Not Me Oh Lord! | Dr. Conrad Vine

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Sermon Study Guide: “Not Me, O Lord” – Answering God’s Call

Sermon Focus: Overcoming our excuses and answering God’s call to service, inspired by the story of Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3 & 4).

Central Theme: In earth’s final hours, God is looking for a people who will stop saying, “Not me, O Lord,” and start saying, “Here am I, Lord. Send me.”

Part 1: Opening Reflection & Key Scripture

Icebreaker Question:
Think back on your life. Can you pinpoint a moment, whether in childhood or adulthood, when you felt God had a specific claim or calling on your life? What was that experience like?

Key Scripture Reading:

  • Exodus 3:1-12 (The Call at the Burning Bush)

  • Exodus 3:13-15 (The Name of God)

  • Exodus 4:1-17 (Objections and Signs)

Main Quote from Sermon:
“Sometimes when we think we’re ready for ministry, we’re not. And sometimes when we feel completely inadequate, that’s precisely when God says, ‘Now you are ready.'”

Part 2: The Preparation of Moses

The sermon highlighted that God spent 40 years preparing Moses in the wilderness, stripping him of his self-sufficiency.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Moses went from being a “somebody” (Prince of Egypt) to a “nobody” (shepherd in the desert). Why was this humbling process necessary for his future ministry?

  2. The preacher said Moses had to unlearn “the spirit of Egypt—driving men by force, fear, and pain” and learn to lead by love, like a shepherd. What are some “worldly” methods or attitudes that God might need to unlearn in us before He can use us effectively?

  3. Read Hebrews 11:27. What does it mean to lead “as seeing Him who is invisible”? How did Moses demonstrate this after his preparation?

Part 3: The Five Objections & God’s Answers

This is the core of the sermon. Use the table below to guide your discussion.

Moses’ Objection (The “But…”) God’s Response (The “I Am…”) Our Modern Equivalent & God’s Promise to Us
1. Identity: “Who am I?” (Exodus 3:11) “I will be with you.” (Exodus 3:12) “I’m too broken, my past is too messy, I have no status.”
2. Authority: “What is Your name?” (Exodus 3:13) “I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14) “By what authority do I speak? No one will listen to me.”
3. Credibility: “They won’t believe me.” (Exodus 4:1) Signs: Staff, Leprous Hand, Water to Blood. (Exodus 4:2-9) “My story isn’t impressive. I have no ‘proof’ that God is with me.”
4. Ability: “I am not eloquent.” (Exodus 4:10) “Who made man’s mouth?… I will be with your mouth.” (Exodus 4:11-12) “I’m not a good speaker. I don’t have the right skills or talents.”
5. Willingness: “Send someone else!” (Exodus 4:13) God provided Aaron, but the call remained. “I don’t want to. It’s too costly, risky, or uncomfortable.”

Discussion Questions for the Five Objections:

  1. Which of Moses’ five objections do you relate to the most, and why?

  2. For Objection 1 (Identity): The preacher said, “Your brokenness is not a disqualification; it’s a qualification in God’s kingdom.” How does this truth change the way you view your own weaknesses and past?

  3. For Objection 2 (Authority): The name “I AM” signifies God’s eternal, self-existent, and covenant-keeping nature. How does focusing on who God is give you confidence in what He has called you to do?

  4. For Objection 3 (Credibility): God used a simple staff, a diseased hand, and river water. What ordinary or even “flawed” things in your life (your story, your resources, your abilities) could God use to show His power?

  5. For Objection 4 (Ability): The promise in Mark 13:11 is that the Holy Spirit will give us words when we need them. Have you ever experienced this? How can we step out in faith even when we feel unqualified?

  6. For Objection 5 (Willingness): This is the heart of the matter. What is the “anybody else but me” area in your life right now? What comfort or security is God asking you to trust Him with?

Part 4: Application & Conclusion

Group Activity: Identifying Your Call
God’s call isn’t just for pastors. It’s for every believer in their unique sphere of influence.

  • The Young: The preacher encouraged young people not to wait. What is one way you can serve in your local church or community now?

  • The Seasoned: The preacher said your most fruitful chapter might be in your 70s or 80s. What experience and wisdom do you have that could be a blessing to others?

  • Everyone: Discuss the preacher’s final three-step challenge. What would it look like for you to…

    1. Bow Down: Start each day in worship, reminding yourself of who God is.

    2. Look Up: Stop focusing on your weaknesses and fix your eyes on Jesus.

    3. Step Out: Take one specific, faith-filled step of obedience this week.

Final Thought:

“He doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. He will provide the evidence of His power in your life to confirm your message.”

Closing Prayer:
Pray for one another, that each person would move from a spirit of “Not me, O Lord” to a heartfelt “Here am I, Lord. Send me.” Ask for the Holy Spirit’s power to bow down, look up, and step out in faith.

Optional Deeper Dive:

  • Read Ellen G. White’s commentary on this story in Patriarchs and Prophets, Chapter 22 “Moses” and The Ministry of Healing, page 474.

  • Memorize Matthew 28:20 or Isaiah 6:8 as a personal reminder of God’s promise and call.