshua challenged.. "Choose you this day whom ye will serve." Joshua 24:15
C. Elijah questioned, "...How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow Him." I Kings 18:21
D. Jesus commanded, "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple," Lk. 14:27
E. We give our allegiance.
1. to political parties
2. to clubs and organizations
3. to our jobs and employers
4. to schools and colleges
5. to all sorts of community and social projects
6. to family and friends
F. But God wants us to give Him our allegiance first!
1. "No servant can serve two masters.,."
2. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God,.."
3. "Why call ye me' Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say?"
G. Where does our allegiance lie? We will make time for what is most important in our life. Does God have our allegiance?
Colossians 3:2, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
III. God Wants Our Availability
A. He doesn't need to use us!
1. Often we mistakenly get the impression that God couldn't get along without us.
2. It is an inflated self?evaluation that leads us to such a conclusion.
3. Ro. 12:3, "For I say.. through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more s highly than he ought to think..."
4. The Lord wants to use us, but He can use someone else if we aren't willing.
B. He does want to use us!
1. Note: Acts 9:1?6 2. Paul had to be willing to be obedient to God before God could use him in such a mighty way.
3. God wants us to be obedient to Him so that He might use us in His service.
What does God want from you and me this morning? He wants us to acknowledge Him, have you done that? Do you know Him as your Lord and Savior today? If you have, then He wants your allegiance. No more casual Christianity, no more superficial commitments. He wants us to take a stand for Him and let it be known, He wants our service, Willing obedience to His Word is what the Lord delights in. Paul said.. "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Will you honestly ask that of the Lord this morning? Will you be willing to do what ever He might answer?