WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.839 So we're reading from chapter 4 to start with, starting at verse 1. 00:00:05.980 --> 00:00:10.919 So this is just after God's spoken to Moses, 00:00:11.220 --> 00:00:14.859 and he's responding to him about his call to go to Egypt. 00:00:19.199 --> 00:00:20.519 Then Moses answered, 00:00:21.059 --> 00:00:24.280 But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, 00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:27.100 for they will say, The Lord did not appear to you. 00:00:28.020 --> 00:00:30.820 The Lord said to him, What is that in your hand? 00:00:31.200 --> 00:00:32.380 He said, A staff. 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:35.600 And he said, Throw it on the ground. 00:00:36.300 --> 00:00:38.719 So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, 00:00:39.420 --> 00:00:40.880 and Moses ran from it. 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:46.020 But the Lord said to Moses, Put out your hand and catch it by the tail. 00:00:46.540 --> 00:00:50.280 So he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand, 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:53.820 that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, 00:00:53.820 --> 00:00:58.480 the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you. 00:01:00.179 --> 00:01:03.140 Again the Lord said to him, Put your hand inside your cloak. 00:01:03.480 --> 00:01:06.659 And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, 00:01:06.760 --> 00:01:09.319 behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 00:01:10.599 --> 00:01:13.240 Then God said, Put your hand back inside your cloak. 00:01:13.640 --> 00:01:17.039 So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, 00:01:17.180 --> 00:01:20.019 behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 00:01:20.019 --> 00:01:25.000 If they will not believe you, God said, or listen to the first sign, 00:01:25.420 --> 00:01:26.959 they may believe the latter sign. 00:01:27.619 --> 00:01:30.939 If they will not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, 00:01:31.359 --> 00:01:34.819 you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, 00:01:35.179 --> 00:01:39.780 and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground. 00:01:41.159 --> 00:01:42.739 But Moses said to the Lord, 00:01:42.739 --> 00:01:49.219 O my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, 00:01:49.759 --> 00:01:52.140 but I am slow of speech and of tongue. 00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:54.799 Then the Lord said to him, 00:01:55.159 --> 00:01:56.539 Who has made man's mouth? 00:01:57.179 --> 00:02:00.519 Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? 00:02:01.140 --> 00:02:02.439 Is it not I, the Lord? 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:04.399 Now therefore go, 00:02:04.939 --> 00:02:08.079 and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak. 00:02:08.900 --> 00:02:09.759 But he said, 00:02:10.199 --> 00:02:12.400 O my Lord, please send someone else. 00:02:13.500 --> 00:02:15.960 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, 00:02:16.180 --> 00:02:16.740 and he said, 00:02:17.320 --> 00:02:19.700 Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? 00:02:20.020 --> 00:02:21.439 I know that he can speak well. 00:02:21.860 --> 00:02:23.580 Behold, he is coming out to meet you, 00:02:23.659 --> 00:02:25.879 and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 00:02:26.480 --> 00:02:29.140 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:31.740 and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, 00:02:32.040 --> 00:02:33.620 and will teach you both what to do. 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:36.560 He shall speak for you to the people, 00:02:36.780 --> 00:02:39.760 and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 00:02:40.460 --> 00:02:42.180 And take in your hand this staff, 00:02:42.180 --> 00:02:44.640 with which you will do the signs. 00:02:46.640 --> 00:02:49.020 So now we're moving on to chapter 5, 00:02:50.980 --> 00:02:54.740 starting at verse 15. 00:02:54.740 --> 00:02:59.640 This is just after Moses has failed to compel Pharaoh 00:02:59.640 --> 00:03:02.080 to let the people go the first time, 00:03:02.600 --> 00:03:05.060 and Pharaoh has taken it out on the Israelites. 00:03:07.860 --> 00:03:08.659 5.15 00:03:08.659 --> 00:03:13.579 Then the foreman of the people of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, 00:03:14.120 --> 00:03:16.500 Why do you treat your servants like this? 00:03:16.879 --> 00:03:18.500 No straw is given to your servants, 00:03:18.759 --> 00:03:19.659 yet they say to us, 00:03:19.859 --> 00:03:22.120 Make bricks, and behold, your servants are beaten, 00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:24.180 but the fault is in your own people. 00:03:25.120 --> 00:03:25.699 But he said, 00:03:26.039 --> 00:03:27.460 You are idle, you are idle, 00:03:27.560 --> 00:03:28.379 that is why you say, 00:03:28.500 --> 00:03:30.359 Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord. 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:31.939 Go now and work, 00:03:32.039 --> 00:03:33.400 no straw will be given to you, 00:03:33.400 --> 00:03:35.780 but you must still deliver the same number of bricks. 00:03:35.780 --> 00:03:39.199 The foreman of the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble 00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:40.120 when they said, 00:03:40.479 --> 00:03:43.460 You shall by no means reduce the number of your bricks, 00:03:43.560 --> 00:03:44.960 your daily task each day. 00:03:45.900 --> 00:03:47.319 They met Moses and Aaron, 00:03:47.479 --> 00:03:49.979 who were waiting for them as they came out from Pharaoh. 00:03:49.979 --> 00:03:51.679 And they said to them, 00:03:52.179 --> 00:03:53.780 The Lord look on you and judge, 00:03:53.919 --> 00:03:57.340 because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, 00:03:57.699 --> 00:03:59.939 and have put a sword in their hand to kill us. 00:04:00.699 --> 00:04:02.679 Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, 00:04:03.159 --> 00:04:05.539 O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? 00:04:05.859 --> 00:04:07.139 Why did you ever send me? 00:04:07.620 --> 00:04:10.000 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, 00:04:10.219 --> 00:04:11.639 he has done evil to this people, 00:04:11.799 --> 00:04:13.759 and you have not delivered your people at all. 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:16.459 But the Lord said to Moses, 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:19.639 Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh, 00:04:20.099 --> 00:04:22.240 for with a strong hand he will send them out, 00:04:22.459 --> 00:04:25.240 and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land. 00:04:26.259 --> 00:04:28.319 God spoke to Moses and said to him, 00:04:28.860 --> 00:04:29.759 I am the Lord. 00:04:30.180 --> 00:04:34.159 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, 00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:36.480 but by my name, the Lord, 00:04:36.599 --> 00:04:38.639 I did not make myself known to them. 00:04:39.099 --> 00:04:41.399 I also established my covenant with them 00:04:41.399 --> 00:04:43.259 to give them the land of Canaan, 00:04:43.719 --> 00:04:45.779 the land in which they lived as sojourners. 