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God's Ten Most Wanted Men

George L. Faull

 

The FBI has a list of ten most wanted men.  Those on that list are hunted down with no expense spared to catch the famous criminals.  The cost is great.  Some minds have been so perverted; they have striven to lead lives of crime so that their names would appear on the list.

 

I suspect God has a list of ten most wanted men, too.  However, instead of fulfilling the works of the flesh like those men the FBI seek, God seeks men who possess the Fruit of the Spirit.  (Study Galatians 5:19-24)

 

Just what ten kind of men would God seek?  Who would be on God’s list of ten most wanted men?

 

V        God’s First Wanted Man would be a Man of Humility.

A man like Josiah is an example of humility.  “Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou headest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants  thereof and humblest thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord.”  II Chronicles 34:27

 

Humility in the ancient world was not considered a virtue.  However, God’s Word shows that humility is a prerequisite to forgiveness.  “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken spirit and saveth such as of a contrite heart.”  Psalms 34:18

 

Humility is a prerequisite to fellowship.  “He hath shown thee O man what is good and what Jehovah requires of thee but to love kindness, show mercy and humble thyself to walk with God.”  Micah 6:8

 

Humility is a low prerequisite to fruitfulness.  “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up.”  James 4:10.

 

And again, “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”  Luke 14:11

 

God desires humble men.  It is to the humble that God promises to heal and save their land.  II Chronicles 7:14

 

V        God’s Second Most Wanted Man would be a Man of Prayer.

Elijah is set forth as a man of passion and a man of prayer. James 5:17 

 

My, if men would pray with his fervor what great things could be done.  Cornelius’ prayers were heard and God sought him out.  Acts 10:2

 

The formula for prayer should be with ACTION.

A – Adoration

C – Confession of our sin

T – Thanksgiving

I –   Intercession for our friends and enemies

O – Opportunity to do God’s Will

N – Needs to be met.

 

Prayer can not only change the world it can change you.  It can make you what you ought to be.  Jabez was distinguished from his brethren because of his prayer life.  I Chronicles 4:10-11

V        A Third Man on God’s Most Wanted List is a Man of FAITH.

Hebrews 11 is the faith chapter.  It shows that faith triumphs over the difficulties of the world.  It overcomes the temptation to offer less than God requires.  Thus Abel was accepted (verse 4). 

 

It gave Enoch faith to walk with God in an evil generation (verse 5).

 

It helped Noah overcome ridicule and build an ark (verse 7).

 

It helped Abraham confess that he was a stranger and a pilgrim on earth (verses 8-10).

 

It overcomes the weakness of old age like Sarah and Abraham (verses 11-12).

 

It helps overcome family ties like Abraham who was willing to offer his son (verse 17-19).

 

It overcomes the fear of death and causes us not to worry for the future of our children like Isaac, Jacob and Joseph (verse 22).

 

It gives us power to overcome the demands of the wicked despots like Moses’ parents (verse 23).

 

It helps us overcome the pleasure of sin like Moses (verses 24-26).

 

It gives power to seek liberty from bondage like Israel (verses 26-29).

 

Faith helps us overcome the persecution like the heroes of faith mentioned in the remainder of the chapter.  Oh, without faith you cannot please God.  To those with faith they have power to become the sons of God. John 1:12

 

Imagine that!  God’s Most Wanted Men can be His sons!

 

V        God also would want a Man of COURAGE.

Men like Daniel who would not under threat of death cease to worship his God.  Daniel 6

 

Men like Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego who though threatened would worship no other gods.  Daniel 3

 

Men like Elijah who would contest with men who worshipped false gods. I Kings 18:27

 

God wants men to be like Paul on Mars Hill and make known the true God to those ignorant of God.  Acts 17:16-23

 

He would be like Stephen who rebuked those who hypocritically worshipped the true God.  Acts 7

 

Courage is a rare virtue.  It is not in those who do not fear, but rather in him who does what he should in spite of his fear.

 

V        Another Most Wanted Man is of COMPASSION.

He would be like Barnabas, the son of consolation.  He always took the part of the underdog.  Of Jesus it is written, “He was moved with compassion on them,”  “He was filled with compassion on them”, and “He was filled with compassion on her”.

 

These are but a few of the words Scripture uses relative to our Lord.  He who would be like Christ would show love and compassion.  He had compassion on the sick, the sorrowful, the strangers, the shamed, and the sinner.  He even had compassion on a hostess who had run out of wine at a marriage feast.  No wonder Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, encourages us to have compassion and be full of pity.  I Peter 3:8

 

John tells us not to shut our bowels of compassion.  I John 3:17

 

Compassion, Jude says, will make a difference in delivering men from the bondage of sin.  Jude 1:22-23

 

Oh, Lord give us men of compassion.

 

V        God would also seek a Man of PATIENCE.

