The Book of Exodus, Part 3: Called, Empowered, and Equipped for Ministry
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Intro
Intro
Title - Called, Empowered, and Empowered for Ministry
Series - The Book of Exodus, Part 3
Text - Exodus 3.10-12
10 And now come, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?”
12 And He said, “Assuredly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.”
Background
Background
Review of part 1
We saw how Israel began to be afflicted by a new king in Egypt because the people is growing and getting stronger, and the Egyptians began to be afraid of them.
Review of part 2
We saw how God orchestrated the events and circumstances in the life of Moses from birth to the time He met him in Horeb.
This part
The story continues where God speaks to Moses from the burning bush and gives him his life’s commission.
Moses was afraid to take the work and tried to reason out excuse himself from it.
But God was very gracious to His servant, and provided for everything that Moses would need for the work ahead.
Main Subject
Main Subject
The call of Moses illustrates how God calls His servants to work today.
God qualifies whoever He calls
God qualifies us by empowering and equipping us for the task
It’s a serious thing to be a servant of God, and our service must be empowered by His Spirit and controlled by His Word. We must serve God “acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire”
Warren W. Wiersbe
How did God empower and equip Moses?
God answers all his questions and fears
God answers all his questions and fears
Argument no 1 - “Who am I that I should go to pharaoh or bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?”
Argument no 1 - “Who am I that I should go to pharaoh or bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?”
10 And now come, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?”
This is an honest assessment of self.
true servants of God possess this humbling self akncowledgment.
This is also genuine fear!
fear can paralize a person in the face of enemies
God responds - “I will be with you!”
12 And He said, “Assuredly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.”
It does not matter who Moses was!
What matters is who is with Moses!
ILLUSTRATION - David facing Goliath - 1 Sam 17.40-47
Goliath says - Am I a dog? you come to me with sticks!
David says - I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, who you have defied!
Argument no 2 - “What shall I say to them when they ask me for Your name?”
Argument no 2 - “What shall I say to them when they ask me for Your name?”
13 Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?”
A messenger speaks only in the name of another person
Moses wanted to know who is the God he will represent before pharaoh!
God answers - “My name is Yahweh!”
14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “This is what you shall say to the sons of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
15 God furthermore said to Moses, “This is what you shall say to the sons of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is the name for all generations to use to call upon Me.
It is vital that Moses knows the God who is sending him.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE GOD THAT WE SERVE!
Peter shouts - You are the Christ the Son of the living God!
Saul asked - “Who are you Lord?” - “I am Jesus who you persecute.”
Jesus - “We worship what we do know!”
Paul says - “I know whom I have believed” 2 Tim 1.12
12 For this reason I also suffer these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to protect what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
LET ME SAY THIS -
DON’T GO OUT AND DO MINISTRY UNTIL YOU HAVE COME TO KNOW THE GOD THAT YOU SERVE!
Argument no 3 - “What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say?”
Argument no 3 - “What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say?”
1 Then Moses said, “What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say? For they may say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ ”
It is true that some people may continue to doubt and ask for proofs!
did you really meet God face to face?
did God really send you?
God responds - “What is that in you hand?”
2 The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.”
3 Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it turned into a serpent; and Moses fled from it.
4 But the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out with your hand and grasp it by its tail”—so he reached out with his hand and caught it, and it turned into a staff in his hand—
5 “so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”
6 The Lord furthermore said to him, “Now put your hand inside the fold of your robe.” So he put his hand inside the fold, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow.
7 Then He said, “Put your hand inside the fold of your robe again.” So he put his hand into the fold again, and when he took it out of the fold, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh.
Notice the 3 signs that God gave to Moses as proofs of his calling
a staff that turned into a snake - Exo 4.2-5
2 The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.”
3 Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it turned into a serpent; and Moses fled from it.
4 But the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out with your hand and grasp it by its tail”—so he reached out with his hand and caught it, and it turned into a staff in his hand—
5 “so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”
this represent a life that has experienced total transformation
Moses’ life transformation
from adopted son of Egypt to a true believer of God
from a proud, educated son of the palace to a meek and lowly man of God!
his hand that turned leprous - Exo 4.5-6
5 “so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”
6 The Lord furthermore said to him, “Now put your hand inside the fold of your robe.” So he put his hand inside the fold, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow.
this represents purification or sanctification
Moses’ life was sanctified in the presence of God
water that turned into blood - Exo 4.9
9 But if they will not believe even these two signs nor pay attention to what you say, then you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground; and the water which you take from the Nile will turn into blood on the dry ground.”
this signifies judgment that comes to those who will not respect or respond to his message
this became the first plague to hit Egypt!
Notice the nature of those 3 signs
they are all SUPERNATURAL!
Argument no 4 - “I am not eloquent!”
Argument no 4 - “I am not eloquent!”
10 Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
This excuse comes out of the first argument (who am I?)
I am not qualified
I don’t have the skills or abilities
God answers back - “who made your mouth !”
11 But the Lord said to him, “Who has made the human mouth? Or who makes anyone unable to speak or deaf, or able to see or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
12 Now then go, and I Myself will be with your mouth, and instruct you in what you are to say.”
Jesus said the same thing to his disciples - Luke 12.11-12
11 Now when they bring you before the synagogues and the officials and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say;
12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
The God who gives you the task will enable to speak for Him!