00:04:47.120 --> 00:04:49.979 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel, 00:04:50.319 --> 00:04:52.319 whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, 00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:54.299 and I have remembered my covenant. 00:04:55.219 --> 00:04:57.179 Say therefore to the people of Israel, 00:04:57.659 --> 00:04:58.519 I am the Lord, 00:04:58.799 --> 00:05:01.599 and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, 00:05:01.939 --> 00:05:04.219 and I will deliver you from slavery to them, 00:05:04.479 --> 00:05:07.219 and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm 00:05:07.219 --> 00:05:08.899 and with great acts of judgment. 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:11.539 I will take you to be my people, 00:05:11.939 --> 00:05:12.979 and I will be your God, 00:05:13.339 --> 00:05:16.139 and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, 00:05:16.439 --> 00:05:18.979 who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:23.199 I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, 00:05:23.419 --> 00:05:24.679 to Isaac, and to Jacob. 00:05:25.139 --> 00:05:27.179 I will give to you for a possession. 00:05:28.199 --> 00:05:29.279 I am the Lord. 00:05:30.699 --> 00:05:32.759 Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, 00:05:33.019 --> 00:05:34.620 but they did not listen to Moses 00:05:34.620 --> 00:05:37.480 because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery. 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:39.500 So the Lord said to Moses, 00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:42.199 Go in, tell Pharaoh, king of Egypt, 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:44.720 to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 00:05:45.220 --> 00:05:46.540 But Moses said to the Lord, 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:49.360 Behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. 00:05:49.800 --> 00:05:51.439 How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, 00:05:51.540 --> 00:05:53.199 for I am of uncircumcised lips? 00:05:53.819 --> 00:05:55.819 But the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron 00:05:55.819 --> 00:05:58.319 and gave them a charge about the people of Israel 00:05:58.319 --> 00:06:00.180 and about Pharaoh, king of Egypt, 00:06:00.180 --> 00:06:03.600 to bring the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt. 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:05.900 That's the word of the Lord. 00:06:14.080 --> 00:06:15.080 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:06:17.540 --> 00:06:18.720 Will you please pray with me? 00:06:21.200 --> 00:06:24.540 Well, Father, as you've encouraged our hearts 00:06:24.540 --> 00:06:27.260 through that song that we have every reason to praise you, 00:06:27.259 --> 00:06:32.180 I pray that you would convince our hearts 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:35.740 through your word now that we have every reason to praise you. 00:06:36.439 --> 00:06:39.659 We ask for your help in understanding what you're saying. 00:06:39.740 --> 00:06:40.800 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:06:42.539 --> 00:06:45.379 Well, I was once catching up with some missionary friends 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:47.279 one time pretty recently, 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:49.500 and towards the end of the conversation, 00:06:49.740 --> 00:06:51.039 I wanted to pray with them. 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:53.720 I cared deeply about them, 00:06:54.280 --> 00:06:56.080 and I cared about what they were doing, 00:06:56.160 --> 00:06:56.980 the spread of the gospel. 00:06:57.240 --> 00:06:59.400 I knew that they would appreciate it. 00:06:59.700 --> 00:07:03.300 I knew that the Lord would want me not just talking about him, 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:04.360 but talk to him. 00:07:05.140 --> 00:07:07.140 I knew I had authority to pray. 00:07:07.300 --> 00:07:09.340 Jesus has opened the way for us to go 00:07:09.340 --> 00:07:11.259 into his throne room of grace, 00:07:11.420 --> 00:07:15.040 and yet I kept my mouth shut. 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:25.819 God's calling is not unique to those of us 00:07:25.819 --> 00:07:29.020 who are called to vocational ministry. 00:07:30.600 --> 00:07:36.379 Calling is something you can claim as a believer in Jesus. 00:07:37.060 --> 00:07:40.060 A phrase the Apostle Paul repeatedly uses 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:42.280 to summarise every Christian's life is this. 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:43.900 Ephesians 4 verse 1. 00:07:45.040 --> 00:07:48.480 I therefore urge you to walk in a manner worthy 00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:52.060 of the calling to which you have been called. 00:07:53.540 --> 00:07:55.319 That's all of us. 00:07:56.220 --> 00:08:00.520 We're called to speak and make choices 00:08:00.520 --> 00:08:02.980 that represent Jesus in all of life, 00:08:03.240 --> 00:08:06.340 in the church, in the world, in private, in public. 00:08:10.100 --> 00:08:12.500 We're all called, and what a privilege. 00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:12.639 What a privilege. 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:15.240 What a privilege we have. 00:08:16.019 --> 00:08:17.779 You notice a visitor here this morning, 00:08:18.139 --> 00:08:21.379 and you think, I really hope they feel welcome here. 00:08:22.540 --> 00:08:25.540 Maybe I'll go say hello after the service, 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:27.339 but then your next thought is, 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:29.680 what if they just want to be left alone? 00:08:32.820 --> 00:08:34.559 What if they've been here for months, 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:36.779 and I embarrass myself? 00:08:36.779 --> 00:08:41.879 Oh, look, Chez is sitting two rows away from them. 00:08:41.939 --> 00:08:45.099 Oh, Lord, put it on the heart of Chez 00:08:45.099 --> 00:08:48.299 to welcome that visitor. 00:08:48.299 --> 00:08:55.279 Your child comes home from school, 00:08:55.579 --> 00:08:59.599 and they're asking why their friends don't believe in Jesus, 00:09:00.299 --> 00:09:03.059 and you're lost for words. 00:09:03.219 --> 00:09:05.719 You're just, you're not quite sure. 00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:10.019 You're just suddenly in this moment, 00:09:10.139 --> 00:09:11.179 this teaching moment, 00:09:11.179 --> 00:09:17.000 and you want to read the Bible 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:18.319 and pray with your family, 00:09:18.579 --> 00:09:20.839 and you just don't know where to start. 00:09:20.919 --> 00:09:22.579 It's just chaos in the morning. 00:09:22.699 --> 00:09:25.179 It's chaos just trying to get them clean and fed. 