Moses, Ministry and Me: Highly Qualified, but Useless
Chuck Swindoll analyzes the life of Moses and makes the case that while he was highly qualified, he was useless without the hand of God.
Introduction
- Life began with classic disadvantages
- Dominating, unloving mother; multiple marriages
Early Childhood
- Mother worked long hours, no affection or discipline
- Rejection from peers
Adolescence
- Ugly, poor, untrained, unlovable
- Failure in school despite high IQ
Attempt at Military Life
- Joined the Marines seeking acceptance
- Rejected, ridiculed, court-martialed
Young Adulthood
- Friendless, jobless, and unskilled
- Attempted to escape problems by moving abroad
- Troubled marriage with contempt from wife
Marriage and Family Struggles
- Wife's increasing demands and hostility
- Extreme humiliation and loneliness
Turning Point
- Rejected by wife, desperation for acceptance
- Mental breakdown and final act of violence
Assassination of President Kennedy
- Detailed account of the assassination
- Reflection on the tragedy and Oswald's life
Ministerial Context
- Feelings of inadequacy among future ministers
- Comparison with successful figures
Personal Anecdote
- Speaker's son's football experience and feelings of inadequacy
- Speaker's own struggles with inadequacy
Biblical Reference: Life of Moses
- Introduction to Moses' early life and qualifications
- Moses' inadequacies despite his qualifications
Moses' Struggles and Failures
- Attempt to deliver Israel in his own strength
- Fear and failure when discovered
Comparison with Modern Ministry
- Temptations and challenges in ministry
- Importance of honesty and facing reality
Personal Story
- Speaker's experience with wife's health scare
- Importance of dependence on God during crises
Conclusion
- Moses as a model of crushed, yet usable by God
- Encouragement for ministers feeling inadequate
Final Prayer
- Comfort and direction for those feeling inadequate
- Relief from unrealistic expectations and perfection standards
*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.
About the Contributors
Charles R. Swindoll
Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word and His grace. A pastor at heart, Chuck has served as the founder and senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. His leadership as president and now Chancellor Emeritus of Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation for ministry. Chuck and his wife Cynthia, have four grown children, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Contributors
