Moses: God’s hero of the faith!
Series: God’s Heroes of the Faith
Introduction to series: Over the last few weeks we have been exploring the Heroes of the Faith found for us in Hebrews 11. We have been taking quick glimpses of a few of God’s heroes of the faith. Theses messages have been revealing to us 8 life lessons.
1. Life is not always fair but God is faithful.
2. God’s Hall of fame recipients know how to say, “I choose to lose!”
3. Over-comers in life say, “I will never quit!
4. God’s heroes of the faith say, “No Pride!”
5. God uses imperfect people to do His perfect will.
6. These real life stories will teach us, what to do.
7. These real life stories will teach us, what not to do.
8. Life is about servant-hood not about attaining fame and fortune.
Learning from real life teaches the most valuable lessons of survival in this life. These heroes of the faith will show to us the lessons of life. We will learn how to please God. We will discover that it is God who creates heroes of the faith with those who say “I Will”.
I look at these men and women and I discovered that they where people who made a difference with their lives. The reason they made a difference was because number one they had a relationship with the LORD. They lived their lives in service to the Lord. It was God alone who they served. They were individuals committed to Christ and His work. They discovered what God was doing and then became involved in it. The result of this decision propelled them into becoming a hero of the faith.
Introduction:
Today we will look at Moses. The man God chose to deliver the people of Egypt out of cruel bondage. He would become the man of the hour. Whenever I think about Moses I immediately picture the movie “The Ten Commandments.” But I really want us to take another look at Moses over the next few weeks. I want it to be a realistic look into the life of a Biblical hero of the faith.
A man not much different from you and me. A man who faced difficulties in life, unfair treatment in life, burning bush experiences and desert wanderings. A man who had faith in God even when God asked him to face life threatening scenarios. He chose God- obeyed God- and became God’s man of the hour.
Texts:
Hebrews 11:1 –3 (NIV)
1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
2This is what the ancients were commended for.
3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Hebrews 11:23-29
23By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea£ as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
James 2:20-25 (NIV)
20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless£? 21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”£ and he was called God’s friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
I. Life is not always fair but God is faithful (Exodus 1:1-22; 2:1-10)
a. Moses started out life being forced by a death sentence into a basket and sent adrift down the Nile river filed with Crocks.
i. Was this fair? To be born a boy and receive a death sentence. A baby faced with a tyrant king who makes and edict to kill all the boy babies because he is in fear that one day the Israelites will go against him and leave the country. That one day they would be too numerous (Exodus 1).
1. Fear has done more to bring injustices to people than any other emotion in the world!
a. It has caused prejudices.
b. It has distorted the truth.
c. It causes people to become cruel and brutal.
d. People who fear loss in life are driven to lash out at others. They cling to and fight those who they fear are trying to steal from them.
i. Jealousy is in this category.
ii. Greed is in this category.
iii. Control freaks are in this category.
iv. Bullies are in this category.
e. The fear of being put down drives people to strike first before the person they fear puts them down.
f. The fear of exposure has caused people to do cover ups, to use deception and lies to hide their sins. Even going so far as killing to cover up their sins.
g. Fear is the driving force behind abortion today!
i. Do you know? The overwhelming majority of all abortions, (95%), are done as a means of birth control. Only (1%) are performed because of rape or incest; (1%) because of fetal abnormalities; (3%) due to the mothers health problems.
ii. Some of the reasons I have heard why people have had abortions under the 95% bracket:
1. I am too young to have a baby!
2. It will mess up my career!
3. I am too poor to have another child!
4. It will mess up my education!
5. I am not ready to handle a baby right now!
6. Our relationship is bad!
7. It will have a bad life!
iii. The estimation is that by the end of 1999 over 40 million babies where murdered due to fear and self-centeredness.
2. This same spirit of fear driving pharaoh in Exodus to kill baby boys of Israel is still at work today in the abortion realm.
a. But I want you to listen to the Midwives report to Pharoah in Exodus 1:17 “ The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.”
b. They had the fear of God – the type of fear that Proverbs says” leads to wisdom.” It’s a healthy beneficial fear. Where is this type of fear today?
c. I John 4:18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
ii. Many back then said, “Where is God?” Many ask that same question today!
1. The answer is he is right there with Moses and right here with us!
2. Swindoll states, ‘…you are a product of your time. All of us are. That’s important point to keep in mind when you’re considering anyone’s life. We cannot and must not separate a person from his or her times. Our moment in history and our unique, individual circumstances become the anvil upon which our character is beaten out and formed. We will either rise to the challenge or our times, or we will remain stuck on the sidelines. Moses became God’s man for a transitional epoch in history” (1)
a. How about you with the genocide of abortion?
b. Did you know that you and I can become the transitional epoch in history to stop the slaughter of innocent babies.
c. Fear has throughout history done the work of genocide – With Pharaoh, with Herod, with Hitler and now with the policy of abortion on demand.
