I Object | Antioch

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Call and Our Objections

When God calls us to step into something new or challenging, our first instinct is often to object, just as Moses did, offering reasons why we are not the right person for the task or why the timing isn’t right. We may feel overwhelmed by the size of what God is asking or uncertain about our own abilities, but God’s call is not dependent on our qualifications—it is rooted in His purpose and plan. Like Moses, we may push back, but God invites us to trust Him beyond our objections and step forward in faith. [12:10]

Exodus 3:10-11 (ESV)
“Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

Reflection: What is one area where you sense God prompting you, but you’ve been resisting or objecting? What would it look like to take a small step of obedience today despite your hesitation?

Day 2: The Assurance of God’s Presence

God’s answer to our objections is not a list of reasons why we are capable, but a promise that He will be with us every step of the way. The presence of God is our greatest assurance, giving us hope, courage, and strength to face whatever lies ahead. When we focus on who is with us rather than where we are going, our faith grows and our fears diminish, because the God of the universe walks beside us. [14:42]

Exodus 3:12 (ESV)
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: In what situation do you need to remind yourself today that God is with you? How might your attitude or actions change if you truly believed He was present right now?

Day 3: Overcoming the “What Ifs”

The “what if” game can paralyze us with anxiety and doubt, causing us to overthink and talk ourselves out of following God’s call. Moses worried about what others would think, whether they would believe him, and whether he would succeed, but God patiently reassured him with signs and promises. When we surrender our “what ifs” to God, we open ourselves to His power and provision, trusting that He will equip us for whatever He asks us to do. [17:59]

Exodus 4:1-5 (ESV)
Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’” The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. But the Lord said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— “that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

Reflection: What is one “what if” that has been holding you back from obeying God? Can you name it, pray about it, and take a step forward in faith today?

Day 4: Stepping Over Insecurity

Insecurity often lies at the root of our objections to God’s call, making us focus on our insufficiency instead of God’s sufficiency. We all have moments of self-doubt, but God wants us to stop looking at our weaknesses and start looking at Him—trusting that He is enough, even when we feel we are not. When we give our insecurities to God and rely on His strength, we find the courage to move forward and experience the life He has for us. [25:49]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (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.

Reflection: Where do you feel most insecure about what God might be calling you to do? How can you shift your focus from your own limitations to God’s limitless strength today?

Day 5: Embracing God’s Possibilities

What seems impossible to us is possible with God. When we step over our insecurities and trust in God’s power, we discover that He can do far more than we could ever imagine. Life happens when we surrender our insufficiency to a sufficient God and walk in obedience, not knowing the outcome but knowing the One who calls us. God invites us to participate in His plan, and on the other side of our “yes” is a life of purpose and possibility. [31:52]

Luke 18:27 (ESV)
But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Reflection: What is one “impossible” thing you sense God might be inviting you to trust Him with? What would it look like to say “yes” to God and take a step toward that possibility today?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we explored the story of Moses and his encounter with God at the burning bush, focusing on the very human tendency to object when God calls us to something difficult or outside our comfort zone. We began by considering how, just like defense attorneys in courtroom dramas, we often raise objections—not in a formal sense, but in our hearts—when faced with challenges or divine assignments. Moses, despite his unique and miraculous encounter with God, responded to God’s call with a series of objections rooted in insecurity and self-doubt.

Moses’s story is a powerful reminder that even those who experience God in extraordinary ways can struggle with feelings of inadequacy. When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses immediately questioned his own worthiness and ability. He played the “what if” game, imagining all the ways things could go wrong, and allowed his insecurities to cloud his view of God’s sufficiency. Yet, in every objection Moses raised, God met him with reassurance—promising His presence, power, and provision.

We reflected on how our own insecurities often lead us to object to God’s call in our lives. Whether it’s a fear of failure, a sense of unworthiness, or anxiety about the unknown, these feelings can paralyze us and keep us from stepping into the purposes God has for us. But God’s response to Moses is the same for us: He promises to be with us, to equip us, and to work through our weaknesses. Our past failures or limitations do not define our potential when God is the one calling and empowering us.

The challenge is to stop focusing on our insufficiency and start focusing on God’s sufficiency. When we trust in His presence and strength, we can step over our insecurities and walk in obedience, discovering the life and purpose that await us on the other side of our “yes” to God. Life truly happens when we surrender our doubts and lean fully on the strength of our living and loving Savior.

