Exodus 3: 1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”And Moses said, “Here I am.”5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey —the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
We all know …Burning Bush. Famous. WHY DID GOD SPEAK TO MOSES
Acts 7: 23 “Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. 25 For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand.
Moses was ready at 40. Strong. Cocky. READY….TO DELIVER
Fast Forward…40 years…From the Prince of Egypt, TO the king of sheep!
His natural strength is gone, Egyptian wisdom is gone,
Influence w/ the royal family is gone...
He’s about to have a GOD ENCOUNTER
The promise that Moses thought was dead... IS ALIVE
God doesn't quit on us, just because we've blown it, in the past.
His calling on our life...is constant and true!
Today Church, we’re going to discuss How to be a deliverer.
No matter who you are, what you do…Somone you know needs a deliverer
Family - Friends - Church - Job – Yourself
What did Moses need to be a deliverer?
1. Time
Moses - 40 years in the Desert.... Moses being a deliverer didn’t happen overnight
People need time, Students need time, Fathers need time...Mothers need time...ETC
When I think about how little I knew when I started preaching…called to a church
My first year, I did, what you’re gonna do you’re first year of College…FAKE IT
Some pastors want a Doctorate, M. Div…. I Just wanted to find Ecclesiastes
Don’t get discouraged. It takes time to be great.
Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
It took Paul time, David time, Esther time, Billy Graham time.
2. Patience.
40 years is a long time to wait…It took 40 years for MOSES to be Ready.
Think Back 40 Years: MOVIES- The Jerk, Apocalypse now, Rocky 14
MUSIC- My Sharona, Too Much Heaven, All the Gold in California,
TELEVISION- Mork and Mindy, Dukes of Hazzard, Diff’rent Strokes
God is always on time. – Lazarus- His family was impatient.
God’s timing has nothing to do with mine and yours
I’ve had to learn patience as a pastor- Out visioned churches.
Great marriages take time…great jobs take time
This week at work…guy closed $1.1 million sale
Psalm 37: 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. 9 For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
3. Loneliness.
Just Moses and the Sheep all day long
Sometimes being the deliverer means... YOU DON’T HAVE FRIENDS
Different town…Location…People you don’t know.
Don’t be afraid to be lonely.
Not a lot of accolades... Applause...Standing Ovations ... FOR DELIVERERS
My job as a pastor, husband, father.... IS NOT TO BE POPULAR
When Isaiah was prophesying about Jesus:
Isaiah 53: 3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
God’s best work on you is while you’re in the wilderness. Alone
God sees us…even when we feel the world can’t.
Isaiah 41: 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
When we moved to Granbury…We felt alone. – Vernon’s
Midget Wrestling
4. Follow
It does Moses no good to hear from God…And then not listen
After we’ve had time and patience and lonliness…GOD’S gonna ask us to go!
Have you ever met someone…They say “I hard to tell you…just follow me”
And blindly…with full confidence… WE FOLLOW…
WHY?........They know the way…. “I couldn’t have gotten here without you”
Jesus wants us to know…YOU CANT GET THERE WITHOUT ME…
All Christ has ever asked from people is to follow him.
Jesus I am Statements: 1. I am the Vine…2. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life…3. I am the Resurrection and Life…4. I am the Good Shepherd…5. I am the Door…6. I am the Light of the world…7. I am the Bread of Life
Why did he say these things?…To show…You cant get there without Him!
There’s a story in John 6
Jesus just finished his first 5K….Little kids lunch…Feeds 5k
They want to make him king…that’s what kings did
Afterwards…Disciples take a boat to the other side…Jesus walks…on water
Everyone wakes up..realizes Jesus and Disciples are on the other side.
Go over to see them… “When did you leave Jesus?
Jesus…you’re not looking for me because of the signs… BUT THE FOOD
Quit worrying about your Gut…And Follow me
Show us a sign…Like MOSES… Gave manna… Bread from Heaven
JESUS SAYS…I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE…That came down from Heaven
They start freaking out a little…griping, doubting----- Isn’t this Joseph’s son?
Then things got weird…Jesus talking about Eating his flesh and drinking his blood
Your ancestors ate the Manna and Died
I’m sure John and Peter…putting there are around him…”Give us just a second”
Most of the crowd left…Too much commitment.
This worries the disciples…Safety in the crowd…Jesus couldn’t be arrested.
Jesus sees the disciples are upset about the events…
Yesterday- Wanted Jesus to be King…. NOW THEY’RE ALL GONE
John 6: 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Following Christ isn’t easy…But we’re going to follow something…or someone
To whom shall we go? (Christians think we have a better option)
