We bring Weakness, God brings Perfection
Our Problems
God’s solutions
We must strive for one another
DBF Sunday Sermon, 8/4/02
In the past number of years we have seen our fair share of problems in Bristol Bay. The decline of Red Salmon returning, the decline of price per pound for that fish, and a way of life and sustenance for many generations almost evaporating before their very eyes.
This is not too different from what Moses was called to consider. Moses was called to go to Pharaoh and tell him that they would require a change in their lives. God says, “LET MY PEOPLE GO!”
You see a lot of times we view change as a great negative factor.
Why is this?
It scares us…
Holds uncertainty…
Is intimidating…
We cannot really plan for it…
We do not even know for how long we will be required to plan.
Moses today will bring up some objections to his leadership position, and we all could stand beside him and profess to God how unworthy and utterly useless we are and have been to HIM.
Yet God is able to bring about great and glorious things through the lives of those who yield themselves entirely unto HIM. You see we are unable to accomplish even the least of Kingdom tasks but for God, In HIM alone should we marvel and Moses will be given some marvelous visions today. We will also see that we are each responsible for helping our brothers and sisters along in their walks. You see we all fall, make mistakes, and sometimes choose not to acknowledge those mistakes…which cost us and our fellowships greatly. But a caring brother or sister can take action to bring a reunification under repentance to our right standing in God.
Let us walk with Moses as he continues to receive instruction and give reasons why he is not appropriate vessel for what God has called him to do.
If you look, you will probably see glimpses of you within our study today.
Our Problems
Exodus 4:1-17 (KJV)
And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee. [2] And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. [3] And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. [4] And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand: [5] That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.
[6] And the Lord said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow. [7] And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh. [8] And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. [9] And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.
[10] And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. [11] And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? [12] Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. [13] And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. [14] And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. [15] And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. [16] And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. [17] And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.
Many are the inadequacies that we bring to most situations to which we are involved. You see things have not much changed in the past 3000 years.
A brother once told me of the awesome responsibilities he had in his position as an airline pilot. The lives of passengers, the aircrafts worthiness, controlling it in whatever weather might present at any given time and providing a sense of safety and comfort to the passengers.
We discussed exactly how much of this was actually under his control. I asked him what if you went out to the aircraft and the battery or the generator was not operating…could he control that situation. If God caused the fog to roll in, could he control that situation. If the aircraft went into a downdraft, could he control and aircraft that did not have the proper air motion around the wings to provide the much needed “lift”.
He acknowledged that truly he had no control other than that given to him by God.
You see control is a truly relative, tenuous undertaking that continually changes…unless we truly yield it all to God. In my life I know that my yielding all things to God results in way better control of things surrounding me than I could ever control on my own.
Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee. They will not believe me…why should they we are weak, fallible, short minded, short tempered people that have failed and will fail again.
2 Cor. 12:10 (KJV)
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
When we come to the point that we see ourselves as God sees us, then we realize that weakness is not such a bad state. When we are weak then we turn to God because HE becomes our only source of strength. When people see anything good, noble, or honorable within us…they are seeing God’s characteristics that are being formed in us…shining out to a world in need of hope, love, and faith that things will be better.
[10] And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
And God I can’t even talk, you know that these Israelites will mock me. This is something that Christians say continually…I am not able to teach or preach or lead in our congregation. This is after years of sitting around churches and being parts of various studies.
This should amaze us because when Paul went from Synagogue to Synagogue preaching Christ and HIM crucified, the people he left in charge of the first born Christian Churches had much less training than most of our faithful lay people today.
I know that when someone really calls upon the name of Jesus Christ and says the sinners prayer that the angels do not rush down and seek the nearest individual with a Seminary degree…we are all called to the task of the “Great Commission” and many of us are failing this calling for much the same reason that Moses puts before God. Remember God is able to do great and glorious things through those who yield themselves totally to HIS will. Will you do so today?
You see if we seek to give reasons we cannot be of service to Christ…Satan is out there pitching excuses all the day long. You just need to know that if you have truly called upon the name of “Jesus Christ” that you are a new creation being molded daily and God will mold you in the manners required to bring about HIS “Great Commission”. Embrace this and come free and fully to HIM.
God’s solutions
When God directed my path to Dillingham and Bristol Bay, I could not see this as being any kind of solution for my continued growth in Christ…this was a place that I really didn’t know anyone and there wasn’t even a Southern Baptist Church in Dillingham. How could I truly be of service to God here. God is vastly more able to make these great decisions than you and I. I recently watched a film from our first year of striving for Christ here in Dillingham and it was a blessing to see the breath that God did span here in helping us towards accomplishing HIS “Great Commission” task here.
Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. [3] And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. [4] And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand: [5] That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.
How many miracles will God have to place before you before you start to see HIS will in your life. I often feel I am either a babe or confused when I see decisions being made around this great land in which I serve God. But God is still in the miracle business and HE can change hearts and directions for those who are in the least given to HIS will and we must trust fully in HIM. Only God can cause a stick to become a snake then turn back to a stick. Only God can raise over $10000 in two weeks to bring the kids of Bristol Bay into the Native Youth Camp…only God through HIS people who respond fully to HIM. If you are not seeing God’s miracles today, you either have never accepted Christ or you are not looking.
One blessing about serving in a region that has little to no resources is that when people come here from bigger areas, then they more freely see the miracles that God has placed around them in their places of service. God is so good and strives to give us some understanding of our walk with HIM.
[6] And the Lord said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow. [7] And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh. [8] And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe…
You might not believe it, but in some churches today we have some headstrong people—Amen. This is not altogether a bad thing when they are given fully to accomplishing God’s perfect will. I have heard and am starting to believe a saying “They can come with us in accomplishing God’s will, or we will walk around them and still accomplish God’s will.” You see I believe enough in God to know that HE who is able to make a piece of wood into a piece of flesh is able to touch the hearts of those who proclaim to be HIS in the first place. You see God’s will shall be accomplished, no matter the nay sayers, procrastinators, or hinderers…I seek to be in the crowd that is seeking after God’s perfect will in bringing the “Good News” to the lost sheep…whether it be in Ekuk, Ekwok, New Stuyahok, Good News, or Nulato. For that is what the Kingdom Principle’s of God call us to.
Luke 15:3-7 (KJV)
And he spake this parable unto them, saying, [4] What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? [5] And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. [6] And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. [7] I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
I pray that you have given yourself fully to the task that God is laying before you. HE calls each and every one of us to this awesome responsibility of expanding HIS word and HIS Kingdom.
[11] And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? [12] Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. [13] And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. [14] And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. [15] And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. [16] And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.
Who indeed has created you? Is HE not able to accomplish all of HIS good and perfect will through you?
You see Moses lost a blessing because he chose not to accept the full assignment of God. Regardless of our greatness, sharing glories is something difficult for most of us. Moses would be called to share the glories that he participated in and have Aaron tell the people of them while Aaron never fully experienced them. A consequence for this will be that Aaron will think of Moses as the blessed one instead of God as his great and exceeding reward. This is a problem in many peoples lives. C.H. Spurgeon wrote of this in saying that several people were so taken by him that they never missed a meeting when he was in town, but that there was no evidence of change in their lives upon his leaving. They had faith in his eloquence of tongue…not in God or HIS son Jesus Christ. Do not misplace your trust…remember that it is God who is our exceeding great reward.
We must strive for one another
Exodus 4:18-31 (KJV)
[18] And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace. [19] And the Lord said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life. [20] And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand. [21] And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. [22] And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: [23] And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.
[24] And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the Lord met him, and sought to kill him. [25] Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. [26] So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.
[27] And the Lord said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him. [28] And Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord who had sent him, and all the signs which he had commanded him.
[29] And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: [30] And Aaron spake all the words which the Lord had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. [31] And the people believed: and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.
[24] And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the Lord met him, and sought to kill him. [25] Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet. Do you understand that you are a people of a covenant? Moses nearly loses his life here because he would not follow the covenant that God had given to identify the nation of Israel. Our covenant is one of a circumcision of the hearts that have truly been given to Christ. We can see somewhat in their characteristics the development of Christ within them. Come to God, allow him to mold you and make you into the image of HIS son.
Of course you cannot come to this place in God if you do not first come to a place that you call upon the name of Christ as your Lord and Savior. You see God has great things that he is calling you to. Yes, even you. But you must first call upon the name of Jesus Christ and accept HIM as your Lord. If this is the prayer of your heart this morning we ask you to come forward. If you need to get right with God over doubting HIS kingship in your life, or for walking against his precepts, then come.
We would also like to pray for any needs you have right now. I know here in Alaska God is preparing to do a mighty work. We have several pastors and families that are under persecution and tribulations. Pray for your pastor and the pastors, families, and leaders in your church as they will continue to pray for you.
Closing prayer.
