Noexcuse

No Excuse!

For weeks I have been telling you about how God has a plan for your life and also how He is sending us out to reach the lost of our schools and families and city.  It may seem like an impossible task.  But God is so loving and so compassionate towards us that His love tears away all of our excuses.  He provides everything that we need, so that we are left with no excuse except to go.  I want to look at the story of Moses (Mo) and how God called him to go to the strongest nation in the world and get His people out.  And what Mo’s response was. 

Exodus 3:10-4:13

I.  Who Me!?!??

Ex. 3:10-11 “Come now, therefore, and 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 that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

* “I am a nobody!”

*Mo thinkin’ send some great speaker, send a king or a general to free the people, I’m just a shepherd, besides I’ve already tried

God’s response- I am with you

When God is with you, you are THE (WO)MAN!

Isai 41:10 (NIV) “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Past failures…

*Mo had tried before to do something for the Israelites before (Ex. 2:11-12), but it was on his own and his own strength (killed a man)

“I’ve tried that already” God may ask you to do something or reach someone that you have already tried and failed.

II.  I Don’t Know What To Say!

Exod 3:13-14 (NKJV) “Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, `The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, `What is His name?' what shall I say to them?" And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, `I AM has sent me to you.”

*Demanding the release of millions of people was a tall order.

*God revels His character and identity as the I Am. 

Mark 13:11 (NIV) “Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”

*We can do our part in being in the Word, and making sure that it is in our hearts and minds, but God will direct us in times of need.

*Since God has called you, He will provide you with everything that you need.

III.  What If They Don’t Believe Me?

Exodus 4:1 (NKJV) “Then Moses answered and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, `The Lord has not appeared to you.”

*What if’s…

          We can “what if” ourselves into oblivion each time opportunity comes up, problem is we will never accomplish anything.

*You may want to respond to God and do what He asks, but you start to think of all the things that could go wrong.

 *Again remembering a past failure (Ex. 2:14) Israelite rejects his counsel and judgment.

Exodus 2:14 (NKJV) “Then he said, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" So Moses feared and said, "Surely this thing is known!”

*Ultimate fear of rejection!  When you have been shut down it is hard to get passed it.

*God’s response…I got your back.  I will confirm My word. 

The promises of God are standing there for us.

          Problem is that we are so afraid to step out in faith and use them, that we wind up never doing anything…why no miracles anymore?

IV.  What About My Thpeech Problemth (Flaw)?

Exodus 4:10-11 (NIV) “Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD?”

*God never calls the equipped, but equips the called.

*He doesn’t want your strength, your perfection, He wants you and your weaknesses and flaws and problems, that He would be glorified.

*God loves to use the underdog, the outcast, the cast offs.

*2 Cor. 12:9  strength perfect in weakness

*God will use your flaws to glorify Himself.

The mission is more important than your fears or worries.

V.  Sounds Great…Send Someone Else!

Mo says “that’s great, why don’t you send somebody else”

Exodus 4:13 (NIV) “But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it.”

Even with all the convincing Mo is still jittery.  So God gave him a friend to help share the burden

*With his excuses melting away and this one last whimper of protest God gives Mo a companion Aaron to help share the burden.

*You have other members on your team!  God isn’t sending just you, but everyone around you tonight.