RADICAL ENCOUNTERS WITH GOD: #3 The Calling

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1 INTRODUCTION This series is all about one question: What happens when a person truly encounters God? Scripture is full of encounters and in every case; it is transformational. It is so important for us to look at these lives because their story is at least, part of our story; or it can be. Today, we look into the encounter of Moses. But before we do; let s try a little experiment. I m going to call to some people, and I want you to respond as you naturally would. Hey! Response: what? When a person is called; the usual response is What? What do you want? What can I do for you? What is happening? The encounter of Moses is an encounter with God s CALL. It would be nice to think hearing God s call and responding, was a straight line of progression. But it just doesn t work that way. Asking, what? isn t all that straight forward. It didn t work that way for Moses and it doesn t work that way for us. In a way, we are all a variation of Moses encounter. So let s look through the phases in his life to learn a little about our own; starting with this phase: TRYING IT OUR OWN WAY: Exodus Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12. So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13. And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, "Why are you striking your companion?'' 14. Then he said, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?'' So Moses feared and said, "Surely this thing is known!'' At 40 years of age, Moses knew the score. In 1502 BC Egypt was a slave-based culture. And the slave base was Moses own people! It was wrong, something had to be done! Have you ever been there? Very often, the problem isn t discerning a wrong. It is a question of what to do about it. And we all have the same tendency: Let me try it my way. We try something that seems obvious to us, but it ends up yielding results that weren t so obvious. I didn t expect that to happen! One of my sisters has a lifetime career in social services and counseling. She has heard every story, excuse and rationalization for why people do what they do. And she has a favorite question: So, how s that work n for ya? People have all kinds of great reasons to do things their way. The only problem is; it has taken them some place they never wanted to go! Moses tried an obvious course of action; stop oppression by stopping the oppressor. It seemed obvious, but what was the result? The oppressor became more brutal and Moses became a fugitive for murder. So, Moses; how s that work n for ya? 1 P a g e

2 In our own efforts; in our good intentions in our families, friends, or witness; how often do we murder the very opportunities we seek because we re set on doing it our own way? But thankfully, God doesn t give up on Moses; or us. The next phase in Moses life is: PREPARATION FOR THE CALL Exodus When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; Moses flees Egypt in utter failure and scandal. He deserts the shelter of the palace for the grueling life of the desert. He exchanges his identity as a prince for that of a homeless nobody. And perhaps worst of all; he is even further away from the very people he desired to help. Imagined how he must have felt. It had to seem like game over. But the truth was; God was preparing him. (For most of us, that is a lifelong lesson!) It was a forty year lesson on learning to do things God s way. Like Moses, there is something we need to realize: We are all self-made people in some sense; we ve all found little tricks and practices that help us survive and we fall back on them time and time again. (You can watch them forming in two year-olds!) But to experience God s call, we re going to have to let God unmake some of what we ve made; so that He can remake us to fit the call. Next came: RECEIVING THE CALL: Here s a summary of the account: Exodus 3 2. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. 4. So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!'' And he said, "Here I am.'' 5. Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.'' If you are walking with God, He has a burning bush for you at some point. God s call can t be reduced to a formula; sometimes it s for a season in your life, for some people, it is a lifelong calling. Whatever it is; God calls out through His Word, in circumstances, other people, and personal realizations. At that point and time that you sense God s leading, no matter how un-sensational it may be, you need to realize something; you are standing on holy ground. That call is something to take seriously. It is something that should not be picked up lightly or quickly put down. 2 P a g e

