Facing Your Insecurities

God Loves to Use People Who Doubt Themselves

Scripture References

• 1 Samuel 16:6-7

Overview

When we struggle more with doubting ourselves than doubting God, we forget that He intentionally shapes imperfect people for His purposes. Today’s joint message (Pastor Craig’s introduction and Pastor Sam’s teaching) reminded us that God repeatedly selects the unlikely, the insecure, and even the outright failures to accomplish His work. If you feel inadequate, this is not a disqualifier—it is often His first prerequisite.

Main Points

We are God’s “Masterpiece,” Not His After-Thought

• Scripture calls us God’s poiēma—His workmanship, a poetic statement custom-designed for good works prepared long ago.
• Self-talk tends to be cruel; God-talk is redemptive.
• Exercise: congregation wrapped their arms around themselves and spoke life over their own souls (“Me, I love you… you’re doing great…”).

1. God Uses the Unlikely

• Samuel assumed Jesse’s oldest, tallest son would be king, but God chose the overlooked shepherd boy, David (1 Samuel 16).
• Story: Valerie—15-year meth addiction, jail, severe burn accident, assumed God could never use her. After joining Life.Church and serving, she now ministers to kids and students every week.

2. God Uses the Insecure

• Gideon hid from the Midianites, calling himself the least of the least, yet God addressed him as “mighty warrior.”
• Insecurity often shouts louder than divine affirmation.
• Personal vulnerability: Pastor Sam battled a secret porn addiction (ages 12-30), never attended seminary, dropped out of college—still chosen by God to preach because “ain’t nobody that godly.”
• Serving God is never solo work; we need the Holy Spirit’s power and God’s people’s help.
• Illustration: Salsa-dancing date night in Long Beach. Sam spotted an unused güiro on stage, jumped in, and joined the band—picture of stepping out of spectator mode and filling the vacant spot only you can fill.

3. God Uses Failures

• Saul approved Stephen’s stoning, persecuted believers, then met Christ and became Paul—writer of 13 New-Testament letters.
• “God uses people who fail because there aren’t any other kind around.”
• Story: Luca from Italy—years of vanity and rejecting his pastor father’s pleas to serve. Pandemic, father’s death, and Life.Church Online prompted him to start an Italian small group, translate Pastor Craig’s sermons, and co-translate the book Winning the War in Your Mind.

Why the Enemy Attacks Your Self-Worth

• If God did not plan to use you, Satan wouldn’t work so hard to stop you.
• Doubting yourself ultimately questions the wisdom of your Creator.

Key Truths

• God looks at the heart while people look at outward appearance.
• In Christ, “I was a mess, but now I’m God’s Masterpiece.”
• Feelings of inadequacy are invitations to rely on the Holy Spirit and community.
• Past failure does not cancel future purpose; grace repurposes it.
• The church is incomplete when any believer remains a spectator.

Response

• Step out of the background and volunteer—fill the open spot “in the band.”
• Replace self-criticism with God’s declaration: “I’m His workmanship, created for good works.”
• Rely on the Spirit’s power and trusted believers instead of personal confidence alone.
• Turn past failures into testimony by sharing what Christ has done.

Closing

God delights in taking overlooked shepherds, trembling Gideons, and persecuting Sauls and turning them into kings, warriors, and apostles. Stop rehearsing the reasons you think you can’t. Heaven’s verdict already stands: you are God’s workmanship, prepared for good works long ago.

“I was a mess, but now I’m God’s Masterpiece.”

Prayer

Pastor Sam led the congregation to:

• Thank God for using ordinary, flawed people.
• Commit to step from spectating into serving.
• Invite those far from God to surrender, repent, and declare Jesus as Lord, receiving forgiveness and new life.

Resources

• Winning the War in Your Mind – Craig Groeschel (Italian edition co-translated by Luca)