Don’t Let Comparison Kill Your Calling

Life On Offense – Don't Let Comparison Kill Your Calling

Let's Do A Quick Review

#1 Offenses Are Coming | Luke 17:1-2 (NKJV)

Jesus Warns of Offenses

1 Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no [a]offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

#2 What is offense?

In the Bible, "offense" refers to anything that causes someone to stumble, sin, or turn away from God. It encompasses both the act of causing someone to stumble and the resulting negative consequences. Offense can lead to bitterness, hatred, and even eternal consequences if not addressed properly.

Process of Offense

A. Something happens B. I perceive or feel wronged C. As a result I take offense D. I become offended E. Offense is unresolved F. This leads to anger, resentment, and bitterness and the plotting of revenge

Proverbs 18:19 (AMP)

A brother offended is harder to win over than a fortified city, And contentions [separating families] are like the bars of a castle.

#3 We Fall Short

• Let's not stay in victim mode, like we have never hurt anybody

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 (AMP)

21 Also, do not take seriously everything that is said, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you, 22 for you also know that you too have cursed others many times.

• Look at your neighbor behind you and say, "I know you've been talking behind my back

Introduction – The Olympic Runner

"Years ago at the Olympics, a runner was disqualified—not because he wasn't fast, not because he wasn't trained, but because he stepped into someone else's lane. He was world-class, but the judges didn't care how talented he was; they only cared that he stayed where he was assigned.

TODAY'S MESSAGE IS SIMPLE: DON'T LET COMPARISON KILL YOUR CALLING."

MAIN TEXT: Numbers 12:1-15 (AMP)

The Murmuring of Miriam and Aaron

1 Now Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the [b]Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had married a Cushite woman);

• Before we jumped into there problem want you to know Miriam looked after Moses when he was a baby, so I believed you loved and care for him

Exodus 2:4-8 (AMP)

4 And his sister [Miriam] stood some distance away to find out what would happen to him. 5 Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the Nile, and [she, together with] her maidens walked along the river's bank; she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid [to get it], and she brought it to her. 6 When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. And she took pity on him and said, "This is one of the Hebrews' children." 7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and call a wet-nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?" 8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Go ahead." So the girl went and called the child's mother.

• Notice the order of the names 1st name- which biblical scholars implies the instigator

• They questioned his personal relationship

• People worry about things that are none of their business

Psalm 105:15 (AMP)

15 "Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm."

2 and they said, "Has the Lord really spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken also through us?" And the Lord heard it.

• They next questioned his relationship with God

• We can all talk but Remember God is listening

• People make this mistake too often, getting outside of their lane

• Just because you're close to the anointing doesn't mean it's on your life • Miriam's Problem Was Not Moses, But Comparison

• She wasn't angry at Moses—she was angry at her place in the story.

2 Corinthians 10:12 (AMP)

We do not have the audacity to put ourselves in the same class or compare ourselves with some who [supply testimonials to] commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they lack wisdom and behave like fools.

• Comparison produces either pride or insecurity, but never peace.

• People often want your oil, but don't know how much it costs you. Everything has a price

3 Now the man Moses was very humble (gentle, kind, devoid of self-righteousness), more than any man who was on the face of the earth.)

A. Moses Never Wanted the Spotlight, But God Gave Him the Assignment

Exodus 3:10-14 (AMP)

10 Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, and then bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." 11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" 12 And God said, "Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve and worship God at this mountain."13 Then Moses said to God, "Behold, when I come to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers (ancestors) has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' What shall I say to them?" 14 God said to Moses, "I Am Who I Am"; and He said, "You shall say this to the Israelites, 'I Am has sent me to you.'"

Moses had limitations

Exodus 4:10-17 (AMP)

10 Then Moses said to the Lord, "Please, Lord, I am not a man of words (eloquent, fluent), neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and tongue." 11 The Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, or the seeing or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and will teach you what you shall say." 13 But he said, "Please my Lord, send the message [of rescue to Israel] by [someone else,] whomever else You will [choose]."14 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled and burned against Moses; He said, "Is there not your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. Also, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be overjoyed. 15 You must speak to him and put the words in his mouth; I, even I, will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do. 16 Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; he will act as a mouthpiece for you, and you will be as God to him [telling him what I say to you]. 17 You shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs [the miracles which prove I sent you]."

