HOPE IS ALIVE - RENEW

Book of Acts - Hope Is Alive Easter Series • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

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I want to welcome you today as we continue our Easter series, “HOPE IS ALIVE”.

This year, our Easter focus comes from the NT book of Acts. A book we are currently studying through a method called Expository preaching.

If you’re just joining us, we kicked off our Easter series last week with the story of a young man named Joseph.

And while the actual story of Joseph is found in the OT book of Genesis, the story for us came out of the NT book of Acts, a book of the Bible that we are currently studying through a form or preaching called Expository Preaching.

With that said, our Easter series comes from the NT book of Acts. A book studying through a method called Expository preaching.

What that means is we believe the Bible is best taught by taking books of the Bible, and then breaking them down chapter by chapter, verse by verse, in order to understand how the Bible applies in our lives today.

So, if you haven’t been with us, I would encourage you to go online to mcf.life where you can listen to all of the messages leading up to today.

Last week, as we moved further into Acts chapter 7, we were with a man named Stephen who was presenting the gospel to a group of religious leaders known as the Sadducees. A first century Jewish religious group who were bent on stopping the early church movement.

And unfortunately Stephen’s interaction with this group isn’t going to end well. Because by the time Stephen finishes speaking, the religious leaders will have stones in their hands, and Stephen will become the first Christian martyr in church history as he is stoned to death by this group for his faith in Jesus.

So, just to make sure we are all on the same page, I’d like to take a few minutes and recap what’s brought us to this point and where we left off last week.

To begin with, you may recall, Stephen’s speech represents a journey. A journey of redemptive history as Stephen reminds and explains to these religious leaders God’s plan for redeeming mankind from sin. A journey meant to lead them to Jesus.

And the journey started as Stephen made reference to a man named Abraham, a man all Jews new and looked to as the father of the Jewish nation. In Stephen puts it like this:

Acts 7:2–3 ESV

2 And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’

Luke 7:2–3 ESV

2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant.

So, why did Stephen start with Abraham? He starts there because that’s where God made a promise to Abraham. And the promise was that through Abraham’s offspring, God would raise up a great nation and give them a promised land. A nation and land that would become a blessing to the world.

Stephen started with Abraham because that’s where the journey begins, as he reminds those opposing him, of God’s promise to Abraham. The promise that through Abraham’s offspring, God would raise up a great nation, and give them a promised land. A nation and land that would become a blessing to the world.

So, a good question might be, “Why would the nation of Israel become a blessing to the world?”

It would become a blessing, because from Abraham’s offspring would come the promised redeemer. The one who would save mankind from sin and reconcile man’s relationship with God. A redeemer we know as Jesus Christ.

So, Stephen starts with Abraham and the promise.

From there, Stephen moved to a young man named Joseph, who we talked about last week. And as we learned, Joseph was a descendent of Abraham. One of 12 brothers, all of which were the sons of a man named Jacob, who was the son of Issac, who was the son of Abraham.

And as we saw last week, it was through Joseph that God would begin to fulfill the promise. And it happens in a way most of us would not expect. Stephen says it happened like this:

Acts 7:9 ESV

9 “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him

Stephen reminds the religious leaders that the journey to the promise land started with Joseph being sold into Egyptian slavery.

A bondage that would last 13 years, but would become the place that God prepared and positioned Joseph to help the future nation of Israel in a time of need. Stephen recounts how it played out:

It happens as God unplugs Joseph from his comfortable environment and places him under Egyptian bondage. A bondage that would last 13 years and become the place that God prepared and positioned Joseph to help his family in a time of great need. Stephen recounts it as follows:

Acts 7:11–16 ESV

11 Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. 13 And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. 14 And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, seventy-five persons in all. 15 And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, 16 and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

Acts 7:11-

Stephen reminds the religious leaders, that when it seemed like the promise of Hope might die because of a famine, God had already prepared and positioned Joseph to provide a place of refuge for the promised family. A place where the journey towards the promise could continue.

