Week 4: I’m Insecure

Announcements:

Offering box is in the back

2. Bible reading plan is in the back with the coffee, tea, etc.

3. SoulSisters will be meeting on Wednesday, June 25th at 7PM

Open with Fathers Day Video “Hard to Say”

Introduction:

Good morning! We are continuing our series entitled God of the Underdogs which is also inspired by the book of the same title by Matt Keller. Being an underdog means we don’t think we measure up and we tend to use excuses to keep from doing what we should be doing; especially when it comes to what God is calling us to do.

In the first week we talked about “our past being too bad” and we should not let our past keep us from what God wants to do in and through us in the present and future. We need to allow God to help us use our past to reach others who are in similar situations. (If we don’t, it will resurface again as we will see again this morning.)

The second week we talked about “our reputation being too scarred”. We can get so used to labels others put on us or we put on ourselves that we tend to just accept them and live up to them. We need to not only know what God says about us but believe what He says about us and not buy into what others have labeled us or even what we have labeled ourselves as.

Last week we talked about “not being qualified enough.” We talked about how it can feel when we are being overlooked and God chooses the overlooked. We talked about how God equips the inexperienced as He did with David by preparing him with walking in obedience and trust in God Himself. And we talked about God anointing the unlikely. It is not about what we can do, what we know, what we have experienced but it is about relying on the anointing of the Holy Spirit in our life to be able to do what God has called us to do. God qualifies the called!

As we say often, you are more than welcome to watch a previous message you missed or want to watch again on our Youtube channel. Please feel free to also make sure what is being preached lines up with the Word of God!

This week, we are hitting another excuse that we tend to use when God is calling us to move forward in what He has prepared. That excuse: I’m insecure.

While insecurity can be applicable to everyone, I want to specifically address the men this morning as today is father’s day. Today can be a tough day especially if you have recently lost your dad, didn’t have a dad growing up, had a negative experience with a dad, etc. I want to make sure I say this before going any further this morning: you have a Heavenly Father in heaven you loves you more than you know. He is not not like any human father we have known or not known. I want to encourage you this morning to see God through the lens of a heavenly Father and not through the lens of any experiences of an earthly father whether good or bad. God has a special message for all of us this morning especially the men and I don’t want us to miss out on what He is wanting us to hear.

There are seven (7) common male insecurities we can use as a reference point this morning. This may not be exhaustive but it does give us an idea of what us men deal with and that we are not alone. Here are the seven (7) common areas:

Body Image: Men can be highly critical of their physical appearance, feeling pressured to conform to unrealistic standards of masculinity.

Job Security: Economic instability and the possibility of layoffs can be a major source of anxiety for men, especially as their identity is often linked to their job.

Fear of Failure: Men may worry about not achieving their goals or disappointing others, leading to a fear of failure in various aspects of their lives.

Relationship Insecurities: Men may struggle with trust issues after infidelity, comparing themselves to their partner's exes, or questioning their ability to please their partner.

Not Meeting Expectations: The pressure to fulfill societal and personal expectations can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.

Social Insecurity: Men may worry about being judged or ridiculed by others, leading to anxiety in social situations and difficulty making friends.

Lack of Confidence: A general lack of self-belief can manifest in various areas of life, affecting their ability to take risks, pursue goals, or navigate relationships.

Again, this is not an exhaustive list but it does give us an idea of what we deal with in regard to insecurities — especially when it comes to not feeling good enough to be fathers, husbands, or leaders.

What if I told you that men God used most, might have felt just like us? Insecurity may be something we wrestle with but it shouldn’t be something that should hinder us moving forward in what God is calling us to do.

Let’s take a look at a perfect example of this in Moses. This is a man who had every reason to feel insecure but every reason to trust God. Let’s see what we can learn from his experience this morning in order to help us (men and women together) address head-on this excuse of “I’m Insecure”. We are going to be in Exodus chapters 2-4 this morning and I want to point out some observations as we look at Moses’ experience with insecurity and God’s calling. My prayer is we learn from Moses’ experience and begin to walk in the calling God has for us as men and women of God.

Transition: Our first observation this morning is:

Body:

I. Insecurity Often Grows From Our Past

Exodus 2:11–15 CSB

11 Years later, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their forced labor. He saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his people. 12 Looking all around and seeing no one, he struck the Egyptian dead and hid him in the sand. 13 The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you attacking your neighbor?” 14 “Who made you a commander and judge over us?” the man replied. “Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses became afraid and thought, “What I did is certainly known.” 15 When Pharaoh heard about this, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in the land of Midian, and sat down by a well.

Moses was raised in Pharaoh’s house but as he grew older he realized he was a Hebrew.

Unfortunately, he had trouble reconciling being brought up in the home of those who were the slave drivers of the Hebrews people.

The same people he was supposed to oversee and do the same.

Now he tried to fit in and help his fellow Hebrew people but they only saw him as one of the members of the family of Pharaoh.

Moses didn’t fit anywhere.

Many times we also have things in our past that are hard to reconcile: absent/harsh parents, failures, sins, situations that were out of our control, etc.

We tend to let those things get in the way of what God is calling us to do because we either identify as something from our past or we think we cannot do what God has called us to do because of something from our past.

“I can’t be a father because I never had a father growing up and don’t know what being a father is” or “I had a harsh father and I don’t what to be that to someone else”.

Men can be good fathers despite not having one growing up! Here are just a few examples:

Lebron James: grew up in a single parent home without a father, facing poverty and instability. He is known today for being a deeply committed father to his children and faithful husband to his wife. He is often publicly celebrating his family and supporting them. He has been quoted to say, “My father wasn’t around and I used that as motivation to be nothing like him. I wanted to break that cycle.”

