The Path to Freedom
Exodus 3: 1-11
America is a crazy place. Here’s what somebody wrote … “Only In America”:
• Only in America are there handicap parking places in front of a skating rink.
• Only in America do drug stores make the sick walk all the way in the back to get their prescriptions … while healthy people can buy cigarettes up front.
• Only in America do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway, and fill our garages with junk.
• Only in America do we use answering machines to screen calls, and have call waiting, so we won’t miss a call from someone we didn’t want to talk to in the first place.
• Only in America do we have Braille on drive up ATM machines.
Most of us know the story of Moses and what he was called by God to do.
Ex 3:1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
Ex 3:2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.
Ex 3:3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”
Ex 3:4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
And Moses said, “Here I am.”
Ex 3:5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
Ex 3:6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
Ex 3:7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.
Ex 3:8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.
Ex 3:9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.
Ex 3:10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
Ex 3:11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
God says to Moses that he has seen the misery of the people…I have heard them crying out…and I am concerned about their suffering…
He says to Moses first that “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham and the God of Jacob.”
"Moses, in light of all that I see, the misery, their crying and their suffering, I am getting ready to do something about it…I have come down to rescue them from their oppressors and bring them to a good land spacious land flowing with milk and honey."
Isn’t that the same thing that Moses saw, he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew and killed the Egyptian.
He saw the misery of the one being beat, possibly the cries of the one being beaten and was concerned about the suffering.
So he took matters into his own hands and killed the oppressor.
The next day he saw two Hebrews fighting and asked the one in the wrong “why?” (2:13)
Answer: Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian? (2: 14)
Pharaoh heard of it, too and tried to kill Moses (2:15)
So Moses fled and he still took matters into his own hands when shepherds drove away the daughters of the priest of Midian. (2: 17)
“Moses got up and came to their rescue and watered their flock” (2: 17)
Moses: married and said, “I have become an alien in a foreign land”
Moses was raised in prominence in Pharaoh’s home and when he took matters into own hands he became an alien in a foreign land.
Fast forward several thousand years.
(The following history was from another Sermon Central contributor)
Our country’s forefathers sought after freedom and came to this country seeking that freedom.
We enjoy our freedom today, because of what our founding fathers, our fathers, our brothers & sisters, our sons & daughters, have done to get and preserve this freedom.
Our freedom didn’t come cheap. The patriots fought and died to give us our “freedom of religion”.
Are we a Christian nation today? Probably not. Was this nation founded on Christian principles? Absolutely!
The first settlers of America came here to express their religious faith … for freedom of worship. The Pilgrims who came to Plymouth Rock on the Mayflower, wrote the Mayflower Compact in 1620. Listen to what they said: “In the name of God. Amen. Having undertaken for the glory of God and for the advancement of the Christian faith, do solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, covenant and combine ourselves together.”
23 years later, the New England Confederation was written. Listen to what our founding fathers wrote: “Whereas we all came into these parts with one and the same end and aim, namely to advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to enjoy the liberties of the gospel in purity and peace.”
This is a much different idea than our founding fathers had. LISTEN to what the framers of our Constitution wrote in 1776 – “We therefore, the representatives of the United States of America in general congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of our intentions…. “And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence … we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
When the first Continental Congress met, and were debating about how the Declaration of Independence should be written, Ben Franklin got up and said – “Gentlemen, if it is true that not one single petal from any flower falls to the ground without escaping God’s attention, will the distress of this nation go unheeded? Let us therefore determine to seek His face.” After having said that, 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence went to their knees and began to pray and seek God’s wisdom. Can you imagine what would happen if that were to happen in our Congress and Supreme Court today and they said: “Almighty God, what do You want for this nation?”.
56 brave men signed our Declaration of Independence. Do you realize the PRICE that they paid for OUR independence and the freedoms WE enjoy?
• 5 were captured and tortured by the British before they died.
• 12 had their homes ransacked and burned to the ground.
• 2 lost their sons in the American Revolution.
• 1 had 2 sons captured in the war for your independence.
• 9 fought and died from wounds of the Revolutionary War.
• Carter Braxton, a wealthy Virginia trader, saw his ship destroyed, and had to sell his home to pay his debts … he died in poverty.
• Thomas McKean had to constantly move his family because of British harassment … he served in Congress without pay, and died in poverty.
• Thomas Nelson urged General Washington to destroy his home, when it was taken over by the British and used as a command post … he died bankrupt.
Your freedom and independence came to you at a COST.
Our founding fathers were COMMITTED to, not only obtaining freedom for future generations … they were COMMITTED to Christian principles. LISTEN to what some of them had to say:
• John Quincy Adams – the 2nd President, speaking of the Declaration of Independence – “From the time of the Declaration of Independence, the American people were bound by the laws of God, and the laws of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which they all acknowledge as the root of their conduct. We all came together to obey the Word of God.”
