Moses - An Unlikely Choice: Excuses (Exodus 3:10-12)

Series: Moses - An Unlikely Choice

Sermon: Excuses

Scripture: Exodus 3:10-12

Date: July 7, 2019

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?"  So He said, "I will certainly be with you.   And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."  (Exodus 3:10-12)

God invites us to join Him in His work.

"Why do we resist such a magnificent God who loves us?"  -Charles Swindoll

His plan was Moses.  His plan now is you and me, filled with Him.

Let's look at 5 excuses and how God answers them.  If your excuse is not here, the answer for it still is...

1. I'm not enough
   • Exodus 3:11
   • The appropriate answer is "Yes, sir!  Let's go!  Whatever you say, I will do."
   • God's answer: Exodus 3:12A
   • We need to work with God and not for God.
2. I didn't know enough
   • Exodus 3:13
   • "Someone might ask me a question I don't know the answer to."  That is not a valid excuse.
   • I think sometimes what's behind this excuse is pride.
   • God's answer: Exodus 3:14
   • The letters for "I AM WHO I AM" spell out the name Yahweh.
   • God is saying that the only self-existent being in the universe has sent you.
   • Don't worry that you don't have all the answers.  Whenever we say, "I'm not smart enough" or "I'm not capable," He says, "But I AM."
3. People won't listen to me
   • Exodus 4:1; 3:18a
   • God: "Moses when you go, they will listen."  Moses: "But what if they don't listen?"  And Pharaoh was not going to listen.
   • What if?
   • Proverbs 26:13
   • The "what if's" are not our business.  Obeying is our business.
4. I am not good with words
   • Exodus 4:10, NLT
   • Acts 7:22, NIV
   • The real issue may not be how well you speak but how much you love Jesus.
   • God's answer: Exodus 4:11-12, NIV
   • 1 Corinthians 2:1-4, NIV
   • Acts 1:8
5. I don't want to go
   • Exodus 4:13, NIV
   • God does not accept excuses; He accepts obedience.