God's Preparation and Commissioning: The Call of Moses
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the second half of Exodus chapter 2 and all of chapter 3, covering approximately 80 years of the story of the Exodus. We began by reflecting on the Israelites' suffering and their cries for deliverance, which God heard and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This period of waiting and groaning was not in vain, as God was actively preparing Moses to be the deliverer of His people.
Moses' life journey, from being raised in Pharaoh's household to fleeing to Midian after killing an Egyptian, was a series of divine preparations. In Midian, Moses married into a family that worshipped the one true God, further shaping his character and faith. Despite the drastic changes in his life, God's providential hand was evident, preparing Moses for his ultimate encounter with God at the burning bush.
At the burning bush, God revealed Himself to Moses and commissioned him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This encounter was a pivotal moment, emphasizing that God is always in control and His plans are sovereign. God assured Moses that He would be with him, reinforcing the idea that it is God who accomplishes His purposes through His chosen vessels.
The sermon concluded with a reminder that just as God prepared and commissioned Moses, He also prepares and commissions us for His purposes. We are called to trust in God's faithfulness and to proclaim His word, knowing that His promises are sure and His plans will always succeed.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Hears Our Cries and Remembers His Promises: The Israelites' groaning in slavery was not ignored by God. He heard their cries and remembered His covenant with their forefathers. This reminds us that in our times of suffering and waiting, God is attentive and faithful to His promises. He is always working behind the scenes, preparing a way for our deliverance. [24:42]
2. Divine Preparation in Unexpected Places: Moses' journey from Pharaoh's palace to the wilderness of Midian was a period of divine preparation. God used these diverse experiences to shape Moses into the leader He needed him to be. Similarly, God uses our varied life experiences to prepare us for His purposes, even when we don't understand the path we're on. [32:43]
3. Encountering God Transforms and Commissions Us: Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush was transformative. It was here that God revealed His holiness and commissioned Moses for his mission. When we encounter God, it changes us and gives us a clear purpose. We are called to respond to His revelation with obedience and faith. [48:17]
4. God's Sovereignty and Our Trust: God's assurance to Moses that He would be with him highlights His sovereignty. It is not our abilities but God's presence that ensures the success of His plans. We are reminded to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He is in control and His purposes will prevail. [52:31]
5. Proclaiming God's Truth: Just as Moses was sent to proclaim God's message to the Israelites and Pharaoh, we are commissioned to share the gospel. Our encounters with God through His word compel us to declare His truth to others, fulfilling our role in His redemptive plan. [01:02:29]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [23:29] - Announcements and Prayer
3. [24:42] - Reading of Exodus 2:23-25
4. [25:53] - Introduction to the Sermon
5. [27:03] - Overview of Moses' Early Life
6. [28:20] - Moses' Birth and Early Years
7. [29:25] - Israel's Groaning and God's Response
8. [30:28] - The Hardship and Waiting
9. [31:38] - God's Providential Preparation
10. [32:43] - Moses' Rash Act and Flight to Midian
11. [33:32] - Moses Defends the Daughters of Midian
12. [34:15] - Moses' Life in Midian
13. [36:04] - Moses Marries and Settles in Midian
14. [37:15] - Moses' Encounter at the Well
15. [38:37] - God's Providence in Moses' Life
16. [40:10] - The Midianites and Their Worship
17. [41:39] - Israel's Continued Suffering
18. [43:15] - God's Knowledge and Sovereignty
19. [45:16] - Moses' Preparation and Our Trust
20. [46:56] - The Burning Bush Encounter
21. [48:17] - God's Revelation and Commission
22. [49:51] - God's Assurance to Moses
23. [51:15] - Moses' Mission to Deliver Israel
24. [52:31] - God's Presence and Sovereignty
25. [54:23] - God's Unchangeable Plans
26. [56:16] - God's Name and Identity
27. [57:20] - Moses' Commission and Message
28. [58:30] - God's Identity as "I Am"
29. [59:54] - God's Sovereignty Over Creation
30. [01:00:42] - Our Encounter with God in Christ
31. [01:02:29] - Proclaiming God's Word
32. [01:03:44] - God's Promise of Success
33. [01:04:51] - Jesus as the Only Way to God
34. [01:06:15] - Jesus, the Light of the World
35. [01:07:28] - Jesus Sets the Captives Free
36. [01:08:43] - Jesus as the Great "I Am"
37. [01:10:08] - Our Commission to Proclaim the Gospel
38. [01:10:59] - Closing Prayer and Song
39. [01:21:49] - Announcement of New Church Plant
40. [01:23:08] - Invitation to Evening Service
41. [01:24:23] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Exodus 2:23-25
- Exodus 3:1-12
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the condition of the Israelites during the time of Moses' early life, and how did God respond to their cries? ([24:42])