Key Takeaways

1. Objections to God’s call often stem from our insecurities, not from the impossibility of the task. Moses’s repeated protests reveal how self-doubt can overshadow even the clearest direction from God. Our own “I can’t” responses are usually rooted in fear and uncertainty about ourselves, not about God’s ability. [24:31]
2. God’s presence is the ultimate assurance in the face of daunting assignments. When God told Moses, “I will be with you,” He was offering something far greater than a detailed plan—He was offering Himself. Knowing who is with us is more important than knowing every step ahead, because God’s presence is our guarantee of victory. [14:42]
3. The “what if” game can paralyze us and keep us from obedience. Moses’s anxious questions about what might go wrong mirror our own tendency to overthink and spiral into analysis paralysis. Faith requires us to move beyond hypothetical fears and trust that God will provide what we need as we step forward. [17:59]
4. Our past does not determine our potential when God is the one calling us. Moses tried to disqualify himself based on his past failures and perceived inadequacies, but God reminded him that He is the Creator and the one who equips. We must not project our past onto our future, but instead trust that God’s sufficiency covers our insufficiency. [29:16]
5. True life and purpose are found when we step over our insecurities and say “yes” to God. The invitation to join God in His work is always accompanied by His provision and strength. We may never feel fully ready, but obedience opens the door to experiencing God’s power and faithfulness in ways we could never imagine. [31:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - Opening and Purpose
[00:56] - Famous Figures Discussion
[02:22] - Understanding Objections
[04:16] - Objections in Our Lives
[05:38] - Biblical Examples of Objection
[06:19] - Moses’s Story: Context
[09:35] - The Burning Bush Encounter
[10:55] - Wanting a Burning Bush Experience
[12:10] - Moses’s First Objection
[14:42] - God’s Reassurance to Moses
[17:15] - The “What If” Game
[19:20] - God’s Miraculous Signs
[21:17] - Moses’s Continued Objections
[23:58] - Overcoming Insecurities
[26:33] - Practical Steps for Insecurity
[31:52] - Embracing God’s Call
[32:31] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Moses and the Burning Bush – Overcoming Our Objections

Bible Reading

Exodus 3:10-12; 4:1-13 (ESV)

> 3:10-12: “Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 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.”
>
> 4:1-13: Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’” The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. But the Lord said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— “that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” Again, the Lord said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.”
>
> But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.”

Observation Questions

What were some of the specific objections Moses raised when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt? (Exodus 3:11; 4:1, 10)
How did God respond each time Moses objected or expressed doubt about his ability to do what God was asking? (Exodus 3:12; 4:2-9, 11-12)
According to the sermon, what is the root cause behind most of Moses’s objections? [24:31]
What did God promise Moses that was meant to give him confidence to move forward? (Exodus 3:12) [14:42]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Moses, even after a miraculous encounter with God at the burning bush, still doubted and objected to God’s call? What does this reveal about human nature? [12:10]
The sermon says that God’s presence is more important than knowing every detail of the plan. Why might this be hard for people to accept or trust in real life? [14:42]
The “what if” game is mentioned as something that can paralyze us. In what ways do hypothetical fears keep people from obeying God’s call? [17:59]
How does God’s response to Moses’s insecurities challenge the way we view our own weaknesses and past failures? [29:16]

Application Questions

Can you think of a time when you felt God nudging you to do something outside your comfort zone? How did you respond—did you object, hesitate, or step forward? What was the outcome? [13:26]
The sermon says our objections often come from insecurity, not the impossibility of the task. What are some insecurities that tend to hold you back from saying “yes” to God? [24:31]
God told Moses, “I will be with you.” How would your approach to a current challenge change if you truly believed God was with you every step of the way? [14:42]
The “what if” game can keep us stuck. What are some “what if” questions you find yourself asking when you sense God calling you to something new? How can you move past them? [17:59]
Moses tried to disqualify himself because of his past. Is there a past failure or weakness that you feel disqualifies you from serving God? What would it look like to trust God’s sufficiency instead? [29:16]
The sermon challenges us to focus on God’s sufficiency rather than our own insufficiency. What is one practical way you can shift your focus from your limitations to God’s strength this week? [26:33]
Life and purpose are found on the other side of our “yes” to God. What is one step of obedience you sense God inviting you to take right now, even if you don’t feel ready? How can the group support you in this? [31:52]

Closing Thought:
Remember, God doesn’t call the equipped—He equips the called. Our job is to say “yes” and trust Him to do the rest.

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