Find Me Another Bush

Pre-sermon Plug: The Gatherings

We have chosen to have a laid-back approach to small groups.

We will jumpstart our small groups at the start of our next sermon series. On October 7. Series title:

“Where Character is King: and the Christian Walk”

We will jumpstart it with the gathering at my house for Filipino Food Fest. I’m already preparing my gluten and egg rolls. Mrs. Gina Wallace and the rest of our Filipino Auburn Church members and friends are pretty sure we will be able to feed everybody. Come to my house and we will focus on MPT—mingling, praying, and testimonies. I will demonstrate how we can use the Sermon Handout to lead in a simple and easy testimony time, which I am hoping you will carry out in your own small group.

We will keep our small groups laid-back. I want you to start your small group on your own. If you wish your small group to be

Now, let us pray.

Prayer

Compose a short prayer here

A Reading of

Exodus 3:1–12 NIV

1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

Exodus 3:1–10 NIV

1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Moses has totally blended in

Been in Midian 40 years. More than enough time to blend in. Acculturated. He speaks Midianite now—just about as good as a native-born. Just about. His Egyptian accent betrays him from time to time. Like how Patsy Cook’s twangy vowels betray her southern roots. Or how Joe Warda’s throaty gutturals betray his Assyrian roots.

Moses has stopped dreaming in Egyptian. Sleep-talking in Egyptian. That’s a tell-tale sign that you’ve acculturated —if you ask me. Years ago, Julie would wake me up in the middle of the night:

“Honey, wake up, wake up! You’re having a nightmare.”

“Huh, huh, what, what?” I wake up, drool dripping down the left side of my cheek (I like sleeping on my left side—or on my belly).

"You were talking in your sleep again.”

“I was? What was I saying?”

“I don’t know. You were talking in your native tongue.”

“I was? Which one?”

“How should I know! It’s not English.”

“Oh! Must be Tinguian.”

“It doesn’t sound Tagalog to me.”

So I go back to sleep. And go right back to my dream. Have you ever had this happen to you? And my wife and I would go at it again.

And my wife and I go at it again.

"Honey, you’re talking in your sleep again.”

“Was I speaking in English this time?”

“Nope!”

“When will I ever dream in English?”

40 years

And accepted his fate: an obscure, insignificant, wandering shepherd.

In 40 years.

Forty years?

Forty years.

[Pause]

“It’ been forty years,” Moses says to himself. “Ah, what could have been, had my kinsmen rallied around me. Ohh, well. No regrets. I am at peace with my life.”

Moses’ assimilation to his second life is complete. His father-in-law Jethro many years ago had turned over the family business to him. And it has thrived. Best wool anywhere in Midian. Best tasting feta cheese. He’s done well as a businessman these 40 years. Even if his job is never-ending. Long hours. Countless days and nights away from the wife and kids.

Is enough time to accept his new fate. An obscure, insignificant, wandering shepherd. His dream of rallying the Israelites to rise up and break their shackles by force, has receded into the back roads, by the rivers of his memory, that keeps it ever gentle on his mind—as Glenn Campbell might say.

His daydream of ministry recedes into the back roads of his mind, by the rivers of his memory, ever gentle on his mind with the passing of time.

Swallowed up by forty years of faded memory.

An obscure, insignificant, wandering desert shepherd. His grandiose dream of rallying the Israelites to rise up and break their shackles through murder and mayhem if necessary, has receded into the back roads by the rivers of his memory, that keeps it ever gentle on his mind—as Glenn Campbell might say.

All memories end up faded, gentle, and grey with the passing of time.

Gentle

Benign

But God does not fade away with the passing of time.

The heart of a leader is a slow-burning fire, steadily waiting for an opportunity serve.

Faded

So your wilderness is your very life itself. Where you live, work, study, play. This is where vocation meets calling. You wait patiently, faithfully discharging your present duties where you are. For wilderness time is not wasted time. Wilderness time is training time. And the little things in your daily life are the venues of your boot camp.

Grey

(Every person puts in time in the wilderness)

with the passing of years.

