What Is In Your Hand?

TEXTExodus 4:1-5

INTRODUCTION:

A.  GOD CALLED MOSES TO USE A SHEPHERD’S STAFF TO DO GREAT THINGS.

          1.  Convince Pharaoh to let the Israelites go

                   (Ex. 7:8-12, 19-20; 8:5, 16-17; 9:23; 10:13).

          2.  To cross the Red Sea (Ex. 14:16).

          3.  To get water in the wilderness (Ex. 17:5).

          4.  To secure victory in battle (Ex. 17:9).

B.  MANY EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO DID GREAT THINGS WITH LITTLE

          (Judges 3:3115:151 Sam. 17:43, 49).

C.  WHAT CAN WE DO WITH THE LITTLE WE HAVE?

I.  THREE LESSONS TO START WITH.

A.  MANY OF GOD’S GREATEST SERVANTS FELT INADEQUATE – Moses, Gideon,

          Jeremiah, Paul.

B.  WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO WORK WITH – SOME TALENT OR GIFT.

          (Phil. 2:12-13).

C.  IT IS GOD WHO FINISHES THE JOB (1 Cor. 3:5-7).

II.  “DON’T FOR GET YOUR STAFF!”

A.  A STAFF – A STICK.  WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THAT? (Ex. 4:17).

B.  WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US (Matt. 25:14-30).

C.  WE ARE NOT RESPONSBLE FOR WHAT WE DON’T HAVE (2 Cor. 8:12).

D.  MOSES USED WHAT GOD GAVE HIM, AND HE AMOUNTED TO SOMETHING.

          1.  1 Cor. 12:221 Tim. 4:14.

          2.  God views us differently (1 Sam. 16:7).

          3.  God rewards as he takes note of our deeds (Rev. 14:12-13).

III.  DON’T WORRY ABOUT OTHERS, THINK OF THE LORD.

A.  AS A PART OF THE BODY, WE MUST DO OUR PART (Rom. 12:3-8).

B.  DO WHAT YOU CAN (Eph. 5:15-16Ecc. 9:10)

          1.  Use the gift and strength God gives you (Eph. 6:10, 13).

          2.  Doing so, we can accomplish all God asks (Phil. 2:12-134:13).

C.  IT IS NOT OUR CONCERN HOW GOD USES OTHERS (John 21:20-23).

CONCLUSION:

A.  WHAT CAN WE DO FOR THE LORD?

B.  WE WILL ANSWER HOW WE USE OUR TALENTS (2 Cor. 8:12).

C.  WHAT IS IN YOUR HAND?