• George Washington, in his farewell address – “Do not let anyone claim tribute of American patriotism if they even attempt to remove religion from politics.”
• Patrick Henry – “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
These men, and hundreds more, paid a price to give us a nation built upon the principles of God, and the foundation of Jesus Christ. The foundation has been laid.
You may be saying, “This is not history class, but church” and “We have come too far away from those original intentions to regain it.”
I believe in many ways that is true, but it was a similar environment that Jesus entered into.
The people were being oppressed by Roman rule, the religious leaders were corrupt and liked the positions that were seen as prominent, there were so many rules as to how one found favor with God and most of it came down to following a strict set of rules that really had no lasting impact in the lives of those who were attempting to follow.
Jesus said early in his ministry in Luke 4:17
Lk 4:17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: Lk 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,
Lk 4:19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Lk 4:20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, Lk 4:21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Jesus says, “I have come for this very reason: preach good news to the poor, proclaim freedom to the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Jesus didn’t intend to take over government or revive the religious system of the day, but intended to offer freedom to each person who sought after freedom.
He spoke in parables because he said that not everyone who hears me is going to understand the truths that I am sharing or have the desire to follow me, but I am still offering it to those who want it.
In spite of the religious climate…In spite of the government oppression…"I have come to give life and life more abundantly" to those who want it.
Today: The same promise is offered.
Just like the Hebrews who were enslaved by the Egyptians, just like the people Jesus encountered when he walked the earth, just like our forefathers, people today are still in need of freedom.
The difference today is that we may not be able to do that as a nation or as a group, but we can still respond as individuals.
When enough individuals respond and receive that freedom it creates a “buzz.”
Buzz explained: skateboards and yo-yo’s and certain dress styles become popular and people talk about it and then everyone wants that thing. (Ex. Tickle me Elmo, certain game systems, books, etc. Some stores open at midnight on the release day of some of these toys and people camp out to get it. That’s a “buzz” that becomes contagious and epidemic.)
2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
What are we to “buzz” about?
Dr. Ron Martoia in "Morph!": Isn’t buzz a form of evangelism---people getting excited about something or changing their behavior in such a way that gets others’ attention?
Look at the book of Acts, look at Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well, we see people “buzzing” about their encounter with Jesus.
How does that happen today?
Martoia: “First, we need to live compelling lives so people will see a credible example and reason to belong and believe. Second, we need authentic churches where people will long to explore their spiritual curiosity and find genuine community that is patient with their process.”
“Show me somebody experiencing dramatic real-life change, and I’ll show you someone sharing the good news.”
“What is it about our experience with Jesus that this community cannot live without?” Bill Easum
Martoia: The church is consistently answering questions the un-churched aren’t asking and is scuttling the real issue they do have: “How can I make my life work?”
Few, if any, examples can be cited of people from the crowds coming to Jesus to ask how to better glorify God or what doctrinal position is best.
Those seeking out Jesus in the Gospels did so with tremendous human need driving their quest…those seeking him out had deep personal needs. (Ex. A woman with a 13-year hemorrhage, a death in the family, an ailing servant)
Research has shown that people who come to Christ come for two reasons: 1) some come in crisis and think the church may have answers or help that they need.
Ex. I had been sharing with someone who had a horrific motorcycle accident and was told he wasn’t going to make it. He lived and knew “someone” was watching out for him. So he felt compelled to go to church. Unfortunately what he saw, did not impress him and he concluded that church wasn’t worth pursuing. I tried to explain the difference between religion and relationship and fruit should be evident in the lives of those with a relationship. I’d love to tell you that he came to church and is now a believer, but that story is still being written…
1) some come in crisis and think the church may have answers or help that they need
2) The rest come out of curiosity because someone credible in their lives has experienced visible change and they want to see if maybe that is possible for them.
Do you remember the woman at the well who encountered Jesus and went back to her village telling of her encounter with him? That’s a buzz!
Martoia: "When lives work better because people are coming to obey Jesus, and they begin to have deeply moving experiences with God, the natural overflow is for them to tell their story to others. Without storytelling, there is no buzz."
This weekend of Independence Day is a time to remember our freedom that was bought at a price by our men and women who fought, our forefathers who sacrificed to give us freedom, but it is also and opportunity for us to realize that freedom today is still an option that needs pursued.
Moses led the people from slavery to the Promised Land and we are on that same path. Either we are still enslaved or we are in the process of heading to the promised land…but some have gone on before us and are already in the Promised land and have made it across the finish line.
The journey is worth taking and although we experience trial and troubles along the way, it beats being a slave.
2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
2Co 4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
2Co 4:9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2Co 4:10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
2Co 4:11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.
2Co 4:12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
2Co 4:13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak,
2Co 4:14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.
2Co 4:15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
2Co 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2Co 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2Co 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
(Fill in your own blanks for your situation and application)
Action Steps:
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