Historical Posts
Exodus 20:03-06 Idolatry Then and Now – audio
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Text: Exodus 20:3-6
I. Idolatry was prevalent in Old Testament times.
God commanded Israel not to put other gods before Him, or even make anything for themselves to worship other than Himself (Exodus 20:3-6). However, they did not always follow after His commandments.
At one time or another they worshiped: a golden calf, gold statue that Nebuchadnezzar had made, Nehushtan (bronze serpent on a pole), Nibhaz (evil demon of the Zabians), Molech (Ammonite god), Baal, Ashtoreth, Baal-peor, Dagon, Nebo, Nisroch, Rimmon (Syrian god), Merodach, Nergal, Tammuz (Assyrain god), and Tartak.
II. Idolatry was prevalent in New Testament times.
A. Demetrius made silver shrines of Diana at Ephesus, a great profit (Acts 19:24ff.).
B. John saw that many men did not repent of worshiping demons or idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood that can “neither see nor hear nor walk (Revelation 9:20).
C. Those in Thessalonica turned from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
III. Idolatry is prevalent today.
A. Many people worship the creature rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).
B. Many world religions invent gods and temples devoted to them (and often include statues).
C. Many people put other things between them and God, such as money, their job, or their family (Luke 16:13).
IV. How should a Christian view idolatry?
A. Idolatry is still sin, just as it was long ago.
1) Covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5).
2) Idolatry is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-20).
3) Idolatry is an abomination to God, as the Gentiles know (1 Peter 4:3).
4) An idol is nothing in this world, but there is a true God in heaven (1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 10:19-21).
B. The temple of God has no agreement with idols (2 Corinthians 6:16-18).
C. An idolater has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God (Ephesians 5:5).
D. We must flee from idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14).
E. We must keep ourselves from idols (1 John 5:21).
F. We must not keep company with an idolater (1 Corinthians 5:11-13).
Content by Richard Dillon
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Exodus 17:1-7 Hardened Hearts and Stiff Necks – audio
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Text: Exodus 17:1-7
Introduction
While in college, a Bible professor called me “Dr. Dillon.” I may not be a physical doctor by any means, but can easily identify two common diseases: hardened hearts and stiffened necks. These are very common in the Old Testament.
Body
I. Hardened hearts
A. The children of Israel had hardened hearts as they wondered in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4; 17:1-7; Numbers 20:1-13).
B. The LORD told Ezekiel about Israel’s hardened hearts (Ezekiel 3:7-9).
C. Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar were removed from their kingdoms because of hardened hearts (Daniel 5:18-23).
D. The priests questioned the Philistines regarding their hardness of hearts, just as Pharaoh and the Egyptians (1 Samuel 6:6; Exodus 7-14).
1) Pharaoh at times hardened his heart.
2) The LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart other times. “God hardens the heart when He withdraws influences of His Spirit from men, and leaves them to pursue their own corrupt inclinations (Webster).”
II. Stiffened necks
A. Israel and Judah had stiffened necks, and the LORD led them captive to Assyria (2 Kings 17:13-17).
B. King Hezekiah encouraged some not to be stiff-necked as their fathers were (2 Chronicles 30:8).
C. King Zedekiah stiffened his neck before the LORD (2 Chronicles 36:11-13).
III. Applications
A. Calamity befalls those who harden their hearts and stiffen their necks before the LORD (Proverbs 28:14; 29:1).
B. Great wrath from the LORD will come upon them (Zechariah 7:11-14; Romans 2:5-6).
C. They will not enter into the LORD’s eternal rest (Psalm 95:7-11; Hebrews 3:7-15).
Conclusion
God shows us the Remedy, but we have to apply it.
Do you have a hardened heart?
Soften, or humble, it before God. Humble yourself, and God will lift you up (James 4:7-10).
Do you have a stiff neck?
Loosen it so as to encourage your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ (Luke 15:20; Acts 20:37-38; Romans 16:3-4).
Content by Richard Dillon
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Exodus 32 Ten Lessons from a Golden Calf – audio
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Text: Exodus 32:1-35
Introduction
1. Last week we noticed that we need to learn from the past.
2. We can learn from other people’s mistakes and thereby do not have to make them ourselves to learn the relevant lessons.
