Changing minds, Unchanging promises

Ministered by the Holy Spirit through: Rev. Darryl K. Mason Sr.

Metropolitan UMC

October 11, 2020

Acknowledgements - Scriptural Ref:

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS!!!!

God, Pastor, Staff Ministers, Saints of God

Exodus 32:1-14

New International Version

1When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods[a] who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”

2 Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods,[b] Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”

5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.” 6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

7 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

9 “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”

11 But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God. “Lord,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.’” 14 Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

word of God for- people of God you may be seated in the presence of God

As the Holy Spirit Guidance - I would like to talk about

SERMON TITLE

Pray man, Pray!!

Intro - story

Intro

Talking Point 1

- Story of master who gives his dog a bone

- The dog is happy with his bone

- He begins to chew and is satisfied

- All is well in his life

Talking Point 2

- That afternoon the mailman comes to deliver the mail

- The dog makes his way into the nearby forrest

- Comes to a brook

- Sees another dog looking back at him.

- Decides that he would like to have that bone too.

- Jumps in the water to take the bone from the ‘other’ dog looses his bone and realizes that he was chasing after his own reflection.

Intro - Anti-thesis (the world view)

These are contrary points that you will disprove

Talking Point 1

- Often times we can act just like that puppy dog.

- We were hungry, our master has given us what we need

- Our master has given us food, shelter, a warm place

- But when we get the first opportunity of freedom.

- Once we get out of the master’s presence in the world.

- WE HAVE A CHANGE OF MIND

- We realize that what we have is not good enough and the we have to chase after other things that look better but in reality they will leave up broke wet, disgusted, lost and far away from home.

Intro - Thesis

(connect back to scripture storyline)

Recap the scripture story – retell and give the overview

As Israel has been freed from the slavery in Egypt they finds themselves in the wilderness in uncertainty and facing possible attack from their enemies and while Moses is way hearing from God, this passage is about he

God desires to keep his promises God and continues to pursue us even when we have a change of heart and mind and betray him and worship other Gods because he desires that all be saved and come to Him.

Proposition

- What is the claim? (relevance for today)

The scripture wants us to do (what?) Remember that he continues to work with use and show us grace because he wants to see his promises revealed in our lives. We must now take action towards our community of faith with a desire to see all people get saved and know the Lord.

Before we decide to turn away to other Gods we should consider his track record of faithfulness in our lives and how has been there time after time after time.

- What is the focus? (pull from your exegesis form)

This passage centers around betrayal followed by pursuit and forgivness which is the central, controlling and unifying theme of the sermon. One word here: promises/chasing/consideration

When you start to remember God’s promises and what he wants to do in your life, that will determine your mindset, your actions and your behavior. You might not be so quick to turn away.

­- What is the function?

The hearers will be change by the message because they will have a sense for what causes them to get off track (forgetting that God is in their corner). What causes us to get off track?

As a result, they will realize that they can’t depend of false VISIBLE idols but to depend on the TRUE invisible God!!

People don’t realize that: their man-made idols will cause them to miss their purpose in life

They will have revelation ah, a-ha, moment about having a true aware about who God is and what he wants to do in our lives.

Intro wrap and three points you will cover

Today God is/we must remember:

1. Corrupted worship

2. Turning away

3. Testing the promises

Transition from Intro to Point 1

***Good Transition here tie everything together**

Set up a good transition to your next point. Put something here that you will read!

Today God is/we must remember:

1. Mixing idols with worship

2. God’s wrath deserved

3. God’s grace given to all

Point 1 – Corrupted worship

1When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods[a] who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”

2 Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods,[b] Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”

5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.” 6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

Explain What biblical writer is saying – draw from your exegesis work..deep explanation.

***try to develop two subpoints for each point…

Point 1 - Subpoint 1- Moses away Aaron Fails 1,2,3 Talking Point 1

- Moses has been away and won’t return for 40 days

- People are anxious. (they have food, water). There are enemies in the area. They have been attacked but God broth them through.

