Embracing God's Call: Lessons from Moses' Journey
Summary
In today's gathering, we reflected on the profound journey of Moses as depicted in Exodus chapter 3, drawing parallels to our own lives and spiritual journeys. We began by acknowledging the challenges and trials that have beset us, much like the wilderness experience Moses endured. This time of testing and soul-searching has been marked by global and personal upheavals, yet it is in these moments of solitude and quiet that we are most likely to hear God's voice. Moses, who once fled in fear and defeat, found himself in a place of divine encounter, where God reignited his calling. This narrative serves as a reminder that God's call is persistent and unwavering, even when we feel inadequate or have strayed from our path.
Moses' story teaches us that God's voice is often heard in the quiet, away from the distractions of life. It is in these moments of stillness that we can truly listen and discern His will. The burning bush that was not consumed symbolizes the enduring nature of God's call on our lives. Despite our failures or attempts to hide, God's purpose for us remains steadfast. We are reminded that God is not just the God of the past or the future, but the God of the present—the great "I Am" who is actively involved in our lives today.
God's interaction with Moses also highlights His awareness and compassion for our struggles. He sees our afflictions and is moved to act, inviting us to be part of His redemptive work. However, like Moses, we often hesitate, offering excuses for why we cannot fulfill His call. Yet, God chooses to use us, flawed as we are, to accomplish His purposes. Our task is to respond with willingness and trust, knowing that He will equip us for the journey.
As we reflect on these truths, let us be encouraged to embrace God's call with faith and courage, trusting in His presence and provision. May we, like Moses, turn aside to see the great sights God places before us and respond with a heart ready to serve.
Key Takeaways:
1. Hearing God's Voice in Stillness: God's voice is often heard in the quiet moments of our lives, away from the noise and busyness. It is in these times of solitude that we can truly listen and discern His will for us. We must create space in our lives to hear His whisperings. [16:21]
2. The Persistence of God's Call: The burning bush that was not consumed symbolizes the enduring nature of God's call on our lives. Even when we feel inadequate or have strayed, God's purpose for us remains steadfast. His call is irrevocable and persistent, urging us to return to Him. [48:26]
3. God's Present Reality: God identifies Himself as "I Am," emphasizing His presence in the here and now. He is not just the God of the past or the future, but the God who is actively involved in our lives today. This understanding invites us to experience His power and presence in our current circumstances. [48:26]
4. God's Compassion and Action: God sees our afflictions and is moved to act. He is not distant or indifferent but is deeply aware of our struggles and desires to deliver us. This assurance of His compassion encourages us to trust in His timing and intervention. [48:26]
5. Our Response to God's Call: Like Moses, we may offer excuses for why we cannot fulfill God's call. However, God chooses to use us, despite our flaws, to accomplish His purposes. Our task is to respond with willingness and trust, knowing that He will equip us for the journey. [48:26]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [16:21] - Opening Prayer and Worship
- [16:21] - Children's Church Blessing
- [16:21] - Introduction to Moses' Story
- [16:21] - Moses' Wilderness Experience
- [16:21] - The Burning Bush Encounter
- [16:21] - God's Persistent Call
- [16:21] - The Significance of "I Am"
- [16:21] - God's Compassionate Action
- [16:21] - Our Response to God's Call
- [48:26] - Encouragement to Embrace God's Call
- [48:26] - Closing Prayer and Worship
- [01:05:48] - Communion and Invitation
- [01:05:48] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Exodus 3:1-12
- Romans 11:29
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Moses doing when he encountered the burning bush, and how did he react to this sight? [16:21]
2. How does the sermon describe the significance of the burning bush not being consumed by the fire? [16:21]
3. According to the sermon, what are some of the excuses Moses gave for not wanting to fulfill God's call? [48:26]
4. What does the sermon say about the way God identifies Himself to Moses, and why is this significant? [48:26]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that God's voice is often heard, and what might this imply about our daily lives? [16:21]
2. In what ways does the sermon illustrate the persistence of God's call, and how does this relate to the burning bush? [16:21]
3. What does the sermon imply about God's awareness and compassion for human struggles, and how does this affect our understanding of His character? [48:26]
4. How does the sermon interpret the meaning of God identifying Himself as "I Am," and what does this reveal about His presence in our lives? [48:26]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there moments of stillness where you can hear God's voice? How can you create more space for these moments? [16:21]
2. Have you ever felt inadequate or strayed from your path like Moses? How can you remind yourself of the persistence of God's call in those times? [16:21]
3. Think about a time when you hesitated to respond to God's call due to personal excuses. What steps can you take to overcome these hesitations? [48:26]
4. How can you become more aware of God's present reality in your daily life, acknowledging Him as the "I Am"? [48:26]
5. In what ways can you be more responsive to God's compassion and action in your life, especially when facing struggles? [48:26]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel God is calling you to act. What practical steps can you take to respond with willingness and trust? [48:26]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to embrace God's call with faith and courage, as Moses eventually did? [48:26]
Devotional
Day 1: Listening in the Quiet
In the midst of life's chaos, it is often in the quiet moments that we can truly hear God's voice. Just as Moses encountered God in the solitude of the wilderness, we too can find clarity and direction when we step away from the noise and busyness of our daily lives. These moments of stillness allow us to discern God's will and purpose for us, providing a space where His whisperings can be heard. Creating intentional time for solitude and reflection is essential for spiritual growth and understanding. [16:21]
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)
Reflection: What specific time and place can you set aside this week to be still and listen for God's voice?
