Much Like Moses

MUCH LIKE MOSES

06/20/04 AM

Text: Exodus 3:1-4:17 Reading: Exodus 3:1-10

INTRODUCTION

This lesson is drawn from the life of a father as recorded in the Old Testament. We typically do not think of this character as a father but in fact he had at least two sons, Gershom and Eliezer (Exodus 18:3,4). The father in our lesson is Moses and his story, or at least the part we will examine today, is found in Exodus 3 and 4.

1. When God appeared to Moses at the burning bush...

a. He called him to the task of leading the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage.

b. In a similar way, as God’s people today, we have received from God a special calling.

c. Not to go to a country to deliver those in physical bondage, but to a world to deliver those in the bondage of sin:

“But you are a chosen race, A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”1 Peter 2:9-10

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; “nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

-- Too often, though, we behave just like Moses, making the very same excuses!

[Let’s turn and read Exodus 3:1-10, to see how God called Moses. With this scene in mind, we are now ready to consider the response given by Moses...]

I. WHO AM I?

A. FOUND IN EXODUS 3:11

1. Though Moses was once a member of the ruling house of Egypt...

a. He was now but a lowly shepherd

b. 40 years had passed since he had been in Egypt

c. He was an 80 year old man, already past the average life span for his generation -- This prompted Moses to wonder whether he was the right man for the job

2. But God’s response was quick, and should have been adequate...

a. “I will certainly be with you...” - Exodus 3:12

b. God promised to be with Moses, and this alone should have been sufficient because it was all about Moses and God.

c. As Paul later wrote, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” - Romans 8:28

d. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” Romans 8:31

B. SOME USE THIS SAME EXCUSE TODAY...

1. Trying to excuse ourselves by claiming we are insufficient for the task and ignoring the fact that it is not about us.

a. It is true that by ourselves that we are insufficient but it’s not who we are, it is WHOSE we are!

b. God makes us sufficient:

“Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

2 Corinthians 3:5-6

c. Look what He did with the apostles! (recognized as uneducated and untrained men - Acts 4:13)

2. With His help, we can accomplish anything He wants us to do!

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

3. Just as Moses was then, we are God’s chosen today.

4. Through Jesus, God has provided us the same assurance given Moses: “…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (The great commission.)

[But Moses wasn’t ready to accept his responsibility to follow the will of God and he quickly jumps to another excuse...]

II. WHAT SHALL I SAY?

A. THIS EXCUSE IS FOUND IN EXODUS 3:13...

1. Moses knew that when he went to the children of Israel, there were bound to be questions

a. Such as, "Who is this God who sent you to us?"

b. And perhaps, "Why are we to leave this country we have come to consider our home for over 400 years?" -- Moses expresses inadequacy in knowing what to say

2. Again, God’s response was quick...

a. “Thus you shall say...” - Exodus 3:14-15