3 We re at a disadvantage because we live in a disposable culture. It s engrained in us: Don t like something anymore? Toss it aside. Pick up a hobby, task, even a career; it doesn t do it for you anymore? Quit, do something else. And we take that mentality into our relationship with God: Don t feel like being a member of that church anymore? -Don t feel like doing that office or ministry? Just quit! The question is: Did God call you to that place? Then you ve just abandoned holy ground. Here s another question: What can you or I, or the church expect if we take so lightly or so quickly abandon holy ground? Which leads us to the next phase for Moses: WRESTLING WITH THE CALL: Really quickly; here s how the argument goes between Moses and God: Exodus But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, 12. So [God] said, "I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign 13. Then Moses said [ if they ask me] " `What is His name?' what shall I say to them?'' 14. And God said, "I AM WHO I AM.. `I AM has sent me to you.' '' Exodus 4 1. Then Moses answered, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen '' 2. So the Lord said, "What is that in your hand?'' And he [Moses] said, "A rod.'' [And by God s power, it becomes a snake, and then turns back to a stick.] Exodus Then Moses said to the Lord, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent.'' 12. [Then God said] " go, and I will be with your mouth '' 13. But [Moses] said, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.'' 14. So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses Have you ever struggled with God telling you something? If so, this conversation is probably quite familiar to you. (I know it is to me!) Let s break it down a little: Moses Concern: Who am I? (Who am I to even consider I m up to this challenge?) ~ God s answer: I will certainly be with you. He even gives signs as an affirmation. Moses Concern: Who are You? Who is sending me? ~ God s answer: I AM WHO I AM. The original Hebrew: Hayah asher Hayah Hayah- to say with great emphasis something has become, or simply IS. Asher- when, where, how, because of, in order that. In short: I exist because I exist. I am the answer to when, where, and how for everything! God s name tells us: God does not exist because we acknowledge Him in our little bubble of reality. Our little bubble of reality exists because God IS. And yet, the argument goes on: 3 P a g e

4 Moses Concern: Suppose they will not believe or listen? (It is so easy to be more concerned over rejection or failure instead of obedience! That s something to ask ourselves: What is our prime motivator; in our church strategy, our personal witness and walk: Is it success or obedience? It makes all the difference!) ~ God s answer: What is in your hand? (It s just a stick; until God takes charge of it.) God looks at us and says, What s in your hand; right now? And we see nothing of exceptional value, just an ordinary ability; our stick. It s nothing special; until we give it to Him. The people who get things done for God aren t the ones with extra time, opportunity or extraordinary abilities; it is those who give what they have over to God. One of the greatest signs of God s love and power is how He pulls the extraordinary from ordinary lives. When you and I think we are too ordinary or insignificant for God s call, He says, What s in your hand? What have I put there? Now let me show you what I can do with that! Moses Concern: I am not eloquent. ~ God s answer: I will be with your mouth. We need to understand what Moses is saying here. He is not simply saying he isn t an exceptional communicator. The original Hebrew is dawbawr means a cause, or advice, or answer, purpose, reason, or with power. Moses is saying, There is no power behind my cause or purpose. When we reject God s call that is exactly what we are saying. God is important, but there is no importance to my part. It s not worth God s power. God knows better; He will be with your capacities. Then the argument is over and in the literal translation: God says and now go ~ Moses answers send now someone else. How many people in this room right now are in that situation? You have argued and argued with God. And even if God answers all the concerns, it comes down to this, God, I know that it s important. Somebody better step up. But God, you d better send someone else. Isn t it amazing! For all the lame excuses, God doesn t lose His patience; not until we refuse in our hearts. In the original Hebrew, God s response is scary stuff. Then glowed the anger of Yahweh against Moses Imagine this: A ragged barefoot desert herder standing before a flame that is the power and center of the universe. He ticks off that power and that flame begins to glow with anger. Imagine all the power of creation heating up in anger against you; I don t know about you but I d find that very disturbing!! So, here s a question: If God became angry with Moses for answering send someone else; can we expect Him to feel any differently toward us if we give the same answer? 4 P a g e

5 INVITATION It only makes sense; if we are going to encounter an all-knowing God of purpose; that our meeting will result in our call. This morning, as God calls, is your response, what? -What is the next step? -What is the task at hand? -What would you have me do? -What s needed for my preparation? Or is it send someone else? If ever there was a morning for an altar call, it is this morning. The altar is simply a place to do serious business with God. Do you know your calling? Is the next step clear? Are you looking for the power to answer? Don t worry about being confused or doubtful or even hesitant. God has infinite patience with those things. The only answer that kindles God s anger is: Send someone else. Right now, as we sing, give your answer to His call. 5 P a g e