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:27.620 What will my wife think of me 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:30.699 when I bumble and fumble my way through this? 00:09:31.419 --> 00:09:34.459 She's going to see how much little I know about God. 00:09:34.460 --> 00:09:39.019 And we just, we want to do it, 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:43.720 and we can know God's call to represent him. 00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:48.000 We can be genuinely concerned for people. 00:09:48.280 --> 00:09:49.080 We love them. 00:09:49.340 --> 00:09:53.080 We're genuinely concerned for Jesus to be known and loved. 00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:55.160 We know his promises. 00:09:55.379 --> 00:09:57.040 We have his guidance in his word, 00:09:57.120 --> 00:10:00.519 and yet we can keep our mouths shut. 00:10:00.519 --> 00:10:04.840 I don't know if you can resonate with me. 00:10:05.059 --> 00:10:06.179 Maybe I'm the only one. 00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:14.740 I take lots of comfort and courage from Moses, 00:10:15.079 --> 00:10:16.539 well, not really from Moses, 00:10:16.699 --> 00:10:21.319 but from what we see of Moses' encounter with the Lord in chapter 4. 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:26.279 It's one of the things God used me to push me into pastoral ministry. 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:34.240 I think we're too prone to think of Moses as this. 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:38.059 Well, he is, sorry, let me rephrase that. 00:10:38.220 --> 00:10:40.779 He is a giant of a man of faith. 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:42.559 Moses. 00:10:43.439 --> 00:10:44.699 That goes without saying. 00:10:45.459 --> 00:10:47.220 But do we consider how? 00:10:48.299 --> 00:10:50.980 How did he become a giant of a man of faith? 00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:54.139 We might just think he was born that way. 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:58.039 We might think it was his Egyptian education. 00:10:58.240 --> 00:10:59.080 He had every privilege. 00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:02.199 But look at him here in these early chapters. 00:11:02.460 --> 00:11:04.360 He sounds as pathetic as I do. 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:10.100 He seems to be deeply traumatized by his failure 00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:13.699 when his people rejected him that first time. 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:15.419 Chapter 3, verse 11, he says, 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:16.100 Who am I? 00:11:17.100 --> 00:11:17.980 I'm a nobody. 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:19.980 I'm a nobody now. 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:21.259 I was a somebody. 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:21.960 I thought I was. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:22.559 I'm a nobody. 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:23.559 I thought I was. 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:27.159 Chapter 3, verse 13, what shall I say to them? 00:11:28.239 --> 00:11:31.659 I don't have enough knowledge of you, God. 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:35.579 Chapter 4, verse 1, the Israelites, they won't believe me. 00:11:36.359 --> 00:11:38.500 He's terrified of their rejection again. 00:11:39.079 --> 00:11:40.259 They won't follow me. 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:42.579 I'm not a persuasive person. 00:11:44.219 --> 00:11:48.459 Chapter 4, verse 10, I speak not good. 00:11:48.460 --> 00:11:55.200 And then chapter 4, verse 13. 00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:58.920 Oh, Lord, just please send someone else. 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:10.300 There's a book on true biblical spiritual manhood 00:12:10.300 --> 00:12:12.780 that I found really helpful. 00:12:13.180 --> 00:12:16.400 And one of the authors tells his story. 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:19.779 And as a kid when he grew up, he's American, 00:12:19.959 --> 00:12:22.039 so he was learning baseball as a kid. 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:24.100 And he kept striking out. 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:25.379 He wasn't very good with the bat. 00:12:26.579 --> 00:12:27.779 And he learnt something. 00:12:28.539 --> 00:12:34.079 If he doesn't swing, sometimes he can just walk to first base. 00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:38.360 And he was reflecting as an adult. 00:12:38.800 --> 00:12:42.080 He learnt that when it comes to important things in life, 00:12:42.180 --> 00:12:46.660 like being a spiritual leader in the home and in the church, 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:52.560 he learnt that it was safer not to take a swing than to be exposed as a failure. 00:12:53.020 --> 00:12:54.420 And it struck a chord with me. 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:58.120 I think it describes Moses here. 00:12:58.120 --> 00:13:03.240 He is called to enormous privilege. 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:07.379 He's going to be the lead man in God delivering his people, 00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:08.720 but he doesn't want to take a swing. 00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:14.759 So before we get to Yahweh powerfully working through Moses, 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:17.700 we've got chapters 4 to 6. 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:23.700 We need these chapters to see something really, really important. 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:26.560 Moses wasn't great in himself. 00:13:26.559 --> 00:13:31.459 Israel was not delivered because of Moses. 00:13:34.719 --> 00:13:36.399 Moses did become great. 00:13:37.339 --> 00:13:38.919 Now what's the key to that? 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:42.379 And I think we're all afraid. 00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:47.519 I think some people show it by shrinking back. 00:13:48.699 --> 00:13:51.559 Well, I think other people show it by you just need, 00:13:52.239 --> 00:13:54.899 we need to be seen as someone great. 00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:57.879 I reckon that's an expression, it's fear as well. 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:00.959 We all need this. 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:05.939 What's the key to Yahweh powerfully working through Moses? 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:11.980 I want to point out two things we see. 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:19.579 In chapter 4, he patiently lifts Moses' eyes to Yahweh's sufficiency. 00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:24.660 And then we're going to see in chapter 5 and 6, 00:14:25.040 --> 00:14:28.560 Moses went deeper in knowing Yahweh's covenant love. 00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:37.459 So I hope you have chapter 4 open in front of you to follow along. 