Exodus, Part 4 Series

Exodus, Part 4

Exodus 3:1-10

Introduction

- Exodus is an incredible study of God's faithfulness to man

-- It is also a great encouragement to see man's ability to be faithful to God

- This morning we see the call of Moses into the service of God

-- Next week we'll see Moses's many replies to God's calling

- Read Exodus 3:1-10 / Pray

Point 1 - What kind of man did God call?

1. Moses was a shepherd (v1)

He had a servant's heart; skillset that could lead & shepherd people

2. Moses was a hard-working, industrious man

Common laborer

Worked for his father-in-law, Jethro

Re: Shepherd's work is long and demanding --- loss of self, protection of sheep

3. Moses was a man of faith - believed in the miracles of God (v2)

God appeared as a blazing fire within a bush

God's voice called out to Moses from within the burning bush

God specifically identified himself as God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

IMP: God met Moses where he was; He came to him. Why?

Moses needed an experience with God that he would forever remember

He needed to experience God - needed to see Who called him

APP: Every believer should desire deeper experiences with God

We should want to know Him more, more intimately, to draw closer to Him

Once we have seen the glory of God things change in us

PRIMARY: We should desire to bear witness to His power/His glory

4. Moses was a man who wouldn't stop seeking the meaning of things (v3)

Bible says he stopped, turned aside, and went to investigate

IMP: Had he ignored this … he would have missed meeting with God

Yet, most people are not like Moses, they will not seek God out

Isaiah 55:6, "Seek the LORD while he may be found"

TRANS: How does God call Moses?

Point 2 - How does God call Moses?

1. His call was to a seeking man (v4)

Moses wanted to know what the purpose was of the burning bush

It was then that God spoke to Him; note: after Moses first investigated

KEY: God did not force Him to come - but rather presented the opportunity

2. His call was personal

God called Moses by name; personally … He knew who he was

Note: Abraham, Samuel, Isaiah, Paul responded same to God: "Here am I"

CHALL: Our response should mirror this as well - God seeks us to obey

3. God's call was a holy call

God stopped Moses dead in his tracks … it made him reflect (v5)

And, then … He told Moses to take off his shoes

APP: The ground was not special … it was just dirt and rock

It was WHO inhabited the ground that made it special

It was HOLY because the presence of God was in that place

APP: When we enter God's presence, we should be reverent & humble

God is Holy, He is completely different. He is not our pal, or our buddy

He is God … righteous and sovereign and deserving of our honor/respect

Broader: He is the Supreme Lord and Majesty of the Universe

He is not to be trivialized with titles like: "the Big Guy upstairs"

When we enter His presence, we should be reverent, respectful, humble

4. God's call was from the ONLY true and living God (v6)

Love this: Look at the terminology used: "I am …"

Not I was, not I will be, not I am destined to … I am!

He was telling Moses: I am God - the God that created everything you see

The bible says that Moses hid his face …. Rightly so!

To look on the face of God is to see our own sin compared to His glory

APP: We cannot compare to Him … re: He came to rescue us as well (Jesus)

TRANS: Why did God call Moses?

Point 3 - Why did God call Moses?

1. First, He was deeply concerned about His people (v7)

FACT: This is the first time God ever called them "His people"

He is concerned about their plight; about what they are suffering from

2. Second, He came to deliver His people from their suffering (v8)

He wanted to redeem them from their suffering; from being slaves

HUGE: God came down as deliverer to rescue those chosen as His

He redeems us today only through Christ - Re: Jesus had to come to us

LESSON: We did not seek Him out; He came to rescue us from our sin/death

3. Third, He wanted to give the promised land to His people (v8)

Canaan was the promised land; a symbol of Heaven

Gen 12:1, "The Lord had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you."