“HOW TO LEARN FROM FAILURE”
Exodus 2:11-15
2-17-2002
Moses was one of the greatest men in the Bible.
- He was used of God to free Gods’ people.
- He was used by God to deliver the 10 Commandments.
- He was used of God to build the Tabernacle so that God could dwell with His people.
- Yet Moses didn’t start out that way. He was raised to believe God, but he chose to take matters in his own hand and he failed.
How often do we do the same?
Truths that Moses needed to learn inorder to teach us:
I. Spiritual Ends are Never Obtained by Carnal Means Ex.2:11-12
A. Did God want his people in bondage? NO!
B. He looked right and left but forgot to look up.
C. If you want a promotion and lie, cheat and steel to get it, don’t say “well praise the Lord”. He had nothing in it.
D. God is NOT in deceit and trickery to obtain His will for our lives.
II. Timing is as Important as Action
A. God intended to free his people but Moses acted before God and then tried to hide his action.
B. So often we jump the gun and we need to restart.
C. Less often but still there is, God says GO and we say NO!
1.
1. It is Gods’ plan and therefore done in God’s time.
2. If God is in it, the event will happen
3. Waiting on God is not a sign of weakness
III. Hiding Wrong Does Not Erase Wrong
The body was discovered vs.13-14
A. Nu 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
B. Isa 59:1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
C. 1Cor. 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
IV. Spiritual Leadership is God Appointed Not Self Assumed
Moses wanted the people free and took matters in his own hand and God could not and would not use it.
A. Good leaders never volunteer they are drafted.
Moses God
1. I’m a failure 3:11 I can use you 3:12
2. I wouldn’t know what to say I will tell you what to say
vs.3:13 vs.3:14
3. They won’t listen 4:1 They will vs.3:18
4. I can’t speak 4:10 Your brother Aaron will help vs. 4:14
B. Moses was not going to jump the gun this time!
Lessons Moses learned: and practical application
1. He became a servant vs. 2:17
a. Mosses Prince of Egypt watering the flock
b. Moses the great leader now just a shepherd
2. He was willing to be obscure 2:21-22, 3:1
a. vs.2:22 “I have been a stranger in a strange land”.
b. 3:1 “and he lead the flock to the backside of the desert”...
3. He learned to rest and rely on God 2:21-25
a. in time past Moses heard there cry and decided to do something about it and failed.
b. This time it was all God vs.2:24-25
And God heard
And God remembered
And God looked
And God had respect
Where is Moses in this? In the desert tending sheep.
Conclusion:
I. Spiritual Ends are Never Obtained by Carnal Means
II. Timing is as Important as Action
III. Hiding Wrong Does Not Erase Wrong
IV. Spiritual Leadership is God Appointed Not Self Assumed
- When was the last time you let God have control of your life, past, present, and future?
- If you have never been Born Again to today is the first day of the rest of your life. Why not start it out fresh.
- Christian know Gods’ will and then do Gods’ will.
