Grace Assembly : Acts of Grace

Mark 6:27 NAS
And immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him (John) beheaded in the prison

Last week, we learned that God is looking for people who are “sendable” and who hear His voice. In Mark 6:27, we see that God is also looking for a man who is expendable. In other words, God is looking for a man who is willing to give his all to Him. One who is willing to even lay down his life for all that God desires. There is no holding back. John the Baptist was such a man. John had given his life to God and to God’s call. He was actually on the cutting edge in his lifetime and he initiated transformation and change in his society then. God is looking for a person who is expandable, who can be stretched, and who is willing to lay down his life for His cause.

How are we faring today? Are we complaining? Are we murmuring? Are we saying, “I want to give up; I want to surrender?” It is tough to be in the ministry. It is difficult to run the cell group. It is hard to go out and feed the poor, week after week. All these are not easy - but they help develop us, and prepare us to become more and more ready to give our all to Jesus.

Lastly, the fourth characteristic of a man that God is looking for is found in Matthew 3:15.

Matt 3:13-15 NAS
13 Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" 15 But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him.

When Jesus came to John to be baptized by him, John tried to prevent him as he felt he needed to be baptized by Jesus instead. John saw someone greater, someone mightier than he and he felt so unworthy. Who am I to baptize the Saviour of the world? And Jesus answered and asked him to permit it in order to fulfil all righteousness. And John permitted him.

John allowed the will of God to take place even though if it did not make sense to him. In other words, John was teachable.

God is looking for people who are like that – people who recognise that they do not know it all but are willing to let God’s will be done. So what is it that God is telling you? If you have heard from God, do not hesitate. Say “yes to Him” and let His will be done.

Time is running out in terms of ministry. By the time we awake to the point and say, “I want to serve God”, the place may be filled and you may have to find some other thing to do. But right now, if there is a need, and if there is a tugging within you, be open to God. Do not put it off any longer. Do not procrastinate any more. Do not let your desire to serve be just a good intention, unfulfilled. Take positive action now.

We all face all kinds of constraints all the time. We all have economic restraints. We face trials. We have to deal with personal issues. We face family issues. In addition to these, we have all these challenges in society and in the political arena that trouble us – but let us not be distracted. We need to focus: what has God called the church to do? What is our destiny? What is our mission? The mission of every church is to save lives - to touch lives, to bring the gospel to the ends of the world.

God is still looking for people who are prepared and available. He is looking for people who are “sendable”. He is looking for those who hear His voice amidst the clamour in the world; and as he hears he is prepared to obey, to be a doer of the word. God is looking for those who are prepared to make serious sacrifices for Him – those who know that they are expendable for the Lord. And He is looking for those who are teachable. Are we such a people?