The God That Gave Moses A Stick

Good morning and welcome to CCC. What a wonderful morning it is, I pray you all are doing okay with the springing forward and losing an hour this morning.

Just a few quick announcements this morning

We are still looking for folks who would be willing to take young children to the nursery during service and eventually during Sunday School as well

If you are interested to teaching or working with youth please let Pastor Josh know. I think the intention is to try to have you start up when school starts back up in August

We want to take as many kids as possible to camp this summer so be praying about going as a sponsor. You will not regret it. Let Pastor Josh know if you are willing and what age group you would like to go with

We are going to start our Men’s Bible Study back up this Wednesday night at 7 pm. See Gary Kurtz for more information

Finally we are starting a Women’s Bible Study on Monday nights, Coffee with Jesus. It will begin on Monday April 3rd at 6:30 pm. Right here at CCC. There will be coffee and tea available as well as a dessert! All women are welcome!

As you recall we are in the sermon series The God That....last week we looked at the God that brought us out....out of sin into salvation....out of death and into life

This morning we are going to look at The God That Gave Moses A Stick

Lets Pray

START OBS

This morning we are going to read 2 chapters in Exodus so if you would grab your Bible and open up to Exodus 3 we are going to read chapters 3 and 4 here this morning.

Exodus 3-4:12

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Notice the bush is on fire yet not destroyed. I can’t think of a burning bush without thinking of this scripture but also of a time when Logan and I saw a burning bush. One summer day we had gone to Burger King here in town and were in the drive thru. We placed our order and as we cleared the sign and turned toward the window to pay low and behold one of their bushes was fully engulfed in flames. Luckily no one was in front of us and I sped up to the window and told the girl your bush is on fire....she looked at me like I had two heads....I said your bush is on fire outside your back door.....someone went out and got it put out before any damage was done to the building but I can tell you that the bush that was on fire was completely destroyed but the bush here in scripture was not harmed

My logical brain has trouble with that but I believe God is God and that God had the bush on fire but the bush was not destroyed....I can’t explain it but I sure do believe it.

Moses heard from and spoke with God who was in the burning bush.

I want to first point out some things

Exodus 3:5-6

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“And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy 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 upon God.”

Today....most Christians don’t understand or truly respect God as God

God is holy

God is perfect

God deserves and demands your and my respect

Vs 5 Draw not nigh....don’t come near....take off your shoes....I am here so this is holy ground

Vs 6 Look at Moses’ response to God telling him who He was....Moses hid his face

God is a loving Father but He is also God

He deserves and demands total respect

We can through Jesus freely approach Him but we must never forget He is God

Approach Him with reverence!

God gave Moses specific instructions

Despite this fact Moses still doubted

He didn’t believe because he believed his short comings were too much for God to use or overcome

I have been on both sides of this. I relate to Moses…when God called me here to CCC in August of 2018 I have to admit God and I had a conversation

God are you sure?

God I haven’t been to Bible college

God I am just a coach

Are you sure?

He responded....Go....I have called you I will provide for you…Go. So I went

I also have seen God’s side as well. In conversations with some of you and those outside the church I have said You can do that.

You are called to do that

Most of the time I hear

Nope.

Not me.

I can’t do that

I am not qualified

You don’t know my background

That is not my calling

Listen God doesn’t call the prepared He prepares the called.

If God calls you to it GO. He has it all figured out and will provide exactly what you need

Notice there is a continued exchange here. God reminds Moses that He, God, has seen Israel’s affliction and heard their cry and He is going to deliver

Moses again says when they ask me who sent me what do I say

God says I AM THAT I AM

That is still not enough for Moses as we move into Chapter 4 Moses says they will not believe me

God’s response He gave Moses a stick

If we are honest as humans we think here Moses is crying out for a sign and God gives him a stick.....that is crazy…that makes no sense

What was the stick a symbol of?

God’s Power

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God showed His power in the miracles He did with the stick.

God said Moses throw it down and it turned into a snake

God said pick the snake up by the tail and boom back into a stick

You know the rest of the story with the stick. God performed many miracles through that stick.