3. God had heard the cry of his people in Egypt and he was birthing a baby boy into the midst of the storm. Why? Because this boy would be raised up by the enemy to deliver the people from them. God and Egypt would teach him and equip him how to be a leader.
4. God’s plans of action always amazes me!
iii. His basket trip down the Nile seemingly unfair and cruel ended up landing him in the royal house of Egypt.
b. God’s divine plan – It would be through Egypt’s own educational system that Moses would be trained to become a leader, and administrator, that his talents and gifts would be honed by God.
1. Why would God allow this – Why? Because God was going to raise up the leader who would lead His people out of bondage. He would use the very educational system of Egypt bent on doing evil and turn it around for the good of the people of Israel.
a. Yes, God can turn America’s collapsing morals around and raise up people to over throw the evil of abortion!
b. I think of Madeline Ohara who got prayer out of the school. Recently she is back in the news because they believe her remains where just found. I wonder what she thinks now about prayer in school?
i. I am amazed that her son is a minister and has led the fight to get prayer back into the school. God is amazing!
ii. I am amazed at the women involved in the Roe vs. Wade case is now a Born Again Christian speaking out against abortion. When asked on T.V. why she became a Christian she said it was the love they projected toward me!
1. Perfect love casts out fear!
T.S.- Moses was birthed in adversity but his parents lack of fear of the king and their faith in God lead their boy right into the royal household of the King who wanted him exterminated.
II. Moses learned how to say, “I choose to lose to you God!’ (Exodus 2:11-25; Exodus 3-4:17).
a. Moses was raised and educated by the royal household. But his mother was a part of his life and so was God.
i. Some point in time he was told about his lineage and who God was. He choose God over all of Egypt’s riches, education, power and prestige.
ii. Hebrews 11:24 tells us, “He refused to be known as Pharoah’s son because he belonged to God not Pharoah!”
iii. He choose at this point in his life to be a God Pleaser and said, “ Yes” to God.”
iv. He risked his position and status to be “God’s deliver of the people of Israel”
1. I believe he knew he was to deliver the Jews from the Egyptians and that is why he killed the Egyptian who mistreated his fellow brother.
a. Moses reacted too quickly and did not wait for God’s timing or direction. His “Lets do it now mindset” got in the way and he blew it.
i. He responded without praying to God and it cost him a trip to the wilderness for 40 years.
b. Swindoll adds, “Timing is as important as action. I think this is where wisdom comes in. Knowledge tells me what to do; wisdom tells me when to do it and how to carry it out. The longer I live, the more I believe the words of the sage who wrote, ‘One blow struck when the time is right is worth as thousand struck in premature eagerness.’ God has no limitations in His ability to pull something off, but He’s going to do it in His time and not before” (57).
c. He also adds, ‘The problem, of course, is not that God is too slow. It’s that we are too fast. Too fast for our own good” (58).
i. How about you? Are you synchronized to God’s timing or your timing?
2. Moses misunderstood how God would deliver His people. It would not be through Moses strength, education or ability but through God’s miraculous power.
a. It would be done through a spirit of humility and “No pride!”
b. Swindoll states, “Spiritual leadership is God-appointed, not self-assumed” (61).
3. So the Lord had him escape to the wilderness to learn what faith was all about and what humility was all about.
a. He sent him to the desert to learn a valuable lesson in patience.
b. Swindoll tells us, “There are two things I can say about failure…Experiencing failure promotes an obedient life…Experiencing failure prompts a teachable spirit” (53).
c. Maxwell states, “No matter what happens to you, failure is an inside job.”
d. You fail in failure when you refuse to get back up and deal with the consequences. You repent take responsibility and learn through the ordeal. Moses learned through his time in Midian.
i. He learned servanthood.
ii. He learned what responsibility was in tending sheep. In doing a job most would seem to be boring and thankless.
1. Egypt loathed shepherds and they considered that job to be at the bottom. Yet God took a prince trained in the ways of Egypt and made him a shepherd.
2. In reality this humble job lead him to the burning bush. So can yours!
iii. He grew in maturity by raising a family and providing for the family faithfully.
iv. His mindset changed from a look at me prince to a humble shepherd of sheep.
v. He learned to rest and rely upon God to provide and guide.
vi. He learned to slow down his life.
1. Capen states, “So many people I meet are in such a hurry but reflect a shallowness that bellies their busyness. You can’t be very real if you’re rushing through life”(24)
2. Strumpt and Lang state, “Datsun-we are driven!’ That old advertising slogan could easily be reworded ‘Americans-we are driven!” Of course, not all Americans fell strong drive to produce, to achieve, to be constantly busy (even in leisure), constantly changing and improving , exploring as many of life’s options as possible. But the air we breath in America is the air of busyness. Most of us feel we must be doing something. Busyness has become such an American ideal that we often feel guilty when we aren’t busy” (75)
3. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know I am God.”