And what was true for Joseph and his family, is true for us as well. The fact is, if you’ve put your faith in Jesus, you’re on the same journey, walking towards the same promise. A spiritual journey towards the promise of Hope that comes through faith in Jesus. The promise that one day, whether through our death or His return, we will be with the LORD.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 ESV

16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

1 Thes

And as we learned last week, there are some stages involved in this journey.

Last week we titled the first stage “unplug”. We called it that, because like Joseph, in order to begin the journey towards God’s promise, we need to be unplugged from some false hopes and comforts.

First, we need too unplug from the false hope the world offers. To recongize this world and all its pleasures are passing away.

Second, too be willing at times to unplug from the comfort and conveniences that often distract us.

To be willing too unplug from distractions such as social media and the many activities that fill our calendars.

To unplug from destructive relationships that may have taken us in the wrong direction.

Too unplug from the many activities that consume our calendars.

To unplug long enough to hear the voice of God and allow Him to direct us.

Because the truth is, if we want to journey towards God’s promise of Hope, we have to be in a place where God can prepare and position us for the journey. A place where we learn to depend on God in a new and deeper way. But that can only happen if we unplug long enough to hear His voice.

So, I don’t know what you need to unplug from, because it’s different for all of us, but my prayer this past week has been that God would show you.

That God would show you what is distracting you.

What is overly consuming your calendar and your time.

What is keeping you from allowing God to prepare and position you for His plan in your life.

So, if you missed last week’s message, I would encourage you to go online to mcf.life and possibly discover what it is you need to unplug from in order for God to prepare and position you for the promises He has for you.

With that said, today we move to the next stage of the journey as Stephen now introduces us to a man called Moses. A stage we’re going to entitle “Renew”.

So, in order to give us some framework for what we are about to read, I want to begin by asking you a few questions that I think will prepare us for this next stage. And the first question goes like this:

Question #1 - In your journey through life, have you ever noticed that life is full of seasons? Have you ever noticed that?

For example, in the journey of life, at times there are seasons of prosperity and joy.

Seasons where everything is pointing up.

Seasons where the marriage couldn’t be better.

Seasons where the family prospers.

Seasons where money isn’t a concern.

Seasons where your job brings joy and fulfillment.

Seasons where you feel happy and blessed beyond measure.

That’s a great season, right? We all like that season.

Unfortunately though, while there are seasons of prosperity and joy, there are also seasons of loss and sorrow .

Seasons where the unexpected knocks at our door.

Seasons where sickness comes, accidents happen, and loved ones die.

Seasons where employment ends and transitions take place.

Seasons where the marriage takes an unexpected turn, and divorce looms on the horizon.

Seasons where family life is difficult as your kids make poor choices.

Seasons where you feel unhappy and are discouraged beyond measure.

And with these seasons come other seasons. Seasons of change. Seasons of adjustment. Seasons of confusion. Seasons of discontentment. Seasons of depression. And the list goes on.

The fact is, life is full of seasons. And not only that, isn’t it true that we never live permanently in a particular season. That we’re either going into a season or coming out one. That’s true, right? In fact, the Bible teaches us that. Listen to what the writer of Ecclesiastes says:

Ecclesiastes 3:

Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 ESV

1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1–4 ESV

And the list goes on.

Here’s a second question for you, “Have you ever wondered why life has full of seasons?”

Well, to be honest, there are a number of reasons, but it really all boils down to one. Life is full of seasons because

And in a way that’s what makes life so exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. That’s what makes us at times feel hopeful and other times hopeless. Because day to day, you never know what season you may find yourself in.

Here’s a second question for you:

Question # 2 - Have you ever wondered why life is full of seasons?

In other words, why life is always changing. Why life tends to be a roller coaster at times.

To be honest, there are a number of reasons for seasons, but I believe they all boil down to one.

Reason - Without different seasons, we would never change and grow. That’s true, right? Because without seasons, our lives would stay the same.

Think of it from the standpoint of nature. If seasons didn’t change, trees would never sprout new leaves. If seasons never changed, new crops would never grow. The fact is, new seasons are necessary to bring new life and new growth.

Now, you might be thinking, “I don’t know pastor, I kind of like the idea of life never changing.” Well, you may think that, but the truth is, when there is no change, there is no growth, and things that don’t grow, eventually die.

