As you reflect back on 2013, I'm sure there are times in your journey that you will somehow say to yourself; Did I do that? or in the words of our heading; SAY WHAT?!
Yes we are all guilty of that and we want to change and not repeating our stuff ups of 2013.
Whatever you've done let me remind you with the words of Dr Steve Thompson (Senior Lecture Avondale College). He said these words during one of our classes on the Gospels in 2005; "IF YOU WANT TO SECURE TOMORROW, TRUST IN GOD TODAY."
Let me ask you a question.
What is your resolution for 2014?
Is it lose weight, eat less, exercise more, buy a new car, buy a new house, spend more time in prayers, do more chores at home, find a new friend, boyfriend/girlfriend, be faithful and more romantic in your marriage and relationship, be more involve in church, communities, help someone, give more to charities, sponsor a child, stay off Facebook, read more of the Bible, buy new shoes, decorate the house, new kitchen etc...
Whatever your new resolution is in 2014, let me just remind you of three stories that can assist you and me in 2014.
I hope and trust you've read these stories in your daily walk with God. If you haven't then now is a good time. If you have, let me draw 3 major points to help us during 2014.
Key Points
1. MAKE THINGS RIGHT WITH GOD (Moses) Exodus 4:24-26
Moses was born a Hebrew, raised a Hebrew even though he was destine to be a Prince let alone been a Pharaoh one day.
You all remember the story of him in the basket weaving through the crocodile infested Nile River. He was found by the Pharaoh's daughter and was adopted by her as a son.(Exodus 2:1-10). Then his sister who kept an eye on him all along, asked the Princess if she could go and get a Hebrew lady to care for him. Moses was reunited with his mother once again.
This reminds me of the care and unconditional love of my big sisters. I'm the baby (youngest) in our family. And my sisters make sure I am treated as a baby all the time. Hahaha I love my family.
Moses grew up knowing very well he was a Hebrew, his mom taught him the Jewish way and remind him now and then of who he is. That is why when a task-master was beating a Hebrew man, Moses intervene and in the process killed the Egyptian man. But when he tried it with two Jewish men who were fighting they turn around and curse him with questions. Pharaoh heard about it and wanted to kill Moses, so Moses fled to the land of Midian.
There he found refuge under Jethro's (Reuel) home and during his time there married Jethro's oldest daughter Zipporah.
Let me make something clear. When you read the story you'll find the name Reuel meaning Friend of God, this was the real name for Jethro. But Jethro was his priestly name or royal name.
It was here God called Moses from a burning bush. And in our reading this morning he is on his way with his wife and son (Gershom - an alien in a foreign land) back to Egypt.
Zipporah knew who Moses really is. He is an Egyptian Prince but he is a true Hebrew. Zipporah knew the Hebrew tradition and culture. She must have learn it from her father who was a priest.
It was Abraham who lived in these valleys long before Moses and that tradition and covenant Abraham blessed his two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. It was a covenant given by God for each male to be circumcised. (Genesis 17)
Zipporah was a descendant of Ishmael.
So at the motel (lodging place) while Moses was resting the Lord visit him not to bless him but to kill him.
Why?
Exodus 4:24-26 explain why
You see Moses was on a mission for God, while on this journey. God wanted Moses to know, before a new beginning starts. He must MAKE THINGS RIGHT FIRST.
Praise The Lord for the wisdom of Zipporah, I'm not too sure what would happen to the children of Israel if she didn't intervene during the night.
You see my friends, Moses should have MAKE THINGS RIGHT in front of God. He has a son and according to the covenant he should have circumcise him. But Moses during his desert experience have forgotten what his responsibilities are.
Did you know that even most of us, we are also like Moses sometimes. We are too glue to the worldly ways and culture that we also forget our responsibilities with God. Like the dust of the desert, sin's dust can easily blur our vision in what God wants to do to us and through us.
Imaging with me families and friends, that God has called you to do something and in the process of it He turns up at your home or wherever you may be and said; I'm gonna kill you.
You'll be going; SAY WHAT???!!!
That's why in 2014 my friends and families. MAKES THINGS RIGHT WITH GOD.
Whatever your resolution may be for 2014 don't forget to MAKE THINGS RIGHT WITH GOD.
2. WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON? (Balaam) Numbers 22
To have the ability and gift like Balaam, many of the leaders today will wish for. People will pay billions of dollars to have his abilities.
