The Appointed Prophet of God
God’s election
Shown mighty through God’s power
DBF, 9/1/02
You know when God called me to come out to Dillingham a little over 5 years ago, I had know idea of what HE was calling us to do.
It could have been as simple as helping someone out of a sticky situation…
It could have been being a friend to someone in order to show them a little picture of Jesus Christ…
It could have been to be a Bible Teacher, youth group leader, or any other position.
You see the only one who truly knew why I was called to Dillingham was God. HIS election and calling are sure. Once called we are required to seek to experience God as Henry Blackaby’s study so aptly assists one in doing.
Did I have questions as to why? Yes.
Did I have questions as to ability? Yes.
Did I have questions as to reality? Yes.
Did I have questions over Gloria and my many weaknesses? Yes.
Did I doubt that God was greater than any of these questions? No, I did not. I revel still like Paul for in my weakness God shows HIMSELF more than able.
Why did God choose me? Why would he choose You?
HE did not choose me for the works I had done…works or of no avail.
HE did not choose me for my great ability to draw crowds…as we are still awaiting the crowds.
He did not choose me for the knowledge I possessed…I am coming to know daily that we HE called me my knowledge of HIM was limited.
You see God looks at you and I and Moses and Aaron in the same light, God looks at our hearts and our willingness to give ourselves to doing HIS good and perfect will.
I like the Apostle Paul resign myself to being of no gain, save for Jesus Christ in my life and now for the accomplishment of HIS will as HE makes it known to me daily.
Let’s walk with Moses and Aaron today as we study the 7th chapter of the Book of Exodus.
God’s election
Exodus 6:28-7:7 (KJV)
And it came to pass on the day when the Lord spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt, [29] That the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, I am the Lord: speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee. [30] And Moses said before the Lord, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?
7[1] And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. [2] Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land. [3] And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. [4] But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. [5] And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. [6] And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them, so did they. [7] And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.
And it came to pass on the day when the Lord spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt, [29] That the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, I am the Lord: speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee. [30] And Moses said before the Lord, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?
What should you and I do if God calls you to do his will?
We should gladly accept the honor and privilege that HE is extending to us to be a part of HIS kingdom work.
Why do many of us as Moses fail to heed HIS call?
Many of us rely more on ourselves and less on God. We see our weaknesses, inability, and lack of what we feel to be foundational knowledge of God.
Moses felt that he was inadequate for the task that God was calling him?
Many of us feel that we are inadequate for the task that God is calling us to?
Both are right of course if they are seeking to accomplish God’s will in their own strength. We must come to know that we can accomplish nothing that is good or worthy apart from God. HE is our rock and our salvation .
Moses saw himself as a stuttered before Pharaoh, we see ourselves as nothing before the people in the world to whom we come with the “Good News” of God. At least when we come to God in a broken state, HE is able to begin to fix us into the image of Christ—our example.
1 Peter 5:1-6 (KJV)
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: [2] Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; [3] Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. [4] And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. [5] Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
[6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
We are called to bring ourselves humbly before our God and King while seeking HIS will above all.
7[1] And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. [2] Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land
Was Moses as a god before Pharaoh on his own accord? No, far he would have appeared as such on any of their numerous encounters.
Can we claim any of the magnificent things God does in our presence and ministry’s? No, for apart from God they would not prosper and would not bring glory and honor to God.
We all should come to a place that we see ourselves as nothing before God, humbly give ourselves at that point, then God is able to rebuild us into a glorious structure for HIS honor and glory. It is hard to get there when you have competing pride and arrogance, nearly impossible I would say.
What does a prophet do? Simply deliver the word of God to HIS intended recipients.
What should a pastor be doing? Simply delivering God’s word in all situations that the flock God has placed him in require it.
There are no exceptions, God’s words are truly the only words that we should give advise in. You see many of us want to mediate for the world instead of standing firm in God’s word and calling people from the world. Let it not be so…stand firm day in and day out in God’s word.
[6] And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them, so did they. What are we required to do when we have God’s calling on our lives?
Quite simple, we are to do as Moses and Aaron and do as the Lord commands us to do.
When the “Great Commission” calls us to go to the ends of the earth proclaiming the “Good News”, teaching all things that Jesus has taught us, and baptizing believers…this is a command to each and every one of us that have called on the name of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Are you ready to be busy about doing the will of God to which HE has called you. I pray that you are.
