Overcomer: Overcoming Insecurity

2016-07-24 

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Today, we continue our series, “Overcomers,” looking at the life of Moses. What an amazing life story he leaves to us. A life of truly overcoming every type of challenge and obstacle one can imagine. It is important that we use these stories, this inspiration, to lead us in overcoming as well.

Memory Verse:
Exodus 4:31
So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.

Every person on the face of the earth has moments of insecurity. None of us are immune to this fact of life. From the youngest to the oldest, from the richest to the poorest, from the most successful to the just starting out… we’ve all faced those moments of believing we weren’t good enough. Today’s message is not a self help seminar, it is a sermon that will hopefully lead us all to spend less time doubting our abilities and more time trusting our God.

Let’s pick up the story from last week from the “burning bush” moment of Moses’ life. Last week, we focused on how to overcome our past. Today, we focus on how to push through to our future.

Overcoming Insecurity

1. I’m Not Good Enough or Smart Enough

Exodus 4:1 But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The LORD never appeared to you’?” 2 Then the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied. 3 “Throw it down on the ground,” the LORD told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back.

– Interesting start to this chapter… “But Moses protested again…”
– Moses really didn’t have great confidence in his ability to pull this off… sound familiar?
– Each of us battles the inner voice that tells we are not good enough, not smart enough

2. I Don’t Know What To Say

10 But Moses pleaded with the LORD, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” 11 Then the LORD asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

– This is an all too common response that we use…”I’m not very good with words”
– One of the the greatest reasons that the church doesn’t evangelize the way it should
– Lack of trust

3. I’m Too Scared, Someone Else Should Do It

13 But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.” 14 Then the LORD became angry with Moses. “All right,” he said. “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you. 15 Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do. 16 Aaron will be your spokesman to the people. He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say.

– This is also a common response, the belief that someone else can do it better
– God was getting fed up with Moses’ lack of response, but never gave up on him
– How often do we excuse our inaction by assuming someone else will do it.

4. When You Trust God With Your Today, God Will Take Care Of Your Future

31 Then the people of Israel were convinced that the LORD had sent Moses and Aaron. When they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

– After all of Moses’ protests, he finally relented and trusted God
– “Then the people of Israel were convinced that the Lord had sent Moses…”
– “…they bowed down and worshiped”
– God used Moses despite his insecurities and it changed the course of history

Overcoming Our Insecurities

No one is ever good enough or smart enough on their own
Our words will always be insufficient, what matters is our heart
Sure there are others who could do what God has called us to do, but He called us! Let’s get to it and see what can happen when we all show up to do what He wants.
It is only when we trust God fully that we begin to see how truly powerful He is…

– “God’s ability in our lives can only be revealed in the availability in our lives”