Bible study: 5 reasons why

Christians are reluctant to

serve God

Introduction
Someone said “You were saved to serve”. Ask any Pastor and he will tell
uninvolved Christians are the biggest frustration in ministry. There are many
reasons why Christians are reluctant to give themselves in service to God. I
cannot cover them all in this study. However we will learn about five root causes
of the issue and the antidotes to them based on Moses’ encounter with God in
the wilderness. We will be reading from Exodus chapter 03 and o4.

1. The lack of identity

But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites
out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11)
Moses struggled with his identity. He felt unqualified for ministry because he
compared his present status with his previous status. 40 years ago he wanted to
be the redeemer of his people because he was the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
now he is just a Shepherd.

Implications: Like Moses at times we also struggle with our identity. We feel
unqualified to serve God. But God assured his presence will be with Moses and
promised to make him successful, (Exodus 3:12). We don’t need man made
titles to serve God because each one us are royal priests called by God and the
Lord will always be with us, (Matthew 28:20; 1 Peter 2:9)

2. The lack of intimacy

Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your
fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell
them?” (Exodus 3:13)
Moses struggled with intimacy. He did not know God well enough to describe
to the Israelites. 40 years is a long time and probably he became become a
spiritually mediocre person while looking after his Jethro’s flock.

Implications: Some of us lack intimacy with God and we struggle in ministry

because we cannot pour from an empty cup! God said to tell the Israelites Moses
was sent by “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14-22). Likewise we must get to know
him better each day through his word and a relationship with his son Jesus
Christ, (John 14:6)

3. The fear of intimidation

Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD
did not appear to you’?” (Exodus 4:1)
Moses feared intimidation. He was afraid because he was not certain how
people will react. Besides they rejected him 40 years ago. He was not willing to
risk himself again.

Implication: Like Moses we also struggle with intimidation sometimes. Now

God gave Moses the power to perform mighty miraculous deeds, (Exodus 4:1-
19). We need not to be fear because the Lord will work with us and confirm his
word through signs and wonders when we give ourselves to him in service,
(Mark 16:20).

4. The fear of inadequacy

Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor
since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” (Exodus 4:10)
Moses struggled with inadequacy. He felt he wasn’t up to the task which God
wanted him to execute. Who would listen to him if he cannot speak convincingly
let alone trust he was sent by God?

Implication: Like Moses sometimes we also struggle with inadequacy. Moses

did not know he doesn’t have to speak on his own. But God promised to inspire
him! (Exodus 4:11-12). Our skills, talents and educational qualifications
certainly give us leverage in ministry. Nevertheless the Lord’s work is not
dependent those things. The Holy Spirit will always lead and guide us regardless
of our status, (Luke 12:12)

5. The sense of inferiority

But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.”
(Luke 12:13)
Moses struggled with a deep sense of inferiority, because he compared himself
with other people whom he thought to be more competent and smart. He
wanted to bail himself out from the task even after God assured he will succeed.

Implication: Like Moses we all struggle with inferiority at some point. Nothing
can cripple an effective ministry than comparing one’s self with another. Aaron
was God’s solution, (Exodus 4:14-17). There’s an important lesson here.
Ministry is a team work. We work together towards a common goal while
helping each other with our gifts and skills.

Conclusion
I want to close with a reference to Nick Vujicic the famous evangelist. Although
born with “phocomelia” a rare disorder characterized by the absence of legs and
arms, Nick has a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce. He is the founder of “Attitude
is Altitude” a motivational speaking company.

He is also a film star and the author of seven books. He has 397, 000 followers
in Twitter and 8,983,626 (Eight million nine hundred eighty three thousand six
hundred twenty six) followers in Facebook! Nick’s life as a professional speaker
and a minister of the gospel is phenomenal. If God can use Nick, will he not use
you!