00:14:40.719 --> 00:14:44.299 So Yahweh has revealed his self-sufficient power at the burning bush. 00:14:44.539 --> 00:14:47.139 He's given Moses a sketch of what's going to happen. 00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:51.159 Often he calls people going, just trust me, 00:14:51.319 --> 00:14:53.000 I'm not going to tell you what's going to happen, just obey. 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:55.000 But he tells him how it's going to work out. 00:14:56.500 --> 00:15:00.840 And he promises, the Israelite elders will listen to your voice. 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:05.299 And then chapter 4, verse 1, look, God, they won't listen to me. 00:15:07.699 --> 00:15:10.299 The Israelites, they won't believe you've sent me. 00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:13.439 Now how does Yahweh react? 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:16.759 Are you calling me a liar, Moses? 00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:19.939 I just told you, they will listen to you. 00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:28.179 For each of Moses' fears and objections, notice how patient Yahweh is. 00:15:29.099 --> 00:15:30.579 He won't let Moses off the hook. 00:15:30.839 --> 00:15:35.219 He's calling him to obedience, but he is so patient. 00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:46.779 In verses 2 to 10, he gives Moses three powerful signs to show the Israelite elders 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:49.460 that God is indeed present through Moses. 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:54.160 And he gives those first two right then and there to reassure Moses himself. 00:15:55.360 --> 00:16:01.259 Who else can turn an inanimate piece of wood, a staff, into a living serpent 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:03.139 and then back again? 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:03.240 Again. 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:09.019 The snake Pharaoh wears on his crown. 00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:10.680 You think you're a powerful Pharaoh? 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:12.279 Look what Yahweh can do. 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:21.340 The diseases Pharaoh had no control over, Yahweh can afflict them and cure the incurable. 00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:33.120 The Nile, which is the light spring of Egypt, Yahweh can turn to death at his choosing. 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:35.600 He's the source of the Nile. 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:43.000 I think Yahweh isn't disagreeing with Moses' lack of confidence. 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:48.080 You're worried that people won't respect you or listen to you because you're not impressive. 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:50.080 I'm someone impressive. 00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:50.560 Yep. 00:16:50.560 --> 00:16:51.560 Yep. 00:16:51.560 --> 00:16:51.620 Yep. 00:16:51.900 --> 00:16:52.340 Correct. 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:53.340 Good analysis. 00:16:54.540 --> 00:16:56.180 But I am someone impressive. 00:16:57.800 --> 00:16:59.480 I'm someone worth listening to. 00:17:00.540 --> 00:17:03.980 And I will work signs through to demonstrate that I'm present. 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:08.160 You've got that weak staff, your weak hand. 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:10.140 I'm going to show my power. 00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:16.200 But then he's still reluctant, verse 10. 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:23.940 Oh, my Lord, I'm not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, 00:17:24.040 --> 00:17:25.920 but I'm slow of speech and of tongue. 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:27.480 I don't have the gifting. 00:17:27.820 --> 00:17:29.960 I don't have the necessary gifts for this task. 00:17:33.580 --> 00:17:41.840 Imagine if you were invited on Q&A and you knew the topics was very controversial Christian stuff 00:17:41.840 --> 00:17:46.120 and you knew that it's televised and maybe people around the world are watching. 00:17:47.560 --> 00:17:48.600 I would be pretty scared. 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:55.319 Moses is being asked to go talk to Pharaoh. 00:17:57.139 --> 00:17:59.279 It's fair enough that he's scared. 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:01.219 And I don't think he's falsely humble. 00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:02.799 He's an 80-year-old man. 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.759 He knows himself. 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:07.559 He knows his strengths and weaknesses. 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:14.859 And even since this encounter has happened, it's not like this revelation of God has suddenly 00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:16.240 zapped him with abilities. 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:23.099 Even since you've spoken to your servant, I can't speak well. 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.640 I don't have the gifts. 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.720 Have you read my CV? 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.759 Didn't you read it? 00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:37.480 But again, Yahweh's patience in taking Moses' eyes off himself and his natural abilities 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.819 to Yahweh's capabilities. 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:41.759 He doesn't disagree with his assessment. 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:47.779 I wonder if we should learn from how the Lord responds here. 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:53.779 When someone, a brother or sister, is really afraid of some task, they need to have some 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:59.519 difficult conversation or something, act of service, and they're like, I can't do this. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:02.379 Isn't your gut response to go, yes, you can? 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:05.480 I've seen you do things like this before. 00:19:05.640 --> 00:19:07.839 Maybe we should go, yep, no, you can't. 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:09.679 But look at the Lord. 00:19:12.679 --> 00:19:14.559 Who has made man's mouth? 00:19:18.699 --> 00:19:21.459 Is it not I, Yahweh? 00:19:26.899 --> 00:19:28.539 Look at what I can do, Moses. 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:29.919 I make things from nothing. 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:34.580 And then he gives this reassuring promise. 