The Next Level - Moses

Moses

The name “Moses” mean “draw out.” He received that name because he was drawn out of the water as a baby (2:10).

Pharoah wanted to limit the growth of the Hebrew male population

He ordered baby Hebrew boys to be thrown into the Nile river to drown (1:22)

Moses’ mother put him in a water-proofed basket and placed him along the bank of the river.

His older sister watched over him

Pharaoh’s daughter saw Moses, had him brought to her, and adopted him

In a remarkable twist, Moses mom was chosen to be his nurse maid

Moses grew up a child of privilege in Pharaoh’s temple, yet he knew he was a Hebrew

Exodus 2:1-

Exodus 2:11–15 NIV

11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. 12 Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?” 14 The man said, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “What I did must have become known.” 15 When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well.

Moses knew he was a Hebrew and he wanted to deliver his people from slavery and suffering. He sprung into action and made a mess of things instead of waiting for God’s guidance and leadership.

What are some of the results from taking matters into our own hands without waiting for God’s guidance and direction?

Sometimes we look at a great leader and think they have it made. Often we fail to realize the tests, trials, and difficulties that shape and form many great leaders.

We know Moses as a great man of God. Before he was a great man of God he struggled with lack of faith, lack of self-esteem, explosive temper, and many characteristics we suffer with today.

God had to transform Moses before He could use Moses. That transformation required tests and trials.

James 1:2-4

James 1:2–4 NIV

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Consider and talk about the positive results of trials and tests.

Moses left Egypt to flee the wrath of Pharoah. He married, started a family, and spent forty years of his life tending his father-in-law’s sheep on the backside of the desert.

During this time, Moses began to change

During this time, the Hebrews began to cry out to God for deliverance (2:23-24).

During this time, God looked on the people of Isreal with concern (2:25).

In we find Moses famous encounter with God at the burning bush:

Exodus 3:1–6 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.

Ex. 3:1-

What a truly amazing encounter with God!

From that burning bush God made Moses aware of His desire to deliver the people of Israel from slavery (3:7-9).

Then the Lord drops the hammer—He says to Moses:

Exodus 3:10 NIV

10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Ex

How would you feel and react should if God were to place such a great responsibility on you? (Brief Discussion).

Moses comes up with excuses as to why he can’t do what God called him to do.

Excuse One: “Who am I?” (3:11). He didn’t feel qualified. He thought God had picked the wrong leader.

God’s Response: It doesn’t matter who you are. I am with you (3:12)

Excuse Two: Who are you? (3:13). Moses didn’t know God well enough to fully trust God or to describe God to the people.

God’s Response: “I AM WHO I AM” (I am always present and I am everything you need.)

Excuse Three: What if they don’t listen? (4:1). Moses felt intimidated. He worried about how the people would react to him.

God’s Response: When I am finished, they will listen (4:2-9).

Excuse Four: I am not a good speaker. Moses worried about his inadequacies. He didn’t think he could speak well enough (4:10.

God’s Response: I made your mouth. I made you just like you are. I will help you speak and teach you what to say (4:11-12).

Excuse Five: Please send someone else (4:13). Moses compared himself to others and felt inferior. He thought someone else could do a better job.

God’s Response: I will let someone go with you, but I am calling you to go (4:14).

[NOTE: Excuse and response info above from Maxwell Leadership Bible page 68]

Often we find ourselves tempted to make excuses for not following God’s will for our lives.

Consider some of the excuses Moses made and talk about what excuses we are likely to make when God prompts us to do some work for Him.

The excuses Moses made, and the excuses we make, to God often result from fear and doubt.

“Moses failed his first test because of his arrogance, and he almost failed his second test because of his fear and doubt. Finally, he mustered the courage to surrender his life to God, and he headed toward Egypt.”

In this quote Wilson says that Moses “mustered the courage to surrender his life to God.”

Wilson, Scott. The Next Level: A Message of Hope for Hard Times . Salubris Resources. Kindle Edition.

Why does it take courage to surrender our lives to God? (Large group discussion.) Goes against the flesh, goes against natural desires, involves risk, may take a different path than we planned, moves us out of a place of comfort, etc.

Surrendering our lives to God every day results in great freedom, and it enables us to tap into God’s awesome power, but it requires the rare combination of courage and humility. If we surrender, God promises to be with us, to equip us, and to see us through every trial.

Human nature pushes us to one extreme or the other: angrily demanding our own way or giving up on life and becoming passive. God calls us to a third way, surrendering our lives to God’s leadership and having the courage to trust him wherever he leads. Each of us faces this test, sometimes in monumental turning points, but more often in the choices we make each day.

Wilson, Scott. The Next Level: A Message of Hope for Hard Times . Salubris Resources. Kindle Edition.

When you sense God’s calling in your life, whether it is a “big” calling or an “everyday” prompting of the Holy Spirit, what hinders you from following His will? What are some steps you can take to fully surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit?

Wilson, Scott. The Next Level: A Message of Hope for Hard Times . Salubris Resources. Kindle Edition.