God Qualifies the Unqualified Through His Grace
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that God qualifies the unqualified. This concept is rooted in the understanding that our qualifications come not from our own abilities or merits but from God's grace and calling. We began by reflecting on the word "unqualified" and how it often resonates with our feelings of inadequacy. Yet, through scripture, we see that God consistently chooses those who seem least likely to fulfill His purposes.
We examined the lives of biblical figures like Gideon, David, Rahab, and Peter, who, despite their apparent shortcomings, were used mightily by God. These stories remind us that God’s grace transforms the unworthy into the worthy, the unqualified into the qualified. The focus then shifted to Moses, a man who doubted his ability to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Despite his protests and feelings of inadequacy, God assured Moses that He would be with him, emphasizing that it is not about our capabilities but about God's power working through us.
Moses' story is a powerful reminder that God often calls us to tasks that seem beyond our reach. We may protest, question, and doubt, but God’s response is always, "I am." This signifies that He is sufficient, and His presence is enough to equip us for the calling He has placed on our lives. The challenge for us is to silence the voice of the accuser, who constantly reminds us of our past failures and inadequacies, and instead, embrace the truth that God qualifies us for His purposes.
We are encouraged to recognize that our weaknesses are opportunities for God’s strength to be displayed. When we feel unqualified, it is an invitation to rely on God’s grace and power. The call is to step out in faith, trusting that God will equip us for the tasks He has set before us. As a community, we are reminded that each of us is a vital piece of God’s puzzle, and our participation is crucial for the fulfillment of His work.
Key Takeaways:
- God's grace qualifies the unqualified, transforming our inadequacies into strengths for His purposes. We are reminded that our worthiness comes from Him, not from our own abilities. [02:48]
- Biblical figures like Gideon, David, Rahab, and Peter exemplify how God uses unlikely individuals to accomplish great things, demonstrating that His power is made perfect in our weaknesses. [05:44]
- Moses' story teaches us that God’s calling often comes with feelings of inadequacy, but His assurance, "I am," reminds us that His presence is sufficient to equip us for the task. [09:32]
- The voice of the accuser seeks to remind us of our past failures, but we must choose to listen to God’s truth that He qualifies us for His purposes, silencing the lies of inadequacy. [21:43]
- Our weaknesses are opportunities for God’s strength to be displayed. By stepping out in faith, we allow God to work through us, fulfilling His calling and purpose in our lives. [26:42]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:51] - Introduction and Personal Anecdotes
[02:06] - The Concept of Being Unqualified
[02:48] - Grace Qualifies the Unqualified
[03:38] - Biblical Examples of Unqualified Individuals
[05:44] - God’s Purpose Through Imperfection
[07:48] - Moses and the Burning Bush
[09:32] - Moses’ Hesitation and God’s Assurance
[10:22] - The "What If" Game
[13:30] - The Challenge of Believing God Can Use Us
[16:03] - Moses’ Past and Its Impact
[18:52] - The Accuser’s Voice
[21:43] - Personal Testimony of Feeling Unqualified
[24:58] - God’s Assurance: "I Am"
[29:53] - God’s Call Beyond the Church Walls
[35:24] - Recognizing and Rebuking Negative Thoughts
[39:06] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (NLT): "We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualifications come from God."
- Exodus 3:1-14 (NLT): The story of Moses and the burning bush, where God calls Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
Observation Questions:
1. What does 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 say about the source of our qualifications? How does this relate to the concept of being unqualified? [02:06]
2. In the story of Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-14), how does Moses initially respond to God's call? What are his concerns? [07:48]
3. How does God reassure Moses when he expresses doubt about his ability to lead the Israelites? [09:32]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate how God uses unlikely individuals to fulfill His purposes? [05:44]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of God qualifying the unqualified challenge our understanding of self-worth and capability? [02:48]
2. In what ways does Moses' story demonstrate the tension between human inadequacy and divine calling? [09:32]
3. How can the voice of the accuser impact a person's willingness to accept God's calling? What strategies can be used to counteract this voice? [21:43]
4. How does the sermon suggest that our weaknesses can become opportunities for God's strength to be displayed? [26:42]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unqualified for a task or role. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How might you approach a similar situation differently now? [13:30]
2. What are some practical steps you can take to silence the voice of the accuser in your life? How can you remind yourself of God's truth about your qualifications? [21:43]
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel inadequate. How can you invite God's strength to work through your weakness in this area? [26:42]
4. How can you support others in your community who may feel unqualified or inadequate? What role can encouragement and affirmation play in this process? [29:53]
5. Consider the biblical examples of Gideon, David, Rahab, and Peter. How can their stories inspire you to step out in faith despite your perceived shortcomings? [05:44]
6. What is one specific way you can step out in faith this week, trusting that God will equip you for the task He has set before you? [26:42]
7. How can you actively participate in God's work, recognizing that you are a vital piece of His puzzle? What steps can you take to engage more fully in your community or church? [38:05]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Grace Transforms Our Inadequacies
God's grace is the foundation that transforms our inadequacies into strengths for His purposes. It is not our abilities or merits that qualify us, but His grace and calling. Throughout the Bible, God chooses those who seem least likely to fulfill His purposes, demonstrating that His power is made perfect in our weaknesses. This truth invites us to rely on His grace and power, stepping out in faith to fulfill the tasks He has set before us. We are reminded that our worthiness comes from Him, not from our own abilities. [02:48]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel inadequate? How can you invite God's grace to transform this area into a strength for His purposes today?
