​1. God Uses People He Can Trust. (11)

If we can't be trusted to do little things with a spirit of excellence, we won't get the chance to do the big things. (Matthew 25:23)


2. God Uses People With Compassion. (3-4)

If your heart is not moved with compassion over the needs of other people, it will be hard for God to use you.

Earliest sign of civilization- a healed femur (Margaret Mead)
In the work of the Church, there needs to be evidence of healing.


3. God Uses People Committed to Prayer. (4)

Vs.5-11- elements that make prayer complete
a. Adoration
b. Confession
c. Intercession
d. Petition


4. God Uses People Ready to Take Action (11)

It is ideal to have a blueprint, but you may not always have that luxury.
It is important to get proper training for the Lord's work, but it's more important that the work gets done.

Similarities between physical and spiritual disease
1. Elephantiasis -when one part of the body is too large in proportion to the rest of the body.
vs. 11- individual parts of the body are working properly.

2. Atrophy- not enough activity to keep the body built up.
vs. 12- Our work of service must be continued.

3. Fractures- when one member of the body breaks away from the rest of the body
vs. 13- Unity has a lot to do with maturity and knowledge.

4. Arthritis- when bones grind against each other
vs. 15-16- Love is the gristle for that abrasiveness

5. Cancer – A malignant mass invades and destroys unless it is completely removed
​vs. 17-21- callousness to sin must be removed or the Body of Christ will die.

6. Gangrene- a certain part of the body is infected to the point where nutrition in interfered with.
v. 22-24- a useless member may even have to be amputated.


Cures for the diseases
1. Elephantiasis- (25)- an honest evaluation of the Body
2. Atrophy- (28) Stop stealing! An atrophic church cannot become strong unless everyone works at it.
3. Fractures- (26) If members guard their speech, many fractures can be healed.
4. Arthritis – (26) Callousness can be melted away through the process of repentance and forgiveness.
5. Gangrene – (31) There are things that must be gotten rid of.


Most diseases can be avoided with proper health care.
But when they happen, then can be dealt with when you have the proper treatment.

1. God may say “No,” because the motive of your prayer may not be right. (James 4:3)

You need to be careful of prayers you make when you are discouraged, angry, or upset.
Psalm 37:4

Are you willing to accept the answer “no” from God, believing He has something greater in mind than
you could ever think to ask for?


2. God may say “Slow,” because the timing of your prayer may not be right.

God has a much broader perspective than we do and we can know that His timetable is best.


3. God may say “Grow,” because you are not right. (James 1:6-8)

God may allow you to go through a certain trial so you can be strengthened in your faith.
He may withhold certain blessings because He knows you are not ready to deal with it.

None of us has reached a level of spiritual maturity where we no longer need to grow.


4. God may say “Go,” because everything is right.
You can always pray, expecting God to answer “yes.”
God says “yes” far more often than He says “no.”
Most of the time we don't realize it, we don't believe it, or we just don't act on it.

Psalms 37:23-40

Fullness of life- John 10:10; John 7:38; Matthew 21:22; John 8:32

1. Unlimited Resources (7)
Every person in the Body of Christ has been given a spiritual gift.

Whatever God calls us to do, He equips us to do.


2. Unlimited Strength (8)
Most of us are more aware of our ability to fall than we are of God's ability to keep us strong.

Whatever strength we need is available when we need it.


3. Unlimited Access (9)
God is not a God we have to wait in line to see. (John 14:6; Hebrews 10:19)

We don't ever have to worry if God has time for us, or if He really cares about our small problems.

God has a vested interest in seeing our lives work, so He gives us all we need, when we need it.