“Raising The Next Generation - Are You REady To Be Used By God?”
SERMON Title: Raising The Next Generation - Are You REady To Be Used By God?
SCRIPTURE: Judges 3:7-11 ESV
Introduction
As we begin our new series on the Book of Judges, we enter one of the darkest periods of Israel's history—the days of the Judges. This was a time marked by spiritual decline, rebellion, and the consequences of disobedience.
In these dark ages, the Israelites, without consistent leadership, drifted from God, who had delivered them from Egyptian bondage, guided them through the wilderness, and brought them into the Promised Land. But as we saw last week, they made crucial compromises that led to deeper trouble:
They failed to fully drive out the Canaanites, allowing them to live among them.
They intermarried with the Canaanites, blending their lives and cultures.
They began to worship the gods of the Canaanites, forsaking their own God.
Finally, they completely assimilated into Canaanite ways, abandoning their faith.
Because of their rebellion, the Lord handed them over to their enemies, as we see in today’s passage.
Body
In this passage, the Israelites are handed over to the control of Cushan-Rishathaim, a king whose name means “Double Wickedness.” This is significant because it symbolizes the consequences of the Israelites' own disobedience. The name of the king reflects the wickedness the Israelites embraced, and their suffering mirrors the rebellion they engaged in against God.
The application draws a parallel to our own lives. Wickedness isn’t just about outward immoral acts, but also an inward rebellion against God’s authority. It shows up in subtle ways—prioritizing personal ambitions over God’s purpose, seeking comfort instead of obedience, or valuing material success over integrity. Though these behaviors might be accepted in society, they disconnect us from God, making us vulnerable to spiritual consequences.
When we persist in living according to our own desires and ignore God’s warnings, we may face the natural outcomes of those choices, much like the Israelites did.
See Romans 1:21-32 NLT - The pain and suffering mentioned in this passage, aren’t these things we see so readily all around us? Isn’t this a snapshot of where our world is at today?
God’s Purpose in Discipline
God’s discipline is not about causing us pain or seeing us suffer. It’s about guiding us back to Him, reminding us of our need for His truth and grace. When God disciplines us, it’s because He loves us. As Timothy Keller rightly says, “God’s love and His wrath are perfectly consistent with each other.” His wrath isn’t a random explosion; it’s His settled opposition to the things that destroy us. It’s like a doctor performing surgery to remove cancer—though the process may be painful, it’s done with the utmost care for our healing.
The purpose of God’s punishment is to help us recognize where we’ve gone wrong, so we can turn back to Him. Hebrews 12:5-6 reminds us of this, saying that God disciplines the ones He loves. This is exactly why He allowed the Israelites to fall under the rule of Cushan-Rishathaim: so they would realize their sins and call out to God. And because He is merciful and loving, He heard their cries and raised up Othniel to deliver them.
Who Was Othniel?
Now, when I think about Othniel, I’m struck by the fact that, compared to judges like Gideon and Samson, not much is said about him. But in the book of Judges, that doesn’t mean he was less important. In fact, it shows us that God uses all kinds of people—whether they’re well-known or not—to fulfill His purposes. Othniel may not have had a long story, but what we know about him speaks volumes.
Othniel - Prepared and Available
Othniel was a man of courage and bravery. We see this when he takes the challenge of conquering Kiriath-sepher to earn Caleb’s daughter as his wife. Caleb, a man known for his unshakable trust in God, left a legacy of faith, and perhaps Othniel wanted to be part of that legacy. He didn’t hesitate to take on a difficult mission because he was confident in God’s power and his own ability. This wasn’t just a fluke—Othniel was prepared and ready to fight. And when he faced the king of Aram, he did so with skill and determination.
What is This Telling Us Today?
What does this teach me? It teaches me that being ready for God’s purpose means being prepared—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Othniel didn’t just step into God’s calling without preparation. He honed his skills and abilities. In the same way, I am called to be intentional in developing my talents, whether in my career, my relationships, or my faith. God has given each of us unique gifts, and when we steward them well, they can be used for His glory.
Proverbs 22:29 reminds me of this truth: “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings.” Excellence in what I do—whether in my job, my ministry, or my personal life—opens doors to greater influence and service. Just like Othniel, I am called to prepare myself and be available for God to use me in whatever way He sees fit.
Preparation is About Readiness to Serve in God’s Kingdom
Preparation is not about personal ambition but about being ready to serve God’s Kingdom. As you build your foundation through education or training—even in areas that seem irrelevant now—you are equipping yourself to be a vessel for His purposes.