3. The children Israel made many mistakes that we can learn from today.
a. 1 Corinthians 10:6 – Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.
b. 1 Corinthians 10:11 – Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
4. Of course, one of the events mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10, is the episode with the golden calf – 1 Corinthians 10:7
5. Here are ten important lessons that WE can learn from a golden calf.
Body
LESSON 1 – REMEMBER, IT WAS NOT MOSES WHO BROUGHT YOU UP OUT OF EGYPT
Exodus 32:1 – Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”
A. The children Israel forgot that it wasn’t Moses who brought them out of Egypt. God had delivered them.
1. Forgetting this fact was one of the direct causes of the sinful actions that would follow.
2. If we are followers of mere men, then one man is as good as another.
3. They replaced Moses with Aaron.
B. Man has always had a propensity to follow other men rather than God.
1. We see that many years later, they still had this mentality – 2 Samuel 8:4-5
2. They forgot that they already had a King. His name was GOD – 1 Samuel 8:7
C. We have the same problem today.
1. Countless people today follow preachers rather than God!
2. This problem started early in the church – 1 Corinthians 1:11-13
a) “I am of Luther.”
b) “I am of Wesley.”
c) “I am of the Pope.”
d) “I am of Calvin.”
e) No! I am of Christ!
3. Many sacrifice their souls because they prefer the praise of men over the praise of God – John 12:42-43
LESSON 2 – REMEMBER IT WAS NOT A GOLDEN CALF THAT BROUGHT YOU UP OUT OF EGYPT.
Exodus 32:2-6 – And Aaron said to them, “Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf. Then they said, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.” Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
A. Aaron boldly proclaimed, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!”
1. What utter nonsense!
2. What blasphemy!
3. It is easy to see how foolish this statement was.
4. It is also easy to see how foolish it was to believe that statement.
B. Yet, most people in the world today choose to worship the creation rather than the Creator.
1. God’s creation is not God – Romans 1:22-25
2. Colossians 3:5 – Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
a) Covetousness is idolatry.
b) Neither silver nor gold can save us – 1 Peter 1:18-19
c) Man must stop acting as if gold is God.
LESSON 3 – GOD IS A JEALOUS GOD
Exodus 32:9-10 – And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! 10 Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.”
A. Think about how close the Israelites were to true worship…
1. They desired to worship the God who had brought them out of Egypt – Exodus 32:4
2. They desired to worship Him so badly that they were willing to give of their gold – Exodus 32:3
3. They desired to worship Him at an altar – Exodus 32:5
4. They desired to hold a feast to the LORD (Jehovah) – Exodus 32:5
5. They desired to make burnt offerings and peace offerings – Exodus 32:6
B. Yet concerning their worship, God said… – Exodus 32:7-8
1. They had corrupted themselves.
2. They had turned aside quickly out of the way.
3. They have worshiped the CALF (not God).
C. As a result…
1. God was ready to destroy them and start over with Moses.
2. He had warned them about idolatry – Exodus 20:4-5
3. They had willingly entered a covenant with Him – Exodus 24:3
LESSON 4 – IT IS GOOD TO HAVE AN INTERCESSOR
Exodus 32:11-14 – Then Moses pleaded with the Lord his God, and said: “Lord, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, ‘He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’” So the Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.
A. Moses pleaded with God on behalf of the people.
1. He used three arguments to change God’s mind.
a) He reminded God of all that He had already done for them – Exodus 32:11
b) The Egyptians would think that God brought them out simply to destroy them – Exodus 32:12
c) He reminded God of his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – Exodus 32:13
2. As a result of his intercession, God relented from His wrath.
a) Not because the people didn’t deserve His wrath.
b) But because Moses begged Him to spare them.
B. We too have an intercessor.
1. Like the children of Israel…
a) We are deserving of death – Romans 6:23
b) We are unable to save ourselves.
2. Jesus has interceded for us.
a) Luke 23:33-34 – And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
b) Ephesians 4:32 – And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
c) 1 John 2:1 – My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
3. It is GOOD to have an Intercessor. Without Him, we would all be lost!
LESSON 5 – DON’T TRY TO BLAME YOUR SIN ON SOMEONE ELSE
Exodus 32:22 – So Aaron said, “Do not let the anger of my lord become hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil.
A. Aaron tries to appease Moses’ wrath by blaming his actions on the people.
1. He should have been more worried about God’s anger.
2. People often worry about how their actions affect other people…
a) And even feel guilt for their actions.
b) Without realizing that, even more important than that, is the fact that their sin has hurt God Almighty.
B. Man has always tried to deflect responsibility to others.
1. Genesis 3:12 – Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”
2. They blame their parents.
3. They blame their friends. (Peer pressure)
4. They blame God.
5. The one thing they will not do is say, “My fault.”
C. Exodus 23:2 – You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.
D. Your sin is YOUR fault. Own up to it – Psalm 51:3
LESSON 6 – DON’T LIE TO TRY TO COVER UP YOUR SIN
Exodus 32:24 – And I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, let them break it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out.”
