Worship
Welcome to our service this week. Consider the words of this song as you bring yourself into the presence of God.
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have born my peoples pain.
I have wept for love of them, They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them,
Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart
Sermon on the mat: Exodus 3 v 1 – 15
God’s call
This story about Moses starts with him going about his daily job – leading his father-in-law’s sheep around the wilderness in search of pasture. It was a lonely job with much silence and time to ponder about the meaning of life. You had to be watchful though; keeping your eyes open for what is happening, making sure the sheep don’t wander off too far, surveying the countryside for hidden dangers like pits or cliffs or marauding animals.
And it was as Moses scanned the area his wanderings had brought him to that he noticed the bush that was burning. Not totally unknown in that tinder dry area, but needing to be watched to make sure the fire didn’t spread any further. But, as he watched, Moses realised that the fire wasn’t spreading. It wasn’t even consuming the bush so he walked a little closer.
That was when God knew that he’d got his attention so, he called out to him, let him know that he was there, wanting to talk with him, wanting to interact with him, God to man. So God warned Moses that this was a holy place. He told him that he shouldn’t get too close.
What was God wanting to talk with Moses about in the middle of his daily work? He wanted to call Moses to a special task. He’d got a unique job, a particular role that he wanted Moses to fill.
The dialogue between God and Moses is interesting.
First Moses says ‘Who am I?’ – I’m not fitted for this task, I’m not able to do what you’re asking me to do. In fact, Moses’ life to that point had given him a lot of knowledge and skills that had prepared him for the task. He knew the people and the ways of Pharoah’s court from his childhood growing up there and he knew the processes of being a priest from having lived with his father-in-law. He also knew of his heritage as an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
God’s answer to Moses’ cry of inadequacy was to re-assure him. ‘I will be with you.’ He says.
The next question that Moses fires at God was. ‘Who are you?’ We then get this enigmatic response from God which seems to have a number of translations: I AM, I am who I am; I will be what I will be. You will find that our definition of God is individual to each one of us. Essentially, God is beyond our understanding, incomprehensible in totality. So each of us understands, grasps a small part of who He is. Nobody living has received the full revelation and much of who God is lies beyond expressing in words.
Well, we know the rest of the story. Moses goes on to follow God’s instructions and, with the help of Aaron, frees the Israelites from the Egyptians and leads them across the desert to the Promised Land – the land flowing with milk and honey.
In Matthew chapter 16 we have Jesus’ challenge to his disciples to follow him. I was struck by the Message version because it doesn’t mention a cross. Is this me wanting an easier option? Or is it easier to understand in these days when crucifixion isn’t practised?
24-26 Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
What is God calling you to be and do today? Just as he had a specific task for Moses, he has chosen and equipped each of you to do a job that only you can do. Generally, it is not a major task like rescuing a whole nation from slavery and leading them to the promised land that we are called to, though we might feel that our nation needs rescuing right now. Few of us are called to leave our families and homes and travel halfway across the world to serve God in foreign parts.
Instead, most of us are called to follow faithfully in the small moments of our everyday lives – by facing recurring fears, doing tasks we may think are difficult, submitting our lives and wills to God. By living among our families, colleagues, friends and neighbours in the light of Christ’s teaching. By finding Christ in those around us and showing him to others. It can be scary and doesn’t always turn out the way we expect, but we have God’s re-assurance that he is with us every all the way and he will equip us and protect us. We have his loving commitment to keep us in order that we might be the means of bringing God’s blessing to all people.
Prayer
God of all creation, You call everyone into your kingdom.
Grant that we may boldly confess Jesus Christ as Lord
And serve you faithfully all our days. Amen
Please pray for –
- The government and leaders of industry and commerce, that they may seek to serve the good of all people and the planet.
- Children and staff as they return to school, especially those starting at a new school or college.
- Those who are worried about their future that they may find peace with God.
Notices
Next Sunday, September 6th there will be an opportunity to meet others from our fellowship in the field behind the church from 4.00pm. There will be light refreshments and hot drinks provided but, if you feel happier to bring your own, that’s fine.
It will be lovely just to see each other again