4. But,” in America, the ‘land of opportunity,’ the land of ‘the pursuit of happiness,’ even Christians have difficulty being still, being content, just accepting life. So many options are open to us, and we run ourselves ragged, cramming our days full” (77).
5. But we need to understand that doing a lot of things is no substitute for a genuine relationship with God. And sometimes we need to slow down and hear from God before we do anything!
vii. He learned to listen to God’s plan of action.
1. Swindoll states, ‘Our problem isn’t that we’ve failed. Our problem is that we haven’t failed enough. We haven’t been brought low enough to learn what God want us to learn. We’re still trying to redeem Egypt single-handedly” (68).
b. Moses after years of dieing to himself tending sheep in Midian hears from God in a supernatural way.
i. The Bush burns and he hesitates.
1. His response is classic “Who me!” I am unable to do that God.”” I am a nobody!”” I am a has been.”” You don’t want me!” “God I blew it before not again!”
2. Moses attitude has changed he now said in essence “God I don’t have the ability!” Where before I think he though he did have the ability!
3. When we die to ourselves then my friend God can use us!
a. When we learn to choose to lose to God he then says “Now I can use them!”
4. Moses died in the desert and God resurrected him to his mission in life. God set up Moses to be successful that’s why he went to the desert.
ii. Moses eventually says, “Yes to God – in essence he says not my will Lord but yours be down.’ Good words that we all need to say daily!
1. It’s the magic words which bring miracles to our lives.
2. The desert has taught him well.
3. He understands that he cannot do it but God can and his faith says put your life in God’s hands!
iii. Even after a horrible failure and a lot of excuses he once again says “Yes.”
1. Edison said, “All great achievers are given multiple reasons to believe they are failures. But in spite of that, they persevere” (26, Maxwell).
2. I think it is harder to say yes to God after we blow something for him, then when we succeed at something.
3. Maxwell tells us that there are 7 abilities needed to fail forward and to progress on with God:
a. Achievers reject rejection- They tell themselves “I missed that one, “ or “I made a mistake” but they never say “I am a failure and will always be a failure.”
b. Acheivers see failure as temporary- They tell themselves, “This is only for a short season I will succeed in the end!” I will learn from this and do it right.
c. Acheivers see failures as isolated Incidents- They understand that this not a lifelong epidemic.
d. Achievers keep expectations Realistic- They understand that’ setbacks are a part of life. They understand that everything will not work out perfectly.
i. Hank Aaron first game was a disaster he went 0 for 5 at bats. But he shrugged it off and noted there would be others games and off course he became the best home run hitter in the history of baseball.
e. Achievers focus on strengths- Butera states, ‘What distinguishes winners from losers is that winners concentrate at all times on what they can do, not on what they can’t do…”
i. Our greatest strength is The Lord! Focus on your strength.
f. Achievers Vary approaches to Achievement- in other words they keep trying and adjusting until they find something that works for them.
i. They look for ways to succeed not quit when things get tough!
g. Achievers Bounce back – Caruthers states, ‘Life is a series of outcomes. Sometimes the outcome is what you want. Great. Figure out what you did right. Sometimes the outcome is what you don’t want. Great figure out what you did so you don’t do it again.” This is the key to bouncing back.
( Failing Forward, by Maxwell 27-30)
c. Moses showed the “I choose to lose” attitude when he went before pharaoh speaking God’s word to him.
i. He said yes by going to Pharaoh- He risked his life and it did not matter because he had already died to himself.
ii. He did God’s way this time – not his way!
d. Moses showed the “I choose to lose” mindset when he lead the multitude into the wilderness.
i. He said “Yes” to the Lord by taking the leadership position God had given him.
1. He knew leading these people would be very hard and difficult. There are times when he said to God, “why me Lord!” These people are driving me crazy!
ii. Many people say “No” to God when comes to stepping out in a leadership position.
1. Maybe because it always requires you to deny yourself and for you to become a servant leader.
2. The other day one of kids in a class said, “They wanted to be the boss!”
a. The response back to them was how they had no idea what they where asking for. Because when you are the boos you deal with a lot of major headaches on a daily basis.
b. It is so true! Leadership takes us saying, “I choose to lose to you Lord!’
Conclusion to part 1:
1. Friends life is unfair but God is faithful and the question is what will do about the unfairnesses in life?
· Moses overcame the unfairness and made an impact for God – How about you?
· Moses overcame obstacles to be hero of the faith.
· He overcame the fear of man by fearing God and this propelled him into becoming the man of the hour for God.
2. Moses taught us that we need to say, “I chose to loose to God!”
· We need to reject the pleasures of sin for a season and serve God.
· We need to die to our time schedules and adhere to his time schedule.
· We need to not take things into out hands.