A. Aaron said, “I just threw the gold in the fire and ‘poof’ this calf came out.”
1. This was a bold faced lie.
2. Exodus 32:4 – And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf.
B. When we lie to cover a sin what we are showing by our actions is that we care more about what men think about us than what God thinks about us.
1. We can often fool man.
2. We cannot lie to God – Hebrews 4:13
LESSON 7 – PROPER WORSHIP INVOLVES RESTRAINT
Exodus 32:25 – Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies),
A. As we discussed earlier, they were involved in a worship service. However…
1. They were holding an unauthorized feast.
2. They were offering unauthorized sacrifices.
3. They were bowing down to an unauthorized idol.
4. They were even committing sexual immorality as a part of their worship.
5. They must have truly believed that “anything goes” when it came to worship.
B. Proper worship involves:
1. Realizing that God is the audience – John 4:23-34
2. Realizing that in order to please Him, I must worship Him according to truth.
a) 1 Samuel 13:22-23 – So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”
b) God is not obligated to receive our worship – Amos 5:21-23
3. Restraint – a measure or condition that keeps someone or something under control or within limits.
a) God has set the limits on worship.
b) It is up to me to stay within those limits – 1 Corinthians 14:32-33
C. Not exercising restraint in worship results in our own shame.
LESSON 8 – YOU ARE EITHER ON THE LORD’S SIDE OR ON THE DEVIL’S SIDE
Exodus 32:26 – Then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the Lord’s side—come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.
A. Moses made it clear: You are either on the Lord’s side or you are not.
1. There is no middle ground.
2. There are no shades of gray.
3. They had to decide whose side they were on.
B. We too have a choice to make.
1. Jesus made it clear that there is no middle ground.
a) Matthew 12:30 – He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
b) Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
c) John 8:44 – You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
2. Paul made it clear that there is no middle ground – Romans 6:16-18
LESSON 9 – IT PAYS TO BE ON THE LORD’S SIDE
Exodus 32:25-28 – Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies), then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the Lord’s side—come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him. And he said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.’” So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day.
A. Many of those who had rebelled against God lost their lives as a result.
B. Those who choose not to be on the Lord’s side face an even worse fate today.
1. Matthew 10:28 – And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
2. Matthew 25:31-33
C. Those who choose to be on the Lord’s side:
1. Enjoy a happier life now – 1 Timothy 4:8
2. Enjoy the hope of eternal life – 1 Peter 1:3-4
LESSON 10 – WE EACH BEAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR OWN ACTIONS
Exodus 32:32-33 – Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” And the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.
A. If God would not forgive the people, Moses desired his fate to be the same as theirs.
1. Paul said something similar in Romans 9:1-3
2. Fortunately, it doesn’t work that way.
B. Each of us is responsible for our own destiny.
1. Hebrews 4:13 – And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
2. Romans 2:5-9 – But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;
Delivered on: November 18, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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Exodus 18:21 Some Verses to Vote by – audio
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Text: Exodus 18:21
Introduction
1. The time is almost here again.
2. It is time to select the man who is going to lead our country for the next four years.
3. We are blessed to live in a country where we have a say, in who our leaders are going to be.
4. This is not true everywhere in the world.
5. As Christians, we need to give serious thought to who it is that we think will steer this country in the direction which God wants.
6. Let me say before we start…
a. I am not a preacher for the Republican Party.
b. I am not a preacher for the Democratic Party.
c. I am not a preacher for the Independents.
d. I am a preacher for Christ.
7. Proverbs 14:34. Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
8. Psalm 119:172. My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.
9. “God bless America…”
10. If we want God to continue to bless America, we had better show Him that we DESERVE to be blessed.
11. As a Christian, what do I need to look for in a candidate?
12. Here are some verses to vote by.
Body
I. EXODUS 18:21. Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
A. Able men.
1. There are many moral people in the world who are not able to lead.
2. There are also many “able” leaders (men or women who are good at leading others) who are not fit to lead because they do not fear God and love truth.
3. History is full of “able” men who led their respective countries to disaster because of their own wickedness and immorality.
B. Hating Covetousness.
1. Proverbs 28:16. A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.
2. Proverbs 29:4. The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it.
3. Our leader needs to serve for reasons other than money.
4. His decisions need to be based on what is right and not what will earn him the most donations.
5. In choosing a President, we need a man who puts morals over money and we, ourselves need to put morals over money.
a) Sadly, many base their vote solely on who they think will make them the wealthiest.
b) The economy is not the number one issue in an election for a Christian.
c) Proverbs 16:8. Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.
d) Consider the wealth in Solomon’s day:
(1) 1 Kings 4:20. Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing.
