Burning Bushes
and Other Calling Cards
Exodus 3-4
Exodus 3:1-2a (NLT)
One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he went deep into the wilderness near Sinai, the mountain of God. [2] Suddenly, the angel of the Lord appeared to him as a blazing fire in a bush.
Minding Your Own Business
- Moses was tending the sheep
- Not looking for a divine encounter
- Maintaining the status quo
- Divine interruptions
- Most of our days are filled with the routine
- No expectation of a divine encounter
- God is looking for opportunities to intersect
- Bringing His presence into the midst of your life
Exodus 3:2b-4 (NLT)
Moses was amazed because the bush was engulfed in flames, but it didn’t burn up. [3] "Amazing!" Moses said to himself. "Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go over to see this."
[4] When the Lord saw that he had caught Moses’ attention, God called to him from the bush, "Moses! Moses!"
"Here I am!" Moses replied.
A Burning Bush Experience
- God used the burning bush
- To capture Moses’ attention
- To call out to Moses
- To redirect Moses
- What is the burning bush of your life?
- A place
- A person
- An experience
- An encounter with God
Called by Name
- God’s call is specific
- Not “hey you”
- God calls you by name
- He specifically wants to communicate with you
Exodus 3:5-6 (NLT)
"Do not come any closer," God told him. "Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground." [6] Then he said, "I am the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." When Moses heard this, he hid his face in his hands because he was afraid to look at God.
Reverent Approach
- Holy Ground
- Moses removed his sandals
- Showing honor and respect
- What reverence do we show in God’s presence
- Attitudes
- Expectations
- Acknowledgement
- Overwhelmed
- Moses covered his face
- The presence of God is overpowering
- Isaiah 6:1-5
Isaiah 6:1-5 (NLT)
In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. [2] Hovering around him were mighty seraphim, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with the remaining two they flew. [3] In a great chorus they sang, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty! The whole earth is filled with his glory!" [4] The glorious singing shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire sanctuary was filled with smoke.
[5] Then I said, "My destruction is sealed, for I am a sinful man and a member of a sinful race. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord Almighty!"
Exodus 3:7-9 (NLT)
Then the Lord told him, "You can be sure I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries for deliverance from their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. [8] So I have come to rescue them from the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own good and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites live. [9] The cries of the people of Israel have reached me, and I have seen how the Egyptians have oppressed them with heavy tasks.
The Task
- A specific task
- The rescue of the Israelites
- Kingdom purposes
- Orchestrated by God
- Responding to the cry
- Everyday someone is crying out for God
- Rescue
- Comfort
- Healing
- Provision
Exodus 3:10 (NLT)
Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You will lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt."
You’ve Been Chosen
- God specifically wanted Moses
- Moses had been equipped for this call
- Grew up in the house of Pharaoh
- Had seen the injustice upon his people
- Had spent time in exile
- God has specifically chosen you
- You’ve been equipped
- Skills
- Talents
- Failures
- Experience
Exodus 3:11 (NLT)
"But who am I to appear before Pharaoh?" Moses asked God. "How can you expect me to lead the Israelites out of Egypt?"
There’s Always an Excuse
- Moses felt inadequate
- God already knew Moses inadequacy
- Bigger than you are
- God’s call will always be bigger than you
- Beyond your abilities
- Beyond your skills
- Beyond your resources
- Beyond anything you could accomplish on your own
Galatians 3:12 (NLT)
Then God told him, "I will be with you. And this will serve as proof that I have sent you: When you have brought the Israelites out of Egypt, you will return here to worship God at this very mountain."
You Are Not Alone
- Moses was not going alone
- God would be with him
- Preparing the way
- Providing the resources
- God with us
- God does not send us out alone
- His strength is seen in our deficiency
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.
Seen any burning bushes lately?
**Powerpoint available on request
