G-d Wants to Use You

Rabbi Ken Alpren
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
February 26, 2011

Proceeding the work of the Tabernacle, G-d emphasized the importance of the Shabbat.

Exodus 35:2-3, “On six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is to be a holy day for you, a Shabbat of complete rest in honor of ADONAI. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death. 3 You are not to kindle a fire in any of your homes on Shabbat."

Acknowledgement of G-d must always be before service. There is always more to do, but G-d says there is a time to stop. He promises that if we honor Him, He will honor us. Our spiritual life depends upon honoring Him before anything else.

G-d called B’tzal’el specifically by name and filled him with the Spirit of G-d!

Exodus 35:30-31, Moshe said to the people of Isra'el, "See, ADONAI has singled out B'tzal'el the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Y'hudah. 31 He has filled him with the Spirit of God -with wisdom, understanding and knowledge concerning every kind of artisanry.

Interestingly, if we look at the Hebrew words used in the the very next verse, it is revealed how B’tzal’el would receive from G-d the knowledge and skill to do the work G-d called him to do.

Exodus 35:32, He is a master of design in gold, silver, bronze.

The Hebrew word ‘chashab’ is used twice in this verse and literally means ‘to think’. So this verse can be translated, “in thinking thoughts in order to do”. The Spirit of G-d fills us and anoints us to think thoughts and think with G-d in order to do something. Thinking is then followed with action.

G-d also put wisdom in Oholi’av heart as B’tzal’el’s assistant as well as the other gifted artisans who they trained. G-d stirred their hearts to work together to build everything for the Tabernacle.

G-d singles out people He calls into His service.

Jeremiah 5:1, "Roam the streets of Yerushalayim look around, observe and ask in its open spaces: if you can find anyone (if there is anyone!) who acts with justice and seeks the truth, I will pardon her.”

Ezekiel 22:30, "'I sought for a man among them who could build a barricade or stand in the break to oppose me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.
Isaiah 59:16, He saw that there was no one, was amazed that no one interceded. Therefore his own arm brought him salvation, and his own righteousness sustained him.

Isaiah 63:5, I looked, but there was no one to help, and I was appalled that no one upheld me. Therefore my own arm brought me salvation, and my own fury upheld me.

G-d wants to use us! He wants to use an individual. And He wants the individual to train others.

Moses was a stutterer, as was probably Paul, Rahab a prostitute, Peter a coward, David an adulterer and murderer, Samson was lustful and wayward, Gideon insecure, Solomon was idolatrous and promiscuous; these were individuals with great weaknesses that G-d made strong in Him through His Grace!

G-d makes us into what He sees us as and made us to be!

As individuals called and saved by Grace, we are then powerful and strong in our prayers.

James 5:16b, The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Prayer works! There is nothing too hard for Him! G-d heard the prayers of the prophets and saints and they were a mess. He will hear our prayers too. Really pray with earnestness and passion.

Cry to Our Father; we can pray intimately and personally especially because we pray through Yeshua the Messiah.

Galatians 4:6, Now because you are sons, God has sent forth into our hearts the Spirit of his Son, the Spirit who cries out, "Abba!" (that is, "Dear Father!").

Isaiah 64:8, But now, ADONAI, you are our father; we are the clay, you are our potter; and we are all the work of your hands.

G-d wants to use individuals, and we are also part of a family. Each member functions to serve the Body of Messiah.

Romans 12:4-5, For just as there are many parts that compose one body, but the parts don't all have the same function; 5 so there are many of us, and in union with the Messiah we comprise one body, with each of us belonging to the others.

What is your gift? Our gifts are from Him, He has filled us with His Spirit; but our gifts are not for us but for His Glory through Him and edification of the Body of Messiah! We are not placed here for ourselves, we are not born again for ourselves, and if we are married, we are placed here for our spouse.

We are not here to be served but to serve as He gave Himself to us.

Further Reading: Exodus 35:4-5, 21, 29-31, 34, 36:1-3, Judges 6:11-16, Isaiah 63:5, Ezekiel 22:30, 1Corinthians 12:4-7, 11-13, Ephesians 2:1-5, 10, 1 Peter 4:10-11, 2Corinthians 10:10, 1Thess 5:24, Jeremiah 15:1, Ezekiel 14:14, Romans 8:15, Romans 12:6-8