Called to Worship: Embracing God's Purpose in Our Lives
Summary
In our journey through Exodus chapter 3, we find ourselves reflecting on the life of Moses, a man caught between two worlds, grappling with his identity and purpose. Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush is a powerful reminder that God meets us in our wilderness moments, preparing us for something greater. This is the essence of our series, "Delivered to Dwell," where we explore how God not only delivers us from our circumstances but delivers us to a life of covenant relationship with Him, where we can worship and witness to the nations.
Moses' story is a testament to the importance of waiting on God's timing. Despite his past failures and the seeming insignificance of his current life as a shepherd, God was preparing him for leadership. This preparation involved understanding the holiness of God, recognizing that God has a plan, and realizing that Moses himself was part of that plan. The burning bush was not just a miraculous sight but a call to recognize the sacredness of God's presence in the ordinary.
God's call to Moses was not just about freeing the Israelites but about leading them to worship. This underscores the truth that our ultimate calling is to know Christ and make Him known, transcending our earthly roles and titles. Moses' initial reluctance and feelings of inadequacy remind us that God equips those He calls. Our inadequacies position us to rely on God's strength and guidance.
As we reflect on Moses' story, we are reminded that God is in control, holy, and faithful to His promises. He acts for our salvation and speaks to us, calling us to worship and serve Him. This narrative encourages us to boldly step into our calling, trusting that God is with us, guiding us through the ordinary rhythms of life to fulfill His extraordinary purposes.
Key Takeaways:
- God Prepares Us in the Wilderness: Just as Moses was prepared in the wilderness for his future leadership, God uses our difficult seasons to prepare us for greater purposes. These times are not wasted but are essential for our growth and readiness to step into God's calling. [04:43]
- Recognizing God's Holiness: Boldly stepping into God's calling requires recognizing His holiness. This means understanding that God is set apart, perfect, and without sin. Our response to His holiness should be one of reverence and a commitment to live a life that reflects His character. [10:51]
- God's Plan Includes the Poor: God's plan is comprehensive and includes a heart for the marginalized and oppressed. Our calling involves aligning with God's heart for justice and serving those whom society often overlooks. This alignment with God's plan is crucial for fulfilling our purpose. [14:38]
- You Are Part of God's Plan: Like Moses, we may feel inadequate or unqualified, but God calls us to be part of His plan. Our perceived weaknesses are opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and equip us for the tasks He has set before us. [24:53]
- Worship as the Ultimate Goal: The ultimate goal of our calling is worship. Our actions and pursuits should lead us to a deeper relationship with God, where we serve Him and others as an act of worship. This perspective ensures that our efforts are rooted in eternal significance. [28:21]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Exodus 3
- [02:15] - Delivered to Dwell
- [04:43] - God Prepares in the Wilderness
- [06:30] - Moses' Vocational Crisis
- [08:00] - Recognizing God's Holiness
- [10:51] - The Fear of God vs. Fear of Man
- [12:45] - Seeing God in the Ordinary
- [14:38] - God's Plan Includes the Poor
- [17:00] - You Are Part of God's Plan
- [19:30] - Moses' Reluctance and God's Assurance
- [22:00] - Worship as the Ultimate Goal
- [24:53] - God Equips the Called
- [28:21] - Understanding God's Name
- [31:38] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Delivered to Dwell
Bible Reading:
- Exodus 3:1-15
- James 1:2-4
- 1 Peter 5:6
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Moses doing when he encountered the burning bush, and how did God get his attention? ([04:43])
2. How does God introduce Himself to Moses, and what is Moses' initial reaction to this encounter? ([14:38])
3. What specific instructions does God give Moses regarding the Israelites and Pharaoh? ([24:53])
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of the burning bush in relation to God's presence in ordinary places? ([10:51])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the burning bush symbolize about God's presence and how does it challenge our understanding of where God can be found? ([10:51])
2. How does Moses' story illustrate the concept of waiting on God's timing, and what lessons can be drawn from his 40 years in the wilderness? ([04:43])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that recognizing God's holiness is essential for stepping into one's calling? ([10:51])
4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between God's plan and His concern for the marginalized and oppressed? ([14:38])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt stuck between where you are and where you're going. How did you see God preparing you during that season? ([04:43])
2. Moses had to recognize God's holiness before stepping into his calling. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper reverence for God's holiness in your daily life? ([10:51])
3. The sermon emphasizes that God has a plan that includes the poor and marginalized. How can you align your actions with God's heart for justice in your community? ([14:38])
4. Moses felt inadequate for the task God called him to. Have you ever felt unqualified for something God was leading you to do? How did you respond, and what can you learn from Moses' story? ([24:53])
5. Worship is described as the ultimate goal of our calling. How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine, beyond just attending church services? ([28:21])
6. The sermon mentions the importance of seeing God in the ordinary. What are some ordinary places or moments in your life where you can be more intentional about recognizing God's presence? ([10:51])
7. Consider the idea that God equips those He calls. What is one area in your life where you need to rely more on God's strength rather than your own abilities? ([24:53])
Devotional
Day 1: God Prepares Us in the Wilderness
In the wilderness, God shapes and molds us for His purposes. Just as Moses was prepared during his time as a shepherd, our difficult seasons are not wasted. They are essential for our growth and readiness to step into God's calling. These times teach us patience, reliance on God, and the importance of His timing. In the wilderness, we learn to trust God's plan, even when it seems like nothing is happening. We are reminded that God is always at work, preparing us for something greater. [04:43]
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel like you are in a wilderness season? How can you trust God to prepare you during this time?
