We all love the wonderful stories of miracle and power revealed in our Bible. Larger-than-life figures inspire us with their leadership. Make your own short list of Bible heroes: Moses, David and Abraham, Deborah, Ruth and Mary, the mother of Jesus will usually be included. We see them in their victories, their faithfulness in the midst of overwhelming odds. They must have been wonderful, great people that God could count on. People who were looking to do great things for God. Stories of heroes for God liven up our ordinary days.

But could God use me? That was the question I heard two different times in the past ten days. Do you think God could use me? One reflected, "I have so little to offer." The other person said, "I’m overwhelmed at work, and the political battles wear me out! I don’t seem to have time, even if God led me to what He wants done." Too many of us might echo their question. Rather than standing up and offering ourselves to God, we limp along in a sort of Christian life. We get lost in a pile of dirty laundry, or another leaky roof, or getting the car repaired..or at work, getting caught up in the politics of "cutthroat" to go higher and farther. We can easily forget to which Kingdom we belong!

Our Lord Jesus called people to follow Him. Some were rich and powerful. Most were simple, common people. His own disciples secretly lusted for power and prestige when the Kingdom was ushered in. But when they were gripped by Jesus Christ, they turned their world upside down. They had to be gripped by more than what the world could offer. Paul was gripped by Jesus Christ. He never thought himself to be great. He only knew a great God who loved him enough to call him into His Kingdom and His service. Paul knew what it meant to use everyone who loved Jesus Christ. EACH OF US HAS VALUE IN HIS KINGDOM....we need to decide to be ...SERVICEABLE SAINTS.

Well, life does have its dramatic moments, but God wants us to experience Him in the middle of our day-to-day routine. We may never be on a list of "Who’s Who," of the church, but He wants us to be His serviceable saints every day that we have to live for Him. Now, a saint is a person "who loves Jesus Christ," and is set apart for Him. You don’t have to belong to a certain part of the Christian Church. What do these saints look like? They look a lot like you! People who carry out their tasks every day for the glory of God with little or no recognition. We are serviceable saints, when we remember we serve the risen Lord Jesus Christ. What a privilege! What a joy! Boys and girls, men and women, who declare, "Lord, I’m yours, anytime, anywhere, any place!"

Three saints help any of us who might wonder if we are serviceable. Timothy answers those who say, "I’m too young. I’m just a youth, or a beginner in Christ." Epaphroditus answers those who say, "I’m too busy. I’ll get to you later, Lord." Onesimus answers those who hurt themselves in life. "I’m broken, I’m useless to the Lord now."

Be sure of one thing. Do you love Jesus Christ? YES? Step up and tell him that you are in His hands....a serviceable saint! First learn from Timothy about being young.

I

"I’m too young." Paul and Timothy met in Tyre, on the second missionary journey. Each was drawn to the other. Paul saw a young man who seemed teachable. Timothy saw an older man, who could raise him in the Christian faith. Did you note the compliment Paul gives Timothy to the church? "I have no one like him." Timothy was like a "son with a father" in the gospel of Jesus Christ. But Timothy always remained in the background. Kind of like a back-up player to the star quarterback in football. Leonard Bernstein was asked which of the instruments of the orchestra was most difficult to play. "Second fiddle," he responded. That was Timothy. A child learning from his father. A fellow pleased to be anywhere the leader asked him to be.

One of the greatest problems in the modern church is that so many Christians refuse to share their spiritual gifts with the Church unless they can be first violin...playing melody, and skipping the harmony. Some Christians even want others to know that only they can do the background jobs right, like sweeping or cooking in the kitchen. We all know people who serve only when it is convenient. But we all are encouraged with the saint committed to the purpose of the cross of Christ, and not to personal convenience. What is the purpose of the cross? To die to our own way of living for the way of Christ!

"I have no one like him..." What a testimony to a young man who gave of himself to strengthen Paul in the missionary work. I look out over the congregation and now I recognize those people who are here almost every Sunday. Think about it. If your attendance encourages me, think how it must encourage your friends who have known you so much longer! How important it is that we show our faithfulness. Timothy had "proven worth." A great compliment from his father in the faith. Sounds like Paul learned a few things from Timothy. Perhaps Paul gained insight into the whole realm of love through the young eyes of Tim. Perhaps Timothy softened Paul in love. Recently I was sent a great e-mail about love as seen through the eyes of children 4-8 years of age. They observe very well. If we stay quiet, we learn something...