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:39.200 I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak. 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:44.200 What a gentle, reassuring promise. 00:19:47.840 --> 00:19:52.820 As you struggle to speak to your children's hearts as a parent, I will teach you, mum and dad. 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:53.560 I'll teach you. 00:19:53.559 --> 00:20:01.679 Now, Moses' phrasing in verse 13 sounds respectful. 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:08.559 Apparently, I think ASV has probably interpreted it a bit. 00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:12.240 Apparently, it's more like, Lord, you can choose anyone you want. 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:17.179 Really, he's saying in context, choose someone else. 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:20.099 It doesn't even make sense. 00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:21.220 You can choose whoever you want. 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:22.319 He's chosen you. 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:25.700 Please choose someone else. 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:31.220 And that kindles, there's some sparks of the Lord's anger. 00:20:34.179 --> 00:20:36.139 Think of the privilege Moses had. 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:43.319 You're going to be the star role in me delivering my people out of slavery. 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:45.319 I've told you you will succeed. 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:48.039 I've shown you my powerful signs. 00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:52.139 I have lifted your eyes to who I am as creator of this world. 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:53.639 I'm active in this world. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:56.559 I've promised I'm going to teach you every step of the way. 00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:00.639 And in light of all this, 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:07.339 Moses isn't believing enough to obey. 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:10.399 His disobedience comes from unbelief. 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:16.100 He's just flat out refusing. 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:20.720 Can't you resonate with Moses? 00:21:22.620 --> 00:21:25.300 There's many words I regret coming out of his mouth, 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:29.519 but there's so many regrets of not speaking when I knew I should. 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:41.799 Aaron's on his way. 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:41.819 Aaron's on his way. 00:21:42.900 --> 00:21:45.480 He doesn't remove the responsibility from Moses, 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:49.180 but he does bring assistance. 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:55.759 It's interesting to note as the story goes on that Aaron's support role 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:57.840 seems to just fade out of view. 00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:02.400 I think we get a glimpse of Moses growing in his faith, 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:03.820 in his obedience. 00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:11.840 Moses believed there were too many barriers to being powerfully used by Yahweh. 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:12.519 I'm a nobody. 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:14.720 I'm not someone people listen to. 00:22:14.820 --> 00:22:15.440 I'm not gifted. 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:17.160 I don't want to fail again. 00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:17.720 I'm not gifted. 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:24.220 I think there's a strange part in the story that suggests that Moses 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:26.660 didn't recognize the deepest barrier, 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:28.980 the deepest problem to being used by God. 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:31.740 Let me read it to you. 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:32.799 We didn't read it this morning. 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:35.220 Chapter 4, verse 24 to 26. 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:40.279 At a lodging place on the way, 00:22:43.080 --> 00:22:47.799 the Lord met him and sought to put him to death. 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:53.220 Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:55.340 and touched Moses' feet with it and said, 00:22:56.360 --> 00:22:58.560 Surely you are bridegroom of blood to me. 00:22:59.820 --> 00:23:01.140 So he let him alone. 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.500 It was then that she said, 00:23:02.560 --> 00:23:04.980 a bridegroom of blood because of the circumcision. 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.220 Strange. 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:12.539 I don't really have time to go into all the detail. 00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:15.779 I think what's going on is this. 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.759 He's on the way to Egypt. 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:22.160 And Moses' life is in critical danger. 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.860 Maybe he's severely ill. 00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:24.940 Something's going on. 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:27.039 And his wife, Zipporah, 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:30.140 somehow recognizes the spiritual cause. 00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:33.759 Not saying that all illness is spiritual cause, 00:23:33.880 --> 00:23:34.580 but sometimes. 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:41.000 Now their son, Gershon, wasn't circumcised. 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:47.100 Zipporah recognizes that that's the problem, 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:50.620 circumcises him and touches Moses' feet, 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:53.580 probably because he's incapacitated. 00:23:53.780 --> 00:23:56.040 Moses should have done the circumcision. 00:23:56.039 --> 00:24:00.599 So it's probably identifying Moses with the yak in the blood. 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.379 It's strange. 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:03.119 It is strange. 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:05.759 But just don't miss the forest for the trees. 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:08.759 Circumcision. 