Overcoming Excuses: Answering God's Call with Faith
Summary
Today, I shared a message centered on the theme of overcoming excuses, particularly focusing on the life of Moses and the excuses he made when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This message is crucial for us as it reflects our own tendencies to make excuses when faced with God's calling.
The sermon began with a warm welcome and a brief acknowledgment of significant individuals in the congregation, including a special birthday celebration for Ms. Peggy Jones, a dedicated member of our church. I then transitioned into the core of today's message, discussing the commonality of making excuses and how this behavior affects our spiritual and everyday lives.
Drawing from the book of Exodus, chapters 3 and 4, I explored the five excuses Moses made when God called him to confront Pharaoh and lead His people to freedom. Each excuse Moses made was met with God's reassurance and provision, yet Moses continued to hesitate. This mirrors our own lives; how often we resist God's call due to fear, feelings of inadequacy, or concern about others' opinions.
The first excuse Moses made was about his identity and ability, questioning "Who am I?" to undertake such a task. This is a reflection of our own doubts about our capabilities and God's plan for us. The second excuse was fear of rejection and ridicule from others, a fear that often paralyzes us and prevents us from standing up for our faith or pursuing our God-given missions.
Moses’s third excuse was his perceived lack of eloquence, which he believed disqualified him from leading. This highlights our own insecurities about our imperfections, which we often use as reasons not to respond to God’s calling. His fourth excuse was a direct request for God to send someone else, illustrating our tendency to shirk responsibilities, hoping that others will step in to fulfill tasks we are called to do.
Throughout the sermon, I emphasized that, like Moses, we are equipped by God with everything we need to fulfill His purposes. God’s response to each of Moses’s excuses assures us that He is with us, just as He was with Moses, providing the necessary tools, words, and opportunities to overcome our hesitations.
In conclusion, I urged the congregation to shed their excuses and respond to God’s call with faith and obedience. The message was a call to action, to step out in faith, leaving behind the excuses that bind us to inaction and complacency.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Our Identity in God - Moses’s first excuse, "Who am I?", reflects our own doubts about our worth and ability. We must remember that our identity is rooted in who God says we are, not in our own or others' perceptions. God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. [01:01:05]
2. The Fear of Man vs. The Call of God - The fear of ridicule or rejection can paralyze us, as it initially did Moses. However, the approval of God is infinitely more valuable than the approval of man. We must stand firm in our faith and the truth of the Gospel, regardless of others' opinions. [01:04:15]
3. God Uses Our Imperfections - Moses felt inadequate to speak for God because of his speech impediment. Yet, God used Moses despite this. Our imperfections are not barriers to God’s work; rather, they are opportunities for His power to be displayed through us. [01:10:37]
4. No One Else Can Fulfill Your Calling - The excuse "Please send someone else" is a denial of our unique role in God’s plan. Each of us has a specific purpose that cannot be fulfilled by anyone else. Embracing this truth empowers us to take action and honor God’s calling. [01:13:10]
5. Immediate Obedience to God - Delayed obedience is disobedience. When God calls, our response should be immediate and affirmative. Procrastination or shifting responsibilities reflects a lack of faith and trust in God’s perfect plan and timing. [01:17:13]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [47:40] - Introduction and Acknowledgments
- [54:06] - Opening Prayer and Scripture Reading
- [01:01:05] - First Excuse: Self-Doubt
- [01:04:15] - Second Excuse: Fear of Ridicule
- [01:10:37] - Third Excuse: Self-Perceived Inadequacy
- [01:13:10] - Fourth Excuse: Shifting Responsibility
- [01:17:13] - Call to Immediate Action and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Overcoming Excuses
#### Bible Reading
- Exodus 3:1-4:17 - The calling of Moses and his excuses.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Moses doing when he first encountered the burning bush? ([57:11])
2. List the five excuses Moses gave to God when he was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. ([01:00:07])
3. How did God respond to Moses' first excuse, "Who am I?" ([01:03:42])
4. What was Moses' final excuse, and how did God react to it? ([01:13:10])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Moses felt the need to make excuses when God called him? ([01:01:05])
2. How does Moses' fear of ridicule and rejection reflect our own struggles with standing up for our faith? ([01:04:15])
3. In what ways does God equip us to overcome our perceived inadequacies, as seen in His responses to Moses? ([01:10:37])
4. What does Moses' request for God to send someone else reveal about human nature and responsibility? ([01:13:10])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate for a task God called you to. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? ([01:01:05])
2. Have you ever hesitated to share your faith due to fear of ridicule or rejection? What steps can you take to overcome this fear? ([01:04:15])
3. Identify an area in your life where you feel imperfect or inadequate. How can you trust God to use you despite these imperfections? ([01:10:37])
4. Think of a responsibility you have been avoiding, hoping someone else would take it on. How can you take a step towards fulfilling this responsibility this week? ([01:13:10])
5. What are some practical ways you can practice immediate obedience to God’s calling in your life? ([01:17:13])
6. How can you remind yourself daily of your identity in God to combat self-doubt and fear? ([01:01:05])
7. Discuss a specific situation where you delayed obedience to God. What were the consequences, and how can you ensure immediate obedience in the future? ([01:17:13])
Devotional
Day 1: Discovering Our True Identity in God
Understanding our identity in God is foundational to embracing His call in our lives. Often, we question our worth and capabilities, much like Moses when he asked, "Who am I?" This doubt can prevent us from stepping into the roles God has designed for us. However, it's crucial to remember that God does not call the equipped; He equips those He calls. By recognizing that our identity is rooted in who God says we are, we can overcome self-doubt and move forward with confidence in His plans for us. This realization allows us to step out in faith, trusting that God will provide what we need along the way. [01:01:05]
Exodus 3:11-12 "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: How does your understanding of your identity in Christ affect your willingness to respond to God's callings?