Because the fact is, different seasons challenge us. Different seasons mature us. Different seasons force us to see life from new and different perspectives. Different seasons move us forward into new realities of life. Realities, like it or not, that are necessary for new growth in our lives.

Because I can tell you right now, somebody who has walked through a season of loss, has a whole new new appreciation for life and what’s really important. They now live and see life differently. The season of loss has changed their perspective.

Last question - Have you ever noticed that seasons are cyclical? In other words, they repeat themselves over and over.

Nature is a great example of that. It consists of four seasons. Fall, Summer, Winter, and Spring. And they continually repeat, year after year after year.

The reason I ask you to consider these questions, is because as we begin the second stage of the faith journey, what we’re going to discover is, like life, our faith journey has seasons.

Some seasons that are joyful and prosperous, and some that are difficult and a challenge. Seasons that repeat themselves throughout the faith journey. But seasons that serve a purpose as they mature us, grow us, and move us forward in our faith journey.

All that to say, as we come back to our passage today, what we’re going to discover is that the faith journey consists of three primary seasons. Three seasons that are going to be modeled to us through the life of a man named Moses.

So, to get us started let me lay out what our goals are this morning.

First, we’re going to read through the entire passage so we can get some context for what Stephen wants to teach us.

Second, we’re going to walk back through the passage and identify the three seasons of the faith journey.

Finally, we’re going to talk about how these different seasons apply to our personal faith journey.

So, to get us started, let’s pick back up in as Stephen continues with the story of Moses. Beginning in verse 17 we read:

Acts 7:17–34 ESV

17 “But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt 18 until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph. 19 He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, so that they would not be kept alive. 20 At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father’s house, 21 and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds. 23 “When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. 25 He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. 26 And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ 27 But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons. 30 “Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look. 33 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’

Acts 7:17

Before we get too far into the story of Moses, I want to take a moment and point out a couple of key details to help give us some context for the story:

First, what we need to understand is the story of Moses takes place 430 years since the time of Joseph. So, a lot of time has passed since last Sunday.

Second, as you might imagine, after 430 years, the family has grown. You may recall, when they entered the land of Egypt, there were 75 people in Jacob’s family. But the number has grown, and it’s grown significantly.

So, to help us get a better understanding of how many Jewish people there are now and why it’s important, we are going to jump out of for a few moments, and go back to the OT book of Exodus where the story is told in detail.

So, beginning in , listen to what we read concerning the growth of the Jewish people after the 430 year period:

Exodus 1:7 ESV

7 But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.

Exodus 1:

The writer indicates here that God’s promise to Abraham is in full swing. In fact, at this point, most scholars believe there were around 2.5 million descendants of Abraham now living in the land of Egypt. Meaning, they weren’t just having a few kids here and there. says they increased greatly and multiplied, so that the land was filled with them.

So, a good question might be, “Why is this an important detail?”

It’s important because their multiplied growth has created a concern for Egypt. The book of Exodus explains it like this:

Exodus 1:8–10 ESV

8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. 10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.”

The writer says after 430 years, a new Pharoah is in charge, but this Pharoah isn’t familiar with the history of Joseph and the Jewish people, and how Joseph saved the land of Egypt from the famine. And so for him, the people of Israel are not a blessing, instead, they’ve become a population threat. A threat because if they were to rebel against Egypt, the Egyptians would be over run by them.

And so in order to address this growing concern, Pharoah has a plan, and the plan consists of two initiatives.

First, he turned the Jewish people into slaves. That’s why Stephen says Pharoah dealt shrewdly with them. The writer of Exodus puts it like this:

Exodus 1:11 ESV

11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses.

Pharaoh’s first initiative involves subduing theJewish people.

Second, he put limits on the Jewish birthrate. That’s why Stephen says Pharoah exposed their infants. So, what does that mean? The writer of Exodus gives us more detail. He writes:

Exodus 1:15–16 ESV

15 Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 16 “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.”

The second initiative involves the murder of innocent Jewish babies.

