His Talent; Not Mine

Good Morning & Welcome to New Hope!

We have a tendency to have a viewpoint the we are the center of the universe.

From our very beginning we are taught that we are the center of the universe. If we are not careful, this mindset continues through adolescence, and as adults, can be difficult to change. Maybe that is why the Bible is filled with teachings to help us learn that it is not always about "ME."

What’s in it for me?

“It’s my world, and you’re just passing through it.”

It’s my world, and you’re just passing through it.

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Little bit of context…

As you read through the book of Genesis you discover the early beginnings and new beginnings of God’s people. People like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, & Joseph. Their amazing accounts are documented through those chapters in Genesis. And at the end of the first book of the Bible, we find Joseph, his brothers and their families living in this foreign land of Egypt - which was not the land that God had promised them.

God’s blessing was upon Joseph and his people, so as they lived in this foreign land they multiplied and grew and became very powerful. And the king of that time became fearful of the people of Israel because they grew greater in number than the Egyptians. So they enslaved the Israelites; took them as forced labor; and treated them harshly. But as much as they oppressed them, the Israelites multiplied and spread all the more. So Pharaoh, king of Egypt, ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill any baby boy born. But because these midwives feared God, they allowed them to live.

During this time there was a baby boy born named Moses. If you don’t know the greater details of his beginning, I’d encourage you to read . But for this morning, here’s what I’d like you to know about Moses; as he became an adult what we learn about him is that he seemed to have these gifts of empathy, justice, and courageous, but yet we also find him fearful and fleeing.

At this stage in his life he was a murderer who had fled and deserted his people and started a new life. But God had different plans...

(NLT)

1One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God.

2There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up.

3“This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.”

4When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied.

When you move… God moves

(NLT)

7Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering.

8So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land....

(NLT)

10Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”

God sees, hears, acts, & sends

And as you an imagine… just like today and our response to God, Moses said, “I hear you, Lord! I’m so ready to do whatever it is that you’re asking me to do. I’m so ready to do what is written in your word. In fact, just look at the evidence of my life… well not so much maybe!

I have the Bible my wife gave to me 25 years ago, that I used over many years of wrestling with whether or not I was going to be obedient or not. And in I have highlighted and numbered how Moses responded to God. It was rather similar in my life and I suspect maybe so with you.

5 times Moses pushed back at God before ultimately say, Yes.

V.11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”

Moses says, “I’m not good enough.” Why am I special? Why would God choose me? I’m sure there is someone else who can do a better job.

I remember feeling like this.

Let me ask you… Let’s pick something real… When it comes to having a conversation with someone about Jesus… Ever say, “Who am I to share? Why would God choose me to witness to someone?

They’re His talents; not mine

V.13 But Moses protested (AGAIN), “What if they ask me your name?”

Moses says, “What if people don’t think I’m qualified? What if people question whether or not I know what I’m doing? What if people look

I remember feeling like this.

They’re His talents; not mine

Chapter 4 V.1 But Moses protests again, “What if they don’t believe me or listen to me?”

God then performs a miracle for Moses

God has performed miracle after miracle for us to use as examples

Moses says, “They won’t believe me. I’m just a regular guy. Shouldn’t this be for someone who’s trained? How about someone who’s studied,

I remember feeling like no one would ever believe or listen to me. Why should they?

They’re His talents; not mine

You ever feel like people won’t listen to you?

Chapter 4 V.10 But Moses again comes up with another excuse, “I’m not very good with words.”

I remember feeling this very thing

God says, “Who made your mouth?” Who gives you the ability to speak, hear, see?

Now go! I will be with you and tell you what to say.

They’re His talents; not mine

Chapter 4 V.10 But Moses again comes up with another excuse, “I’m not very good with words.”

I remember feeling this very thing

Moses says, “I’m not very eloquent with words. I get tongue tied. I don’t speak well. Sometime things come out of my mouth that don’t make much sense.

I remember feeling this way.

God says, “Who made your mouth?” Who gives you the ability to speak, hear, see?

I remember feeling this way.

Here’s the point this morning - They’re His talents; not mine

He’s the one who gifts us; We may not know or understand what it is that we are capable of;

Chapter 4 V.13 But then we get down to it. Moses pleads with God, “Please, just send someone else.”

We can come up with all the excuses in the world, but if we’re honest, God will weed through all the excuses and get to the real issue.

I don’t want to do it. I’m too scared; I lack the faith; My confidence isn’t strong enough

Been there. Have you been there?

They’re His talents; not mine

I remember feeling this very thing

God says, “Who made your mouth?” Who gives you the ability to speak, hear, see?

Now go! I will be with you and tell you what to say.

They’re His talents; not mine

What’s mine… is lacking ; What’s God’s… is enough

What’s God’s… It’s enough

HE > me

I believe we make a big deal about “What does God want me to do.” How about we just do what He has told us in His word.