The Type of Person God Uses (Sermon Blog)
Have you ever wondered if God could really use someone like you?
Many people assume God only uses those who are exceptionally gifted, highly educated, or spiritually mature. But the story of Noah reminds us that God delights in using ordinary people who simply trust and obey Him.
Hebrews 11 points to Noah as an example of extraordinary faith. In a world filled with corruption and violence, Noah chose to walk closely with God. His life reveals four characteristics that God still looks for today.
1. God Uses People Who Are Available
Before God can use us, we must first have a relationship with Him. But beyond that, the most important qualification is simply being available.
Many people disqualify themselves by saying:
"I'm not talented enough."
"I'm not spiritual enough."
"I don't know enough."
The good news is that God doesn't call the qualified—He qualifies those who are available.
Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly used ordinary people who simply said "yes." Noah wasn't chosen because he was extraordinary; he was willing to trust God. The same is true today. When we make ourselves available, God can accomplish far more through us than we could ever imagine.
2. God Uses People Who Dare to Be Different
"Noah was a righteous man... and he walked in close fellowship with God." — Genesis 6:9
Noah lived in a culture where corruption and violence had become the norm. Rather than blending in, he chose to stand apart.
Following Jesus often means resisting the pressure to conform to culture. It means choosing God's way even when it is unpopular.
Being different may include:
Living by biblical values.
Standing for truth with love.
Refusing to follow the crowd.
Caring more about pleasing God than pleasing people.
As Proverbs reminds us, "Fear of man will prove to be a snare." When we fear God more than public opinion, we become people He can use in powerful ways.
3. God Uses People Who Follow Him Completely
God isn't looking for partial commitment—He's looking for surrendered hearts.
Noah obeyed God even when God's instructions didn't make sense. He built an ark for a flood before rain had ever fallen on the earth. He didn't have every answer, but he trusted the One who gave the instructions.
Complete obedience means saying:
"God, I trust You even when I don't understand."
"I'll take the next step You ask me to take."
"Your will is more important than my comfort."
Faith isn't having all the answers. Faith is trusting God enough to obey before we can see the outcome.
4. God Uses People Who Never Give Up
Building the ark wasn't a weekend project. Noah faithfully obeyed God for years while facing obstacles, criticism, and discouragement.
Like Noah, we all face challenges that tempt us to quit.
Three common reasons people give up are:
Problems — unexpected obstacles and setbacks.
Pressure — stress, responsibilities, and life's demands.
People — criticism, disappointment, and broken relationships.
Noah remained faithful because he trusted God's calling more than his circumstances. Sometimes the greatest breakthroughs come just after we're tempted to quit. Keep trusting God, even when progress feels slow. Faithfulness over time is one of the greatest ways God shapes us and works through us.
God Can Use Ordinary People
One encouraging detail about Noah's story is that he wasn't perfect. Later in Genesis, Noah made serious mistakes, reminding us that even heroes of the faith were flawed people in need of God's grace.
That should give us hope.
God isn't searching for perfect people. He's looking for people who are available, willing to stand apart, committed to following Him, and faithful enough to keep going when life gets difficult.
No matter where you live, work, study, or serve, God wants to use your life to point others to Him.
We'll continue with Part 3 of The Art of Being Unordinary this Sunday.