So, as you can imagine, this was a difficult time for the people of Israel as they faced slavery and the loss of their children.

But the good news is, this is where God steps in. Because while Pharoah had forgotten about Joseph, God hadn’t forgotten about the promise He had made to Abraham.

So, just like God used a man named Joseph, once again God selects another man He will continue the promise through, a man named Moses. In , Stephen says:

Acts 7:20 ESV

20 At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father’s house,

Acts 7:

Stephen says that in the midst of great oppression and hopelessness, a boy named Moses is born.

But as you might already suspect, there’s a problem with Moses being born. Remember, Pharoah had ordered all Hebrew boys to be killed at birth. Moses’s life is automatically in jeopardy. But thankfully, God has a plan.

Because while we don’t have time to read the entire account, after Moses was born, Moses’s mother recognizes there is something special about Moses, so in an effort to save his life, she takes drastic measures as she places Moses in a basket, and sends him floating down the Nile river where by the providence of God, Moses is discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter. In we read:

And while we don’t have time to read the entire account, in order

Exodus 2:5–6 ESV

5 Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. 6 When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

So, what did Pharaoh’s daughter do with baby Moses? Did she turn him in? Did she follow her father’s orders and have Moses killed? No. In Stephen tells us what she did.

Acts 7:21 ESV

21 and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son.

Stephen says, upon seeing baby Moses, Pharaoh’s daughter not only has pity, but she adopts Moses and raises him as her own son.

And this is where the three seasons begin as the journey of faith continues through Moses, not only for the people of Israel, but for us as well.

So, with the time we have left this morning, I want to introduce you to the three seasons of the faith journey. Seasons that are meant to challenge and grow us. Seasons that all of us as Christians must face if we want to obtain the promises God has given us.

The first season of the faith journey is what you might call:

A Season of grace, blessing, and zeal.

What I want you to notice, is after adopting him as her son, listen to what Stephen tells us about Moses upbringing.

Acts 7:22 ESV

22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.

Stephen says following his retrieval from the river, Moses is not only spared from death, but he is given the opportunity and education of a lifetime as he is schooled and raised in the Royal palace. And as a result, Stephen says he became a mighty man both in words and deeds.

In fact, while the Bible doesn’t detail it, the 1st century Jewish historian Josephus tells us Moses eventually became the general of Pharaoh’s army and led the Egyptian army in great victories.

All that to say, for the first season, the first 40 years of his life, Moses had grace and blessing upon his life as he grew in influence, might, and power. A season of life where all indicators were pointing up.

So, a good question would be, how does this apply to our faith journey.

As always, it applies in a similar fashion, specifically in two primary ways:

First, it applies in the sense that just like Moses, you and I were born into a world of sin and death. A world where from the moment of your birth, death stood ready to take you out. A world where because of sin, you were born with an automatic death sentence. And like it or not, you can’t escape it. Death is coming for all of us.

But the good news is, God had a plan to save you.

And as a result, you don’t have to fear death, because as you float down the river of life with little hope, in His mercy, God provided a way for you to be saved through His Son Jesus.

The Apostle Paul puts it like this:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”” (ESV)

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

“…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (ESV)

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

But in His grace and mercy, God choose to save you. Because as you floated down the river of life with little hope, God plucked you out of the water and into the arms of His Son, Jesus. And because he had pity on you, He made you a member of His household as in that moment, he adopted you. The apostle Paul puts it like this:

And because He had pity on you, and if you’re willing to trust Him, God wants to adopt you and make you a member of his Royal household. The apostle Paul puts it like this:

Because as you floated down the river of life with little hope, God plucked you out of the water and into the arms of His Son, Jesus. And because he had pity on you, He made you a member of His household as in that moment, he adopted you. The apostle Paul puts it like this:

Ephesians 1:5 ESV

5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Paul says if your willing to put your hope Jesus, you can become an adopted son or daughter of the king. Pretty amazing, right?

Second, it applies in the sense, that once you put your faith in Jesus, like Moses, you move into a time of grace and blessing as the love, grace, and blessing of God floods your life. And there’s nothing like it.