· We need to hear from God and do it his way.
· We need to learn through our failures and let God teaches us and hone us.
· We need to learn the lessons from the wilderness.
o Servanthood
o Responsibility
o Slowing down our business
o Hear from God
o Be patient
o Be humble
o Be ready to go!
Sermon 2 – Series on “Moses”
Texts:
Hebrews 11:23-29
23By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea£ as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
Introduction: Summary from last weeks message.
1. Friends life is unfair but God is faithful and the question is what will do about the unfairnesses in life?
· Moses overcame the unfairness and made an impact for God – How about you?
· Moses overcame obstacles to be hero of the faith.
· He overcame the fear of man by fearing God and this propelled him into becoming the man of the hour for God.
2. Moses taught us that we need to say, “I chose to loose to God!”
· We need to reject the pleasures of sin for a season and serve God.
· We need to die to our time schedules and adhere to his time schedule.
· We need to not take things into out hands.
· We need to hear from God and do it his way.
· We need to learn through our failures and let God teaches us and hone us.
· We need to learn the lessons from the school in the wilderness.
o Servanthood
o Responsibility
o Slowing down our business
o Hear from God
o Be patient
o Be humble
o Be ready to go!
T.S.- Lets progress on with the next three life lessons learned from observing Moses’ life.
III. Moses was an over comer because he refused to quit when things got tough.
A. Why was Moses able to persevere? Hebrews 11:27b tells us because, “He saw Him who is invisible!”
i. We like Moses and John need to see the invisible Jesus for today.
ii. Rev. 1:12-16 helps us to see the image of Jesus clearer and crisper.
iii. The Appearance of Jesus Christ.
1.The first dimension that John noticed, of Christ in His glory, is his robe. He noticed that it had a golden sash.
a. This reveals immediately to a reader of John’s apocalypse that Christ is a Priest.
b. The Son of man is a priest. Just as a soldier’s uniform creates a set of expectations in the person who sees him, so this priestly dress shapes the responses that develop throughout the unfolding details of the vision.
c. To them a priest was a bridge. The expectations have to do with getting out of what is insufficient or oppressive and getting into what is whole and free.
d. A priest presents God to us. He also presents us to God. He brings together the divine and the human.
2. His head and hair like wool, as white as snow. (Rev. 1:14)
a. Signifies- Who the lamb is in Rev. 4,5
b. Signifies-Purity, holiness, blemish free
c. Signifies- Wisdom, heavenly wisdom
3. Eyes as flaming fire.
a. Signifies - eyes that see all
b. Signifies - eyes that penetrate to the deepest parts.
c. Signifies - a burning fire that burns away all that is unclean.
4. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace.
a. Signifies- strength. Bronze is made by melting steel and copper together. It makes a foundation as strong as steel and unable to rust because copper does not. It is a picture of the strongest foundation possible to anyone in those days.
5. Voice was like a sound of rushing waters.
a. Signifies - authority- Example Niagara Falls
b. Signifies - an overwhelming voice, of power and might.
6. He held the seven stars.
a. Signifies - the entire church known in that day and today.
b. Signifies - The universe. In that day they only believed in seven planets in the universe.
c. He holds both in his hands- He controls them.
7. Out of His mouth came a sharp double edge sword.
a. Signifies His Word as powerful as a double-edged sword. (Most lethal weapon of the day)
b. His word cuts deep and with speed and accuracy. It’s not the sword of steel, but the sword of truth.
8. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. (V.s. 16)
a. Signifies- He is compared to the sun at its brightest point. A splendor. So bright you are overwhelmed and unable to look at His face. It is so bright John falls to the ground.
*The heavenly light where there is no darkness, no veil, no mist, no cloud obscuring its brightness.
iv. We need to get a fresh revelation of Jesus today. We need to see Him as He is in glory. A vision of Him today will inspire you and change you. It will encourage you to go where He wants you to go. It is the greatest thing you could ever see.
v. Moses saw the Lord and it made him determined to fulfill the call that was on his life. This is why he could never say, “I quit!”
b. Moses had the fortitude to not swear by saying I “quit” that nasty four letter word.
i. He thought like Winston Churchill:
1. “We shall go to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills, we shall never surrender.”
c. Moses showed this quality in Egypt with Pharaoh’s hardened heart.
i. Moses showed a heart of determination even with opposition from Pharaoh.
1. Because he did not focus on Pharaoh --- he focused on the Lord!
2. He did not see Pharaoh --- he saw the burning bush!
3. He did not see defeat --- he saw the hand of God working!
4. He stayed persistent and obedient to the task the Lord placed on his heart.
5. He did not quit after the first encounter with Pharaoh not the second nor the third.
a. Jim Michener said, “Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.”
6. Moses dug in his heels for God and refused to allow the enemy to push him back and say “I surrender!”
ii. He was not a quitter when things got tough.
