Embracing God's Call: Transformative Encounters and Holiness
Summary
In today's gathering, we delved into the profound narrative of Moses and the burning bush as recounted in Exodus 3:1-15. This story is not just a historical account; it is a testament to God's enduring presence and His transformative power in our lives. Moses, at the age of 80, encountered God in a way that would redefine his purpose and the destiny of God's people. This encounter teaches us that it is never too late for God to use us for His glory.
Moses' life was a preparation for leadership, first in the courts of Egypt and then as a shepherd in Midian. God's design for leadership is not one of dominion but of shepherding—caring and protecting His flock. This mirrors how Jesus leads us, with compassion and guidance.
The burning bush was a divine appointment where God revealed His holiness. The ground Moses stood upon was made holy by God's presence, just as we are made holy by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We are called to live in reverence to God's holiness, resisting sin and honoring God with our bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit.
God's presence in our lives is transformative. Like the bush that was not consumed by the fire, we too can endure trials without being overcome. God's promise to be with us ensures that we can withstand the fires of adversity without being destroyed. Our God is a refining fire, purifying us and making us more like Jesus.
We must remain attentive to God's workings in our lives. In the busyness of life, we risk missing the miracles God performs daily. From the grandiose to the subtle, each act of God is a testament to His care and involvement in our lives. We must not take for granted the blessings we receive and should always be attuned to the still, small voice of God.
Moses' calling was daunting, yet God's assurance was clear: "I will be with you." This promise is the cornerstone of our faith. When we face insurmountable tasks, it is not our own strength but God's presence that makes the impossible possible. God's calling transcends our potential, and His presence is the answer to our insecurities and doubts.
As we reflect on the continuity of God's character from the Old Testament to the New Testament, we see Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises. Jesus is the "I AM," the eternal, unchanging God who came down to rescue us and lead us into the fullness of life with Him.
Key Takeaways:
- God's timing is perfect, and His call on our lives is not limited by our age or past. Moses was called at 80, reminding us that God's purposes for us are not constrained by time. [01:40]
- Holiness is not about location but about God's presence. Wherever we go, we carry the holiness of God within us, and our lives should reflect that sacredness through our actions and choices. [13:58]
- The presence of God in our lives is a source of strength and preservation. Like the burning bush, we are sustained and not consumed by our trials because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. [08:30]
- Attentiveness to God's work is crucial. We must not become so distracted by life's demands that we miss the miracles, both great and small, that God performs in our lives. [12:48]
- God's calling will always challenge us to rely on Him. When we feel inadequate, it is an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power through us, ensuring that He receives the glory. [25:09]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 3:1-15 - The story of Moses and the burning bush.
2. Isaiah 43:2 - "When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
3. Malachi 3:3 - "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Moses doing when he encountered the burning bush, and how did he react to it? ([02:48])
2. How does God introduce Himself to Moses, and what significance does this have? ([22:40])
3. What does the burning bush symbolize in the context of God's presence and holiness? ([07:59])
4. How does the sermon describe the way God’s presence sustains us through trials, using the example of the burning bush? ([08:30])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Moses' encounter with the burning bush teach us about God's timing and calling, especially considering Moses' age? ([01:04])
2. How does the concept of God as a refining fire in Malachi 3:3 relate to the trials we face in our lives? ([06:54])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that we might miss God's miracles in our daily lives? ([10:37])
4. How does the promise "I will be with you" serve as a cornerstone of faith when facing daunting tasks, according to the sermon? ([22:10])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt too old or unqualified for a task. How does Moses' story at the age of 80 encourage you to trust in God's timing and calling? ([01:04])
2. How can you cultivate a sense of reverence for God's holiness in your daily life, similar to how Moses took off his sandals on holy ground? ([13:58])
3. Identify a current trial you are facing. How can you rely on God's presence to sustain you through it, as the burning bush was not consumed by the fire? ([08:30])
4. What are some small miracles or blessings in your life that you might be overlooking? How can you become more attentive to God's work in your daily routine? ([10:37])
5. When have you felt inadequate for a task God called you to? How did you experience God's presence and strength in that situation? ([22:10])
6. How can you ensure that you are not too distracted by life's demands to notice the still, small voice of God? ([12:48])
7. Reflect on the statement "God's calling will always challenge us to rely on Him." How can you shift your focus from your own insecurities to God's omnipotence in your current challenges? ([25:09])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Timely Call
God's call on our lives is not bound by human timelines or past experiences. Moses was called at the age of 80, demonstrating that our potential to serve and fulfill God's purposes can emerge at any stage of life. This truth encourages us to remain open and responsive to God's calling, regardless of our age or the paths we have walked. It is a reminder that our history does not disqualify us from God's future plans; rather, it can be the very foundation upon which God builds a new work in and through us. The story of Moses is a powerful testament to the fact that God's timing is perfect, and He equips those He calls, making them ready for the tasks He assigns. [01:40]
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:21-23 ESV
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel you might be 'too late' to make a difference, and how can you open yourself up to the possibility that God may still want to use you in that area?
