Embracing God's Call: Humility, Presence, and Purpose

Summary

In the story of Moses and the burning bush, God’s command to take off his shoes is a call to humility, reverence, and awe. This posture is not just for Moses, but for all who come into God’s presence. Whether in worship, giving, or listening, the heart’s posture matters deeply—are we just going through the motions, or are we truly surrendering and seeking God? God’s holiness demands our reverence, and our response should be one of humility and expectation, not routine or indifference.

God introduces Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—not Israel, the new name He gave Jacob. This is a profound reminder that God is not only the God of our transformed, redeemed selves, but also the God who met us in our brokenness and pulled us from the pit. Forgetting this leads to pride and spiritual amnesia; remembering it keeps us humble and grateful, aware of the grace that rescued us.

God’s nature is to come down, to be present and involved in our suffering and struggles. He is not distant or detached, but intimately aware and actively working to rescue and redeem. The promise of a “spacious land, flowing with milk and honey” is not just about abundance, but about God’s desire to lead us into freedom and fullness, even when obstacles and opposition remain.

The call to “go” is for everyone, not just a select few. God’s mission is not confined to church walls; it is lived out in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Every believer is called to make disciples, to bring the hope and love of Jesus to those around them. Our excuses and feelings of inadequacy do not disqualify us—God delights in using the unlikely and the unqualified, because His presence and power are what make the difference.

Even when we have wandered, failed, or made a mess of things, God’s call remains. He specializes in “recalculating” our lives, redeeming our detours, and inviting us back into His purpose. Fear and shame have no power when we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. The invitation is to move beyond being spectators of God’s fire, to become participants in His mission, listening for His voice and stepping out in faith.

Key Takeaways

- Reverence and Humility in God’s Presence
Approaching God requires a posture of humility and awe, not just outward actions but an inward surrender. True worship is not about singing songs or following routines, but about abandoning ourselves before God and recognizing the holiness of His presence. This sets the tone for everything else in our lives, shaping how we listen, give, and respond to Him. [16:09]

- God is the God of Our Past and Our Becoming
God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—not just Israel, Jacob’s redeemed name. This reveals that God is present in both our brokenness and our transformation. Remembering the pit He rescued us from keeps us humble and grateful, and reminds us that His grace covers every part of our story, not just the polished parts. [19:23]

- God Comes Down—He is Not Distant
God’s nature is to come down and be involved in our pain, suffering, and need. He is not a distant observer, but a present rescuer who hears our cries and acts on our behalf. This truth anchors us in hope, knowing that God is attentive and active in every season of our lives, even when we feel forgotten or overwhelmed. [21:10]

- The Call to Go is for Everyone
God’s call to “go” is not reserved for the spiritually elite, but is the mission of every believer. Making disciples, sharing hope, and living out our faith happens in everyday places—our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Our sense of inadequacy is not a disqualification, but an opportunity for God’s power to be displayed through our obedience. [26:03]

- God Redeems Our Detours and Defeats Our Fears
No matter how far we have wandered or how many mistakes we have made, God’s call on our lives remains. He specializes in recalculating our path, using even our failures for His purpose. When fear and shame threaten to paralyze us, fixing our eyes on Jesus dispels their power and empowers us to move forward in faith and boldness. [35:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[16:09] - Reverence: Taking Off Your Shoes
[16:47] - Posture in Worship, Giving, and Listening
[18:02] - Encountering God’s Holiness
[18:40] - God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
[19:23] - Remembering the Pit: God of Our Past
[20:35] - God Comes Down to Rescue
[21:44] - The Promise of a Spacious Land
[22:20] - The Call to Go
[23:31] - The Meaning of “Church on the Go”
[24:10] - The Purpose of Gathering
[25:28] - Beyond the Fire: Hearing God’s Voice
[26:03] - The Universal Call to Make Disciples
[27:22] - Moses’ Excuses and God’s Response
[28:42] - God Recalculates Our Path
[31:18] - God’s Presence is Enough
[31:52] - “I Am” – The Name of God
[33:10] - Personal Story: Overcoming Fear and Shame
[35:05] - The Powerlessness of Fear
[36:22] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
[37:44] - Responding: Who Are You Inviting?
[39:42] - Encountering God’s Voice Today

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Moses and the Burning Bush – Reverence, Calling, and God’s Presence

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### Bible Reading

- Exodus 3:1-17
(The story of Moses and the burning bush, God’s call, and His self-revelation as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.)

