NOBODY’S PERFECT (SERIES) WHAT’S YOUR EXCUSE? EXODUS 3-4

REVIEW ABRAHAM JOSEPH JACOB

I. MOSES AND HIS PREPARATION – A BABY IN A BASKET – A BOY IN PHARAOH’S COURT – A STUDENT IN EGYPT’S UNIVERSITY – A YOUNG MAN MAKING CHOICES – A SHEPHERD IN THE SINAI PENINSULA

Moses seemed to understand that there was more to life than just doing his own thing. Deep down he seemed to know God had something for him – but when the time came to do it – he made excuses!

II. MOSES AND HIS CONFRONTATION

GOD NEEDED TO GET MOSES’ ATTENTION – AND HE DID “Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and as he looked at it, the bush was not consumed…” Exodus 3:1-3

GOD NEEDED TO COMMUNICATE LOVE AND GRACE AND HE DID! “When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush, and said, “Moses, Moses!” Exodus 3:4

GOD NEEDED TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF TO MOSES – AND HE DID “Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove our sandals from your feet, for the land on which you are standing is holy ground.” He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Exodus 3:5,6

GOD NEEDED TO COMMUNICATE HIS PLAN TO MOSES – AND HE DID “And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a land flowing with milk and honey…Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you can bring my people…out of Egypt.” Exodus 3:7-8,10

III. MOSES AND HIS CONTENTIONS 5 EXCUSES GIVEN TO AVOID GOD’S PLAN FOR HIS LIFE

EXCUSE # 1 I AM A NOBODY! “But Moses said to God, “WHO AM I, that I should go to Pharaoh…? Exodus 3:11 God’s response: “Certainly, I will be with you…” Exodus 3:12

EXCUSE #2 I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHO YOU ARE! WHO ARE YOU? “If they ask me who you are, what shall I say to them? Exodus 3:13 GOD’S RESPONSE: “I AM WHO I AM!” Exodus 3:14

EXCUSE #3 THEY WON’T BELIEVE ME! “What if they don’t believe me?” Exodus 4:1 GOD’S RESPONSE: 3 signs: Exodus 4:2-9 A rod that became a snake Moses’ hand became leprous Water which would become blood

EXCUSE #4 I CAN’T TALK! “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent – not now nor in the past…” Exodus 4:10 GOD’S RESPONSE “Who has made man’s mouth…Is it not I, the LORD? Now, go, and I will be with your mouth…” Exodus 4:11-12

EXCUSE #5 I JUST DON’T WANT TO GO!!! “Please, Lord, send the message by someone else…” Exodus 4:13 GOD’S RESPONSE “Then the anger of the Lord burned against Moses…I will send your brother Aaron…” Exodus 4:14

TRUTH FOR OUR LIVES TODAY The bush is still burning in that God is still trying to get man’s attention today – He is still calling us as His people to do His will!

TRUTH FOR OUR LIVES TODAY God is not impressed by our excuses – He has heard them all and yet He still gives us the opportunity to do His will. Just because we make an excuse, does not mean that we are excused!

TRUTH FOR OUR LIVES TODAY God, Himself, is all we need for whatever we face and He makes Himself available to each one of us today!