There is no questions God was behind the miracles

His power was on full display in the stick

The next thing the stick was a symbol of was

Moses’ Calling

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It was also very clear that God called Moses and very clear what God called Moses too.

God called Moses to lead God’s people out of Egypt. There is no doubt that was his calling.

The next thing the stick was a symbol of was

Moses’ Authority To Act Under God

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Through God’s works and plagues

No one doubted Moses had God given authority

The next thing the stick was a symbol of was

Outward Token To Others That The Spirit Was Resting Upon Moses

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Once Moses moved in God’s power No one doubted Moses belonged to God.

Most might be thinking Pastor I am not Moses.

You would be 100% correct

You are You

Now what I want to do is bridge the gap between you and Moses

God created you to be you not Moses but the same truth still applies to you that did to Moses

God gave Moses a stick…He gives you and me a name

You and I are Christians.

You and I are the church

We bear the name of Jesus Christ!

The name of Jesus is a symbol of

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God’s Power

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Luke 9:1

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“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.”

When you accept Jesus you receive the Holy Spirit. You receive God’s power

I believe that we as Christians forget that we have the power of God living inside of us

Why do I believe that

We are marked by

anxiety

Worry

Lust

Pride

Greed

Idols

If we believed and understood that we have God’s power those mountains would be moved

Matthew 17:20

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“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

With Faith the size of a mustard seed you will move mountains

God created all things

God controls or allows all things

If it will bring God glory He will pluck the mountain and drop it in the sea......If it would bring God glory he would pick up Mt Everest and move it…I believe He can do it. I believe this scripture from a literal perspective

I also believe it from a spiritual perspective

You and I face mountains in our own life

Anxiety

Doubt

Worry

Addiction

Pride

Lust

Porn

Love of money

etc etc etc

Do you believe?

Do you believe that in Jesus you have access to all of God’s power?

Easy to say yes here in the pew but what about when that mountain is yelling at you like Goliath was yelling at David

Easy to say here in the pew but what about when the real emotions are present or the real cost of following Jesus is present or the consequences of life are present

Do you believe then?

The next thing that the name of Jesus is symbol of is

Our position as believers

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Mark 16:15-18

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“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

When you accept Jesus Christ your position changes

You are now a son or daughter of God

You now have power…God’s power

He may choose to demonstrate that power anyway He chooses

The point of this scripture is not the supernatural works.

The point of this scripture is as sons and daughters of God we are to use our positions to preach the Gospel

If God decides to use His power so be it but your position is to be an ambassador

Don’t ever put God in a box

I truly believe if God says pick up that snake it would be safe to do so however it is not about the work but about our position and preaching the Gospel

You don’t need to evangelize

You don’t need to witness to everyone you meet

You don’t need to preach the Gospel

No because of your position through Christ you have to do those things.

If you are not talking to people about Jesus you are wrong.

If you are not preaching the Gospel on a daily basis you are wrong

Now preaching the Gospel may not and usually doesn’t include a sermon, there are times and places for sermons but your life should preach the Gospel

When someone says I don’t understand what is happening today, your response should be you can, let me show you and talk about God and His Word

The next thing that the name of Jesus is symbol of is

Your Authority to Act Under God

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Acts 4:1-10

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King James Version Chapter 4

And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. 5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, 6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole

Peter gives them and us a very clear answer

As a Christian you have authority to act under God’s power

As I read Acts 4 something struck me

When the apostles preached the Gospel people were saved

I was convicted

When was the last time someone came to Christ as a part of my personal ministry?

When was the last time someone came to Christ as a part of my ministry here at CCC?

I feel that I am not realizing or using my God given authority to win souls for the Lord

Again it is the work of the Holy Spirit who lives inside of me as a Christian but He usually works through His Word and us His children

Another reason you and I need to speak and act under God’s authority is notice who Peter is speaking to

Religious authorities

Government if you will

Men in human power and authority

We are always to be respectful and full of love and grace and mercy but also unashamed to proclaim the truth of God to whomever God brings into our life to hear it

Abortion is sin and murder

Homosexuality is sin

Gender reassignment is sin

Gender confusion is sin

Saying there are many ways to heaven is false and sin

Turing to substances or people or worldly things instead of God is sin

Peter didn’t care if you were the High priest or the janitor or a homeless person he proclaimed the Gospel

If you lived in sin he didn’t condone it he rebuked it

Church we must stop being silent when it comes to God and His truth

Proclaim it in your life

Proclaim it in your words

Proclaim it in your vote

Your position has changed and your only option is to Stand on God’s Word and nothing else

The next thing that the name of Jesus is symbol of is

Outward Token To Others That The Spirit Is In You

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I am going to read four scriptures then we will discuss them

John 3:2

“The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

Matthew 22:16

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“And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.”

