STRAIGHT OUTTA EXCUSES
Service or Serve Us - Part 3
Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
October 2, 2022
Have you ever sensed God might be asking you to do something for which you felt totally inadequate? You’re certainly not alone. But you’re never too old, too young, or too inexperienced to be used by God. The only ability God seems to care about is availability.
SERIES: Service or Serve Us
It was the Nobel Prize-winning Dr. Albert Schweitzer who once said, “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know, the only ones among you who will be truly happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” This is something both Dr. Schweitzer and Jesus shared in common that is radically other-centered.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.) Bob Goff said, “God often uses the least qualified, most available people to get things done.” Can you think of any other Bible characters besides the ones Pastor Keith addressed in this weekend’s message that also fit this description? Who are they? What did they do? Have you ever experienced this personally or in someone you know well? How did God use them?
2.) Daniel and his friends were so very young when they were carried off into Babylonian captivity, yet the way they withstood the tests their Babylonian captors put on them puts many adults to shame. Both this week and last week, Pastor Keith has emphasized how God used and still uses young people all the time to accomplish what He wants done in the world. The Bible is filled with examples and so is life. Who are some young people that have really left a mark on the world? How and why is that?
3.) Caleb at age 85 is an example of someone who, though elderly, still had passion in his bones and purpose in his life to accomplish something great for God. Robin Russell, a few weeks back, shared a message that dealt in part with ageism and how we often don’t value the wisdom & experience of age. Who are some older people in the church and outside the church that are making a big difference in the world? How and why is that?
4.) Many of us lack experience, education, formal training, or have been cowered down so much by criticism that we think we have nothing of value to offer. There’s no question, Moses thought this way and of all characters in the Bible, puts up the most strenuous string of excuses to evade doing what God asked him to do. What are some common excuses people make for not serving God or attempting something outside their comfort zone? Have you ever made excuses for not sharing your faith? Being involved in serving in the church? Or connecting with a need in the community that moved your heart? How did you work through that? If you attempted to do something you’ve never done before, what was that experience like for you? How did God show up? What did you learn?
5.) Troy Freeman is an excellent example of someone who could’ve dismissed having a role in changing the world for Christ given his background & track record. But Troy was convinced something needed to be done to help those coming out of prison and off the streets – not a hand-out but a hand-up. He had a dream, dared to believe it, & put it into shoe leather. Even with all the strikes against him, God used Troy Freeman because he made himself available to God. Right now, offer your life as it is to God for His service. Pray for one another to have the courage to say “yes” to God for whatever He asks of you. No matter what obstacles stand in your way, remind yourself, “If God wills it so, if He wants it done, then no obstacle, no giant is really in my way. It’s in God’s way. And there simply is no giant too big for God.”
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