Sermon Central
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Moses - 3 Questions To Answer Series
Contributed by Edward Hardee on Sep 28, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: Everyone must answer three major questions in our lives. Who am I? What am I here for? What can stop me?
Title: Moses’ Life Mission and His Five Big Excuses
Theme:
Text: Exodus 3 - 4
Introduction
When we think of Moses we often times think of this mighty man of God standing on the mountain and holding the 10 commandments. Or maybe you have the image of him with the rod held over the red sea and the waters begin to split. Seeing the power of God work.
What we forget is Moses didn’t start out this way. This man who was raised in the royalty of an Egyptian king (pharaoh). He was adopted into the family after coming close to being murdered. He was raised in the finest of schools, trained with the best of arts and skills. He had the respect of the kingdom.
Yet he knew he was different. He looked different and inside of him was a different purpose. He knew he was of a different heritage. One day he saw one of his fellow person (of the same heritage) being beaten by a supervisor. He became enraged and killed the supervisor. Then all came crashing down.
Although he buried the man in the sand to hide his bad deeds. The word spread and he was exposed. So he ran. To the back side of the dessert and for 40 years he was a shepherd. From heir to the throne to an ordinary shepherd, no one to lead.
When we meet Moses here he is out shepherding and he sees a strange sight. There is this bush that is burning yet it is not consumed. This gets is attention and when he draws closer he hears the voice. The voice of God.
Exodus 3:1-2 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. (2) And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.
God – Jehovah “the one true God”
This was a shock to Moses. He is told immediately to take off his shoes. This ordinary ground had now become Holy because of the presence of God.
God calls him into a “deliverance ministry”. His nation has been in captivity under slavery. They had been praying for God to deliver them.
Exodus 3:10 Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."
Three Questions
Moses Question #1: Who am I?
(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?"
Moses struggled with his identity. `` He just didn’t feel qualified; he thought God had picked the wrong leader.
This is an important question to be answered by many today.
Have you ever struggled with your identity? Have you tried to understand who you are?
When we struggle with who we are then it is hard to help others. Whether raising kids, or helping those around us.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
The dread of hell is that you'll wake up to the power that God has given you.
THE WORST NIGHTMARE TO THE DEVIL IS THAT YOU WILL DISCOVER WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST.
HELL’S WORST NIGHTMARE IS THAT YOU WILL WAKE UP AND BELIEVE THAT
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Greater is he who is in me
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
I am more than a conqueror
I am not bound I am free
Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
God’s plans for us:
Jeremiah_29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Question # 2: What am I called to do?
that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"
Called to be a father or mother, called to be a man or woman of God, called to be a husband, a wife,
Jeremiah again reminds us:
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
God’s Response #1: I will be with you
(12) So He said, "I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain." (13) Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?"