§ I find it encouraging to read and study about people who when all the odds where against them they charged forward in God and won a great victory.
§ I have a thought to share with the church today “Please listen carefully!”
· Think of what would happen in the church if it had the “stick-to-it-attitude.”
· Think of how all the church splits could have been prevented in history.
· Think of how our society might improve if we made a commitment to not let anything prevent us from solving some of our toughest problems with the direction of God’s Word leading us.
· In other words when things get tough in the church or in the world we press through them. We don’t run away and say it’s God.
o It’s amazing how many times people have told me that God has told his people to run away! I don’t think so!
· God wants us to push through and work out the problems of life! He does not want us to run away and quit!
iii. Moses stuck it out and pressed through to see the completion of the vision God had given him.
1. He saw the people march out of bondage into freedom.
2. “Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom!”
d. Moses showed his perseverant attitude in dealing with the rebellion in the camp found in(Exodus 32).
i. Moses did not quit after his mountain top experience with God and the shock of discovering at the bottom of the mountain the sin filled camp.
ii. He could have become disillusioned and said,” I am not leading this bunch of hooligans, I quit!”
iii. He did not quit because people sinned right in God’s camp! Right in the church! Right at the feet of God!
1. He did not run away!
2. He did not throw the tablets with the 10 Commandments at them and then run the other way.
3. He pressed on in God! He worked through the difficulty and he helped them to overcome.
e. Moses showed this spirit even wandering in the wilderness with the rebels.
i. He did not quit in the desert because of the Israelites sinned by refusing to take the promised land (Numbers 13,14)
ii. Even though it was not his fault he did not quit when their sin led them to wander in circles for years.
iii. Many would have just walked away and said – “You made you bed lie in it- I’m not!”
f. Moses showed this quality by how he dealt with complaining and grumbling from the Israelites (Exodus 14:11-13; 15:24; 16:2,3; 17:2,3;18:16).
i. He did not quit from all the grumbling and complaining.
ii. All the joy stealers in the group did not cause him to give up and throw up his hands and say forget this.
iii. His focus was on God not on the people!
g. Moses showed this trait on how he handled the personal attacks made on him in (Numbers 12).
i. Even from his family.
ii. He did quit when he came under personal attacks from others in the camp (Numbers 16).
iii. He was a “God Pleaser” not “A Man Pleaser”
iv. He kept a Godly perspective on life and focused on His direction.
h. When he sinned and struck the rock twice in (Numbers 20).
i. He could have quit and walked out on God but he did not.
ii. He got back up dealt with the consequences of his sin and moved on in God.
i. Capen states:
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not. Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not. Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not. The world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
The slogan “Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race” (105).
T.S.- You ask what made Moses a hero of the faith? He refused to give up and allow his failures, setbacks, and difficulties to defeat his ministry for the Lord. The other quality that made him a success was his humility.
IV. Moses was a man who said “No to Pride!”
a. He honed his gifts in Egypt then tried to save Israel on his own ability the result was a nightmare that launched him into the wilderness where God taught him humility.
i. Humility is a quality that will save your life from yourself.
1. When one asked a philosopher what the great God was doing, he replied, “His whole employment is to lift up the humble, and cast down the proud.”
2. John Bunyan stated:
He that is down, needs fear no fall;
He that is low, no pride;
He that is humble ever shall
Have God to be his guide.
3. Johnathan Edwards stated, “Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil’s reach as humility.”
4. Owen Meredith had this to say about humilities importance, “No man will learn anything at all, unless he first will learn humility.”
b. Capen notes, “For a short course in humility listen to Bill Marriot’s advice on human relations;
The six most important words:
“I admit that I was wrong.”
The five most important words:
“You did a great job.’
The four most important words:
“What do you think?”
The three most important words:
“Could you please?”
The two most important words:
“Thank You.”
The least important word:
“I”
(page 81)
c. The Bible comments on how humble Moses was:
i. Numbers 12:3 ‘Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.”
ii. He was considered the most humble man on the face of the earth.
d. Proverbs reveals to us the power of humility in an individuals life when it says:
i. Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
ii. Proverbs 15:33 “The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”
1. A man full of pride would never have been able to lead the multitude.
2. His pride would have gotten in the way and caused mass devastation to the people.
iii. Humility is a powerful quality but it has become a lost virtue in today’s society.
1. Capen states, “Of all the values at out disposal, humility seems to be the least attractive. You don’t see many television ads or billboards extolling the virtues of humility, do you? And take a look at contemporary heroes. Few Father Serras, but plenty of trash talking, high-fiving, stuff-strutting celebrities who seem transfixed by their own images. Sadly, these ‘heroes’ are emulated by young people looking for ways to be cool and accepted” (81).
e. Humility is what God uses- not pride.
i. Andrew Murray states: Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is to have trouble. It is never to be fretted or irritated or sore or disappointed. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in the deep sea of calmness when all around and above is trouble.”