Day 2: Carrying Holiness in Our Presence
Holiness is not confined to a physical location but is a state of being that we carry within us through God's presence. As believers, we are made holy by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and our lives should reflect the sacredness of this gift. We are called to honor God with our bodies and our actions, living in a way that is set apart and pleasing to Him. This means making choices that align with God's will and resisting the temptations that lead us away from a holy life. The ground Moses stood on was holy because of God's presence, and similarly, our lives are to be holy as we host the presence of the living God. [13:58]
"And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:24 ESV
Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate the holiness of God in your daily interactions and decisions, starting today?
Day 3: Sustained by God's Presence in Trials
The presence of God in our lives is a source of strength and preservation, much like the burning bush that was not consumed. We are sustained in our trials by the Holy Spirit, who enables us to endure without being overcome. This divine sustenance is a testament to God's faithfulness and His desire to refine us, making us more like Jesus through the challenges we face. As we encounter adversity, we can take comfort in knowing that God is with us, purifying our character and deepening our faith. [08:30]
"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold." - Job 23:10 ESV
Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How can you see God's preserving hand in it, and what might He be refining in you through this experience?
Day 4: Attentive to God's Daily Miracles
In the busyness of life, it is easy to overlook the miracles God performs around us. We must cultivate attentiveness to God's work, recognizing both the grand and the subtle ways He moves in our lives. This attentiveness keeps us grateful and aware of God's care and involvement, ensuring that we do not take His blessings for granted. By being attuned to the still, small voice of God, we can witness the extraordinary in the ordinary and maintain a posture of worship and thankfulness. [12:48]
"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." - Psalm 119:18 ESV
Reflection: What is one 'small' miracle or blessing you have noticed today, and how can you cultivate a habit of recognizing such moments daily?
Day 5: Relying on God in Our Calling
God's calling often leads us into situations that feel beyond our capabilities, but His assurance to be with us is the foundation of our faith. When we face daunting tasks, it is not our strength but God's presence that enables us to accomplish the impossible. This reliance on God allows His power to be displayed through our weaknesses, ensuring that He receives the glory. Our inadequacies are opportunities for God to show His might, and His presence is the answer to our insecurities and doubts. [25:09]
"For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught." - Proverbs 3:26 ESV
Reflection: When you consider your current calling or a task you believe God has set before you, what insecurities arise, and how can you surrender these to God's capable hands today?
Quotes
- "God calls us to more; He will always ask you to do more than you think you can handle." [23:58] (Download | )
- "The confidence you need to fulfill your calling isn't found by looking within but by looking to heaven." [25:48] (Download | )
- "The Spirit of God dwells in you and has made you holy... He has set you apart, making you holy, set you apart from the world." [13:58] (Download | )
- "Our God can preserve us through any circumstance... when the Spirit of God dwells in you, you can walk through fire and not be burned." [09:03] (Download | )
- "God's presence allows us to not be consumed by the fiery trials of life... we will not be destroyed by those trials." [08:30] (Download | )
- "When you feel insecure, don't look inside, look to God on high... when your potential is limited, God is omnipotent." [26:30] (Download | )
- "God's calling will always transcend your potential... the I AM won't call you to do anything greater than He is." [27:15] (Download | )
- "Anything is possible with the presence of God... the presence of God makes anything possible." [38:08] (Download | )
- "God's promise to be with us ensures that we can withstand the fires of adversity without being destroyed." [09:35] (Download | )
- "God knows you by name and he knows you personally... He has a plan for your life like He had a plan for Moses's life." [05:05] (Download | )
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