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:11.879 The Lord says in Genesis, 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:15.759 You will be cut off from my people 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:18.599 if you do not circumcise your sons. 00:24:19.139 --> 00:24:21.519 It is the mark of belonging to God. 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:24.139 Moses hasn't circumcised his son. 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:28.240 Talk about disobedience. 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:34.220 You think your capacity is the biggest problem. 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:38.280 I think this story is here to show, 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:45.360 Moses, your persistent, conscious disobedience, 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:47.960 that's the biggest problem. 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:52.960 But again, see his patience and his provision. 00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:59.840 Through blood, he cleanses Moses. 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:04.240 And I think this life-threatening encounter, 00:25:04.540 --> 00:25:07.860 I think it changes Moses because we get to chapter 6, 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:09.460 chapter 6 verse 12. 00:25:09.580 --> 00:25:11.820 He's not talking about his capacity anymore. 00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:12.360 He's saying, 00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:17.780 I am of uncircumcised lips. 00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:19.240 I'm unclean. 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:22.680 He says it twice. 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:23.819 Chapter 6 verse 30. 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:26.019 I am of uncircumcised lips. 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:29.279 I think this is a teaching moment. 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:34.380 He realises his disobedience is the biggest barrier 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:35.779 to Yahweh working through him. 00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:37.859 But even here, Yahweh provides for him. 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:43.980 He knew his disobedience before he called him. 00:25:44.120 --> 00:25:46.680 He knows our disobedience before he called us. 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:51.380 And we've got much better blood today to cleanse us. 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:57.820 So I think we've been shown the first key to Yahweh powerfully 00:25:57.820 --> 00:25:58.700 working through Moses. 00:25:59.360 --> 00:26:03.080 Lift your eyes from your fitness, your suitability for the task, 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:03.380 Moses. 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:08.740 Lift your eyes to my sufficiency, my provision, who I am. 00:26:10.360 --> 00:26:11.980 Yahweh is so patient. 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:16.099 He doesn't let us off the hook. 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:17.880 He's calling us to obedience. 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:20.920 But he's so patient. 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.279 His provision. 00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:25.319 He is sufficient. 00:26:28.620 --> 00:26:33.440 He doesn't promise his presence to adequate people. 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:41.240 If you feel inadequate, great, because he promises his presence to you. 00:26:44.580 --> 00:26:45.759 Yahweh is sufficient. 00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:49.539 Lift your eyes onto him, even in your disobedience. 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:53.700 He can provide for that too. 00:26:53.700 --> 00:27:00.220 Now, I think we see the second key to Yahweh powerfully working through Moses 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:01.799 in chapters 5 and 6. 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:03.940 He returns to Egypt. 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:05.799 He gathers the elders. 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:07.080 He performs the signs. 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:09.380 And as the Lord said, they believe him. 00:27:11.360 --> 00:27:12.840 They bow down and worship. 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:13.480 And then what? 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.819 Success. 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:18.299 No, failure. 00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:21.460 It's a bit of a surprise, isn't it? 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:23.039 He fails again. 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:28.360 Moses and Aaron, they burst into Pharaoh's courts. 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:30.380 They demand that the Pharaoh let them go. 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:35.299 And Pharaoh suspects that their real motive is to give all these slaves a holiday 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.440 because they're lazy. 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:41.900 He removes the straw from making bricks but demands the same number of bricks. 00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:45.259 And the Israelite foremen get beaten. 00:27:46.340 --> 00:27:47.360 They appeal to Pharaoh. 00:27:48.360 --> 00:27:50.380 And they realize their lives are in danger. 00:27:51.460 --> 00:28:02.160 And then they call Yahweh to judge Moses and Aaron for putting them in this position. 00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:05.440 Moses fails again. 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:10.279 Pharaoh and Israel reject him. 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:21.579 The insecure, incompetent Moses we saw before, he's not suddenly infused with courage and resolve. 00:28:21.899 --> 00:28:24.039 He's the same guy. 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:28.399 But I think he does something worthy of imitation. 00:28:28.599 --> 00:28:30.700 He doesn't flee to Midian again. 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:32.740 He flees to Yahweh in prayer. 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:36.799 At the end of chapter 5. 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:44.039 I think it's easy in failure. 00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:45.420 I don't know if you like this. 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:49.420 But I find it easy to just go into self-pity mode. 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:51.440 And I'm just licking my wounds. 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.599 I've tried my best. 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.880 And it still failed. 00:28:53.880 --> 00:29:00.480 And part of failure is you feel like you've let God down. 00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:02.500 You feel guilty. 