2. Describe the significant event that led Moses to flee from Egypt to Midian. What was Moses' reaction to this event? ([33:32])
3. What was Moses doing when he encountered the burning bush, and how did God reveal Himself to Moses during this encounter? ([48:17])
4. What assurance did God give Moses when He commissioned him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt? ([52:31])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Israelites' groaning and God's response in Exodus 2:23-25 illustrate God's faithfulness to His promises? ([24:42])
2. In what ways did Moses' time in Midian prepare him for his encounter with God and his mission to deliver the Israelites? ([41:39])
3. What is the significance of God revealing His name as "I Am Who I Am" to Moses, and how does this relate to God's identity and sovereignty? ([56:51])
4. How does Moses' initial reluctance to accept God's commission reflect common human fears and doubts about God's calling? ([52:31])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like the Israelites, crying out to God in a period of suffering or waiting. How did you see God's faithfulness during that time? ([24:42])
2. Moses' journey from Pharaoh's palace to the wilderness of Midian was a period of divine preparation. Can you identify a period in your life where God was preparing you for a future purpose, even if it was not clear at the time? ([32:43])
3. When Moses encountered God at the burning bush, it transformed and commissioned him. Have you had a transformative encounter with God that gave you a clear sense of purpose? How did you respond? ([48:17])
4. God's assurance to Moses was that He would be with him. How does this assurance impact your trust in God's sovereignty and presence in your own life? ([52:31])
5. Just as Moses was sent to proclaim God's message, we are commissioned to share the gospel. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear about God's love and plan of salvation. How can you share this message with them this week? ([01:02:29])
6. Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush was a holy moment. How can you create space in your daily life to encounter God's presence and hear His voice? ([48:17])
7. Reflect on the idea that God's plans are sovereign and will always succeed. How does this truth encourage you to step out in faith and obedience, even when you feel inadequate or uncertain? ([52:31])
Devotional
### Day 1: God Hears and Remembers
Description: The Israelites' suffering in Egypt was immense, and their cries for deliverance were heartfelt and desperate. Despite the long period of waiting, God was not indifferent to their plight. He heard their cries and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This demonstrates that God is always attentive to the suffering of His people and is faithful to His promises. Even when it seems like nothing is happening, God is working behind the scenes, preparing a way for deliverance. This truth is a powerful reminder that in our own times of suffering and waiting, we can trust that God hears us and is faithful to His promises. [24:42]
Bible Passage: "And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew." (Exodus 2:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt like God was silent during your suffering. How can you remind yourself today that God hears your cries and is faithful to His promises?
### Day 2: Divine Preparation in Unexpected Places
Description: Moses' journey from the luxury of Pharaoh's palace to the wilderness of Midian was a period of divine preparation. Each phase of his life, including his rash act of killing an Egyptian and his subsequent flight to Midian, was used by God to shape him into the leader he needed to be. In Midian, Moses married into a family that worshipped the one true God, which further shaped his character and faith. This period of preparation, though unexpected and challenging, was crucial for Moses' future role as the deliverer of Israel. Similarly, God uses our varied life experiences, even those that seem confusing or difficult, to prepare us for His purposes. [32:43]
Bible Passage: "And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, 'I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.'" (Exodus 2:21-22, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a challenging period in your life. How might God have been using that time to prepare you for something greater?
### Day 3: Encountering God Transforms and Commissions Us
Description: Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush was a transformative moment. It was here that God revealed His holiness and commissioned Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This encounter not only changed Moses' life but also gave him a clear purpose and mission. When we encounter God, whether through His word, prayer, or other means, it has the power to transform us and give us a clear sense of purpose. We are called to respond to God's revelation with obedience and faith, trusting that He will equip us for the tasks He sets before us. [48:17]
Bible Passage: "And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed." (Exodus 3:2, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt God's presence in a powerful way. How did that encounter change you, and what mission do you feel God is calling you to now?
