Not Me Oh Lord! | Dr. Conrad Vine

Central Passage: The Call of Moses

Exodus 3:11 – “But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’”
Exodus 3:12 – “And God said, ‘I will be with you.’”
Exodus 3:13-14 – “But Moses said to God, ‘If I come to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,” and they ask me, “What is his name?” what shall I say to them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’”
Exodus 4:1 – “But Moses answered, ‘What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, “The Lord did not appear to you”?’”
Exodus 4:10 – “But Moses said to the Lord, ‘Oh my Lord, I have never been eloquent… I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.’”
Exodus 4:13 – “But he said, ‘Oh my Lord, please send someone else.’”

Supporting Scriptures

Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before you were born, I consecrated you. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Exodus 2:14 – “Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?”
Hebrews 11:27 – “He persevered because he saw him who is invisible.”
Jeremiah 17:5, 7 – “Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals… Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord.”
Matthew 28:20 – “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Mark 13:11 – “Whenever you are arrested… do not worry beforehand about what you are to say… for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”
1 Timothy 4:12-14 – “Let no one despise your youth… Do not neglect the gift that is in you.”

On God’s Call and Our Readiness

“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.’”
“At age 40, Moses said, ‘Come with me. I can do it.’ And God said, ‘No, you’re not ready yet.’ At the age of 80, Moses said, ‘I’m not ready. I can’t do it.’ And God says, ‘Yes, now you’re ready, Moses.'”
“God is looking for an army of people, young and old, male and female, who [will] answer the call and say, ‘Here am I, Lord. Send me.'”

On Moses’s Preparation

“Moses had to unlearn the 40 years of Egypt, the spirit of Egypt of driving men by force, fear, and pain.”
“You cannot drive men. You have to lead men… You lead by love. And when the sheep know that they are loved, they will follow wherever you are leading.”
“Moses learned to lead… as though he saw him who is invisible.”

On Our Identity & Inadequacy (Objection 1)

“Your brokenness is not a disqualification; it’s a qualification in God’s kingdom.”
“Where Moses saw weakness and brokenness in his background, God saw the perfect candidate.”
“What matters is not whether I am doing it. What matters is whether God is with me.”

On God’s Authority & Character (Objection 2)

“Whatever objection Moses comes up with, God’s answer is, ‘I AM.'”
“Your authority comes from Him, not your own resume.”
“When we remember God’s actions in our lives in the past, it gives us courage for tomorrow.”

On Credibility & God’s Power (Objection 3)

“God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called.”
“If God can work with a diseased hand, how much more can you do with a healthy hand? …Your physical strength… is no objection to God calling you into ministry.”
“He can work through the diseased as much as… through the healthy hands.”

On Ability & Speaking (Objection 4)

“I’m not asking you to speak. I’m asking you to stand up there and open your mouth and trust me that I’m going to speak through you in that moment.”
“God works through flawed people, through cracked people, through broken human beings.”
“He can work through me, and he can work through you today.”

On Willingness & Surrender (Objection 5)

“Send somebody else… is the cry of a heart unwilling to sacrifice comfort, security, or reputation.”
“He doesn’t call us as the finished product. He simply calls us.”
“There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, by putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart.”

The Final Challenge

“Each day, bow down. Begin your day with praise and worship… Look up. Don’t look your own weaknesses… But look to him and claim his promises. And when you’ve bowed down and you’ve looked up, then step out in faith.”
“From this day forward, [may we say] ‘Here am I, Lord. Send me. In my weakness, may your strength be made perfect.'”