So Moses takes off

His dream of ministry swallowed up by forty years of faded memory.

But you just never know how and when God comes calling

You must put in time in the wilderness where God molds you through the mundane and the ordinary.

Often unbeknownst to you.

Until God breaks his 40-year silence

For Moses it was 40 years in the desert in and surrounding Midian.

(Then comes the fire)

Then comes the fire. It always comes after your wilderness time.

This time with flock of people.

Until God breaks his 40-year silence

Then God comes as a fire that does not consume

Then

Expect it. It will come. And know that God is in this fire, waiting to speak—if only you’d come near!

An old adage says, It won’t do to trifle with fire. Today, we would say, Don’t mess with fire. Take God’s fire seriously, it is His way of presenting himself to you for service, to see if you’re interested. Whatever service may look like. Even something as trifle as starting a small group of your own for His glory.

It’s not every day that you get to see brush fire quite like this. At any rate, you don’t run towards fire. You run away from it.

“Whoah! That’s awesome

God had never used this trick before.

With a one-off trick that draws Moses in instantly. What a sucker for burning bush Moses was!

I mean, it’s not an every day that you get to see brush fire quite like this. At any rate, you don’t run towards fire. You run away from it.

With a one-off trick that draws Moses in instantly. What a sucker for burning bush Moses was!

What a sucker for a burning bush! Lucky it was God inside that fire!

Doesn’t he know It won’t do to trifle with fire? You will get singed. You will get burned. Best put it out, or run!

Called Keith Brower on Wednesday evening.

“Hey Keith, it’s Mel!”

Ever wonder why Moses was such a sucker for a one-off burning bush trick? I mean, he fell for it. So gullible. Sure, everybody’s drawn to a good bonfire. It has a mesmerizing, soothing effect. Especially in cold desert nights. An evening fire is always the best way to end a good camping day.

“Oh Hi, how are you doing?”

“I should be asking you. Heard there’s fire very close to your home. If you need to evacuate, come on over. You can stay with us.”

“Haven’t heard an evacuation notice yet, but thank you. Gary Wareham is flying overhead and is texting me. Dave Krussow has arrived with his team. He says the fire is headed away from us.”

Keith and Adrienne stayed put. But I don’t think they ran towards the fire.

[Pause]

My friends and I when we were little boys, rushed behind the school buildings, beyond the

I was canvassing books one hot summer afternoon. In a crowded ghetto. I hadn’t sold a single book.

Doesn’t Moses know that curiosity killed the cat?

I wish God would do that once or twice every century

Curiosity quickly turns into an encounter.

But Moses knows this is no ordinary fire. And he draws near to find out. And God waits to see, “Will he come near my fire?” An old adage warns, He that hath a head of wax, must not approach the fire. You’re in over your head, Moses. Stay away from that unusual fire. You will get burnt out! But Moses keeps going.

And what about the proverbs

Why?

“Will he come to the fire?”

Gullible?

It’s a question God asks to every believer. “Will you come to the fire?”

No.

One step forward. Another step. Curiosity diminishes with every step as wonder swells his heart. He that hath a head of wax, must not approach the fire—another adage warns.

Passionate!

“

“

Moses knows that God has come calling. Finally! Been waiting 40 years, Lord!

Fire is feeding fire sending Moses’ heart ablaze!

“Where is it”

“Right there!”

This was God’s fire. God’s call.

“Right where?”

“Right there! I see a flickering fire in Moses’ chest.”

“Yes, yes, I see it now. The fire is in Moses’ heart!”

God’s fire and Moses’ fire are feeding on each other. And one is growing with every step forward. Moses keeps pressing forward, his heart pounding. Suddenly, a voice like the one that stopped Abraham as he was plunging his dagger into his son’s heart—this same voice calls out form within the burning burning bush: “Stop, Moses! Stop, Moses! Don’t get too close, or my holiness will burn you alive!”

Moses keeps walking forward, his heart pounding.

“This fire is God’s fire! He rushes

God

Suddenly, a voice like the one that stopped Abraham as he was plunging his dagger into his son’s heart, calls out form within the burning bush and stops Moses in his track.