(2) 1 Kings 4:24-25. For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the River from Tiphsah even to Gaza, namely over all the kings on this side of the River; and he had peace on every side all around him. And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
(3) 1 Kings 10:27. The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar trees as abundant as the sycamores which are in the lowland.
(4) Yet during his reign, he and Israel became corrupt. As such, God removed him from office. 1 Kings 11:9-11. So the Lord became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the Lord had commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.
C. Fear God / Men of Truth.
1. Proverbs 16:12. It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.
2. Proverbs 29:12. If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked.
3. Every political party has had problems with liars.
4. We need men in office who care about the truth.
5. Especially THE TRUTH. John 17:17. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
II. PROVERBS 6:16-17. These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
A. We need a President who will fight to save innocent babies from murder.
B. Since Roe vs Wade, over 40,000,000 babies have been legally murdered in our country (see abortion).
C. Psalm 139:13-16. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
1. If I were to place before you a woman who was 2 months pregnant, a woman who was 9 months pregnant, a woman with a 1 year old child, and a woman with a 2 year old… which one of those children are done developing? Obviously, none of them… Yet many try to justify abortion by saying that the baby in the womb is not fully developed.
2. God sees no difference between the babe in the womb and the babe out of the womb.
a) Luke 1:44. For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
b) Luke 2:12. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.
D. How can a Christian cast a vote for any person who vows to let the atrocity of abortion continue?
III. Matthew 19:4-5. And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
A. We need to elect a man who respects God’s plan for the home.
B. Leviticus 18:22. You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.
C. The Bible makes it clear that homosexuality is a sin and that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.
D. What has this country come to that a person cannot express his belief in God’s word in regard to design for the home without being branded a bigot or worse? (Chik-fil-a)
E. We must realize that the downfall of the home is a prelude to the downfall of a nation. What will our vote say?
Conclusion
1. When you walk into the voting booth in a few weeks remember…
a. It was not a Republican who died for you.
b. It was not a Democrat who died for you.
c. Neither a Republican or Democrat will be sitting on the Judgment Seat on the day of judgment.
2. Place your allegiance in Christ and not any certain political party.
3. As Christians, when there is a clear and discernible moral divide, vote on the basis of Christianity.
4. Do not4 worry about the letter that is after the name.
5. Illustration: If you could choose your neighbor…
6. I cannot vote for anyone who openly ridicules righteousness.
7. When I know God opposes something, I cannot vote for someone who blatantly promotes it.
Delivered on: October 28, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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Exodus 03:01-10 Excuses of Moses
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Text: Exodus 3:1-10
Introduction
1. When God appeared to Moses at the burning bush
a. He called him to the task of leading the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage
b. In response, Moses gave excuses as to why he did not think he was the man for the job
2. The excuses of Moses, and God’s response to them, will serve as the basis for our study
a. For in a similar way, as God’s people today, we have received from God a calling
b. Not to go to a country to deliver those in physical bondage, but to a world to deliver those in the bondage of sin
– And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. – Mark 16:15
– But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. – 1 Peter 2:9-10
3. Too often, though, we behave just like Moses, making the very same excuses!
Body
I. “WHO AM I?”
A. FOUND IN EXODUS 3:11…
1. Though Moses was once a member of the ruling house of Egypt
a. He was now but a lowly shepherd
b. 40 years had passed since he had been in Egypt
c. He was an 80 year old man, already past the average life span for his generation
d. This prompted Moses to wonder whether he was the right man for the job
2. But God’s response was quick, and should have been adequate
a. “I will certainly be with you…” – Exodus 3:12
b. God promised to be with Moses, and this alone should have been sufficient
c. As Paul later wrote, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31
B. SOME USE THIS SAME EXCUSE TODAY
1. Trying to excuse ourselves by believing that we are insufficient for the task
a. It is true that by ourselves that we are insufficient
b. But God can make us sufficient
– Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, (6) who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. – 2 Corinthians 3:5-6
c. Look what He did with the apostles!
– Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. – Acts 4:13
2. Through Jesus, God has provided us the same assurance given Moses – Matthew 28:20
3. With His help, we can accomplish anything He wants us to do! – Philippians 4:13
4. As will be apparent later, any excuse for not doing what the Lord has called us to do is simply a smokescreen. So it was with Moses, and we find him quickly coming up with another excuse.