Day 2: God Uses the Unlikely for Great Things
Biblical figures like Gideon, David, Rahab, and Peter exemplify how God uses unlikely individuals to accomplish great things. Despite their apparent shortcomings, these individuals were used mightily by God, demonstrating that His power is made perfect in our weaknesses. Their stories remind us that God’s grace transforms the unworthy into the worthy, the unqualified into the qualified. This truth encourages us to recognize that our weaknesses are opportunities for God’s strength to be displayed. [05:44]
Judges 6:14-16 (ESV): "And the Lord turned to him and said, 'Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?' And he said to him, 'Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.' And the Lord said to him, 'But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.'"
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt unlikely to succeed in a task. How did God use that situation to demonstrate His power through your weaknesses?
Day 3: God's Assurance in Our Inadequacy
Moses' story teaches us that God’s calling often comes with feelings of inadequacy. Despite his protests and doubts, God assured Moses that He would be with him, emphasizing that it is not about our capabilities but about God's power working through us. This assurance, "I am," signifies that God is sufficient, and His presence is enough to equip us for the calling He has placed on our lives. We are challenged to silence the voice of the accuser and embrace the truth that God qualifies us for His purposes. [09:32]
Exodus 3:11-12 (ESV): "But Moses said to God, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?' He said, 'But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.'"
Reflection: What is a task or calling that feels beyond your reach? How can you trust in God's assurance that His presence is sufficient to equip you for this task?
Day 4: Silencing the Voice of the Accuser
The voice of the accuser seeks to remind us of our past failures and inadequacies, but we must choose to listen to God’s truth that He qualifies us for His purposes. This involves recognizing and rebuking negative thoughts that hinder our faith and confidence in God's calling. By embracing God's truth, we can silence the lies of inadequacy and step out in faith, trusting that God will equip us for the tasks He has set before us. [21:43]
Zechariah 3:1-4 (ESV): "Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, 'The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?' Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, 'Remove the filthy garments from him.' And to him he said, 'Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.'"
Reflection: What negative thoughts or accusations do you need to silence today? How can you replace these with God's truth about your identity and calling?
Day 5: Embracing Weakness as an Opportunity for God's Strength
Our weaknesses are opportunities for God’s strength to be displayed. When we feel unqualified, it is an invitation to rely on God’s grace and power. By stepping out in faith, we allow God to work through us, fulfilling His calling and purpose in our lives. As a community, we are reminded that each of us is a vital piece of God’s puzzle, and our participation is crucial for the fulfillment of His work. [26:42]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: In what ways can you embrace your weaknesses as opportunities for God’s strength to be displayed? How can you step out in faith today, trusting in His power to work through you?
Quotes
It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualifications come from God. You know, it's his grace that qualifies the unqualified. You know, grace is like going to a party that you weren't invited to. It's a celebration. It's a celebration. Grace qualifies. Grace unqualifies the unqualified. Do you guys get that concept of what grace does for us? It makes the unworthy worthy. [00:02:32] (44 seconds)
How many times have we thought, there's somebody better that can do this than me? How many times have we thought, I'm not worthy to do this? How many times have we said that to ourselves? How many times have we been told that? How many times has the enemy tried to plant that thought in your mind? You know, God has called us to a purpose. He's called us to a destiny. [00:03:54] (34 seconds)
So the Bible's full of seemingly unqualified people that have done amazing things, right? So I'm going to give you a few examples. Gideon. Gideon was considered himself the least, the least in his family. And he was from the weakest clan, but God used him to lead Israel to victory over the Midianites. We all know David, right? The youngest son and shepherd boy. [00:04:44] (27 seconds)
Moses is playing the what if game. Have any of you played the what if game? What if I'm not smart enough? What if I don't? What if I don't? speak right? What if I'm not tall enough? What if I'm not this or this or this? We will what if God, sometimes until our last breath. What if? How many of you have given in to the what ifs? [00:10:23] (35 seconds)
See, Moses is standing face to face with God in his destiny. God is calling him to do a mighty thing. Amen. but what is he saying send someone else don't send me don't make me i'm a failure don't make me i'm not worthy you see this he would become the greatest leader in jewish history he's going to part the red sea he's going to do great things but he's telling the lord don't send me [00:12:25] (42 seconds)
all the time for a lot of us there's that constant voice in our head telling us how unqualified we are you know the hardest part i think for christians or the not so hardest part is believing in god the problem is we have faith in him right there's no problem with that we can do that we can follow him we can have faith in him [00:13:30] (36 seconds)
And when that happened to me and we were asked to become ministry leaders over the couples connection, when we were asked to be executive pastors again, when I was asked to preach here, you see, if God qualifies you from something, he won't unqualify you from it. But you have to be obedient. You have to get those thoughts, those things out of your mind. [00:23:27] (35 seconds)
But when God chose Moses, when God chose me, when he chooses you, and we say, I'm not enough, he says, I know you're not enough, but I am. I am enough. But he says, I will bring you to it because I called you for it. And there's nothing that will stand in the way of what God calls you for except your destiny. That's disobedience. [00:26:28] (56 seconds)
How many of you have applied for a job that you said, man, I'm not qualified for this? Angela? And look where we are today. How many of us have said I'm not qualified to be a worship leader, Erica? look at her now. My wife, for as much energy as she has, doesn't like to speak from up here. But she did last week. [00:29:51] (43 seconds)
If you're sitting on your qualifications, you're taking your peace and not putting it in that body, in that puzzle for Christ. We're missing you. God's missing you. So I'm going to open up the altars right now to anybody who wants to just release those negative thoughts in their mind. To say, yes, God, I am not qualified, but you are, and I will follow you. [00:38:12] (30 seconds)
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