T.S. – God uses humble people to do his work in this world but they are never perfect.
V. God used an imperfect person like Moses to do his perfect will.
a. Moses tried taking things into his own hands-result was he committed murder. We talked about this last week.
i. Moses went away to Midian to be schooled by God in the desert.
1. But it was in the school of the desert that he learned the most important lessons of life to help him succeed at his position in God.
b. When Moses encountered God in the bush Moses was quick to list all his shortcomings and imperfections to God- but it did not matter to God.
i. Exodus 3
10So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
11But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
· “God I am nobody!”
· “God I am not qualified – I sinned – I committed murder!’
· “I am just a shepherd in the desert!”
12And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you£ will worship God on this mountain.”
13Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
· “God they will think the heat got to me in the desert and I just saw a mirage- I need to know your name – something that identifies to them that I am not delusional.”
· “God I don’t even know you that well how can I do it!’
· “I don’t even know your name.”
· “Lord I do not have a strong relationship with you!”
14God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.£ This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
15God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD,£ the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.
Exodus 4
1Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?”
*” God they don’t know me or even know who I was, I have no credibility. I am not important or even remembered by most. Even if they do remember me I committed murder!”
2Then the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.
3The LORD said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4Then the LORD said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 5“This,” said the LORD, “is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.”
6Then the LORD said, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was leprous,£ like snow.
7“Now put it back into your cloak,” he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh.
8Then the LORD said, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first miraculous sign, they may believe the second. 9But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground.”
10Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
· “God I hate speaking in front of crowds- I never know what to say!’
· “God I cannot convince people that you are real!”
· “God I don’t know how to witness!”
11The LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”
13But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.”
* Moses here does not want to go – rebellion sets in and it makes God angry
14Then the LORD’S anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it.”
ii. Why would God use Moses – a man full of imperfections. A man full of excuses why he cannot do it. A man even unwilling to go because God uses imperfect people to do his perfect will.
iii. He uses people like you and me to reach this world.
1. People with flaws – shortcomings – character defects – poor public speakers – nobodies – sinners.
2. It does not matter how imperfect you are because He is perfect and He is in control and He will use you if your heart is right.
3. Remember he will give you the words to say! He will show you what to do!
c. Moses got in trouble for not obeying God’s instructions directly when he struck the rock to many times (Numbers 20).
i. God’s words are to be followed precisely – it’s not a pick and chose what I want to listen to relationship.
ii. He paid the price for His disobedience but he still loved the Lord with his whole heart. God still used Him!
iii. Darlene Davis’ story of Moses!
Conclusion: What have we learned this morning from Moses life?
1. Moses taught us that perseverance pays off.
· He had the “I will not quit attitude because he saw the invisible God!”
· His “stick-to-it-attitude” helped lead the people of Israel out of bondage!
· He did not let anything make him Quit!
o He did not let Pharaoh’s stubbornness or threats make him quit.
o He did not let setbacks side track him and make him quit.
o He did not let other people’s rebellion in sin make him quit.
o He did not let mumbling and grumbling make him quit.
o He did not let personal attacks make him quit.
o He id not let his own failure make him quit.
· Nothing in this world can defeat us and make us quit if our eyes are fixed on Jesus!
· We need to say, “I will not quit!”
2. Moses taught us the power of humility.
· Humility is the character quality that will save your life from yourself.
· Nothing sets a believer more out of reach of the devil like humility.
· Humility gets rid of the “I syndrome”.
· Humility breaks open the spring of wisdom.
· Humility makes us teachable.
· Humility is what God uses --- not pride.
· We need to say, “I will not be prideful and arrogant!”
3. Moses life taught us that God uses imperfect people to do his perfect will.
· Moses was not perfect but he was used by God to lead millions out of bondage.
· Moses was not perfect but he did learn from his mistakes and make the adjustments needed to move on in God.
· Moses’ short comings did not matter to God because God is the one that works through us- it’s not up to us to do the impossible – it’s up to God. We just need to be willing to go.
· Moses life modeled for us the importance of listening to God and making sure we do exactly what He wants us to do
· We need to say, “I am not perfect and neither are others but God will use them and me to do His perfect will – I just need to have my heart in the right position!”
Sermon 3 – Moses – God’s hero of the faith!
Summary of last week:
You know Moses didn’t have to say “Yes, I choose to lose to God”. At any point in his life he could have walked away. He could have said those common words, “ I quit!” He could have taken an easier path but he chose to endure and persevere in God’s calling. He could have stayed a prince in Egypt and enjoyed the good life. He would have had power, fame and prestige. He would have been rich and many things but he choose to serve the Lord.
In the wilderness he could have lived in peace and tranquility and also been well to do. He would have inherited his father-in-laws estate in the country. Life would have been awesome and pleasurable. But instead he chose to follow the leading of the Lord. He knew he had been shaped and trained for such a time as this. He committed himself to God and the rest is history.