II. “WHAT SHALL I SAY?”
A. THIS EXCUSE IS FOUND IN EXODUS 3:13
1. Moses knew that should he go to the children of Israel, there were bound to be questions.
a. Such as, “Who is this God who sent you to us?”
b. And perhaps, “Why are we to leave this country we have come to consider our home for over 400 years?”
c. Moses expresses inadequacy in knowing what to say
2. Again, God’s response was quick
a. “Thus you shall say…” – Exodus 3:14-15
b. God tells Moses what he needs to say in response to their questions
B. AGAIN, A SIMILAR EXCUSE IS SOMETIMES GIVEN TODAY
1. We try to excuse ourselves by saying that our knowledge is inadequate
2. But God has told us what to say
a. It is really quite simple – cf. Mark 16:15-16
b. How simple? – cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2:2
3. And so, as with Moses, we have no reason for saying “what shall I say?” As we return to Moses, we see that despite God instructing him what to say, he soon raises a third objection.
III. “SUPPOSE THEY WILL NOT BELIEVE ME?”
A. THIS EXCUSE IS FOUND IN EXODUS 4:1…
1. Now that he knows what to say, he balks at the idea that the people may not listen
a. Is he afraid of failing?
b. Has he already forgotten that God will be with him?
2. God responds by equipping him with several convincing proofs
a. The ROD, which turns into a serpent – Exodus 4:2-5
b. His OWN HAND, which turns into leprosy – Exodus 4:6-8
c. The WATER, which will turn to blood when dropped on the dry ground – Exodus 4:9
B. SOME HESITATE TO SHARE THE GOSPEL FOR THE SAME REASON
1. The fear of failure keeps them from trying
2. But just as God gave Moses convincing proofs, so He has given us the evidences necessary to convince the honest and sincere person.
a. The Word of God, able to produce faith – Romans 10:17; John 20:30-31
b. Especially its evidences concerning the resurrection of Christ, fulfilled prophecy, etc.
3. With such aids, we cannot justify our inactivity in sharing the gospel with others
4. You would think by now Moses would accept the call; but a fourth excuse is quickly given.
IV. “I AM SLOW OF SPEECH AND SLOW OF TONGUE”
A. WE FIND THIS EXCUSE IN EXODUS 4:10…
1. Moses claims that he is not an eloquent speaker
2. But God is not moved by this objection…
a. He already knows the inability of those He calls – Exodus 4:11
b. But He is able to make up for anyone’s shortcomings
1) Again, promising to be with Moses – Exodus 4:12
2) He had even arranged for Aaron to be Moses’ mouthpiece – Exodus 4:14-16 (who was sent earlier so as to arrive about this time – Exodus 4:27)
B. SOME CHRISTIANS TRY TO USE THIS EXCUSE AS WELL
1. But it did not stop the apostle Paul – cf. 1 Corinthians 2:1,3-4
2. It has not stopped others
a. I know of some who overcame speech impediments to become preachers
b. I know of one who despite stammering would preach any opportunity he could
3. At the very least, we can make use of those who can speak by arranging studies for them with others (as did Cornelius – Acts 10:24,33)
4. We have considered four excuses that Moses gave; but as mentioned earlier, they were really smokescreens. The true reason for all these excuses is revealed in Exodus 4:13
V. “PLEASE SEND…WHOMEVER ELSE YOU MAY SEND”
A. MOSES SIMPLY DID NOT WANT TO GO!
1. The previous excuses were simply a smokescreen attempt to hide this fact!
2. Now that the smokescreen is removed, God’s impatience with Moses becomes evident
a. His anger was kindled against Moses – Exodus 4:14a
b. Read Exodus 4:15-17 with an emphasis on the word “shall” to appreciate the anger of the Lord
B. BRETHREN, THE SAME IS TRUE WITH US TODAY!
1. Any and every excuse we could offer is only a smokescreen
2. We really would rather that God use someone else!
3. We really don’t want to do what God has called us to do!
4. But brethren, the anger of the Lord is kindled against those who do not live up to their calling!
5. If we have been making excuses, we need to repent!
Conclusion
1. With Moses, we know the rest of the story
a. He answered the call, and went to Egypt
b. With the help of God, he delivered the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage
2. But what about us? What will be the rest of our story?
a. Shall we heed the call to preach the gospel to the lost?
b. Or shall we make excuses and one day suffer the wrath of God?
c. Only time will tell, but I pray that I encouraged all not to make excuses
3. What about the call to obey the gospel of Christ? Are you making excuses for not responding as you know you should?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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