Introduction

Good morning, church family! I'm so glad we're gathered here today. It's a beautiful day to share in God's word and love, isn't it? I can feel the warmth and joy in this room, and it's a testament to the kind of community we've built here.

Today, we're going to talk about something that I believe is going to touch each one of our hearts. We're going to look at a story that's as old as time, but as relevant as today's headlines. It's a story of a man and his encounter with the divine, and how that encounter changed not just his life, but the lives of an entire nation.

Before we get into it, I want to share a quote from a respected Christian author, A.W. Tozer. He once said, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." Isn't that something? Our perception of God shapes our entire being. And as we'll see today, it was an encounter with God that shaped the destiny of a man named Moses, and the people he led.

Let's read the story together. It's from Exodus 3:1-22:

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 wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 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. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”

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.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 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.

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. 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...”

And it continues until verse 22. What a powerful passage, right? It's a story of revelation, of calling, and of purpose.

Now, let's bow our heads and open our hearts in prayer.

Dear Lord, we thank you for this day, for the love that fills this room, and for the opportunity to learn from Your word. As we discuss the story of Moses today, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to the lessons we can draw from it. Help us to understand the power of Your presence, to recognize our calling, and to fulfill our purpose in Your grand plan. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

The Power of God's Presence

We find Moses in the wilderness, tending to his father-in-law's flock. He's far from the comforts of home, in a place that's barren and desolate. But it's in this unlikely place that he encounters God. And not just any encounter - he sees a bush that's on fire but doesn't burn up. It's a sight that's strange and mysterious, and it draws him in. And when he approaches, God speaks to him.

Imagine that for a moment. Moses, in the middle of nowhere, hears the voice of God from a burning bush. It's a powerful reminder that God's presence isn't confined to certain places or times. He is everywhere, and He can make His presence felt in the most unexpected ways.

This encounter with God wasn't just a random event. It was a defining moment in Moses' life. It was the moment when he received his calling, when he was given a mission by God. And it all started with an awareness of God's presence.

God's presence isn't just about feeling good or being comforted. It's about being aware of His power, His majesty, and His love. It's about realizing that He is with us, guiding us, and working in our lives. And when we become aware of His presence, it changes us. It gives us a new perspective, a new purpose, and a new passion.

Now, let's look at the burning bush. It's a symbol of God's presence, but it's also a symbol of His power. The bush was on fire, but it didn't burn up. This is a picture of God's power - a power that's beyond our understanding, a power that's infinite and uncontainable.

But there's more to this symbol. The burning bush also represents God's holiness. Fire is often used in the Bible to represent God's holiness, His purity, and His judgment. And when Moses approached the bush, God told him to take off his sandals, because the place where he was standing was holy ground.

This is a powerful reminder that when we encounter God's presence, we're also encountering His holiness. We're standing on holy ground, in the presence of a holy God. And this should fill us with awe, with reverence, and with a deep sense of humility.

But there's another aspect to this encounter. When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, He revealed Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He connected Himself to the history of His people, to the promises He had made, and to the covenant He had established.

This shows us that God's presence isn't just about the here and now. It's also about the past and the future. It's about His faithfulness, His promises, and His plans. And when we're aware of His presence, we're also aware of His faithfulness. We're reminded of His promises, and we're reassured of His plans.

Finally, let's look at Moses' response. When he realized that he was in the presence of God, he hid his face. He was afraid to look at God. This is a natural response. When we're confronted with the holiness and majesty of God, it can be overwhelming. It can make us feel small, insignificant, and unworthy.

But God didn't rebuke Moses for his fear. Instead, He reassured him. He told him that He had seen the suffering of His people, that He had heard their cries, and that He was going to rescue them.

This shows us that God's presence isn't just about power and holiness. It's also about love and compassion. It's about His concern for His people, His desire to rescue them, and His commitment to their well-being. And when we're aware of His presence, we're also aware of His love. We're reassured of His care, and we're comforted by His compassion.

Living Up to Our Calling

As we continue to reflect on the story of Moses, we find ourselves drawn to the idea of living up to our calling ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO