1. SONGS IN THE BORDERLANDS “Excuses, Excuses” Jeremiah 1

2. “Excuses, Excuses” Jeremiah 1 Perhaps one of heaven’s greatest mercies will be that God protects us from the knowledge of the things he willed for us to experience but we refused … … and one of heaven’s greatest joys will be the satisfaction of celebrating the accomplishments and adventures we consented to participate in with God.

3. Instead of meeting our excuses with condemnation, God overcomes them with a promise. “Excuses, Excuses” Jeremiah 1

4. The excuse: The task is demanding The promise: I know you (v. 5)

5. The excuse: The task is demanding The excuse: My talent is inadequate “I was so inferior, even the neighbours noted it and pointed it out to my mother as I grew up. In my late teens, one of my sisters felt led of God to help me get in touch with myself by telling me that in her opinion, which was as inerrant as the King James Bible, that if God called me to do anything he must have had a wrong number. When I told my pastor I felt I was called to preach, he didn't necessarily feel that God had a wrong number, but he was concerned that I might have had a poor connection.” Calvin Miller The promise: I know you (v. 5)

6. The excuse: The task is demanding The excuse: My talent is inadequate The promise: I will equip you (v. 9) The promise: I know you (v. 5)

7. The excuse: The task is demanding The excuse: The time is not right The excuse: My talent is inadequate The promise: I am with you (v. 7-8) The promise: I will equip you (v. 9) The promise: I know you (v. 5)

8. The excuse: The task is demanding The excuse: The time is not right The excuse: The message is hard The excuse: My talent is inadequate The promise: I am with you (v. 7-8) The promise: I will equip you (v. 9) The promise: I will help you endure (v. 18) The promise: I know you (v. 5)

9. The excuse: The task is demanding The excuse: The time is not right The excuse: The message is hard The excuse: Do I have to go now? The excuse: My talent is inadequate The promise: I am with you (v. 7-8) The promise: I will equip you (v. 9) The promise: I will help you endure (v. 18) The promise: I will empower you (v. 17) The promise: I know you (v. 5)

10. The Promises of God The promise: I am with you (v. 7-8) The promise: I will equip you (v. 9) The promise: I will help you endure (v. 18) The promise: I will empower you (v. 17) The promise: I know you (v. 5)

11. “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” William Carey

12. SONGS IN THE BORDERLANDS “Excuses, Excuses” Jeremiah 1