For students, school and education are divine opportunities to prepare for God’s unknown plans for your life.
For young professionals, view your work as a chance to grow in discipline and impact.
For parents, nurturing your children’s faith and education is a ministry in itself.
For retirees, embrace opportunities to mentor and volunteer, using your experience and wisdom.
Regardless of age or stage, preparation for God's plans means being willing to learn, grow, and invest in what He has entrusted to you. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God has plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future. By cultivating discipline, perseverance, and excellence, we align ourselves with God's purposes and become powerful tools in His hands.
When we’re held in God's hands, we can do exceptional work for His glory.
Othniel’s Spiritual Availability
Othniel was well-prepared physically—brave and skilled in battle—but what truly set him apart was his spiritual availability. Many other men in Israel may have had similar courage, but Othniel was chosen because he was spiritually surrendered to God.
Judges 3:10 tells us, “The Spirit of the Lord came on him, so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war.” Othniel was empowered by the Holy Spirit because he was spiritually ready and dependent on God, rather than relying solely on his own strength.
In the New Testament, this kind of spiritual readiness involves repentance and baptism, as Peter taught in Acts 2:38. In the Old Testament context, spiritual readiness was about obedience to the law and dependence on God.
Othniel’s commitment to the Lord allowed him to be a vessel for God’s power, enabling him to deliver Israel. As Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
Application: Being Spiritually Ready
To be used by God, we must prioritize the purity of our hearts through continual repentance and reliance on the Holy Spirit. It’s not enough to be physically prepared; spiritual readiness is the foundation for everything else. Only when we are spiritually available and surrendered to God can we become effective instruments in His hands.
Zechariah 4:6 reminds us, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” Exceptional abilities alone are insufficient—God uses those who have a pure heart and a spirit surrendered to His will.
Jesus Christ Our Ultimate Example
While Othniel provides a great model, the ultimate example of readiness is Jesus Christ. Jesus exemplified perfect preparation and spiritual availability. Luke 2:52 tells us, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” His life showed deliberate growth and readiness for the mission ahead.
Yet, it was His spiritual availability that truly set Him apart. Jesus consistently aligned His will with the Father’s, famously praying in Gethsemane, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Even though He was fully God, Jesus humbled Himself, surrendering His will for the Father’s plan.
Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross demonstrated the perfect harmony of preparation and surrender. His life calls us to trust God’s plan and to be ready for God’s purposes, even when it requires sacrifice.
Conclusion
We live in a world full of distractions and temptations, and many are falling away from God. What should we do? We need to rise up like Othniel, being powerful vessels for God, fixing our eyes on Jesus—our ultimate example. We must awaken our spirits through intentional preparation and complete surrender to God. This awakening isn’t just for our benefit; it’s for the sake of a world in need of redemption.
As we focus on "Preparing the Next Generation," let’s remember it’s not just about children, but about discipling every generation within the church. Each generation must be raised up as God’s instruments to impact the world for His Kingdom.
Brothers and sisters, are you ready for the Lord to use your life for His glory? Do you want to see Him do exceptional things through you?
Students: Study hard and keep developing your talents.
Young professionals: View your job as a platform to shine God’s light through excellence and integrity.
Parents: Invest in your children’s spiritual and personal growth, modeling faith and resilience.
Retirees: See retirement as an opportunity to mentor the next generation.
Every stage of life is an invitation to prepare for God’s purposes. But most importantly, ready yourselves spiritually by yielding to the Lord and depending on the Holy Spirit. As you do, God will empower you to do great things for His Kingdom and glory!
Reflection and Response
Before we close in prayer, I invite you to close your eyes and take a moment to reflect on the message we’ve heard today.
Think about where you are in your journey of readiness and surrender to God. Are you preparing yourself both physically and spiritually to be used by Him? Are there areas in your life where you need to yield more fully to the Holy Spirit?
Ask yourself:
· Have I been intentional about developing the gifts and talents God has given me?
· Am I allowing distractions, fears, or comfort to hinder my availability to God? Am I available enough for the spirit of God to come upon me to work in and through me?
· How can I model the example of Christ in aligning my abilities as well as my spirit with God’s will?
Take this time to speak to the Lord in your personal prayer. Surrender any obstacles or shortcomings you feel are holding you back and invite the Holy Spirit to empower and guide you. Let this be a moment where you open your heart fully to His purposes. After a brief time of reflection and response, I will close us in prayer.