00:29:03.260 --> 00:29:04.900 Because you feel like you let God down. 00:29:05.020 --> 00:29:05.940 You let people down. 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:09.860 So the easy thing is to avoid God. 00:29:12.060 --> 00:29:15.280 Moses does the hard thing in going to God. 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:17.040 It's a pretty bold prayer. 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:20.599 He says, Lord, you made it worse. 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:24.539 He just pours out his discouragement. 00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:26.519 Lord, you made it worse. 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:28.500 Lord, you haven't delivered them at all. 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:45.259 I think it's interesting to note that the Lord didn't solve Moses' problems by inwardly changing Moses' feelings or courage. 00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:53.720 He didn't change Moses by changing this outward situation, suddenly making him effective. 00:29:57.119 --> 00:30:03.440 So we see here the second key to Moses becoming a great man and Yahweh using him. 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:06.640 It's in chapter 6, 2 to 8. 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:09.359 Why the second revelation of Yahweh? 00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:12.839 It feels like a repetition, right? 00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:13.619 It is repetition. 00:30:13.619 --> 00:30:15.559 What's the point of it? 00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:17.359 Don't you just want to skip chapter 6? 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:19.119 We've got chapter 3. 00:30:19.219 --> 00:30:20.059 We've got the burning bush. 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:22.339 Why a second revelation of Yahweh? 00:30:26.199 --> 00:30:27.599 Moses has hit rock bottom. 00:30:30.939 --> 00:30:34.139 God didn't say to him, I've shown you who I am. 00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:35.799 I've promised you. 00:30:36.399 --> 00:30:37.159 That's enough. 00:30:37.459 --> 00:30:37.659 Go. 00:30:38.119 --> 00:30:38.559 He doesn't. 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:40.279 He goes, come. 00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:43.059 Come have another look at who I am. 00:30:43.619 --> 00:30:48.019 Come let me tell you who I am. 00:30:49.659 --> 00:30:51.839 Let me reassure you all over again. 00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:55.679 I think this is the key. 00:30:59.219 --> 00:31:02.139 Go deeper in knowing who I am. 00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:05.020 I keep my word. 00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:12.920 I'm the same as when I made promises to Abraham and you're about to see me even more clearly 00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:16.259 because I'm about to act on those promises and deliver my people. 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:18.620 You're going to know me more clearly now. 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:21.840 We know him even more clearly now through Jesus. 00:31:22.580 --> 00:31:24.480 All his promises are yes in Jesus. 00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:28.539 I keep my word. 00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:29.640 I see you. 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:31.240 I feel your affliction. 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:32.279 I know you. 00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:36.039 I will redeem my people. 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:38.099 You do not belong to Pharaoh. 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.059 You belong to me. 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:40.399 I will redeem you. 00:31:42.619 --> 00:31:44.519 I will pay the price to set you free. 00:31:44.639 --> 00:31:46.339 I will bring you to myself. 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:51.779 I will take you to be my people and I will be your God and you shall know that I am Yahweh, 00:31:52.379 --> 00:31:56.859 your God, and I will lead you home to the promised land. 00:31:56.859 --> 00:32:00.319 And just dwell in who I am and my promises. 00:32:04.939 --> 00:32:06.799 Linger in my presence, Moses. 00:32:15.319 --> 00:32:21.219 I think the fruit of Moses lingering in Yahweh's presence, going deeper in knowing the Lord, 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:27.200 is seen in the start of chapter 7, verse 6. 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:32.759 It's a very small verse, but it summarizes what we see of Moses from here on in the story. 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:35.900 Moses and Aaron did so. 00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:38.700 They did just as the Lord commanded them. 00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:43.680 From this point on, Moses doesn't speak unless Yahweh tells him to. 00:32:44.039 --> 00:32:47.620 Moses doesn't act unless Yahweh tells him to. 00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:50.220 He embraces rejection. 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:52.279 He embraces failure. 00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:59.680 And just knowing who Yahweh is, moment by moment, he obeys in faith. 00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:07.799 I think going deeper in knowing the Lord is the second key to that. 00:33:08.160 --> 00:33:10.380 Moses looks at himself and goes, I can't. 00:33:11.100 --> 00:33:11.940 Therefore, I won't. 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:15.360 He looks at Yahweh and dwells in him and goes, I can't. 00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:17.240 He can. 00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:18.360 He says he will. 00:33:18.360 --> 00:33:19.360 And so I will. 00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:22.400 It's the obedience of faith. 00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:29.079 And what creates that faith is knowing him more, knowing Yahweh more. 00:33:29.079 --> 00:33:43.000 I once heard someone say that all our talk in evangelical circles about gifting, 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:50.740 sometimes we talk of it as this instantaneous endowment of supernatural ability. 00:33:50.740 --> 00:34:04.140 And this person suggested that we want that because it bypasses the spiritual maturity it takes to actually grow in character, knowing God. 00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:12.539 We just want to be zapped with capabilities rather than know God and be changed inside first. 00:34:12.539 --> 00:34:13.960 I think he's on to something. 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:16.320 I can't remember who said it. 00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:18.019 I think he's on to something. 