Frederick Douglass: born into slavery and never knew his father even though he tried looking for him when he was older. Despite not having a father, he became a devoted father to five children and one of them (Charles Douglass) became the first African American US Army Officer during peacetime. Just one example of the impact he had on his children.

Denzel Washington: he was raised by his mother after his parents divorced at age 14 and his father wasn’t around. He was determined to be present, loving and intentional with his own children. In spite of his father being a pastor, he is a strong advocate for fatherhood and faith.

Timothy (from the Bible): he was raised by his mother and grandmother. His father was likely absent or uninvolved spiritually. In spite of that, Timothy because a spiritual giant by being mentored by the Apostle Paul.

Are you allowing your past to contribute to being insecure to what God is calling you to do?

Your past does not disqualify you from your calling, God redeems!

2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

Allow God to use you to break the cycle of your past and use you for His Kingdom! If we don’t surrender our past to the Lord, it will consistently get in the way of what God is calling us to do! (Not only as an excuse but it will be a hurdle!)

Transition: Not only do we need to not allow our past to feed our insecurity by allowing God to redeem our past, but we also see:

II. Insecurity Speaks Loudest When God Calls

Exodus 3:10–12 CSB

10 therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I am the one who sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.”

It is so easy to hold on to insecurity when we are being asked to do something we have never done before. (40 years after running from Egypt as he tried)

Am I ready?

Do I know what to do?

What if something goes wrong?

Moses was thinking the same things. God, why pick me? I have never led. I don’t fit in with the Israelites. I don’t know where to go!

Illustration:

When I was about to be a dad I was freaking out! I’ve never done this. How will I be able to keep feeding him? How will I be able to make sure he has what he needs. How can I afford all of this? What if I lose my job? What if we don’t have a place to live? What if he doesn’t like me?

But what did God tell Moses again in verse 12? “I will certainly be with you”. Not, you’ll be fine. I’ll check in on you from time to time. No, God told Moses He will certainly be with him and God is saying the same to us this morning.

He will certainly be with you. Us.

When we automatically reply to God’s call with “why me?” we are focusing on ourselves rather than who is doing the calling, God.

God’s calling comes with God’s presence!

But, God’s presence doesn’t seem to be enough for us. Because we start to make more excuses like Moses did. Even after God said He will be with Moses! We start to focus more on our limitations like Moses does here:

Exodus 4:10–13 CSB

10 But Moses replied to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent—either in the past or recently or since you have been speaking to your servant—because my mouth and my tongue are sluggish.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Who placed a mouth on humans? Who makes a person mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say.” 13 Moses said, “Please, Lord, send someone else.”

Like God didn’t know what Moses could do and not do already! He created Moses. God knew when He called Moses what Moses’ limitations were.

What about: Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt who overcame speech obstacles as well and were able to lead in spite of their struggles? James Earl Jones, Elvis Pressley, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, Isaac Newton, Lewis Carrol who were able to overcome their stuttering to become accomplished musicians, singers, actors, and writers.

The same is true for us! God knows our limitations. Do you think if you tell God, “I’m not smart enough (God will reply: you know, you’re right I forgot about that), “I’m not strong enough” (God will reply: yeah I think I misjudged you), or “I’m not spiritual enough” (God will reply: yeah I think you could sing louder in church or at least move more in worship).

God equips those He calls!

2 Corinthians 12:9 CSB

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.

Transition: So, we need to allow God to redeem our past, stop focusing on why He chose us and what about our limitations are, and, lastly, we also see:

III. Insecurity Yields When We Trust God’s Sufficiency

Exodus 4:14–17 CSB

14 Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses, and he said, “Isn’t Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, he is on his way now to meet you. He will rejoice when he sees you. 15 You will speak with him and tell him what to say. I will help both you and him to speak and will teach you both what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you. He will serve as a mouth for you, and you will serve as God to him. 17 And take this staff in your hand that you will perform the signs with.”

God’s was angry but also presented a solution to Moses:

He surrounded Moses with someone who could help Moses carry out the calling.

2. “I will help both of you and him to speak and will teach you both what to do.” (15)

3. Staff

4. Signs

God will not only encourage us but He will also surround us with support: His Holy Spirit, His Word, and His people.

Men, your kids don’t need you to be perfect, they need you to be present and obedient.

Psalm 112:1–2 CSB

1 Hallelujah! Happy is the person who fears the Lord, taking great delight in his commands. 2 His descendants will be powerful in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

This is what we have been talking about at our monthly men’s group: how to be Kingdom Men.

We are only going to be able to positively impact our family, community, church, county, etc. by being obedient to living according to what God’s Word says. No excuses!

It’s not about how perfect we can be or maybe not trying because of how bad we were before.

It is about doing our best today to be what He is calling us to be: available and obedient. It is about making sure He is Lord over our life; not just God.

Conclusion:

God uses insecure people! That is great news! All He is wanting us to do is say yes to Him and be willing.

Are you allowing insecurities to keep you from doing what God is telling you to do?

Let God redeem your past and use it for His glory!

Stop asking why He wants to use you and be excited that He wants to use you!

God knows our limitations already! He’s wanting to show off how He can use us to bring glory to Him!

Our wives, children, nieces, nephews, church family, etc don’t need a super hero. They need a surrendered man.

Will you surrender your insecurities to Him this morning?

As we close with prayer, I want to encourage you to name the insecurity that is keeping you from moving forward in what God is calling you to do. When you name it, lay it at His feet and give it to Him.

Pray

Worship:

Great Is

2. Faithful Still

3. Rattle

Dismiss with this Scripture:

Joshua 1:9 CSB

9 Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”