Schooled – Moses And The Burning Bush
October 1, 2022

Exodus 3:4-10
Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.

FUNNY EXCUSES FROM PEOPLE

The pedestrian had no idea which direction to run, so I ran over him.

I know I was going fast; I was trying to get the snow off my windshield so I could see where I’m going.

My wife ran off with a state policeman and when I saw your flashing lights I didn’t stop because for a second, I thought you might be the trooper who is trying to bring her back to me.

“But Moses Said”
5 Excuses (But’s)

Excuse #1
Exodus 3:11
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
“I’m Not Capable”

40 Years Old – 80 Years Old
Self-Appointed – God Anointed
Self-Confident – God Confidence
Focus of Self – Focus of God

“Godfidence”

God’s Response
Exodus 3:12
So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

It’s Not About You
It’s About Who’s With You

Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Excuse #2
Exodus 3:13
Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?”
“I Don’t Know Enough”

God’s Response
And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

“I Am” Who “I Am”
Hebrew Understanding
“Ever and All Becoming One”
“I AM” Present Tense

Exodus 3:21-22
And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed. But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.

Excuse #3
Exodus 4:1
Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ ”
“I’m Fearful of What People May Think”

The “Fear of Man” is the greatest hindrance to doing the will of God

Jeremiah 1:7-8
But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.

God’s Response
Exodus 4:2
So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.”

Place An Ordinary Stick In The Hands Of An Extraordinary God
Don’t Look At Man (Your Ability)
Look In Your Hand (God’s Ability)

Excuse #4
Exodus 4:10
Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
“I’m Unqualified”

Acts 7:21-22
But when he was set out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.

Lack of Confidence

God’s Response
Exodus 4:11-12
So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”

“I Don’t Call The Qualified”
“I Qualify the Called”

Excuse #5
Exodus 4:13
But he (Moses) said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.”
“God Send Someone, Just Not This ‘Someone’”

Lord, Change The World But Don’t Change Me

“An excuse is a skin of a reason stuffed with a lie.”
Billy Sunday

I’m Not Capable…. He Is
I Don’t Know Enough… He Will Teach Me
I’m Fearful… He Will Focus Me
I Unqualified… He Qualified Me
Don’t Change Me… Lord Change Me