Day 2: Recognizing God's Holiness
Recognizing God's holiness is crucial for stepping into His calling. God's holiness means He is set apart, perfect, and without sin. Our response to His holiness should be one of reverence and a commitment to live a life that reflects His character. This understanding transforms our perspective, leading us to approach God with awe and humility. It challenges us to align our lives with His standards, striving to reflect His holiness in our actions and decisions. [10:51]
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate reverence for God's holiness in your daily life? What changes might you need to make to reflect His character more fully?
Day 3: God's Plan Includes the Poor
God's plan is comprehensive and includes a heart for the marginalized and oppressed. Our calling involves aligning with God's heart for justice and serving those whom society often overlooks. This alignment with God's plan is crucial for fulfilling our purpose. By serving the poor and marginalized, we participate in God's redemptive work and demonstrate His love and compassion to the world. It is a reminder that God's kingdom is for everyone, and we are called to be His hands and feet in reaching out to those in need. [14:38]
Proverbs 31:8-9 (ESV): "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Reflection: Who in your community is marginalized or overlooked? How can you actively serve and advocate for them this week?
Day 4: You Are Part of God's Plan
Like Moses, we may feel inadequate or unqualified, but God calls us to be part of His plan. Our perceived weaknesses are opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and equip us for the tasks He has set before us. God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. This truth encourages us to step out in faith, trusting that God will provide the strength and resources we need to fulfill His purposes. [24:53]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: What is one area where you feel inadequate or unqualified? How can you trust God to equip you for His purposes in this area?
Day 5: Worship as the Ultimate Goal
The ultimate goal of our calling is worship. Our actions and pursuits should lead us to a deeper relationship with God, where we serve Him and others as an act of worship. This perspective ensures that our efforts are rooted in eternal significance. Worship is not just about singing songs on Sunday; it is a lifestyle of honoring God in everything we do. By making worship our ultimate goal, we align our lives with God's purposes and experience the fullness of joy and peace that comes from living in His presence. [28:21]
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine beyond Sunday services? What specific actions can you take to honor God in your everyday life?
Quotes
"Most of us just want to be delivered out of whatever circumstance we are in as fast as possible. But we see in Scripture that God is often using these difficult times to prepare us for something greater. He doesn't just deliver us from something. He delivers us to something. God delivers us to dwell in covenant relationship with him so that we can worship him and be a witness to the nations." [00:53:72] (29 seconds)
"Moses had everything for the first 40 years of his life. But now he was holding a job that he had been taught to despise because shepherds were looked down upon by Egyptians. But God was preparing him for something greater, for greater leadership. And how many of you know that it's in difficult seasons that prepare us the most for greater leadership? It's in the trials and the tribulations of life." [03:33:96] (27 seconds)
"What's interesting here is that God gets Moses's attention, not from the mountaintop with a booming voice, but at a humble little bush, teaching us that no place is devoid of God's presence, not even a thorn bush at the base of a mountain. And the problem that I see with so many today is that, that you haven't learned to see God in the ordinary rhythms of your life, on your commute, at your job, in your neighborhood, at the gym, with your family." [11:18:07] (34 seconds)
"The second thing we see here about boldly stepping into God's calling is the importance of recognizing that God has a plan. God has a plan. You might have thought that he doesn't, but he has a plan. And one of the ways you can know whether it's God's plan is if it includes the poor. And it says here that God hears the cry of his people. He hears the cry of his people who are enslaved, who are poor." [17:37:83] (29 seconds)
"And so if you're going to boldly step into your calling, you need to first submit yourself to God and realize that he cares about the group of people that you are fighting for more than you ever could. Many justice movements today have a very self-centered view of human progress. There's no higher purpose than just taking power back. There's no consideration of who we're becoming in the process of doing this work." [19:34:43] (28 seconds)
"that you are God's plan. Listen to what God says to Moses he says so now go I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt and Moses is shocked right he's leading a completely normal shepherd life and God appears to him and asks him to lead the Israelites two to three million people out of Egypt Moses reacts at first with understandable humility and then increase desperation to avoid this commission that was so sudden and so unexpected." [20:50:45] (32 seconds)
"You know, the good news is that God doesn't call the equipped. He equips the called. You have your list of buts, but I don't have the financial resources. But I'm getting married. But I've got kids now. But I don't have a degree in that field. But I'm not that smart. But I don't have that experience. And all those are reasons why you say God can't use you. But Moses is in that same place. He's not all that unique." [23:21:88] (29 seconds)
"God doesn't call people who think they have it all together. Why? Because if you think that, then you will think that it's your power, your might, and you're in it. Your ability that enables you to accomplish something. Your inadequacy is what best positions you to receive the power and the anointing that will equip you to accomplish a God-sized mission." [24:10:32] (22 seconds)
"Notice the passage begins in worship. Take off your sandals. You're standing on holy ground. In other words, remember who you are and whose you are. But the passage also ends in worship. Is the goal simply political freedom or economic prosperity? Is it just to take power from Pharaoh and then rule over the Egyptians in turn? No, God gives the true vision, which is worship, to worship the one true God." [25:23:86] (31 seconds)
"When justice is done as an act of worship, it has more than just life on this earth in view. It's your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. The word here for worship is also translated serve. To worship is to serve. To serve God is to worship. So far, Moses has mostly focused on who am I, right? That's the first like 12 verses, who am I? But then he moves the second half of Exodus 3 to who are you?" [26:19:07] (34 seconds)
"God said to Moses, I am who I am. This is what you're to say to the Israelites. I am has sent me to you. This name Yahweh appears approximately 6,828 times in the Old Testament. It's a lot. It's usually written in your English translations as the Lord in all capital letters. But what's interesting is that the Jewish tradition does not say the name Yahweh out loud in order to show reverence to the holiness of God." [27:07:77] (34 seconds)
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