Introduction:
Today we are going to look at Moses life and learn what to do! We are going to explore the importance of using our God given gifts and abilities for the Lord’s service. We all need to be using our gifts for kingdom growth in the Body of Christ. God has not given you spiritual gifts to be used for yourself- your gifts are to be used for others. C. Peter Wagner states, “Every Christian and church has spiritual gifts that produce effective ministry. The Bible is clear that God wants every Christian (and church) to have and to use their spiritual gifts.”
This is how the church will grow and the Kingdom of God will grow!
This is how millions will be delivered from bondage!
This is how lives will be transformed!
This is how people will be encouraged to press on in God!
This is how miracles will happen in the church!
This is how the church will get to the promised land!
This is how the world will see Jesus!
Today more than ever we need to see and understand that the body of Christ – yes that’s you sitting here this morning -have a personal responsibility to do ministry by using your spiritual gift, or gifts for the Lord’s work. C. Peter Wagner said that “Martin Luther permanently changed Christendom when he rediscovered the priesthood of all believers.” But still the church has not step forward like it should to use it’s gifts –everyone use their gifts to do the work of the ministry. Rick warren stated, “For the church to grow, the pastor must give up the ministry and the people must give up the leadership.” Wagner says to put it another way, “Small churches will become larger ones only if the pastor does the leading and the people do the ministry” (11,12).
Lets now explore how Moses’ allowed God to use what was in his hand to bring about many miracles, deliverance of a nation and the formulation of a nation which would be used by God to send us the Savior of the world. Today you can thank a willing servant named Moses for being instrumental in bringing you the gift of salvation.
Texts:
Hebrews 11:23-29
23By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea£ as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
Exodus 4:1-14
1Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’? 2Then the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. 3The LORD said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4Then the LORD said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 5“This,” said the LORD, “is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.” 6Then the LORD said, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was leprous,£ like snow. 7“Now put it back into your cloak,” he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh.
8Then the LORD said, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first miraculous sign, they may believe the second. 9But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground.”
10Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” 11The LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” 13But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” 14Then the LORD’S anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it.”
VI. Moses’ teaches us what to do: Exodus 4
a. Listen to God and be ready to go.
b. Forget All the excuses why you cannot because God is the one who enables you to succeed.
c. Allow God to use what is in our hands – our gifts
i. James Wilson gives us insight into understanding that God uses what is in our hands.
1. He states, “ Have you ever noticed that God often calls us to do things we’re not comfortable doing? It is a simple principle- God often wants to stretch us.”
2. I am always amazed at the ways God stretches my life. He uses me in ways I thought I could never be used.
3. God also uses you as well!
4. In Exodus 4:2 after Moses is trying to make a case to God why he should not be used God asks him a question, “What’s that in your hand?”
a. In other words hey Mo – what do you have there?
b. Moses’ probably looks down at his hand and says, ‘It’s only my shepherds stick!” It’s nothing special.
c. God then proceeds to show him how He can take an ordinary everyday item and do miracles with it!
d. Moses’ only talent or gift in his view at this point in his life was his ability to care and tend for the sheep. He did not think that gift was of any value to the supreme Lord.
5. Wilson states, “So, what do you have in your hand?”
a. All Jochebed had in her hand was some straw, but she used it to weave a basket to shelter Moses as he floated down the river.
b. All Miriam had in her hand was a tambourine, but she used it to lead the people to celebrate God’s faithfulness. “SO, what do you have in your hand?”
c. Hannah held a small child in her hand, but when she gave him to God, he became a great prophet. So, what do you have in your hand?
d. All Ruth had was a stalk of grain, but God used it to sustain her family’s life and lead her, by His providence to be included in the linage of Jesus. So what do have in your hand?
e. All the little boy had was a sack lunch, but Jesus used it to feed the 5,000. So, what do you have in your hand?
f. All the widow has was enough food for one more meal for her and her son, but God used it to feed her family and the prophet throughout the famine. So, what do you have in your hand?
g. All Moses had in hand was a plain old staff, yet God used it to;
i. Turn it into a snake
ii. To turn the Nile from water to blood
iii. To unleash a plague of frogs on Egypt
iv. To unleash the plague of gnats on Egypt
v. To unleash a plague of flies on Egypt
vi. To unleash the hail storm on Egypt.
vii. To bring forth the plague of Locusts.
viii. To bring forth the plague of blackness on Egypt
ix. To part the red sea and deliver the people of Israel – See Movie clip!
h. He thought “I can only shepherd sheep-that’s it!”
i. “I cannot preach- I cannot teach!” therefore I am useless for God. Not so my friend!
j. “All I have is a staff! What’s that going to do!”
k. “ All I have is ________________? God I only have ______________!”
d. Did you know everyone of you who is a Christian has a God given gift.
i. I Corinthians 12:4,7 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. Now to each one manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
ii. Romans 12:6 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.”
iii. Ephesians 4:7 “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned.”
iv. I Corinthians 7:7 “Each man has his own gift from God; one has the gift, another has that.”
v. Ephesians 4:15,16 “Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
e. C. Peter Wagners list of the 27 gifts and their definitions pg. 111-117. (Walk through the list with the congregation).