In fact, I would say there’s nothing like becoming a new Christian. Because as a new Christian you have a spiritual energy and zeal that’s hard to contain.

Because at this point in your spiritual journey, everything is pointing up. You feel like you’re on top of the world as you experience the grace of God in your life.

As a result, you can’t get enough church. You can’t get enough of the Bible. You can’t wipe the smile off of your face. And everybody around you is thinking, “What are they on?”

And you’re like, “I’m just on Jesus bro!” And like a sponge your soaking up God’s grace and just dripping with excitement and zeal.

It’s a great season in the journey of faith. To be honest, there are times I wish I could be a new Christian all over again.

And that’s the season some of you are in now. You’re in that season of grace, blessing, and zeal. Your loving life as a new Christian, and that’s great, you should.

However, there is a major pitfall new Christians need to be aware of in their journey. A pitfall that could really trip you up.

Pitfall - The first pitfall unfortunately is your zeal. Because while zeal is good, it could cause you to function in your own power. We see this in the life of Moses. Listen to what Stephen tells us:

Acts 7:23–28 ESV

23 “When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. 25 He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. 26 And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ 27 But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’

Stephen says at the top of his game, and with zeal and success driving him, Moses saw the oppression of his people, and took it upon himself to try and deliver them.

And so seeing an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, in his zeal, Moses defended his Jewish brother, and killed the Egyptian.

But his attempt to deliver didn’t go over like he thought it would. And it wasn’t recieved liked he hoped it would be. In fact, his Jewish brothers looked at him and said, “What are you on? What’s gotten into you? Who do you think you are?”

I’ve seen this happen to a lot of new Christians. In their zeal they get ahead of God and His plan for their life. And as a result, they try to accomplish more than they’re prepared for at the time.

And I don’t say that to discourage any new Christians in the room. Please don’t let that discourage you, Because your zeal is part of your new faith. It’s necessary. And many times it’s that zeal that lights a fire in a church or in a body of believers who have lost its fire. Because for so many churches that’s their problem. Because they’ve stopped reaching people, they’ve stopped birthing new life into their church. And they wonder why their church is dying.

That’s why I like being around new Christians. That’s why I want MCF to always be full of new Christians and new life. Their zeal is necessary and contagious.

So, I’m not saying, “Don’t have zeal.” What I’m saying though is, you need to make sure your zeal doesn’t get ahead of God’s plan, like it did with Moses.

In their zeal, they begin to try and function in their own power.

Because when Moses killed the Egyptian that day, he got ahead of God’s plan. At that point God wasn’t ready to deliver the Israelites, nor in that way.

What God wanted to do first was prepare Moses. Because to accomplish what God had called him to do, which was to deliver the Israelites, Moses is going to need more than zeal. Moses is going to need to learn to depend on God. Which leads to the second season:

Pitfall #2 - Because of their zeal, they forget the journey of faith isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.

You could call this season:

So, while it’s a great season, it’s a season where we need to be cautious and aware of some pitfalls, because while the grace and blessing are where we start, there are some challenges that lie ahead.

This then leads us to the second season. You could call this season:

2. A Wilderness Season

After killing the Egyptian, and being rejected by his Jewish brothers, listen to what Stephen says happened next:

Acts 7:29 ESV

29 At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.

Acts 7:

Stephen says when his plan failed, Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian. So, why did he flee? The writer in Exodus tells us:

“When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian.” (ESV)

The writer of Exodus says because Moses killed the Egyptian, Pharaoh was now going to kill Moses.

I want you to think about that for a moment. In an instant, Moses went from being the Prince of Egypt, the General of the Egyptian army, to a wanted man.

In an instant, everything he’d accomplished was taken from him as a new season now begins in his life, where for the next 40 years Moses will become a Shepard and live in the wilderness of Midian.

Overnight he went from sleeping in a Royal bed, to sleeping on the hard desert floor. Overnight he went from eating at the king’s table, and now he’s scavenging for food. While he’d never worked a day in his life, overnight he’s now herding sheep for a living. Mose’s life has drastically changed. Moses is now living in the wilderness season.

