Beyond Ourselves Exodus 3-4

“The American dream prizes what people can accomplish when they believe in themselves and trust in themselves, and we are drawn toward such thinking. But the gospel has different priorities. The gospel beckons us to die to ourselves and to believe in God and to trust in his power.” – David Platt, Radical, page 46

Disciples always fail on their own. Disciples always fail on their own. John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Disciples always fail on their own. Disciples always fail on their own. We are called to attempt great things We are called to attempt great things "Expect great things from God; Attempt great things for God" Attempt great things for God" — William Carey — William Carey

Reasons we stay in our comfort zone. “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:10) 11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” #1 I can’t do it.

Reasons we stay in our comfort zone. 12 And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” #1 I can’t do it. God’s Reply: You’re right!

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.”

“This is how God works. He puts his people in positions where they are desperate for his power, and then he shows his provision in ways that display his greatness.” – David Platt, Radical, page 48.

Reasons we stay in our comfort zone. 13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" #2 I’m not spiritual enough.

Reasons we stay in our comfort zone. 14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" 15 God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers-- the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob-- has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.” #2 I’m not spiritual enough. God’s Reply: God reveals himself.

“In direct contradiction to the American dream, God actually delights in exalting our inability. He intentionally puts his people in situations where they come face to face with their need for him. In the process he powerfully demonstrates his ability to provide everything his people need in ways they could never have mustered up or imagined. In the end, he makes much of his own name.” David Platt, Radical, page 47

Reasons we stay in our comfort zone. 4:1 Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?" #3 They won’t believe me.

Reasons we stay in our comfort zone. Then the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" "A staff," he replied. 3 The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground." Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. Exodus 4:2-3 Exodus 4:2-3 #3 They won’t believe me. God displays his power.

Reasons we stay in our comfort zone. “Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” Exodus 4:10 “ Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.” Acts 7:22. #4 I don’t have the right gifts.

Reasons we stay in our comfort zone. The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." #4 I don’t have the right gifts. God’s Reply: I created you.

Reasons we stay in our comfort zone. 13 But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." #5 Someone else can do it.

Reasons we stay in our comfort zone. 14 Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it." 14 Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it."

Reasons we stay in our comfort zone. #5 Someone else can do it. God’s Reply: He is angry but sends help.

Do you need God? “The question for us, then, is whether we trust in his power. And the problem for us is that in our culture we are tempted at every turn to trust in our own power instead. So the challenge for us is to live in such a way that we are radically dependent on and desperate for the power that only God can supply.” David Platt, Radical, page 45.