Imperfect...but Chosen

“Imperfect… but Chosen”

(God’s choice of weakness to magnify His power)

1. Introduction

Show “Changes” clip and ask the question, What is something you like about yourself? What is something you would change?

God had a choice when He chose you and me.

He could have picked someone taller, smarter, stronger, richer, and with more personality, but He chose you and me.

If were honest with ourselves and with God, we all have things about us that are imperfect!

Maybe you don’t like the way you look or maybe you are extremely shy or it might go deeper than this. It could be that people have always reminded you of your imperfections and you have begun to believe what they have said.

Let’s look at what God’s word says about how God can use ordinary, imperfect people to build His kingdom.

2. Pick someone else

Summarize Moses’ calling from God in the burning bush.

Exodus 4:10-13 says…

But Moses pleaded, "O Lord, I’m just not a good speaker. I never have been, and I’m not now, even after you have spoken to me, for I have a speech impediment."

"Who makes mouths?" Jehovah asked him. "Isn’t it I, the Lord? Who makes a man so that he can speak or not speak, see or not see, hear or not hear? Now go ahead and do as I tell you, for I will help you to speak well, and I will tell you what to say."

But Moses said, "Lord, please! Send someone else."

TLB

Moses was like so many of us today whom God has called and our answer has been “Please send someone else!”

So many of us have such a low opinion of our potential that it keeps us back from truly becoming great for God!

1 Corinthians 1: 26-29 says…

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.

NIV

Moses still argued with God until he chose Aaron to be his speaker, but we know what a great man of God Moses became despite his imperfections. (example: parting of the Red Sea, the defeat of the Amalekites, and the Ten Commandments)

3. Seeing Past Others Imperfections

Ephesians 4: 1-7 says…

Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit and so be at peace with one another.

We are all parts of one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. For us there is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and we all have the same God and Father who is over us all and in us all, and living through every part of us. However, Christ has given each of us special abilities-whatever he wants us to have out of his rich storehouse of gifts.

TLB

We need to look past others faults and learn to except that every person is made in the image of God and are called into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

As Christians we have got to throw away the idea that people must “qualify” to be a friend of ours.

As missionaries to this world we must except others gifts that they have to offer to the body of Christ.

4. Embrace Your Weakness, Don’t Let It Master You

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says…

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

NIV

Paul came to the realization that his weaknesses magnified God’s power even more!

We need to give our stuff to God and understand that we don’t have to be perfect, but we need to strive for it daily!

Philippians 1: 6 says…

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

NIV