04-09-25 part 2: We Begin When We End: From Self-Sufficiency to Surrender

1. The Rise (and Crash) of Moses’ Early Ministry

Dr. Spoon walks us through Acts 7 and the powerful recounting of Moses' origin—from a beautiful child favored by God, adopted into Pharaoh’s royal household, and educated with the best Egyptian wisdom. Moses was “mighty in word and deed,” confident and equipped… but he jumped the gun. At 40 years old, moved by zeal, he stepped into ministry prematurely. He tried to bring deliverance by his own strength, striking down an Egyptian. The result? Rejection, failure, and exile. Dr. Spoon warns that acting in the flesh—no matter how noble the goal—brings damage. When we move ahead of God, people get hurt, and sometimes we get sidelined so God can humble and prepare us.

2. Delayed But Not Denied

Fast-forward 40 years, and God calls Moses again—this time from the burning bush. But now Moses doesn’t feel ready. He’s lost his bravado and speaks of his limitations: “I’m slow of speech.” Dr. Spoon contrasts this with Moses’ earlier confidence, explaining that sometimes it’s in our weakness—not our strength—that God is best revealed. Our pride must die before God can truly use us. The 40-year wait wasn’t wasted—it was transformation. God doesn’t rush maturity. He waits until we stop trying to be the hero and let Him be God. That’s when the real ministry begins.

3. Dying to Self Is the Doorway to Life

Using John 12 and 2 Corinthians 12, Dr. Spoon drives home the message: true spiritual fruit comes from dying to self. Jesus said unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone—but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Likewise, Paul learned that in weakness, God’s strength is perfected. Dr. Spoon calls this the divine paradox: we begin when we end. It's when we come to the end of our own strength, wisdom, and performance that God begins to work most powerfully. Our sufficiency isn’t in ourselves—it’s in Him. Ministry without surrender is just noise.

4. God’s Power, God’s Tools, God’s Timing

Dr. Spoon closes with a reminder straight from Romans 6: we are instruments of righteousness—but instruments don’t play themselves. God uses us when we are yielded, not when we’re in control. Whether we’re hammers or harps, He directs the purpose and pace. Dr. Spoon shares his personal testimony, affirming that his growth came not from ability but from surrender. When we stop telling God how to use us and simply say, “Here I am,” everything changes. We begin when we end—because that’s when the real power flows.