God Qualifies the Called

The following guest sermon was submitted by ULC Minister Paige Leitter. All ULC Ministers are invited to contribute their own sermons for consideration/publication. To submit a sermon, please email it to sermons@ulc.org.

We live in a world obsessed with credentials. Degrees, job titles, appearances, “good reputations.” People are constantly told they have to “measure up” before they can be used. And sadly, many believe the same thing about God—that they need to clean themselves up, become holy enough, or somehow earn the right to be called by Him.

But the Bible tells a very different story. God has never been in the business of waiting around for perfect people—He qualifies the called. He takes the broken, the outcast, the sinner, and He says, “You—follow Me. I will make you new.”

Jonah – The Runaway Prophet

Jonah didn’t just hesitate when God called—he ran in the opposite direction. He literally bought a ticket to get away from God’s plan. And yet, God still used him to bring the entire city of Nineveh to repentance.

Scripture Reference: Jonah 3:10

David – The Adulterer Turned Worshipper

David, Israel’s greatest king, was not without scandal. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged the death of her husband. By all human standards, that should’ve been the end of his story. But when David repented, God restored him. In Acts 13:22, David is remembered not for his failure but as “a man after God’s own heart.” God sees past your mistakes to the heart He’s shaping in you.

Scripture References: 2 Samuel 11, Acts 13:22

Paul – The Murderer Turned Missionary

Before he became the Apostle Paul, Saul was known for hunting Christians. Acts 8:3 says he “ravaged the church,” dragging men and women out of their homes and throwing them into prison. He even approved of Stephen’s stoning. Yet this same man wrote over half the New Testament and became the greatest missionary in history. If God can transform a persecutor into a preacher, there is no one He cannot redeem.

Scripture References: Acts 8:3, Acts 9

Thomas – The Doubter

Thomas is remembered as “Doubting Thomas” because he refused to believe Jesus had risen unless he saw the wounds with his own eyes. Jesus didn’t reject him for his doubt—He met Thomas right where he was and gave him proof. Faith doesn’t mean never questioning. It means bringing your questions to God and letting Him answer.

Scripture Reference: John 20:25-29

Jeremiah – The Youth Who Thought He Was Too Small

When God called Jeremiah, his first response was, “I am too young.” He thought his age disqualified him. But God replied, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” God doesn’t see your limitations—He sees His Spirit working through you.

Scripture Reference: Jeremiah 1:6-8

Rahab – The Outcast Redeemed

Rahab was a prostitute living in Jericho, but she chose to protect God’s people. Because of her faith, she and her family were saved. More than that, she was brought into the very lineage of Jesus Christ. The world saw her as unworthy, but God wrote her into His story of salvation.

Scripture References: Joshua 2, Matthew 1:5

The Core Truth

Do you see the pattern? Jonah the runaway. David the adulterer. Paul the murderer. Thomas the doubter. Jeremiah the child. Rahab the prostitute. Over and over, God uses the weak, the broken, and the overlooked to display His power. 1 Corinthians 1:27 says it best: “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”

Application – Come As You Are

So don’t wait until you’re “good enough” to come to God. You never will be. That’s the point. You can’t qualify yourself. He says, come as you are—drug addicted, broken, ashamed, doubting, fearful. He takes what the world calls worthless and makes it priceless. Maybe you’ve been told you’re too far gone. Maybe you’ve disqualified yourself. But let me tell you plainly: there is no such thing as too far gone for God. The cross proves it. Jesus didn’t die for the qualified; He died for the lost.

Conclusion

God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called. If He could use Jonah, David, Paul, Thomas, Jeremiah, and Rahab, then He can use you. The only question is this: will you answer His call?