00:34:19.279 --> 00:34:23.659 If you really want to make a difference in the world, just pause. 00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:27.519 Pause and get to know God. 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:31.159 We're in such a hurry. 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:34.239 Linger in my presence. 00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:50.880 Someone else suggested that Satan might want us to go, the needs of my family, the needs of the world, the needs of the church, they're too great. 00:34:50.880 --> 00:34:51.700 I've got to keep going. 00:34:51.780 --> 00:34:52.420 I've got to keep going. 00:34:54.160 --> 00:34:57.559 Maybe he's just keeping us from lingering in God. 00:34:59.380 --> 00:35:01.740 And God's just saying, I'm not in your sort of hurry. 00:35:02.220 --> 00:35:03.079 Get to know me. 00:35:06.079 --> 00:35:07.340 Linger in my presence. 00:35:10.840 --> 00:35:13.920 In who I've revealed myself to be in my word. 00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:21.420 I was speaking to Matt overseas on the phone this week. 00:35:22.300 --> 00:35:25.920 He shared something that in his struggle that challenged me. 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:36.139 He's trying to pray to God more, not just when he needs help with something, but just to seek to be in his presence. 00:35:36.139 --> 00:35:44.559 I think it's a comment along the lines of, be still and know that I am God. 00:35:48.659 --> 00:35:53.460 I think that's the second key to Yahweh using Moses. 00:35:54.440 --> 00:35:55.400 Get to know me. 00:36:01.079 --> 00:36:02.539 It's what we see in Ephesians. 00:36:02.539 --> 00:36:06.179 What comes before Ephesians 4, 1 that I quoted at the beginning. 00:36:06.820 --> 00:36:08.920 We're all called to a heavenly calling. 00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:10.019 What comes before that? 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:12.420 Ephesians 3, believe it or not. 00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:16.360 I bow my knees before the Father. 00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:25.820 That according to the riches of his glory, he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his spirit. 00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:28.480 In your inner being. 00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:32.559 That you may have strength to comprehend. 00:36:35.699 --> 00:36:37.179 With all the saints. 00:36:38.179 --> 00:36:42.039 What is the breadth and length and height and depth. 00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:46.940 We need strength to know the love of Christ. 00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:48.760 That surpasses knowledge. 00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:51.619 That you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 00:36:51.619 --> 00:36:55.719 We need to know his covenant love in Jesus. 00:36:55.940 --> 00:36:56.380 And then. 00:37:00.940 --> 00:37:04.219 He calls us to walk according to his calling. 00:37:04.960 --> 00:37:06.619 Not zapped with ability. 00:37:08.199 --> 00:37:10.480 But lingering in his covenant love. 00:37:10.480 --> 00:37:21.840 Well, a greater Moses was sent to set us free. 00:37:24.639 --> 00:37:33.500 I think one fruit of our slavery to sin is that despite knowing the privilege of God's call to represent him. 00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:37.000 In all we do. 00:37:37.699 --> 00:37:39.199 In public, in private. 00:37:41.900 --> 00:37:46.460 With eyes focused on ourselves in fear or in arrogance. 00:37:46.699 --> 00:37:51.440 We so often resist or disobey in unbelief. 00:37:53.219 --> 00:37:55.440 Jesus came to set us free from that. 00:37:55.440 --> 00:38:00.639 To obey when we fail. 00:38:03.840 --> 00:38:05.519 I think Jesus is unusual. 00:38:08.159 --> 00:38:11.860 Moses is a pattern so that we might understand Jesus. 00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:15.760 But in these early chapters, Jesus is so unlike Moses. 00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:21.860 Despite the fear of every human being. 00:38:23.260 --> 00:38:27.100 Either expressed in shrinking back or in needing to prove ourselves. 00:38:28.220 --> 00:38:29.000 There's just not. 00:38:29.160 --> 00:38:30.220 There's not a hint. 00:38:31.080 --> 00:38:33.540 Of Jesus ever resisting God's call. 00:38:34.160 --> 00:38:35.100 He's so unusual. 00:38:41.200 --> 00:38:43.580 Now I'm hoping your mind goes to Gethsemane. 00:38:44.420 --> 00:38:45.700 That's where my mind went. 00:38:45.760 --> 00:38:50.500 Think of what he did there. 00:38:51.140 --> 00:38:52.260 The night before the cross. 00:38:53.780 --> 00:39:01.580 He's given some experiential foretaste of the hell he is about to go through. 00:39:02.140 --> 00:39:05.040 He says, and I assume he's not exaggerating, 00:39:05.620 --> 00:39:08.960 my soul is very sorrowful even to death. 00:39:11.320 --> 00:39:14.280 He had opportunity to run away. 00:39:14.280 --> 00:39:18.019 He had opportunity to not go through with it. 00:39:22.840 --> 00:39:26.560 When Moses was told, go deliver my people. 00:39:27.840 --> 00:39:32.200 He resists God's call despite being promised power and victory in the end. 00:39:32.199 --> 00:39:35.179 Jesus is told, go deliver my people. 00:39:35.279 --> 00:39:37.159 And he's promised, you'll be crushed. 00:39:37.719 --> 00:39:38.639 You'll be consumed. 00:39:39.079 --> 00:39:39.939 You'll be a failure. 00:39:40.759 --> 00:39:41.699 And he goes. 00:39:43.859 --> 00:39:45.439 He's so unusual. 00:39:46.439 --> 00:39:50.179 He obeys and trusts his father's call. 00:39:50.179 --> 00:39:51.179 He's so unusual. 00:39:51.179 --> 00:39:52.219 But when we don't. 00:39:59.399 --> 00:40:03.579 It's in our risen and enthroned Lord, Yahweh. 00:40:04.299 --> 00:40:09.179 It's his spirit who is powerfully present in us. 00:40:09.500 --> 00:40:12.399 He is the one who doesn't resist God's call. 00:40:12.400 --> 00:40:21.500 And he says, dwell in me and I will give you power to follow God's call. 00:40:24.019 --> 00:40:25.920 Lift your eyes from who you are. 00:40:27.160 --> 00:40:28.079 Look at who I am. 00:40:30.820 --> 00:40:35.960 Don't go into battle before you dwell in my presence. 00:40:35.960 --> 00:40:40.920 Know the length and height and breadth of my love. 00:40:46.179 --> 00:40:47.280 Will you pray with me? 00:40:47.480 --> 00:40:47.820 Let's pray. 00:40:54.460 --> 00:40:57.440 Father, thank you for your patience with us. 00:40:57.440 --> 00:41:11.539 Thank you that you are the God who not only delivers us from sin and failure to obey you, 00:41:11.639 --> 00:41:14.360 but you also train us. 00:41:15.099 --> 00:41:24.579 You patiently draw us deeper into yourself and reassure our hearts again and again with your promises 00:41:24.579 --> 00:41:32.239 so that we might become the children who follow your call and obey in faith. 00:41:33.500 --> 00:41:38.559 Lord, make us a community of people who dwell in you 00:41:38.559 --> 00:41:42.699 so that we might walk by faith. 00:41:43.159 --> 00:41:44.119 In Jesus' name I pray. 00:41:44.340 --> 00:41:44.579 Amen.