### Day 4: God's Sovereignty and Our Trust
Description: God's assurance to Moses that He would be with him highlights His sovereignty and control over all situations. It was not Moses' abilities that would ensure the success of the mission, but God's presence and power. This truth is a reminder that in our own lives, it is not our abilities or efforts that bring about God's purposes, but His sovereign will and presence. We are called to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He is in control and that His plans will always prevail. This trust allows us to step out in faith, even when we feel inadequate or uncertain. [52:31]
Bible Passage: "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." (Exodus 3:12, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God's sovereignty more? How can you actively surrender this area to Him today?
### Day 5: Proclaiming God's Truth
Description: Just as Moses was sent to proclaim God's message to the Israelites and Pharaoh, we are commissioned to share the gospel. Our encounters with God through His word compel us to declare His truth to others. This is not just a task for pastors or missionaries but for every believer. We are all called to be part of God's redemptive plan by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. This calling requires us to be bold and faithful, trusting that God will use our efforts to accomplish His purposes. [01:02:29]
Bible Passage: "Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, 'The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, "I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt."'" (Exodus 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel? How can you take a step today to share God's truth with them?
Quotes
1. "The main idea of our text this morning is that the Lord prepares and commissions all who encounter him as a part of his redemption, a redemptive plan. We're going to see in abundance clearly this morning the sovereign plan of God to redeem his people, and that in a period of waiting, the Lord is still at work. In a period of waiting, the Lord is preparing his servants in their hearts and in their minds to ultimately fulfill the commission that he has for them as a part of his plan." [31:38] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Maybe you feel like Moses today, sitting down by a well, your only source of life, just wondering what in the world is it that God is doing? It all seems confusing to you. It all seems as if it's just random, and you wonder, really, maybe you've even wondered out loud, is God really in control? Is God really going to do what he says? He's going to do? Hear me today, my friend, he will. He is always faithful. He always keeps his covenants. He remembers his covenants forever to the thousand generations." [46:56] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We could say that all of Moses' life, 80 years of life, his time in his mother and father's home, his time in Pharaoh's home, his time in his father-in-law's home in Midian, that all of it was leading to this moment, an encounter with God. And it's this unique encounter. The uniqueness is the reason that so many of us know this story so well. It's the reason that people even outside of the Christian faith know this story so well, because it's just a unique story." [49:51] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What encouragement this is to us today, to know that we are not alone, that we're not left to try to accomplish things for the Lord on our own. Could you imagine if we were, we would be utter failures, but it is God who works in and through his church. It's God who works in and through his people. It is God who is with you today, my friend. He is your God and he is at work in you." [56:16] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So the message that Moses is going with to first the Israelites in captivity and then ultimately to Pharaoh is the same exact words that God told to Moses in the previous section. I'm going to deliver my people. They're going to go to the promised land. And he describes the promised land, both in kind of in its elements, it's a land flowing with milk and honey and its current inhabitants. And he names the various peoples that inhabit that land. And he does so twice. You're going to say this to the people. You're going to say this to Pharaoh. This is what you're going to do." [57:56] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "When Moses says, who shall I say? He is sending me. What is your name? He says, tell them, I am. Send me. I am who I am. That God's identity is in himself. We could translate it like this. That he is the one who can be counted to be who he is. He's the one to be counted on to be who he is. He is the God who keeps his promises to his people. He's the God who hears their suffering and has a plan to do something about it. He is who he is. He exists for himself." [59:54] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Jesus is the one that sends Moses to set the captives free so that when he came at just the right time, he could set the captives of the world free in our sins. He is the light of the world. He is the only way for us. He is the only way for us to encounter God. And he is the one who entrusts with us the same message that was entrusted to Moses on the mountain of God. You go and tell them, God, I am has sent you. Let my people go." [01:10:08] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Oh, what good news we share today, fellow Christians, church family. We have encountered the great I am in the person and work of Jesus. And we are then commissioned by the great. Jesus himself to go with the gospel, to our families, to our neighbors, to the nations. And God's plan will succeed because it is God who wills and to work in and through us." [01:10:59] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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