They have not seen their pastor. He’s on sabbatical.

- Because Moses has left their presence the feel is of God has left their presence.

- We must stop putting our faith in men, women, Pastors, church leaders, government and realize that our hope and protection lies on the almighty God.

Talking Point 2

- The ‘corner’ Aaron – Moses must not be coming back. Where is he and where is God. We need to put together a God that we can see and feel and touch physically so that we can worship.

- They take off their Gold rings and begin to melt them down to make the calf.

- Where did they get the gold from.

Supporting Scripture

Exodus 12:36 The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians. - They same thing that God used the bless them they turn it into and idol. - What have we turned into idols, money, work, people, church.

Point 1 - Subpoint 2- Title….Mixing idols with worship 4,5,6 5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.” 6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

Talking Point 1

- They took their idol worship and decided that they would have a church program to celebrate.

- We must be careful in the church to make sure that we don’t take the idols in the world, throw Jesus on them, add some music, toss in a scripture and call it worship.

- God says I am a jealous God and I will have no God’s before me.

- They had a change of mind.

- Gonna do it their way and make it happen on their terms and leave out God.

- good scripture format!

Illustration-

- I.C. Norcom high school Ms. Buck chemistry teacher. Physical change – chemical change. Physical – sugar in water. Its free moves around. But when the water dries up. It goes back to being just sugar.(we have a change of mind when circumstances change). But if you introduce this same sugar to fire. You get something good called caramel, snickers baby ruth.

(The baby ruth does not want to go back to the captivity of the sugar bag – stay around that fire and keep your mind on Jesus)

CHANGHING MINDS AND UNCHANING PROMISES!!

Transition from Point 1 to Point 2

***Good Transition here tie everything together**

Set up a good transition to your next point. Put something here that you will read!

1. Corrupted worship

2. Turning away

3. Testing the promises

Point 2 – Turning away

7 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

9 “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”

Explain What biblical writer is saying – draw from your exegesis work..deep explanation.

- What is the focus? (pull from your exegesis form)

This passage centers around betrayal followed by pursuit and forgivness which is the central, controlling and unifying theme of the sermon. One word here: promises/chasing/consideration

When you start to remember God’s promises and what he wants to do in your life, that will determine your mindset, your actions and your behavior.

The theme is related to:how God wants to save all people and how he wants to keep his promises.

***try to develop two subpoints for each point…

Point 2 - Subpoint 1- God see’s our evil..we wont change v9 Talking Point 1

- Moses was taking too long.

- Things were not happening they way they wanted them to happen.

- I’m supposed to have that, job by now, that house by now, that mate by now. God what are you doing.

- When the God almighty does not answer or give us what we want ‘when’ we want it. We decide that we will just change teams.

- I’ll go build my own God. I’ll go somewhere to hear, not what the bible says but what I feel makes me comfortable.

- God, I’ve changed my mind. I’m out of here!!

Talking Point 2

- Calf is not what was shown on 10 commandments. Not a huge calft. Not even pure Gold.

- They had been in captivity for so long that they only knew the idol God’s of Egypt and did not truly understand the invisible God of Israel.

The had been recipients of His freedom, his blessings, his favor but never took the time to understand who he really was. Accepted the gift but don’t care about the gift giver. Biting the hand that has fed your for years and year and now you decide that you are going to just walk away. (A quick change of Mind)

- They take, wood or rock and they cover it carve it and cast it to make it seem grand.

- It was so insignificant that when Moses came off the mounting. We ground it up into dust. We are chasing insignificant things.

Point 2 - Subpoint 2- Title….v9 Talking Point 1

- Do we realize that we deserve God’s wrath punishment and anger and that it is only his grace that is keeping us day by day.

