Jeremy Utley - God Isn't Looking for Ability; He Is Looking for Availability

Jeremy UtleyNovember 3, 202114mWatch on YouTube

In this collectionJeremy Utley130 messages

Speaker: Jeremy Utley Title: God Isn't Looking for Ability; He Is Looking for Availability Date: 11/2/21 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The central message is that God is not looking for our ability, but for our availability. The speaker uses examples from the Bible—the widow of Zarephath, Sarah, and the people giving offerings—to illustrate that God uses those who are willing to be available, even when they feel destitute or incapable. The key takeaway is to focus on willingness and trust in God's promises rather than personal limitations.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

God is looking for availability, not abilityJeremy introduces a simple truth that has recently helped him: God is not looking for our ability, but for our availability.

The question is not can you, but will youThe tendency is to focus on whether we are able, but the much more important question is whether we are willing to let God make us able.

The widow of Zarephath in First Kings 17Jesus highlighted how God sent Elijah to a destitute widow in Zarephath rather than an Israelite woman, because she alone was available to provide for the prophet.

Giving when preparing for deathThough gathering sticks for her family's final meal before dying, the widow stopped to give water to a stranger and trusted God to provide.

Sarah receiving power beyond the proper time of lifeReflecting on Hebrews 11, Jeremy realized Sarah had no physical ability left to conceive, yet she considered God faithful and received power beyond her normal season of life.

Laying down seed in busy seasonsJust as Sarah had no natural ability, we often claim we have no time or seed to give due to busy seasons of life, but God wants to give power beyond our limitations.

The example of Mary and MarthaComparing Martha's busyness with Mary sitting at Jesus' feet, the speaker notes that the primary aspect of availability is being available to listen to the Lord.

Checking in with the Lord before making callsJeremy shares a personal example of feeling checked by the Lord to spend time in prayer rather than rushing directly into an important phone call.

Receiving faith and grace from His presenceThe faith of Hebrews 11 and the grace to perform every good work both come from sitting at the Lord's feet and receiving His word.

God provides grace for what He calls us toGod will never call us to something without giving us the grace and abundance of sufficiency to perform it.

Humbled by missed opportunitiesJeremy confesses being humbled by how often he tells God that now is not a good time, praying he will never miss what God has for him by being unavailable.

There is no convenient time, but now is the day of salvationLike the widow and Sarah, may we have a willingness to stop, listen, and receive the power God wants to give when He speaks.

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Jeremy Utley - God Isn't Looking for Ability; He Is Looking for Availability

Jeremy Utley · November 3, 2021 · 14m

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