Exodus 3:1-10 (NLT) 1 One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. 3 “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” 4 When the LORD saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. 5 “Do not come any closer,” the LORD warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. 6 I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the LORD told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey…9 Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. 10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”
GOD’S CALLING
1. God calls us in: Relationship
John 6:44 (NIV) No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.
Draws: (gk. Helkyo) To drag literally and figuratively
You can respond or resist but the tension of that process is up to you.
John 16:8 (NLT) When he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
Mark 3:14 (NKJV) Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.
2. God calls us up. Consecration
“The old covenant says you can’t come closer because of your sin, the new covenant says you must come closer because of Christ’s love.”
1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV) 13 Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy.”
3. God calls us to. Assignment.
4 ways to recognizing your calling.
Often times we don't find a calling the calling finds us.
1. What do you think that is?
2. What is in your heart?
3. What is your motivation?
4. Is it bigger than you?
Just like us, Moses Argues with God
1. We make it about us.(Exodus 3:11-12)
We say “Who am I? God says who do you say “I AM.”
2. We make it about the opinions of others.(Exodus 4:1)
3. We make it about our skills.(Exodus 4:10)
Our calling has nothing to do with ability but our availability.
God simply wants our yes.
Romans 11:29 (NIV) God's gifts and his call are irrevocable
2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (NLT) 4 We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. 5 It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 6 He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant.