Focus: Sometimes it may feel like we’ve ruined God’s plan for lives. God’s not looking at your résumé he’s looking at your heart.

Anchor Verses

  • Exodus 2:1-10

Preface – The Promised Land

Introduction to the Series:

  • The season’s focus will be on the Promised Land.
  • In Exodus, God leads His people to the Promised Land over the Jordan, a place filled with abundance and God’s presence.
  • This isn’t the first Promised Land in the Bible; the Garden of Eden was the initial place for humanity to worship, dwell, and be with God.
  • The Promised Land in Canaan did not fully restore the closeness between God and humanity.
  • Atonement for sin and reconciliation were needed, which came through Jesus.
  • Jesus’ death and resurrection removed the separation caused by sin, reuniting God and His people.

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Introduction – “He didn’t know Joseph.”

  • Exodus 1:8-17
  • New Pharaoh did not feel indebted to the good work Joseph did
    • Hebrews were in Egypt for 400 years
    • Pharaoh was fearful of the Hebrews
  • Pharoah decrees that every newborn boy be thrown into the Nile, but the girls may live

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Birth / Survival of Moses

  • Exodus 2: 1-10
  • The very decree Pharoah made to kill the Jews saved Moses
    • Pharoah’s daughter had compassion for Moses; she knew the decree!
      • God can change your circumstances and use the opposition to do so

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Fleeing to the Desert

  • Exodus 2:11-15
    • Moses still had a heart and connection to his people to visit them
    • Still cared enough for his people to kill for them
      • Slight resentment from his own people? “What are you going to do, kill me too?”
  • Moses was afraid
    • What do we do when we are afraid?
      • Run 
        • Put literal distance between ourselves and our problems
      • Distract
        • Scroll, drink, shop
    • Moses ran to the desert to distance himself from his problems and distracted himself with a new life

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Closing – It’s Not Over

  • Exodus 2:16-25
    • Moses probably thought God’s plan for his life was ruined
      • Married, had a child, etc. He seemingly had no intention of going back
    • After 40 years of dwelling in Midian, the Pharoah who had ruled over Egypt when Moses left died; the Hebrews groaned for God to rescue them
  • Fear and shame drove Moses to the desert
    • Our sin creates distance between us and God
      • In that distance is where we fear, feel shame, and doubt God wanting anything to do with us
      • God is not looking for a perfect heart, but a humble one

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Sermon Questions

  1. Oppression and Identity: In Exodus 1, we see how the Israelites were oppressed and stripped of their identity in Egypt. How does the enemy try to rob us of our identity in God today? What can we learn from the Israelites’ endurance in holding onto their heritage and faith during hardship?
  2. God’s Power in Unlikely Situations: God used Pharaoh’s own decree to save Moses and ultimately lead the Israelites to freedom. Where have you seen God use unexpected or challenging circumstances in your life to bring about something good? How might this encourage you to trust Him more deeply?
  3. Stepping into God’s Call: Moses fled to the wilderness after experiencing rejection and shame, but God still had a purpose for him. How do the early chapters of Moses’ story encourage you to seek God’s call, even when you feel unqualified or afraid? In what areas of your life might God prepare you for something greater?

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