Exodus 3:11
The key to overcoming identity crisis is to shift focus from self-centeredness to a God-centered personality and life, relying on God's sufficiency and power.
Chuck Smith addresses the theme of identity in his sermon 'Exodus 3:11', emphasizing that true identity is found not in our roles or self-perception but in our relationship with God. He illustrates how Moses faced an identity crisis after fleeing Egypt, transitioning from a self-sufficient prince to a humble shepherd, which prepared him for God's calling. Smith highlights that Moses' feelings of inadequacy were met with God's assurance of sufficiency, reminding us that it is not our abilities that matter, but who God is and His presence in our lives. The sermon encourages believers to rely on God's strength rather than their own, as true fulfillment comes from being God-centered rather than self-centered.
Text
"WHO AM I?"
Intro: We hear much talk today of "identity crisis." There is a great attempt to bring
people to a consciousness of themselves as persons rather than a role player. You
are not a wife or mother first, you are a person first. Any self-centered concept
will lead you to emptiness and frustration. We need a God-centered personality and
life.
I. "WHO AM I?"
A. God had brought Moses to this identity crisis.
1. Forty years earlier, he would never have asked the question.
a. He was extremely good looking.
b. He was well educated.
c. He felt a divine commission.
2. He had gone out one day among his brethren he saw an Egyptian smiting a
Hebrew.
a. He looked this way and that way and saw no man.
1. He did not look up. He was man conscious not God
conscious.
b. Moses smote the Egyptian and killed him, he then attempted to
bury him in the sand.
1. He was attempting in the energy of the flesh to do the
work of God.
2. He could not successfully bury one Egyptian. God desired
to bury their whole army.
c. He had committed himself to a task not to God.
1. I am leary of these calls to commitment to church,
programs.
2. We need to be committed to Christ.
3. The next day when he went to break up a fight between two Hebrews, the
identity crisis began.
a. "Who made you to be ruler over us?"
b. He saw the plan of God so clearly, he thought they all knew.
Acts 7:25.
4. Shocked and afraid Moses fled.
5. His next forty years spent as a nothing shepherd.
a. From being in line to the throne of Egypt to herding sheep. What
a come down.
b. It was really excellent training in the wilderness shepherding
sheep.
c. For he was to lead God's sheep forty years in this wilderness.
d. He went from a self-centered. Self-sufficient person to a "Who
Am I?"
B. His self-image pretty shattered.
1. No ability vs. 11.
2. No message vs. 13.
3. No Authority vs. 4:1.
4. No eloquence vs. 4:10.
5. No desire vs. 4:13.
C. God promised His sufficiency for Moses inability.
1. "I will be with you." vs. 12.
2. God gave him the message to speak.
3. God sent him in the authority of His name - "I AM" hath sent me to you.
4. "I will be with thy mouth."
5. God's anger kindled against Moses.
II. WHO I AM DOESN'T REALLY MATTER, IT IS WHO GOD IS THAT COUNTS.
A. Moses was conscious of his failure, this helped to now qualify him.
1. Not self-reliance, God reliance.
2. Not my strength, ability, wisdom.
B. God said, "I will be with you."
1. He is capable to do any work He has called you to perform.
C. Many times God in His love strips us of what we are in order to make us what
He is.
Sermon Outline
- WHO AM I? points: null
- Forty years earlier, he would never have asked the question. points: - God had brought Moses to this identity crisis. - He was extremely good looking. - He was well educated. - He felt a divine commission.
- No ability vs. 11. points: - His self-image pretty shattered. - No message vs. 13. - No Authority vs. 4:1. - No eloquence vs. 4:10. - No desire vs. 4:13.
- I will be with you. vs. 12. points: - God promised His sufficiency for Moses inability. - God gave him the message to speak. - God sent him in the authority of His name - I AM hath sent me to you. - I will be with thy mouth.
- WHO I AM DOESN'T REALLY MATTER, IT IS WHO GOD IS THAT COUNTS. points: - Moses was conscious of his failure, this helped to now qualify him. - Not self-reliance, God reliance. - Not my strength, ability, wisdom.
- He is capable to do any work He has called you to perform. points: - God said, I will be with you.
- 'C: Many times God in His love strips us of what we are in order to make us what He is.'
Key Quotes
“You are not a wife or mother first, you are a person first.” — Chuck Smith
“I will be with you.” — Chuck Smith
“Many times God in His love strips us of what we are in order to make us what He is.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- You need to shift your focus from self-centeredness to a God-centered personality and life.
- God's promise to be with us is the key to His sufficiency and ability to perform His work.
- Commitment to Christ is more important than commitment to church programs or tasks.