Patience in our hurried age is a forgotten virtue.  He who would be patient must know God is in control and on His throne.  He must wait upon the Lord.  The promise to such a one is “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

 

We are told to “run with patience the race set before us,”  Hebrews 12:1

 

God commended the church in Ephesus not only for its works and labors, but its patience.  We need to remember, “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28

 

Patience is closely related to trust and faith.  The patient man will cease from evil for the Scripture states, “Fret not thyself because of evil doers.  It tendeth only to evil doing.” 

 

Wait on the Lord and you will win in the end.

 

V        The Seventh Most Wanted Man by God would be a Man of FORGIVENESS.

He would be like David, a man after God’s own heart.

 

David had many enemies.  If any man besides our Lord had the right to be bitter and unforgiving, it would be David.  He was pursued by a king whose nation he had delivered from captivity.  Though betrayed by advisors, family, friends, priests, and wife here is a man of forgiveness.  When Saul chased David to kill him, David wept because he had even cut Saul’s garment.  I Samuel 24

 

When Saul, who persecuted David died, David sought out Saul’s sons that he may do to them good.

 

He let his sons and grandsons live in the best land, gave them servants, and eat at his table.  Even the Psalms of vengeance was a cry for vengeance on the enemies of God’s throne, not his personal vindication.

 

V        The Eighth Man on God’s Most Wanted list would be a Man FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT.

God gives His Spirit to all those who obey Him.  Acts 5:32

 

This indwelling Spirit is a comforter in sorrow, convicter of sin, a convicter of judgment to come upon the Prince of this world.  John 16:7-11

 

All Christians are sealed with the Spirit when they are obedient to the Gospel.  Acts 2:38, Ephesians 1:13

 

However, Christians are told to be filled with the Spirit.  Ephesians 5:18

 

Deacons were said to be men who were filled of the Holy Spirit. Acts 6:3

 

These are men with vision, foresight, and love of truth.  These men have “God in them!”  This is the meaning of the word “enthusiastic”.  God needs men who see a great cause like David did when he heard Goliath challenge the armies of Israel. I Samuel 17

 

He needs people like Nehemiah who saw a great need in rebuilding Jerusalem and went and did so.  He needs men like Ezra who saw a need for teaching points for the scattered Jews and so he honeycombed the world with synagogues.  He needs men who are filled with the Spirit, who see opportunities for Christ, ignores the difficulties involved and goes at it enthusiastically.

 

V        The Ninth Man God seeks is a Man of WISDOM.

Men who are knowledgeable in the Word, and love its message, are men of power.  The Word of God hid in the heart keeps one from sinning.  Psalms 119:11

 

Taking heed to the Word is how the young man can cleanse his way.  Psalms 119:9

 

The whole 119^th Psalm extols the wonderful Word of God.  It is the Sword of the Spirit.  Oh, pity the man who can only protect by the Shield of Faith but not oppress the enemy with the Sword.  Ephesians 5:13-17

 

God wants His man to be ready to give an answer for the hope within him.  I Peter 3:15

 

He wants the Word rightly divided. II Timothy 2:15

 

God’s man needs to know the Word so he can be full-grown and thoroughly equipped unto all good works.  II Timothy 3:16-17

 

God’s man needs to be “9 …and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” Colossians 1:9b-10

 

A non-student cannot have this wisdom.  God seeks learners of His wisdom.

 

V        The Tenth Most Wanted Man is a Man of EVANGELISM.

We were saved to tell others.  Someone said God only had one Son and He made a preacher out of Him.  Not everyone can preach, but everyone can share what Christ did on Calvary’s cross.

 

If the seed is sown, there will be fruit.  We sow, another waters, but God gives the increase.  I Corinthians 3:6-7

 

There is no place here on earth that you cannot share the Gospel.  Sainthood can flourish in Caesar’s own household.  Philippians 2:14-16

 

It can flourish in a prison cell where both prisoners and guards can be converted.  The Word of God is not bound.  “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12

 

God needs men who will witness His love, His power, and His mercy.  Men are needed who will seek the lost.  He leaves the promise that He will be with us as long as we evangelize for He said, “Lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world.”  When one is involved in evangelism, he is joined in the greatest of all endeavors with the greatest of all personages.

 

It is the Son who suffered as the shepherd for the lost sheep.  It is the Spirit who seeks the lost silver.  It is the Father who sings when the lost son returns.  Luke 15

 

There is no greater challenge in all the world, no greater work we can do than that of bringing men to a saving knowledge of Christ.

 

These are God’s Ten Most Wanted Men.  Why not strive to be pleasing to Him who rewards those who seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6

 

The FBI spends millions for its Ten Most Wanted Men.  It seeks them diligently.  God gave His own precious Son, not only for these Ten Most Wanted Men but even for those on the FBI list.  God seeks men who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth.  John 4:23

 

Will you be one of them?  Believe on Him, repent and be baptized, and be one of God’s own sons.

 

God Wants YOU.

 

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