You Can Make A Difference Series

Title: You Can Make A Difference

Series: God Uses Broken Vessels

Text: Exodus 3:1-10

Introduction

In 1829, Martin Van Buren sent the following letter to then President Andrew Jackson:

To: President Jackson

The canal system of this country is being threatened by the spread of a new form of transportation known as “railroads.” The federal government must preserve the canals for the following reasons:

One: If canal boats are supplanted by “railroads,” serious unemployment will result. Captains, cooks, drivers, hostlers, repairmen, and lock tenders will be left without means of livelihood, not to mention the numerous farmers now employed in growing hay for horses.

Two: Boat builders would suffer and towline, whip, and harness makers would be left destitute.

Three: Canal boats are absolutely essential to the defense of the United States. In the event of the expected trouble with England, the Erie Canal would be the only means by which we could ever move the supplies so vital to waging modern war.

As you may well know, Mr. President, “railroad” carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by “engines” which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock, and frightening women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed. (From Bible Illustrator for Windows, by Parsons Technology)

But being a leader takes courage. And often it is not the doubters from without that we must conquer; it’s the doubts from within.

I. HAVE THE COURAGE TO TRY.

Exodus 3:11

11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Illustration: On November 8, 1970, there was a hard-fought struggle between the New Orleans Saints and the Detroit Lions. The game was nip and tuck, and it came down to the last final seconds to see who would win. The crowd gasped as they realized that the Saints were going to try a field goal of 63 yards. To try something that had never been done before in the history of man would certainly take a Goliath of a person. The crowd looked for a man with a size 45 shoe and a chest as big as the back of a semi. But instead they saw a man run out onto the field who had no fingers on his right hand, no toes on his right foot, and only half of his kicking foot. When Tom Dempsey kicked the ball he set history for professional football and set a world record that had never been done before. The beautiful thought about Tom Dempsey is not that he won a football game, but that he saw an obstacle and refused to be handicapped. (James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) p. 272.)

A. The Source Of Our Strength Is Jesus.

Philippians 4:13

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

1. Jesus faced all that human life has to offer.

2. He was born in a Bethlehem stable and raised in a humble home.

3. He went to school and worked at manual labor to earn His daily bread.

4. He knew what it was to not have anywhere to lay His head at night.

5. He knew bereavement, suffering, and pain.

6. He died an agonizing death after being falsely accused, scorned by enemies, and forsaken by friends.

7. In his darkest hour He was conscious of being abandoned even by God.

B. Jesus Trusted God Completely.

1. Jesus knew that God was His Father and the Holy Spirit was His constant companion.

2. Even in the dreadful hour when He became sin for us He knew that He was offering Himself without spot unto God.

3. He had strength enough to blot out the sun, burst open graves, and tear the veil in the temple.

4. He had strength enough to die in the will of God on a cross of shame.

5. This strength is the source of our strength.

II. KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON THE MESSAGE.

Exodus 3:13

13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

Illustration: It was June 18, 1858, the Battle of Waterloo. The French under the command of Napoleon were fighting the Allies (British, Dutch, and Germans) under the command of Wellington. The people of England depended on a system of semaphore signals to find out how the battle was going. One of these signal stations was on the tower of Winchester Cathedral.