Balaam was a professional magician some commentator describe. He was not an Israelite but he was from a nomadic clan somewhat like the gypsies. He had an impressive reputation and kings around the Moabites areas were well aware of his ability. It is said that if Balaam bless a person that person will be blessed, if he curse a person that person will be cursed.
The kings of the areas around Moab were alarmed by the Israelites. They have heard of what happen to the Egyptian and how the Red Sea was parted. Now the Israelites were nearing their territory and to them its not on at all.
They needed to put a stop to the traveling Israelites. So they hired Balaam to curse them (Israelites). Instead, he blessed them and curse his employer.
Numbers 22 tells the story of how Balaam the magician turn prophet and a spokesman for God.
But later on motivated by greed, handsome bribe and ambition Balaam turned away from God's will in his life. At one time he should be thankful to his donkey for saving his life.
It is the second Biblical account you'll find an animal speaking. One is at the Garden of Eden with the serpent and Eve and this one.
Balaam was employed by Balak King of Moab to rain curses upon the vulnerable Israelites. Imagine that someone is raining curses upon you. Trust God for your tomorrow is secure!
God uses Balaam a Moab magician and turn him into a prophet to speak out His will to the ungodly people (Moab and surrounding nations). God can use you as well, no mater what skill or ability you have. He will use that to share His blessings to others.
Please read the story of Balaam in Numbers 22-25; chap 31
2014 is a new year, new start, new resolution, new things, new day, new beginning.
My question for you is WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?
Balaam is known as the Judas that betray Jesus of the Old Testament because there a certain parallels that are similar. They both for a time serve the True God. But, through greed and wealthy ambition, they both renounce God and turn against Him, with catastrophic results.
Seven books of the Bible refers to Balaam. The importance of his story stood as a key historical event in the lives of the Israelites' relationship to pagan cultures.
God uses Balaam to rebuke those nations and their false gods. At the end, Balaam chooses the wealth of this world that will rust away over the Treasure of Heaven that no moths or rust will ever touch it.
I asked the question in my sermon title last week; WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH JESUS?
2014 will bring different things and challenges. Whatever might be, I pray that ambition, greed, pride, selfishness etc...will not hinder us from choosing to STAND FOR CHRIST.
WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON? That's yours to answer along with God
3. SET REALISTIC GOALS AND AIMS Jephthah (Judges 10-12)
Gideon have died and his son Abimelech from a slave girl, killed his half brothers who were sons of Gideon, 70 to be exact on a stone but Jotham escape. Now too Abimelech have died, killed by a stone dropped on his head by a woman. (Judges 9) David refer to this story in 2 Samuel 11:18-21.
Tola rose to save the Israelites and he died also, then Jair led the Israelites for 22 years, he had 30 sons who rode 30 donkeys, he died too. (Judges 10)
So the Israelites did evil in front of God. So God allow the Ammonites and the Philistines to oppress them for 18 years.
Then they cry to God for help and after a few pleading to God, God hear their prayers.
Out of it came our third character, Jephthah.
When the Israelites requested his assistant, he told them why you want my help now since you guys drove me out of my own home.
Jephthah the son of Gilead from a prostitute (Judges 11:1) that's why he's was outcast by his dad's family. However, now they have pleaded with him to lead the Israelites to battle.
After a few dialogue with the people, Jephthah agreed and he made a vow with God that day.
Judges 11:30, 31
"And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: "if You give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord', and I will sacrifice as a burnt offering.."
Jephthah returned victorious and the first thing that came out of home was his only daughter.
It is a very sad ending to a successful story.
My friends, Jephthah made a vow but a unrealistic vow. He did fulfill his vow but what a sad ending.
What resolution and goals you have plan to make for 2014. SET REALISTIC GOALS AND AIMS!
Don't let the dust of the desert blur your vision from achieving them. Don't let ambitions, greed, pride and luxury distract you. Make it real so it is achievable. BUT MOST OF ALL
MAKE IT WITH GOD!
So whatever life may throw at you. You don't SAY WHAT??! Instead you say, I WILL TRUST YOU GOD NO MATTER WHAT, FOR MY TOMORROW IS SECURE IN YOUR FAITHFUL HANDS.
Have a blessed New Year and heaps of fun cover by the blood of Jesus and His wonderful safe and guiding arms.