God also tells Moses and Aaron HE will show HIMSELF mighty to Pharaoh, HE will do the same for you and I if we are seeking HIS will in our lives.
Shown mighty through God’s power
Exodus 7:8-25 (KJV)
And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, [9] When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.
[10] And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the Lord had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. [11] Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. [12] For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. [13] And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.
1st Plague
[14] And the Lord said unto Moses, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go. [15] Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river’s brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand. [16] And thou shalt say unto him, The Lord God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear. [17] Thus saith the Lord, In this thou shalt know that I am the Lord: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. [18] And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.
[19] And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. [20] And Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. [21] And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. [22] And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the Lord had said. [23] And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also. [24] And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river. [25] And seven days were fulfilled, after that the Lord had smitten the river.
…Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, [9] When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent...but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. Moses was asked to show proof by a miracle.
Does the world still run to these things today?
Do we and should we who are Christians seek and see miracles?
The world has always run to miracles and the credit that is given to what they run to should be given to the Prince of Darkness. Think of the people running around in deception today seeking the miracles of the UFO’s or witchcraft or maybe a crying statue. They look for these miracles yet do not give glory to God for the miracles that come from the fervent prayers of saints that deliver friends and family from the bondage of Satan, change hearts of co-workers, make bearable unbearable situations, and so many other miracles that God performs to accomplish HIS good and perfect will around us daily. The world calls this coincidence, but I call this the providential hand of God.
The same hand that God promised to stretch forth before Moses and Aaron and the nation of Israel.
but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods…I really like this in that there is nothing of the serpent including it’s likeness that God does not have dominion over. You see the deceiver can do just that “deceive” but the truth of God is greater than anything the serpent has to offer. Turn to that truth.
Pharaoh’s heart is hardened We like Pharaoh sometimes harden our hearts to the commands of God and like Pharaoh and the Egyptians we suffer things for this.
You see when we do not readily turn to God HE must sometimes bring discipline into our lives. Discipline is something that is practiced by a nurturing parent in order for their child to thrive. God our “great father” brings discipline into our lives that we might thrive in doing HIS good and perfect will of bringing “lost sinners” to Christ.
1st Plague
[15] Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river’s brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand. [16] And thou shalt say unto him, The Lord God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear. [17] Thus saith the Lord, In this thou shalt know that I am the Lord: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. [18] And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river… [25] And seven days were fulfilled, after that the Lord had smitten the river.
This struck deeply at the Egyptian Pharaoh/God cult in that since Pharaoh was a living manifestation of a god, he would be held accountable by the people for the water turning to blood and the food source of the fish dying.
I also find it interesting that the beginning of the plagues should show so greatly the color and consistency of the blood of Christ which was required to bring you and I into fellowship with God. Christ was first required through obedience to give himself once for all who believed, and his precious blood was the seal of the covenant.
God calls us as Moses and Aaron to get out to the brink and call those who would come to acceptance. Let us be about HIS will.
We are called to be fisher’s of men. I think of all the fish that died that week and it causes me to think of all that will die in their sins, and it motivates me to let them know the Jesus Christ loves them and died for them so that they might not die but have everlasting life through Christ Jesus and the glorious grace of God.
I pray that you will not need to go through plagues before you come to Christ. There or plagues today…all rooted in sin.
and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river…Another thing that makes me think of the love and care of our God for us is that even in these times of plague upon the land of Egypt, God’s nation was spared. We notice in our reading that only the Egyptians are mentioned as suffering from the plagues.
When next God declares to you stretch forth thine hand and give them my word “What shall you do”?
It all depends in large part whether you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. This is the beginning that we call people too. For only through this beginning are we able to start to walk in newness of life.
First, we must accept that we are sinners, dirty, unclean, not deserving of anything or any thought from God our Father. If you are here today, and want to admit that you are a sinner we ask you to do so now.
Second, believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah of God, God’s only begotten son, who came down from heaven, walked sinlessly and gave himself as a perfect sacrifice for all who call upon HIS name.
Third, we must commit this day and every day of our lives to strive to be more like Christ Jesus through continuous meditation on HIS word, prayer, fellowship of Christians and striving for continuous sanctification through the precious grace of our ever loving God.
This is our minimum service:
Romans 12:1 (KJV)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable (or minimum) service.
I pray that you have fully given yourself to this faithful service today. It is your calling by God.
If you would like to come forward to accept Christ or for prayer we ask you to do so now.
If you have any specific prayer needs we would love to pray for you. Please let us know.
Closing Prayer.