But it will be in this season of loss that God prepares him. A season where God will humble him. A season where Moses will learn to depend on God. A season where God will shape and mold Moses into a man He can use.

And what was true for Moses, is true for us as well.

You know, as a pastor, probably the #1 question I get most often from people concerning God and their faith journey is, “Pastor, does God allow bad things to happen in my life? Pastor, why did God allow my loved one to die? Pastor, why did God allow me to lose my job? Pastor, why isn’t God helping me with my kids? Pastor why are bad thing happening in my life? Pastor, I thought God loved me. I thought following Jesus would mean butterfly and rainbows. Pastor, why am I going through a wilderness experience?”

While I don’t have all the answers for why bad things happen, can I suggest to you this morning, that maybe, just maybe, your wilderness experience has a divine purpose. That through your wilderness experience, God is teaching you to depend on Him in a way you haven’t been.

Because that’s what the wilderness season does in our life. It shapes and molds us. It forces us to depend on God in ways we never would have before. The wilderness removes self dependence and replaces it with complete dependence on God.

Because that’s what the wilderness season is meant to do. Its meant to shape and mold us. It forces us to depend on God in ways we never would have before. The wilderness removes self dependence and replaces it with complete dependence on God.

For example, when a Christian gets a phone call that a loved one has died, that’s a wilderness moment where you start trusting God in a way you weren’t 2 seconds before that phone call.

When your marriage is unraveling, that’s a wilderness moment where you recognize if God doesn’t intervene, this marriage is over.

When your teenager makes terrible life altering decisions, that’s a wilderness moment for a parent as you recongize the only one that can change your teenagers heart is God.

You see, the wilderness moments of the faith journey

You see, the challenge for a lot of Christians, is they think because their serving Jesus now, that nothing bad is going to happen in their life. That hardships will never come. That the rug will never be pulled out from underneath them.

But nothing could be further from the truth. Because even for the Christian, life is going to happen. Loved ones will die. Tragedies will take place. Jobs will be lost. Our teenagers will make poor choices. Our marriages will continue to be a struggle.

But, here’s the good news, because we are Christians, we don’t have to lose Hope in those moments. And the reason we don’t have to lose Hope, is because right smack dab in the middle of our wilderness season, God is with us. Jesus puts it like this:

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

You see, in the mission Jesus has given us, we have something the world doesn’t have.

Matthew 28:18 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Matthew 28:28

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

We have a God who is involved and directing our life.

You see, we have something the world doesn’t have. We have a God who is involved and directing our life. A God who has a plan for our life. A God who uses the wilderness experiences to shape us and mold us as we learn to depend on Him in new and deepening ways.

A God who has a plan for our life.

A God who uses the wilderness experiences to shape us and mold us as we learn to depend on Him in new and deepening ways.

Example: I know that’s been true in my life. I won’t go into all the details, but in 1993, after 1.5 years of marriage, Denise and I were having severe marriage problems, and eventually it led to a divorce. And I can tell you right now, it was a wilderness season in my life. A season where for the first time in my life, suicide became an option.

But it was in that season that God got ahold of my heart. It was in that season that I put my faith in Jesus and trusted God to do in my marriage what only He could do.

And as a result, God not only saved me, He saved Denise, and He saved our marriage. And two years later, Denise and I remarried one another, this time with faith in Jesus.

And I can tell you right now, that wilderness season taught me that nothing is impossible for God. That God can take something that is dead and breath new life into it.

And as a result, it’s given me the strength to survive other wilderness seasons in my life. Because when it feels like the world is crashing down around me, I think back to the time God took a dead marriage and brought it back to life.

And what He did for me and Denise, He can do for you.

And on top of that, that wilderness experience has given us the ability to encourage others. It prepared Denise and I to be ministers of reconciliation to other couples who have lost hope in their marriages.

And please hear me, that doesn’t mean our marriage is perfect. We still have challenges. But with each challenge we know we have a God who is bigger than the marriage problem.

My challenge to you is this. Instead of seeing your wilderness seasons as a negative, maybe start seeing it as an opportunity. An opportunity to trust God in a way you haven’t before. An opportunity to grow in a way you couldn’t grow without it. An opportunity for God to further you down the path of your faith journey.

