“God Can’t Use Me” | Northstar Church

“But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”? Exodus 3:11-12.

In Exodus 3 we read the famous story of Moses and the burning bush. There are times we all feel like Moses did that day. We view ourselves as inadequate for God’s purpose and plan for me. We are unprepared and unskilled. That’s when God tells him in Exodus 4:11-12: “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? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways for His glory. At first it may seem that that statement isn’t quite right and you may not believe it. After all aren’t only “super spiritual Christians” used by God?” You may be thinking, “I’m just a pretty ordinary guy or gal, what can God do with me?” Rather than thinking in terms of whether or not you have a seminary degree or extensive ministry experience I want you to go back to the Gospels. Remember the Apostles were uneducated and had no formal theological training before they met Jesus. They walked with Jesus for three years day and night, watching Him perform miracles and hearing Him teach them personally and as He taught others. Jesus is not concerned about titles after one’s name? Now before you stop reading, let me say this: college degrees are great and often necessary to compete in today’s world. God can use you whether you have a college degree or not if you are willing to be used of God for His kingdom. God took a shepherd boy and made Him King of Israel. God used a donkey after all to deliver a message. God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways.

Jesus has one focus. He is completely focused on building his church, the hope of the world. That was true in the past, it is true today and it will be true in the future. One of the greatest privileges in all of life is when Jesus taps you on the shoulder and says, “Hey Marty, I have a critical role for you as I am building my church in this world. And I’ve been preparing you your whole life for it.” How do you say no to that? How do you say “I’ve got my own thing going on” or “check back with me in a few years when life is not so hectic.”

I agree with Bill Hybels that the church is the hope of the world.The hope of the world is not government, academia, business, but the church because it is to the church that God has entrusted the message of salvation. Jeremiah 29:7: “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”

Discussion Questions:

How can God use ordinary people for His purposes?
Do you believe that you need to be extraordinary to have a passion for the lost? Why or why not?
What can you do this week to be more available to be used by God?