- Hebrews 12:1-2
(“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” – alluded to in the sermon [36:22])

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### Observation Questions

1. In Exodus 3, what does God tell Moses to do when he approaches the burning bush, and why is this significant? ([16:09])
2. How does God introduce Himself to Moses, and what names does He use? What stands out about the way God refers to Jacob? ([18:40])
3. According to Exodus 3:7-8, what does God say He has done in response to the suffering of His people? ([21:10])
4. What is the promise God gives Moses about His presence when Moses expresses doubt about his calling? ([31:18])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God asked Moses to take off his shoes? What does this teach about how we should approach God today? ([16:09])
2. God calls Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—not Israel. What does this reveal about God’s relationship to our past and our brokenness? ([19:23])
3. The sermon says God “comes down” and is not distant from our pain. How does this shape the way we view God’s involvement in our struggles? ([21:10])
4. When Moses gives excuses for why he can’t go, how does God respond, and what does this show about God’s expectations for those He calls? ([31:18])

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### Application Questions

1. When you come into God’s presence—whether in worship, prayer, or reading the Bible—what is your usual posture? Is it more routine or filled with reverence and expectation? What would it look like for you to “take off your shoes” in your daily life? ([16:09])
2. Are there areas of your life where you tend to forget the “pit” God rescued you from? How might remembering your past struggles help you stay humble and grateful? ([19:23])
3. The sermon says God is not distant but comes down into our pain. Can you think of a time when you felt God’s presence in a hard season? How did that change your perspective or actions? ([21:10])
4. God’s call to “go” is for everyone, not just a few. Where do you sense God might be calling you to bring hope or make disciples—in your home, work, or community? What is one step you could take this week? ([26:03])
5. Moses felt unqualified and made excuses, but God still called him. What excuses or fears hold you back from stepping into God’s purpose? How can you remind yourself that God’s presence is what qualifies you? ([27:22])
6. The sermon talked about God “recalculating” our lives after detours or failures. Is there a part of your story where you need to trust that God can redeem your mistakes and still use you? ([28:42])
7. The pastor shared about fear and shame losing their power when we fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). What is one fear or shame you need to surrender to Jesus this week? How can your group pray for you in this? ([36:22])

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Closing Prayer:
Invite the group to spend a few moments in silence, asking God to speak to them personally—just as He spoke to Moses. Encourage everyone to listen for God’s voice and to respond with humility, gratitude, and a willingness to “go” where He leads.

Devotional

Day 1: Reverence and Humility in God’s Presence
When Moses encountered God at the burning bush, he was told to remove his shoes as a sign of humility and reverence, recognizing the holiness of God’s presence. This act set the tone for Moses’ calling, reminding us that approaching God requires a posture of awe, surrender, and respect. Whether in worship, giving, or listening to God’s Word, our attitude should reflect deep honor for who God is, not just a routine or obligation. Consider how you approach God—do you come with expectation and reverence, or with distraction and indifference? God invites us to draw near with humility, ready to listen and respond to His voice. [16:09]

Exodus 3:5
Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally show reverence and humility the next time you enter into worship or prayer?


Day 2: God Is the God of Our Past and Our Future
God introduces Himself to Moses as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—not just Israel, Jacob’s redeemed name. This reveals that God is not only the God of our victories and transformed selves, but also the God who meets us in our brokenness, failures, and darkest moments. He remembers where He brought us from and is present in every part of our story. Never forget the pit God pulled you out of; gratitude for His grace keeps our hearts soft and humble, and reminds us that His love covers every chapter of our lives. [19:57]

Exodus 3:6
And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Reflection: Take a moment to remember a time when God met you in your weakness or failure—how does recalling that shape your gratitude and humility today?


Day 3: God’s Call to Go and Make a Difference
God’s command to Moses was clear: “Go, I am sending you.” This wasn’t just about Moses’ career or personal plans, but about stepping into a divine calling to make a difference for God’s kingdom. Each of us is called to go—to our families, workplaces, and communities—to share God’s love and make disciples. It’s not reserved for a select few; every believer is sent. Sometimes we confuse our career with our calling, but God’s call is about advancing His kingdom wherever we are. Will you say yes to God’s invitation to go, even if it feels daunting or inconvenient? [22:20]

Exodus 3:10
“Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”

Reflection: Who is one person God is putting on your heart to reach out to or invite to experience His love this week?


Day 4: God’s Presence Is Our Confidence
When Moses doubted his ability and asked, “Who am I?” God’s answer was simple and profound: “I will be with you.” Our confidence to step into God’s calling doesn’t come from our own strength, wisdom, or qualifications, but from the assurance that God Himself goes with us. Even when we feel inadequate or have made mistakes, God specializes in recalculating our path and using us for His purposes. His presence is the sign and the source of our courage—He is the great “I AM,” sufficient for every need and every challenge. [31:18]

Exodus 3:11-12
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

Reflection: Where do you feel inadequate or fearful about God’s call, and how can you remind yourself today that His presence is enough?


Day 5: Fix Your Eyes on Jesus, Not Your Fears
When fear and doubt creep in, it’s easy to magnify our problems or the enemy’s power. But the truth is, God is infinitely greater—He is the King of Kings, and nothing can stand against Him. Instead of focusing on what you can’t do or the obstacles ahead, fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith. When your gaze is set on Him, fear loses its grip and you find courage to move forward. God’s power and protection are far greater than any opposition you face; let your faith rise as you look to Him. [36:22]

Hebrews 12:2
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflection: What fear or obstacle have you been magnifying lately, and how can you intentionally shift your focus to Jesus today?

Quotes