This leads us to the final season. A season I would call:

3. A Season to Renew

Here’s the good news about the wilderness season. It doesn’t last forever, and at the end of it, when we finally come to the end of ourselves, that’s when we are finally ready to be used by God as God Renews his plan and purpose for our life. Listen to what happened next to Moses:

Acts 7:30–34 ESV

30 “Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look. 33 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’

Stephen says after 40 years of learning to depend on God, the time had finally come. And in a burning bush moment, God calls and renews His plan for Moses.

But it’s also a moment where Moses renews his commitment as well. A place where he recognizes the holiness of God. A place where he humbles himself and puts full trust and dependence in God.

And now he’s ready as God says, “Now come, I will send you to Egypt.”

And this next season for Moses will be one for the books as God supernaturally works through Moses to deliver God’s people from Egyptian bondage. As through a course of miraculous events, Moses leads the people out of bondage, parts the Red Sea, and leads them on the final path towards the promised land.

Three seasons.

But for Moses to get there, it took a wilderness experience.

As we close, here’s what this is saying to us. If you’re a Christian, God wants to bring you to a burning bush moment. A moment where He renews you. A moment where He reveals and renews His plan and purpose for your life. A moment when you enter a new season of ministry opportunity and proclamation. A season where the experiences from the wilderness launch you further down the road in your faith journey.

But it was in that season that God got ahold of my heart. It was in that season that I put my faith in Jesus and trusted God to do in my marriage what only He could do.

And as a result, God not only saved me, He saved Denise, and He saved our marriage. And two years later, Denise and I remarried one another, this time with faith in Jesus.

And I can tell you right now, that wilderness season taught me that nothing is impossible for God. That God can take something that is dead and breath new life into it.

And as a result, it’s given me the strength to survive other wilderness seasons in my life. Because here’s how it works. When you come out of the wilderness and into renewal, you begin the cycle all over again. Once again you are expeirencing the grace, blessing, and zeal of God in your life.

But not you’re different. Now you’re more seasoned. Now you’re more ready, listen to this, for the next wilderness experience. Because God’s not done with you. He’s going to continue to shape, mold, and refine you as you move through the cycle all over again.

And what He did for me and Denise, He can do for you.

And please hear me, that doesn’t mean our marriage is perfect. We still have challenges. But with each challenge we know we have a God who is bigger than the marriage problem.

Think of it like this: Rubber Band illustration.

Right now, some of you feel stretched to the point of snapping. And believe it or not, that’s a great place to be. Because if you’re ready to be renewed, God stands waiting. He wants to launch you forward. But for that to happen:

A place where you surrender what you can do, and trust God for only what He can do.

You have to come to a place where you stop trying to live for you, and start living for Him.

A place where you surrender what you can do, and trust God for only what He can do.

A place where you stop running away from God, and start running towards Him.

A place where you renew your faith and your commitment in Jesus.

Or maybe a place where for the first time, you put your faith in Jesus and allow Him to renew and transform you.

A place where you renew your faith and your commitment in Jesus. Or maybe a place where for the first time, you put your faith in Jesus and allow Him to renew you.

Maybe that’s where some of you are right now. You’re standing at the edge of a wilderness season in your life, and you’re wondering where God is and you’re wondering why your in a wilderness experience.

What I’d like to suggest to you this morning is your there because that’s where God has put you. And He’s waiting. He’s waiting for you to finally come to the end of you. Waiting for you to recognize your need for Him.

He’s just been waiting. He’s been waiting for you to finally come to the end of you. Waiting for you to recognize your need for Him.

It took 40 years for Moses to get to that point. My question for you is, “How long will it take you? How long before you finally surrender? How long before you finally give your life to Jesus? How long before you put your faith in Jesus and make Him Lord? How long before you allow the Lord to renew you? Because the longer you wait to renew, the longer the wilderness experience will be.”

This morning God wants to bring you out of the wilderness and into the promise He has for you. But you have to be willing to renew first.

And let me say this as well.

Let’s Pray

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