Henry Blackaby
February 5, 1999
2:30 pm
Message Summary
"You were not saved just to go to heaven when you die," Henry Blackaby said in his third and final message on experiencing God. "You were saved to be on a mission with Him for the rest of your life. Going to heaven is just a by-product."
In his sermon "Experiencing God As He Uses You Greatly," Blackaby retells the story of Jesus and Peter from John 21. He uses the story to show how God accomplishes His will and brings glory to His name by calling, fashioning and finally using His people.
Blackaby explains, "God’s work in your heart is not for you but so that the world might have an idea what God calls them to do." He adds, "When God rearranges His own [people], then the lost are saved in multitudes." In short, the God of the universe uses obedient Christians who immerse themselves in Scripture and live out His commandments to "overturn the world."
"By right of creation and by right of redemption, God has an unconditional claim to your life," concludes Blackaby. Thus, he challenges believers to check if they "love Christ more than anything else." Blackaby also dares Christians not to go back to their trades but to follow and experience God afresh as He calls, fashions and uses them.
This fresh experience of the living Christ, compels obedient believers to serve God fully. And when He calls them to service, they say: "Yes Lord!"
Student Response
Drawing toward the end of my college days, I was beginning to chart my career path. Sadly, in all my planning, I had left God out. Over the past two weeks God has been calling me back to Himself and opening my eyes to the purpose of life. I realized that the greatest satisfaction in life comes from walking with God and experiencing Him. God showed me that He has an unconditional claim on my life. That is why, I no longer desire to follow my plan; I want to surrender to Him and obey His will.
—Albena E. Gaydarova, Junior, Communications/Print Media major