Embracing God's Call Without Excuses

Aug 26, 2024

Lecture Notes: God's Trying to Tell You Something - Part 2: No More Excuses

Introduction

  • Greeting & Prayer: The lecture begins with a prayer and a greeting emphasizing the importance of guidance from the Holy Spirit in both preaching and receiving the message.
  • Series Context: Continuation of the series "God is Trying to Tell You Something" focusing on scriptures where God calls someone's name twice.
  • Today's Focus: Shift from a teaching to understanding perspective. Today's theme is "No More Excuses."

Premise of the Series

  • God Speaks to Us: Through various means — His written and preached word, prayer, wise counsel, dreams, experiences.
  • Discernment vs. Surrender: Human nature struggles not just with discerning God's voice but also surrendering to it and obeying it.

Key Biblical Example: Moses

  • Scripture Reference: Exodus 3 and 4 — God calls Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt.
  • Moses' Excuses: Highlights the struggle between discernment and surrender.

Five Objections of Moses

  1. Insecurity: "Who am I?" Moses feels unworthy due to his past (murder, fugitive status).

    • God's Response: "I will be with you." It's not about who Moses is, but who God is.
    • Lesson: God empowers and supports those He calls.

  2. Fear of Rejection: "What if they don't believe me?"

    • Human Desire for Affirmation: Everyone desires to be approved and affirmed by others.
    • God's Response: Gives Moses signs (staff to snake, leprous hand, water to blood).
    • Lesson: God handles the mouths (criticism) and undoes harm. You can't persuade everyone, and you don't need everyone's approval.

  3. Inability/Capability: "I am slow of speech."

    • God's Response: "Who made man’s mouth?" God equips those He calls.
    • Lesson: God creates us with the ability to fulfill our calling. The issue is desire, not capability.

Key Takeaways

  • Stop Looking Behind: Focus on what God is leading you to, rather than past mistakes or limitations.
  • God's Assurance: God empowers and cosigns on our lives, making the impossible possible.
  • Desire vs. Ability: The real question is not about capability but about the heart's desire to obey God.
  • Affirmation: Seek God's approval rather than people's applause.

Conclusion

  • Challenge to Believers: Encourage believers to examine their hearts and desire to walk in God's will without excuses.
  • Closing Prayer: A prayer for heart's desire to align with God's will and live without excuses.

Full transcript