Anchor Verses
- Exodus 3:1-15
- Exodus 4:10-17
Introduction – “Me, Lord?”
- Exodus 3:1-11
The Burning Bush – “I AM”
- “I have a plan!” – God
- God recalled the very suffering Moses was witness to
- YOU will lead them
- A renewed purpose
- Moses’ response: Who am I?
- A question of calling AND identity
- Moses spent 40 years in Egypt believing he was both an Egyptian and a Hebrew
- Now 40 years in Midian – he doesn’t have the same confidence he once did
- What name should I give them? Under whose authority?
- Moses realized his former qualifications and credibility wouldn’t get him far, so he needed to go under someone else’s authority
- It seems silly, but it is rooted in scripture. When God revealed Himself to man in the days of the patriarchs, it was often associated with a newly revealed name or title for God.
- El Elyon – God Most High (Genesis 14:22).
- El Shaddai – Almighty God (Genesis 17:1).
- El Olam – Everlasting God (Genesis 21:33)
- Jehovah Jireh – The-LORD-Will-Provide (Genesis 22:14).
- El Roi – You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees (Genesis 16:13).
- El Elohe Israel – The Mighty God of Israel (Genesis 33:20)
- It seems silly, but it is rooted in scripture. When God revealed Himself to man in the days of the patriarchs, it was often associated with a newly revealed name or title for God.
- I AM WHO I AM
- Yahweh was not a new or unknown name – it appears more than 160 times in the book of Genesis. Moses’ mother’s name was Jochabed, meaning Yahweh is my glory. Moses and Israel knew the name Yahweh. God did not give Moses a previously unknown name of God, but the name they had known before. God called them back to the faith of the patriarchs, not to something “new.” (Enduring Word)
- Moses realized his former qualifications and credibility wouldn’t get him far, so he needed to go under someone else’s authority
- A question of calling AND identity
God’s Command: Go!
- God lays it all out
- Details the plan even acknowledging: “I know Pharaoh isn’t going to go for this, you’re going to encounter resistance, but I got this.”
- Moses’ doubts continue
- God is gracious with us
- Despite God more than adequately explaining to Moses how things are going to go, Moses continues to doubt, but God shows mercy to Moses and provides further proof of his power, and his proof is significant
- Both signs dealt with transformation
- Moses needed to be transformed
- Exodus 4:10-11
- An issue of self-confidence
- Both signs dealt with transformation
- God lays it all out
Closing – Start Walking
- Exodus 4:14-17
- Humility can go too far when it comes to resistance, unbelief, and disobedience
- Self-awareness vs. stubbornness
- Exodus 4:18-20
Sermon Questions
- God focuses on who we are becoming, not just who we are.
Considering the anchor verses (Exodus 3:1-15 and 4:10-17), how does God’s assurance of His presence (“I will be with you”) help address Moses’ and our feelings of inadequacy? How can you rely on this truth in areas where you feel unqualified? - Transformation is central to God’s plan.
The signs God provided Moses (e.g., the staff turning into a serpent) symbolized transformation. In what areas of your life do you need to trust God for transformation, both in yourself and in the circumstances around you? How can you surrender those areas to Him? - The Call to Embrace Your Role: Like Moses, who was uncertain and faced rejection, we each have a role in God’s plan. How does knowing that God has called and equipped you change your perspective on your own strengths and weaknesses? In what areas of your life might you feel “unqualified” but sense God calling you to act?