1. “So what’s in your hand?” Moses’ willingness to allow God to use him lead millions out of bondage.
2. The gifts we possess are to be used for God’s purposes – “So what’s in your hand?”
a. What’s your gift or ability?
b. Sad statistic:
Volunteering at church down from 27% - 20%. Barna research
**Lets not allow this statistic to take root at New Life Community Church. Let’s all use our gifts to make a difference in this world!
**Young People (Teens)- I am encouraged by what a recent surveyed revealed your church attendance has over the last year shot up from 42% -53%. And your becoming involved in your churches-encourage your parents and grandparents to do the same!
3. Illustration – The Balloons and writing our gifts on them!
a. Blow up balloons write you gift on- then bat them to another person.
b. Now look at the balloon in your hand what gift is on it.
c. My friend God is “Asking you what’s in your hand?”
d. What gift or ability do you have – God wants you to know that he can use it to do miracles. Like he uses:
i. Mike Ingham- To lead us into to praise and worship. To challenge and intercede for us. To teach and equip us. Also his ministry of service to the Body of Christ.
ii. Cathy Hoverman’s gift of intercession for the church –for you and I.
iii. Pear Danielson’s ministry of intersession for your needs.
iv. Glen Strom- His gift of exhortation and wisdom to keep the body pressing forward. His gift of evangelism.
v. Mary Strom- Her gift of compassion, encouragement and exhortation. Her gift of evangelism.
vi. Dan Blair- His jail ministry where the teaching gift flows, and exhortation is ministering hope to the hopeless.
vii. Rick Robl- His gift of prophecy and knowledge used to promote the body at New Life. His teaching gift bringing God’s word alive.
viii. Louis Robl- her gift of administration with the library and gift of service to the body.
ix. Colleen Blair- Her gifts of teaching with the toddlers, and administration. Helping us to do things in accordance with State and federal laws.
x. Kathy McCartney – Her gift of teaching the kids and leadership in kid’s ministry. For her gift of hospitality, and exhortation.
xi. The Cahill’s for their gift of giving over and abundantly to the work of the kingdom.
xii. To the Christopherson’s for their gift of giving and service to the body here at New Life and abroad.
xiii. To the musicians who give their gift of service to New Life each week. Sylvia Wein, Mike Hanson, James, Amy, Brian, Brian, Casey, Tiffany and others.
xiv. Bob Robertson for his gift of service to the body of Christ here. His gift of knowledge and wisdom to the body of Christ.
xv. Amy Sullivan her gift of service and teaching to the youth and the body.
xvi. James Sullivan his gift of service and teaching to the youth. His gift of evangelism to the lost youth of our city.
xvii. Ernie Pesik his gift of administration and service to the singles ministry.
e. I could add other names but really I would like to be able to list everyone of your names and your gifts that you are using for the Body of Christ. But reality tells me that it’s your choice. God wants to use you but you have to want to use what you have for God!
Conclusion:
God is asking, “What do you have in your hand?” He wants you to let him use it to deliver people, to help people, to save people, to transform a world and turn it right side up for God!
Exodus 13-27
13The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”
15Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. 16Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and laws.”
17Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 21But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”
24Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.
27Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.
VII. Moses’ life teaches us what not to do!
a. Don’t overestimate your abilities. Now that you have discovered your gift let God show you how to use it and when to use it.
i. Moses teaches us not to try to do everything by ourselves. We need the Body of Christ to effectively minister to one another.
1. Video Clip of gifts and there differences!
ii. Swidoll’s teaching on why people crack because they do to much and do not allow the body of Christ to become involved.
iii. Understand that God is the one who enables us and empowers us to succeed.
b. Don’t take things into your hands and do things your way. Do it his way.
c. Obey God to the tee.
i. Obey everything he tells you to do!
ii. Use your gift by his direction
iii. Make sure you use your gift and not let it fade away because lack of use. Don’t let it go into atrophy.
d. Don’t be an idol maker
VIII. Moses’ life teaches us that life is about servanthood and not about attaining fame and fortune.
a. Moses could have lived his life with fame and fortune as an Egyptian prince but he choose to be a deliverer of God’s people.
b. Which mean’t 40 years in the wilderness tending sheep
c. Which mean’t 40 years leading the people of Israel around in circles.
d. His servant attitude to the Lord lead him to give up the riches and fame of Egypt but God made him one of the most respected men in history,
i. Everybody knows his name!