Illustration-

Phone sitting in box. Tell the story. Phone not activated. Don’t want to activate new phone. Old phone has favorites. Besides (this is my excuse, I DON’T HAVE A COVER) the excuse we make. I’m not ready to surrender to God. Blah, blah blah. I finally get email. You need to activate your phone. Well I’ll just open up the box activate it and put it back. I’ll just show up on mothers day, easter, Christmas and just go back to what I’m going. Mind my regular phone is jacked up. But still works. Just because your are functioning does mean that you are in good working order. Finally opened up the box. The new phone was that BUT the protective cover was already included.

Supporting Scripture

- Matthew 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Changing minds, Unchanging promises!!!

Transition from Point 2 to Point 3

***Good Transition here tie everything together**

Set up a good transition to your next point. Put something here that you will read!

1. Corrupted worship

2. Turning away

3. Testing the promises

Point 3 – Testing the promises

10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”

11 But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God. “Lord,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.’” 14 Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

Here we want to see and be aware about who God is and what he wants to do in our lives.

***try to develop two subpoints for each point…

Point 3 - Subpoint 1- Title…. Point 3 - Subpoint 2- Title….Moses pleads 11-13

Talking Point 1

- Recap, turned away, make the calf, worship, God is angered. Moses and God begin to talk.

- God says he is going to destroy man. Moses, pleads, and God ‘changes’ his mind.

- Why does God change his mind? Does he not know what he wants in the beginning?

- This particular verse is in much debate with scholars.

- Was God just merciful, was he in a good mood that day.

- Some hold that view in that He is just that good and I agree. Was he able to calm God down.

Talking Point 2

- There is another view.

He says this to Moses.

10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”

- God was putting Moses to the test. (I believe God helped d him out a little – when kids are little to you want this one or this one) Moses could have taken the offer and allowed God to destroy his people and he would be able to start new and fresh and still receive the promises. But he chooses to ask God to spare them.

- Moses keep his eye on the prize which were the promises of God.

- He people working acting crazy. They had changed mind but Moses decided that HE would not have a changed heart. He would base is actions on the unchanging promises of God. Because of his faithfulness his people are spared.

- There is a bigger plan at work. God wants all people to return to him

- He is looking for, Methodist, Baptist, young old, black, white, republican, democrats, cowboys and the group call the Washington football team!!

- If you’ve have changed your mind you can still turn back to God.

- God is able to do just want he said he would do. He want to fillfull every promise to you. Don’t give up on God cause he want give up on you.

- What does he want to do?

Illustration closing/celebration

Supporting Scripture

I’M SO GLAD YOU ASKED!!

(pulled out my pamphlet-looks pretty good)

He promised us security service

- “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

Promise of free air fare

- "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

Career counseling/Life coach

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Investment service

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)

Our minds might change but God’s promises don’t.

Transition from Point 3 to recap

Where Jesus was on the cross. Like Moses. First lady played a song at the house. Lyrics beautiful. He could have called down 10,00 anges to save himself.

Be he stayed there to sacrifice himself for our sins.

Recap Action and Summarize your 3 points

1. Corrupted worship

2. Turning away

3. Testing the promises

Point 1- recap – action -summary

Recap Action and Summarize your 3 points

Point restated here..say it_____

As a result we will _________

Point 2- recap – action -summary

Recap Action and Summarize your 3 points

Point restated here..say it_____

As a result we will ________

Point 2- recap – action -summary

Recap Action and Summarize your 3 points

Point restated here..say it_____

As a result we will _________

Invitation

"Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.

Right now I accept that Jesus is my Lord and savior.

I believe that Jesus died for my sins and that you raised Him to life.

Right now, I confess that Jesus is my Lord and savior and will follow Him from this day forward.

In the name of Jesus. Amen."

Altar Call- GO TO NEXT PAGE

Altar Call- MAKE SURE YOU MENTION NAMES ON PRAYER LIST

(Did you do the invitation?)

Final words

1.Annoucement recap

2. Ask to share on Facebook

3. Bible study yes or no??

Benediction (NEXT PAGE)