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."
God was moving now to give them what He had promised; time was right
God not only redeems us FROM something; We are redeemed TO something
APP: We are redeemed FROM Satan and this world TO Himself and Heaven
Huge example: John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
TRANS: Most important question … what is the call of God for Moses?
Point 4 - What is the call of God?
God expected two responses from Moses:
1. Moses was to see God's vision; grasp His compassion for His people (v9)
The cry of His people had reached Him, and he needed Moses to go
IMP: God wanted to touch the heart of Moses to see and understand this call
Moses in turn, needed to grasp the great vision of God
Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish".
2. Moses was to go as God's messenger to deliver His people (v10)
For us: When God calls, He expects us to respond … to readily accept the call
He expects us to be His messengers; just like He expected Moses to go
Big Idea: God expects to answer His call, in spite of our "want to"!
Expound: God expects us to lead sinners:
" from sin to righteousness
" from death to life
" from hunger to fullness
" from hate to love
" from war to peace
" from division to reconciliation
" from prejudice to acceptance
Our example to do this is clear: Matt 20:28, "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
When we see Moses response next week … promise we'll see ourselves
God's calling is direct and intentional - prayerfully, we'll be listening
Prayerfully, we'll respond when He calls us as well
Pray
** Special thanks to "The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible" for notes **