This is Moses’ Abraham moment.

A moment he longs to see in every disciple of every age.

With every step Moses takes, his flickering fire grows. He keeps pressing forward. Suddenly a voice—like the one that stopped Abraham as he was in the act of plunging his dagger into his son’s heart—calls out from within the burning bush: “Moses! Moses! Stop! Don’t get too close, or my holiness will burn you!”

A burning bush that doesn’t get consumed? A voice from within the bush? “This is too much, homie! I’m outa here! See ye never!”

And Moses replies, “Here I am!” What? Are real?

“Now I know,” says God “that your heart truly burns for me!”

This is unreal! It could have easily been: “Moses, wait! Stop! It’s only me. Don’t run away! My holiness won’t burn you. Moses! Moses!” And Moses was gone.

“Did you see that cloud of dust over there? He ran so fast, I don’t know where he went. Left his flock to fend for themselves out there in the wilderness.”

Left his flock to fend for themselves out there in the wilderness.

“Stop, Moses! Stop, Moses! Don’t get too close, or my holiness will burn you alive!”

God stops Moses from coming any closer! What faith! God has his man. And he used him mightily.

God found his man. And he used him mightily. If you would only draw near to the fire!

"Yes, yes! I can use this man!” And so he can, and did.

Find me another bush, and I’ll set it ablaze. Let me be a pyromaniac for once. I want to find out how many more Moses are out there!

(Then comes the call to serve)

Then comes the call to serve. It only comes when you draw near.

Then you would know how God has fitted you for His service.

Fire has met fire.

God prefers to put the megaphone aside. He doesn’t tweet. He doesn’t do text. No Instagram. He prefers one-on-one. Personal. He wants you to draw near. So you can listen. So he tell you where and how you ought to serve.

If only you would draw near! Then you will know how God has fitted you for His service. You will never know unless you draw near.

An

God prefers to put the megaphone aside. He doesn’t tweet. He doesn’t do text. No Instagram. He prefers one-on-one. Personal. He wants you to draw near.

What the burning bush has done is set the flicker of fire in Moses’ heart ablaze!

Here at last is a son of Abraham who has Abraham’s fire in him. God can use him.

“You’re going back to Egypt Moses and rescue my people—my way this time. No more ‘I’ll do it my way,’ alright?”

Fire has met fire. Here at last is a son of Abraham who has Abraham’s fire in him. God can use him.

“Yes, Lord.”

Moses has no idea what is in store for him. Nobody ever does. So God assure him: “I will be with you.”

So

And recaps Moses’ ministry before it starts:

"When you have brought the people out of Egypt,”

When you’ve done all I ask of you, you will come back here where you started. You will have led my people in their own wilderness

So his insecurity is normal.

Notice that this is not an “if…then” clause. It is not conditional. God assumes Moses’ faithfulness and guarantees his success.

When faithful service is given, success is guaranteed!

"You will worship God on this mountain.”

Here is a subtle change which, reading in English, you will not readily see. The “you” in the first half of this sentence is singular, while the “you” in the second half is plural.

The call to lead is circular.

Your desert experience, your call, your passion—you must shared and replicated. Your flock must experience what you’ve experienced. Your task is as leader is to share the fire that is burning in you—the fire set ablaze by God’s burning bush.

The church will rise only to the height of their leaders’ spiritual experience.

This is a strange promise, precisely because it is recapitulation of a ministry that is yet to unfold. But to us, it is a template. That when we are faithful in staying close to the fire, if we are faithful in leading God’s flock so that our faith overflows to theirs—God will let us have the joy of seeing the fruit of our hard labor. He will lead us in full circle with those we lead.

Story of a leader at the twilight of his years

Find me another bush, and I’ll set it ablaze. Let me be a pyromaniac for once. I want to find out how many more Moses are out there!

Questions for Discussion/Reflection

How am I doing in my own wilderness? Am I drawing near or running away from God’s fire? Where is God calling me to serve?

Where God calling me to serve?