Day 2: The Unyielding Call of God
The story of the burning bush that was not consumed serves as a powerful symbol of the enduring nature of God's call on our lives. Despite our feelings of inadequacy or moments when we have strayed from our path, God's purpose for us remains steadfast. His call is persistent and unwavering, urging us to return to Him and fulfill the destiny He has set before us. This reminder encourages us to trust in His plan and embrace the journey He has laid out for us. [48:26]
"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life have you felt God's persistent call, and how can you take a step towards embracing it today?
Day 3: Experiencing God's Presence Now
God's self-identification as "I Am" emphasizes His active presence in our lives today. He is not confined to the past or the future but is intimately involved in our current circumstances. This understanding invites us to experience His power and presence in the here and now, offering us strength and guidance as we navigate life's challenges. Recognizing God's present reality encourages us to rely on Him and trust in His provision for our needs. [48:26]
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you become more aware of God's presence in your daily routine, and what difference would that awareness make in your life today?
Day 4: God's Compassionate Response
God's interaction with Moses highlights His deep awareness and compassion for our struggles. He sees our afflictions and is moved to act, inviting us to be part of His redemptive work. This assurance of His compassion encourages us to trust in His timing and intervention, knowing that He is not distant or indifferent but is actively working for our good. Embracing this truth allows us to find comfort and hope in His promises. [48:26]
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18, ESV)
Reflection: What current struggle or affliction can you bring before God today, trusting in His compassionate response and timing?
Day 5: Responding with Willingness and Trust
Like Moses, we may offer excuses for why we cannot fulfill God's call. However, God chooses to use us, despite our flaws, to accomplish His purposes. Our task is to respond with willingness and trust, knowing that He will equip us for the journey. Embracing this mindset allows us to step out in faith, confident that God will provide the strength and resources we need to fulfill His call. [48:26]
"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." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one excuse you have been using to avoid God's call, and how can you take a step of faith to overcome it today?
Quotes
"The truth is there's hardly ever a quiet silence in our soul. Whenever the sounds of the world die out, then we hear the whisperings of God. He is whispering to us. Well, not incessantly, only we not always hear because of the noise, because of our hurry and distractions of daily life as it rushes on." [00:33:56] (27 seconds)
"God does not often shout over the voice of Satan. He respects our free will and allows us to choose for better or worse. He gives us choices. We have that free will. Secondly, the bush is not consumed. This is hinting at the persistence of God's call in your life." [00:38:32] (25 seconds)
"Paul tells us in Romans the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance and are irrevocable. If God has called you to something and it scared you and you ran away, when you come back to God, you're going to be right back at that place where God called you." [00:40:02] (21 seconds)
"Sometimes we jump at what we think is God's voice, and that can turn ugly. It's much healthier to listen carefully and to act slowly. Jesus never ran anywhere. Too often the spirit-filled believers live lives of sort of a sense of panic, rushing from one thing to another." [00:42:57] (23 seconds)
"Our God, the God that we serve, is not deaf or mute. He's perfectly capable of making himself understood, and you never have to guess. And he's willing to confirm his word to you over and over. So God's voice is often heard in the stillness and the quiet." [00:45:57] (20 seconds)
"In Hebrew, you have to understand when he says I am, it means the present tense, the moment right now. God identifies himself in the present tense, the God of right now, and that's an important distinction. He did not say I am the great I was." [00:49:17] (19 seconds)
"God said tell them the great I am has sent you. Yahweh has sent you. Yahweh is a holy name of God, and it will not even be written or spoken by the Jewish people. He is the God of right now, the God of the moment, the God that stands outside of time." [00:51:57] (23 seconds)
"First he says I see. I have seen the affliction of my people. Feeling alone in suffering is a huge part of the human condition. All of us are susceptible to it. While we silently suffer, it's easy to believe that others are incapable of understanding our situation." [00:54:06] (22 seconds)
"What a great relief it is when we realize that God sees. As we labor building Python and Ramses, we can be assured that God has taken notice. He's aware when our world shatters, when we endure more suffering than we thought we could ever bear." [00:55:08] (22 seconds)
"It's an enormous relief to know that God is aware of our situation here at the mission, the situation in your family, the situation at your workplace, the situation with your neighbors. And it's good to know that God is not up in heaven wringing his hands." [01:00:06] (18 seconds)
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