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Day 2: Valuing God's Approval Over Human Judgment
The fear of ridicule or rejection can be a powerful deterrent in our lives, preventing us from standing up for our faith or pursuing the mission God has for us. Moses feared how people would react to his leadership, which reflects our own struggles with the fear of man. However, it's essential to remember that God's approval is infinitely more valuable than human approval. When we focus on pleasing God and standing firm in our faith, we find the courage to overcome our fears and act in obedience to His call. [01:04:15]
Exodus 4:1 "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.''"
Reflection: What specific fear of rejection has been holding you back from a step of obedience to God?
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Day 3: Embracing Our Imperfections as God's Opportunities
Moses felt inadequate to speak for God because of his speech impediment, yet God chose him to lead Israel out of Egypt. This teaches us that our imperfections are not barriers to God's work; they are opportunities for His power to be displayed. When we acknowledge our weaknesses and rely on God's strength, we allow Him to work through us in ways we could never imagine. Our imperfections can become the very means through which God's glory shines brightest. [01:10:37]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "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: What perceived imperfection in your life can you offer to God as a vessel for His work?
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Day 4: Acknowledging Our Unique Role in God's Plan
Often, we might feel like asking God to send someone else when He calls us to a task, just as Moses did. However, each of us has a unique role that no one else can fulfill. Understanding this can empower us to take responsibility and act upon God's calling with courage and determination. Embracing our unique role in God's plan is not only an act of obedience but also a step towards fulfilling our God-given purpose. [01:13:10]
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Reflection: In what ways might you be avoiding your unique calling from God, and how can you begin to embrace it?
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Day 5: The Necessity of Immediate Obedience to God
Delayed obedience is often equivalent to disobedience. When God calls us to action, our response should be immediate and affirmative. Procrastination or shifting responsibilities can reflect a lack of faith and trust in God's perfect plan and timing. By responding promptly to God's call, we demonstrate our trust in Him and our commitment to His purposes, setting a powerful example for others to follow. [01:17:13]
James 1:22 "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Reflection: What is God calling you to do today that you have been putting off, and what steps can you take to begin that task immediately?
Quotes
Quotes for Outreach:
1. "God has called you. He's going to go with you. He's going to be there for you. So if God is telling you to do something, to share the gospel, to go, to give, to serve, stop saying, who am I? And obey God's call in your life." [01:04:15]
2. "We've got to stop making excuses and do what God is calling us to do. Some of us in this room have never given our life to Christ because we're scared. We're not sure. We think there's no more time, that there'll be more time or, or people are going to make fun of us. But don't be like that King in the time of Paul that said almost persuaded, almost persuaded. Today is the day for no more excuses." [01:17:13]
3. "And for Moses, God gave him hundreds and hundreds of words in the next few verses to share with the people to say, look, I am from God. I am coming to you. I am fulfilling the purpose and plan for God in my life. And ladies and gentlemen, this right here should be enough for us. God's word is full of promises. It's full of love. It's full of life." [01:07:46]
Quotes for Members:
1. "But the point is this. We allow others to control us. When we should obey God's call on our lives to do what he's telling us to do, we need to stop caring about other people's opinions. We need to stop caring about this and do what God is commanding us to do." [01:06:23]
2. "God says to Moses, Hey dummy, I'm God. Hey, look, he burned down a bush for Moses. He turned a stick into a snake. He put his hand in his coat, pulled it out and leprosy was gone over and over and over again. God shows himself to Moses and his, and for us, he shows himself to us through his power and his provision, his love, his grace, his mercy." [01:09:12]
3. "God didn't call us to look good. He called us to do good for him to share his message of the gospel with all people. He never told us to get a makeover first. Many of us care more about our appearance and our own status in life than we do the call of God in our lives." [01:08:25]
4. "Remember what Jesus did. He was commanded by his father to go to the cross. He was called by his father to give his life for you and for me on the cross. We took to be so we could come to that point in our life when we realized that we needed a savior. We realized we needed forgiveness and turn our lives to him." [01:15:43]
5. "God made you. He knows exactly what you are, who you are, what your abilities are, what your issues are. God loves you and he wants to use you just the way you are, my friends." [01:11:54]
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