Quote -
The Bible does not call for silence but for a tongue empowered by the Holy Spirit and used for the glory of God.
Thomas D. Lea
HEAR MY ADVISE NOW -
IF GOD CALLED TO PREACH, TEACH, EXHORT, OR BEAR WITNESS FOR HIM, -
PRACTICE TOTAL DEPENDENCE ON HIS GUIDANCE AND MOVING!
SO CAN EXPERIENCE HOW HE OPENS YOUR MOUTH TO SAY THE RIGHT WORD AT THE RIGHT TIME!
Argument no 5 - “Just send someone else.”
Argument no 5 - “Just send someone else.”
13 But he said, “Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will.”
Moses’ fifth argument was simply his UNWILLINGNESS to do the work!
was he reminded of what happened 40 years ago?
has he totally rejected the idea of deliverance for his own people?
Now God was angry!
And yet God encourages Moses with another solution!
14 Then the anger of the Lord burned against Moses, and He said, “Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. And moreover, behold, he is coming out to meet you; when he sees you, he will be overjoyed.
15 So you are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I Myself will be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will instruct you in what you are to do.
16 He shall speak for you to the people; and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as God to him.
What else did God do to empower His servant?
God eliminates his old enemies
God eliminates his old enemies
19 Now the Lord said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.”
This probably includes the Pharaoh who wanted to kill him because a killed an Egyptian - Exo 2.15 “15 When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well.”
God provides helpers
God provides helpers
God gave Moses three key people who would help him perform his task -
Jethro - his father-in-law who was very supportive
18 Then Moses departed and returned to his father-in-law Jethro, and said to him, “Please, let me go, that I may return to my brothers who are in Egypt, and see if they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.”
he willingly let Moses go in peace!
later he would join Israel’s camp for a visit
Zipporah - who saved him from trouble
24 But it came about at the overnight encampment on the way, that the Lord met Moses, and sought to put him to death.
25 So Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and threw it at Moses’ feet; and she said, “You are indeed a groom of blood to me!”
26 So He left him alone. At that time she said, “You are a groom of blood”—because of the circumcision.
Moses has perhaps forgotten or neglected the sign of the covenant between God and his people - circumcision
Aaron - who would help him speak before pharaoh
27 Now the Lord said to Aaron, “Go to meet Moses in the wilderness.” So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him.
28 Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord with which He had sent him, and all the signs that He had commanded him to do.
29 Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the sons of Israel;
30 and Aaron spoke all the words which the Lord had spoken to Moses. He then performed the signs in the sight of the people.
31 So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord was concerned about the sons of Israel and that He had seen their affliction, they bowed low and worshiped.
GOD PROVIDES HELP TO HIS SERVANT IN THE FORM OF -
FAMILY - wife/husband, children, brothers, sisters,
FRIENDS - buddies, relatives, etc.
THESE PEOPLE DO NOT DETERMINE THE PERSON’S CALLING, BUT THEY CAN GREATLY AID IN MANY WAYS!
Jesus appreciated His “friends” who stayed with Him to the end!
Paul commended his friends who accompanied him in his mission works
I THANK GOD SO MUCH FOR THE FRIENDS THAT HE HAS GIVEN ME ALL THESE YEARS!
God gives him “foresight”
God gives him “foresight”
Foresight - a view forward; an act of looking forward;
God gives Moses a preview of what’s going to happen!
19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not permit you to go, except under compulsion.
20 So I will reach out with My hand and strike Egypt with all My miracles which I shall do in the midst of it; and after that he will let you go.
21 I will grant this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed.
22 But every woman shall ask her neighbor and the woman who lives in her house for articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.”
Pharaoh will refuse to let Israel go
the only way Israel can come out of Egypt will be by a force!
God will strike Egypt with His miracles/wonders
Israel will not go out empty-handed!
God shows Moses the end of Pharaoh
21 And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.
22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Israel is My son, My firstborn.
23 So I said to you, ‘Let My son go so that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I am going to kill your son, your firstborn.” ’ ”
God will harden pharaoh’s heart
God will take the firstborn son of pharaoh
WHEN GOD CALLS YOU TO DO A WORK HIM, YOU WILL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS.
GOD WILL SHOW YOU WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO THROUGH YOU!
Jesus the work ahead
Paul saw his work was among the gentiles
William Branham saw his work before thousands of people!
Conclusion
Conclusion
God understands our fears and worries.
YOU CAN BRING ALL YOUR FEARS AND WORRIES TO GOD!
YOU CAN REST ASSURED THAT GOD WILL RESOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS IN HIS OWN WAY!
YOU CAN TRUST GOD’S WAY IS ALWAYS THE BEST WAY!
Your biggest friend and companion in the ministry is GOD HIMSELF?
BUT GOD IS NOT OUR HELPER - WE ARE GOD’S HELPER!
This is HIS WORK
We are here to HELP
BUT GOD EMPOWERS AND EQUIPS HIS HELPERS
EMPOWERING AND EQUIPPING TAKES PLACE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD!
Jesus to his disciples - “stay in Jerusalem until…”
Stay on the mountain of God until you receive the power!
SONG
In your presence
Im reaching for your heart…