Here Am I, Send Someone Else

Intro

Celebrate 10 years - each share a highlight

Have you ever been asked to do something that you didn’t want to do?

Josh - first year that we were married - I talked her into playing church league co-ed softball with me. She’s athletic, good hand eye coordination - had never played baseball, but she had all the tools to be good. Problem, the coach saw her natural talent as well, and had her bat 1st in the lineup.

Lisa - take the story from here - first pitch - hit the ball - perfectly. Start running as hard as I can…to third base. When a 5 year old does it - it’s cute. When a 22 year old does it - it’s straight embarrassing!

First batter - sending a message to the other team - probably intimidated them as much as this team’s opponent -

(Show video of football players running into each other)

Truth - we’ve all been asked to do something that we didn’t feel capable of - 1st time mowing the grass I mowed the whole earth - asked to answer a question in class that you didn’t know the answer to, asked to share faith with a friend, asked to....

God actually has a habit of asking people to do impossible things that they aren’t capable of doing.

When we think about where God is going to take Custom in the next 10 years - it’s going to be amazing - people will be set free and saved - there will be signs and wonders displaying His power. And He is going to ask all of us to do some things that we don’t feel like we can do.

STORY OF MOSES

Burning bush - God calls his name - tells him to take off his sandals because it’s holy ground. This is what he tells him, and we believe he’s saying the same to us today.

Exodus 3:9–10 “Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.””

You must lead my people - What? God, if I knew you’d answer it that way I may have never prayed the prayer.

He wanted people to be free, but he didn’t expect that God would use him.

We are here tonight to prepare you - whether you’re in 6th grade or an adult leader - you are going to be a part of what God wants to do in the next 10 season at Custom!

Title of this message - Here Am I, Send Someone Else

Lisa - Share Story of Praying over Southerlyn, God gave me a word for her, a sixth grader - but it’s a word for all of us. You are Set Apart!

Deuteronomy 14:2 “You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure.”

Set Apart

To Do Great Things

On Mission

For His Glory

Because you are His Special Treasure

Problem - Most of us don’t feel like we are set apart. Most of us are like Moses - you remember him right? He was the one that God used to set the people of Israel free from Egypt - the one that God used to perform miracles, signs and wonders. Here was his prayer when God told him that He was going to use him in a powerful way:

Here am I, Send Someone else.

Exodus 4:13 “But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.””

If we are going to be set apart and be used by God, it’s going to require 2 things

Get Over Yourself

Moses’ Response - 3 Objections

-Who am I?

Exodus 3:11–12 “But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” God answered, “I will be with you...”

-What if they…?

Exodus 4:1 “But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?””

God’s answer - “What’s that in your hand?” Illustrate the staff becomes a snake -

My stuff in my hands can accomplish ordinary stuff. My stuff in God’s hands can accomplish supernatural works of God.

-But I… am a murderer. I can’t speak. I stutter.

Exodus 4:10–11 “But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?”

Josh - Story of 1st Speech class…

His answer is never about moses

It’s never about you and always about him

Get Over yourself

2. Get Close! “Abba” Father: draw close, fully surrender (The Solution is Life on God’s terms), trust and quickly obey

Mark 14:36 NLT

“Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Abide - Be Still and Know

John 15:5 ““Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

Don’t focus on the fruit. Focus on Remaining

Response:

If You want to live a life set apart, fully surrendered and on mission - but also the greatest adventure - declare it.

We need the next generation to rise up and live out the calling God has for you.

stones - bring to the altar - you are set apart. If you are willing to say Here am I (with all of my insecurities and questions and doubts) but send me - bring the stone to the altar