Acts 2:22

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“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:”

Acts 10:38

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“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

As God led me to these scriptures He showed me Christians should stand out like a neon light on a dark night

Anyone who comes in contact with you should know you are a Christian by how you live

God gives you His Holy Spirit at salvation

You must change

I was convicted this week by something I saw online

It said…paraphrasing

If you don’t have a desire for God’s Word

If you don’t long to pray

If you don’t truly seek God you probably aren’t a Christian

Same here if your life is not marked by the things and power of God you have to ask yourself....self am I truly saved?

God is still in the miracle business

We have miracles sitting here among us this morning

Miracles are not just physical healing but also spiritual healing

You demonstrate God’s power

You bring Him glory

You show the world you are a Christian by how you live

Is it a worldly life or a life under control of the Holy Spirit

Do you freely forgive as you have been forgiven?

Are you honest no matter what?

Do you treat everyone with love and respect or do you only love and respect those who can help you or the wealthy?

Church, brothers and sisters in Christ. We are failing at this. I want to get very real for a little bit, maybe get up in a few kitchens, mine included

If you belong to Christ

If you have accepted Christ

If you realize that you were born a sinner and because of that sin you were going to go to hell and suffer the second death, eternity apart from God and then realized that Jesus paid for your sin, Jesus died your death on the cross, Jesus made a way to forgiveness of and freedom from sin and death

If all that is true I shouldn’t have to ask you if you are a Christian

How you react will be different.

How you relate to all people will be different

When someone wrongs you how you forgive will be different

How many times do we argue with people or get angry with people or talk about people behind their back instead of turning the other cheek or loving people or praying for them or even praying with them

How you show hospitality will be different

If someone new walks into this body they would be made to feel like the most important person in the world. Their every need would be met and they would feel like they gained 40 new friends just by walking into God’s house

If we are truly the church we would stand out from the rest because all people would see or hear when they come in contact with us is JESUS!

Is God and His Heart none should perish but all come to repentance your heart?

Does your life prove it?

God’s power…your new name Christian should be the focus of all you do.

Put others first

Love your spouse and children as Jesus loves you

Seeking the lost to show them Jesus

Looking for opportunities to grow and fellowship with believers.

Yesterday was our monthly men’s breakfast and if was awesome. If you missed out you truly missed out. There were 4 of us here and we had a wonderful time, 2 of us cooking and fellowshiping and then when the other 2 got here breaking bread together and talking about God’s Word together.

People think of things here at church as something they have to do or something they should do

NO it is something you get to do.

I know Monte, and Lee and David so much better as a result of being together yesterday morning and that would not have happened if I or they would have chosen to put something else in its place

In looking at Exodus 4:1-12 that we read today we look at this exchange and think what an idiot

Moses bro this is God and He is telling you He is with you what is your deal

Moses came up with excuse after excuse after excuse and from this side of the cross it looks and sounds ridiculous

How many times do you do the same thing?

God places it upon your heart to help with the nursery....oh God I couldn’t do that

God places it on your heart to help with the youth this summer and next fall....oh God I don’t even like kids....well two issues with that…they are created by God so you are to love them like He loves them and Jesus loved children.....so to not like them is to be on the wrong side I would say

God places it on your heart to talk to your boss or co-worker about Jesus

or to pray with a person in Walmart

Or to do whatever He is placing on your heart to do and so many times we are just like Moses

Excuse after excuse

Running from this situation or that situation

running from one relationship to another

Running from one form of bondage to another

God gives you His power and His Holy Spirit to empower you to say no to the world and yes to Jesus!

God gave Moses a stick....He gives you Jesus

Invitation