Here Am I; Send Somebody Else

INTRODUCTION:

1. Read Isa. 6:1-8.

2. Verse 8 is the essence of all faithful service to God.

3. Reality demands, however, that we look at our more frequent response – “Here am I; send somebody else!”

4. A hero of faith – at one point in his life – manifested this attitude.

5. Consider what we can learn from Moses’ attempts to shirk personal responsibility (Exo. 3-4):

DISCUSSION:

I. Who Am I That I Should Go (3:11)?

A. Several reasons for Moses to go:

1. The need for Israel’s deliverance (vv. 7-9).

2. God said to go (v. 10).

3. God selected Moses (v. 10).

4. Moses uniquely prepared to go:

a. His Israelite heritage (2:9-10,11).

b. His familiarity with Egypt (2:10; cf. Acts 7:21-22).

5. He wasn’t the last to be so uniquely prepared (cf. Esth. 4:13).

B. Applications for us – teaching the lost, provoking responses in others, bringing Christian to maturity (Mt. 28:18-20).

II. What Shall I Tell Them (3:13)?

A. God’s answer (vv. 14-22).

B. God has fully equipped us:

1. To speak (Jn. 14:26; 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:12,16).

2. To do (2 Tim. 3:17; 2 Pet. 1:3).

C. Father’s answer to son’s legitimate questions as he was struggling to grow in faith and convictions in teaching his friends – “Just tell the what the Bible says!”

III. Suppose They Will Not Listen/Believe Me (4:1)?

A. Confirmation from God – for Moses and Israel (vv. 2-9).

B. Never quit doing what we must do:

1. Noah (Gen. 6:3; 1 Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 2:5).

2. Isaiah (Isa. 6:9ff).

C. Secret to success – never quit (Josh. 1:1-9).

IV. I Am Not Eloquent (4:10):

A. Communicate truth with eloquence – desirable, useful (cf. Acts 18:24); possessed by only a few.

B. Rest of us struggle to do the best we can!

C. Interesting statement by Moses in light of:

1. Background in Egypt (Acts 7:22).

2. Songs of Moses (Exo. 15; Deut. 32).

D. Reliance on human ability/ingenuity still lives!

E. Our weakness is opportunity for God’s power (2 Cor. 12:9-10).

V. Please Send Somebody Else (4:13):

A. Previous are excuses; now we see reason – unwillingness (cf. Lk. 14:16-24).

B. God will exalt and use those who obey Him (Esth. 4:13).

C. God’s response (vv. 14-17).

1. Moses not released from his task.

2. We are not released from our responsibilities of Christian living.

CONCLUSION:

1. God accepts legitimate reasons, not flimsy excuses.

2. “Here am I; send me” or “Here am I; send somebody else.”

3. Which best describes our attitude and work in God’s kingdom?

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