Love is ... when my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her, and his hands got arthritis too.

Love is...when someone loves you, the way she says your name is different. You know that your name is safe in her mouth.

Love is...God could have said words to make the nails fall off the cross, but He didn’t.

A young girl was looking very proudly at a tall building that had just been built. The architect happened by and noticed the look of satisfaction on her face. "Do you like that building?" he asked. "Oh, yes. I helped build it, you know." "Really!" "Yes, every day I helped my mother make lunch for my father. Then I brought it to him each day, and we ate together."

Paul might have learned a lot about love from this young man...a kindred spirit of proven worth, like his own child. Too young? Step up to the Lord and find out! Give faithfulness to Him. Step up and be serviceable! I thank God for the young in Christ who encourage us in the Kingdom!

II

"I’m too busy. I’ll get to you later, Lord." OUT OF BALANCE? Do you think you must make your own way, before you are serviceable to Christ? Meet Epaphroditus. We respond, "Epa-phro-what-us?" Paul knew how to describe this saint in verse 25:

BROTHER: he knew the fellowship of the Gospel of Christ. Paul recognizes they are equals in the fellowship of Jesus Christ. How precious it is to be with men and women who have walked with the Lord a number of years. You have common ground in the Lord TOGETHER!

FELLOW WORKER: he knew how to share his faith with those who needed to meet Jesus Christ for themselves. He did not wait for Paul to join him telling others of the Savior...he was already doing it! What a person to have in any church.

FELLOW SOLDIER: he knew how to fight FOR THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL. All of us must have the skills to stand against the false religions and cults of our day. The only way I know to do this - study the Word of God. Learn to fight the right battles. Too many people like to fight against other members or the pastor. A waste of time! Fight for the faith of the Gospel...you will rescue many from being lost for eternity!

Here was a balanced man - involved in life and the life in Christ. But Epaphroditus showed much more. He was BURDENED. He was concerned for others more than he was for himself. He seemed to have a reckless courage. That kind of fellow inspires the rest of us to go higher for Christ! BLESSED...that was Epaphroditus! Receive him in the Lord! Honor those among you who risk their lives for the good news of Jesus Christ!

Friends, read the Word each day. Pray that God will use you each day. Get on with your day! You will be amazed how much God will use you IN YOUR WORK. And you will not even be aware of it! Look for ways to serve others, and do so quietly and efficiently the best way you can. You find balance in Christ that brings joy to you and glory to God.

So, are you too young? Remember Timothy. Too busy? Balance your life like our friend Epaphroditus. Both are needed and vital to the life of any congregation. But is there room for the man or woman who has made a hash of their lives?

III

"I’m too broken by failure in my own life. Now I’m useless to God." BROKEN BY WHAT YOU HAVE DONE? Meet Onesimus. He was a runaway slave from Philemon. Paul knew him from earlier travels. Life was tough then. Onesimus must have been fed up with the life of a slave. He escaped. Perhaps he left with money or property. Nevertheless he made his way to the big city. Somehow he found his way to the very prison that held Paul. By the grace of God, Onesimus listened to the gospel of Jesus Christ through Paul. He believed. Now came the hard part. He had to go back and make things right with his master Philemon. He could be put out of the house, sold to another person, or put to death.

He was in a mess. The letter from Paul told of Onesimus becoming a believer. Now he was useful to Paul as a fellow worker and servant with Paul. But Paul sent him back with the hope that Philemon would welcome him home as more than slave...but as brother in Christ. The letter must have worked. Onesimus, according to the tradition of the early Church distinguished himself both in the home of Philemon, but in the church as well. He lived up to his name that his parents gave to him - Onesimus means "Useful." We hear of an early bishop of the church at Ephesus with the name, Onesimus.

Do you know someone who needs to be restored to Jesus Christ and to any broken people he or she has hurt? Begin to pray for them. Point them to the Savior, for the first time, or to restore them in Christ...who knows what will happen? Perhaps out of the wreckage of a life lived poorly, will come a man or woman of God who will once more be serviceable...a serviceable saint.

Too young? Too busy? Too broken? These saints, common people like you and me, show us no matter where we are in life ... we can be serviceable. And that is worth it all!