• God didn't need Aaron, Moses did

• So Aaron being in position was based on Moses

• People often forget their covering

• They stop honoring which leads to pride, and ultimately a fall

4 Suddenly the Lord said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, "Come out, you three, to the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle)." And the three of them came out.

• Notice the order in which God called them out

• The man of God, the priest, and the prophet

5 The Lord came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the doorway of the tabernacle, and He called Aaron and Miriam, and they came forward. 6 And He said, "Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself known to him in a vision And I will speak to him in a dream.

• I believe God is distinguishing the difference between a prophet and God's friend • This also implies Miriam because she was labeled a prophetess

Exodus 15:20-21 (AMP)

20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron [and Moses], took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her with timbrels and dancing. 21 Miriam answered them,"Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously and is highly exalted; The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea."

• She was a worship leader and a good person, and served God

7 "But it is not so with My servant Moses; He is entrusted and faithful in all My house. 8 "With him I speak mouth to mouth [directly], Clearly and openly and not in riddles; And he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?"

• Why would you put your mouth on my man?

• Don't you know if I'm for him, who can be against him

9 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Miriam and Aaron, and He departed. 10 But when the cloud had withdrawn from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow. And Aaron turned and looked at Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.

• Why Miriam and not both?

• Instigator

• Aaron was high priest

• God wanted to make an example.

11 Then Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord, I plead with you, do not account this sin to us, in which we have acted foolishly and in which we have sinned.

• Notice Aaron is not calling him Moses, he calls him lord

• Lord signifying the respect he suppose to have

• Whom you do not honor, you do not respect, and who you do not respect, you cannot receive from

• Aaron now needs Moses to use his relationship with God to intercede on their behalf

• Aaron can't call on God, because this was God judgement

• Confession leads to cleansing

1 John 1:9 (AMP)

9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].

12 Oh, do not let her be like one dead, already half decomposed when he comes from his mother's womb." 13 So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, "Heal her please, O God, I plead with You!" 14 But the Lord said to Moses, "If her father had but spit in her face, would she not bear her shame for seven days? Let her be shut up outside the camp for seven days, and afterward she may return." 15 So Miriam was shut up outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on until Miriam was brought in again [and declared ceremonially clean from her leprosy].

Wisdom Keys

WISDOM KEY #1 - Never Respond When Offense | Romans 12:19 (AMP)

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God's wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.

WISDOM KEY #2 - Remember We All Serve Different Purposes | Matthew 25:14-15 (MSG)

The Story About Investment

14-18 "It's also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities.

WISDOM KEY #3 - Stay in Your Lane | Romans 12:4-8 (MSG)

4-6 In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.6-8 If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.

• Offended by: His own siblings (Aaron and Miriam) criticizing him

• Response: Humbly stayed silent and prayed for Miriam's healing

• Outcome: God defended Moses, and he showed mercy

• Lesson: God defends the meek and honors those who forgive family offense

Discussion Questions

1. The Olympic runner was disqualified for stepping into someone else's lane, despite being world-class. How does this illustration apply to ministry, calling, and comparing ourselves to others?
2. Miriam watched over Moses as a baby and likely loved him. Yet she still spoke against him. How does familiarity sometimes breed contempt, and how can we guard against it with those we're close to?
3. The notes state: "Miriam's problem was not Moses, but comparison. She wasn't angry at Moses—she was angry at her place in the story." How does comparison turn into offense and bitterness?
4. 2 Corinthians 10:12 says comparing ourselves to others makes us "lack wisdom and behave like fools." Why does comparison produce "either pride or insecurity, but never peace"?
5. Aaron's position as Moses' spokesman existed because Moses needed him, not because God needed Aaron. How does understanding that our position often depends on someone else's covering help us maintain humility?
6. God distinguished between speaking to prophets through visions/dreams versus speaking to Moses "mouth to mouth." Why was it so serious for Miriam and Aaron to challenge Moses' unique relationship with God?
7. God judged Miriam with leprosy but not Aaron (the high priest). What does this teach us about God's discipline, leadership responsibility, and making examples?
8. Aaron had to call Moses "lord" and ask him to intercede after disrespecting him. The notes say, "Whom you do not honor, you do not respect, and who you do not respect, you cannot receive from." Why is honor so critical to receiving?
9. Moses responded to family betrayal by immediately praying for Miriam's healing. What does this teach us about responding to offense from those closest to us?

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