[0.00 --> 6.60] So today, I don't get to preach every week, of course. [6.70 --> 8.14] I kind of come and go a little bit. [8.20 --> 11.24] Every few weeks I pop up here, and so it's hard to maybe get some rhythm in, [11.28 --> 13.86] so I have to think of what I'm going to preach on kind of sporadically. [14.00 --> 16.60] And today I knew that the kids were going to be doing Moses in the Burning Bush, [16.66 --> 18.98] so I thought, hey, why not just do the same thing? [19.22 --> 21.28] Why try to think too creatively about it? [21.28 --> 23.12] It's a really, really big story. [23.12 --> 26.20] It's one that we've all heard before because we just did it a second ago, [26.20 --> 29.82] and I thought, you know what, let's dig into it a little bit further. [30.26 --> 33.94] So we're going to do this without the help of a wrinkly blue old dog at the end of my arm, [34.36 --> 36.68] and we're going to look at this passage right now. [37.26 --> 41.82] It is a bit of a fascinating story, and it's a bit of a big story as well. [42.74 --> 47.30] But even though it is a popular story and a big story, there is a ton to unpack in it, [47.84 --> 50.66] and so I thought that we could spend some time looking at that today. [50.66 --> 57.34] There's enough in this passage, actually, that you could spend weeks and weeks and weeks on it, [58.34 --> 61.28] but we don't have weeks and weeks and weeks, so we're just going to really dig in for, [61.48 --> 64.78] we're going to spend the next few hours just, you know, tackling Moses here. [64.98 --> 67.48] So, just kidding, it's like barely over an hour. [68.78 --> 73.14] My hope is that you can find in this familiar story something new and something creative. [73.32 --> 75.52] I'm hearing a real high. Is that my mic? [76.30 --> 79.02] It's my voice? Okay, Eric's just shaking his head. [79.02 --> 82.16] We might just have to deal with a little bit of technical difficulty. Sorry about that. [83.46 --> 86.74] So, on the screen behind me, if you've got your Bibles in front of you, open up. [86.76 --> 91.06] We're going to look at Exodus 3, the first 12 verses of Exodus 3 today. [91.78 --> 94.70] You'll notice if you do open your Bibles, the story's much longer than that, [94.78 --> 97.24] but like I said, we're just going to hone in on sort of these first 12 verses, [97.36 --> 99.04] because there's enough there for us to look at. [99.86 --> 102.44] So, Exodus 3, the first 12 verses, it says this. [103.44 --> 108.86] Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. [109.02 --> 114.90] And he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. [115.80 --> 120.12] There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. [121.12 --> 125.06] Moses saw that though the bush was on fire, it did not burn up. [125.88 --> 129.04] So Moses thought, I will go over and see this strange sight. [129.12 --> 130.34] Why the bush does not burn up? [130.34 --> 135.16] When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, [135.68 --> 137.60] Moses, Moses. [138.80 --> 141.50] And Moses said, here I am. [142.64 --> 144.80] Do not come any closer, God said. [144.90 --> 148.66] Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. [149.92 --> 152.02] Then he said, I am the God of your father, [152.48 --> 155.46] the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. [155.46 --> 161.88] At this, Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God. [163.08 --> 166.52] The Lord said, I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. [166.64 --> 169.00] I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, [169.20 --> 170.90] and I am concerned about their suffering. [171.02 --> 174.22] So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians [174.22 --> 178.98] and to bring them out of that land into a good and spacious land, [179.30 --> 181.78] a land flowing with milk and honey, [182.68 --> 187.44] the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. [189.08 --> 191.32] And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, [191.36 --> 193.74] and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. [194.40 --> 199.60] So now go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt. [199.60 --> 205.32] But Moses said to God, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? [206.28 --> 208.36] And God said, I will be with you, [208.80 --> 212.32] and this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you. [212.90 --> 214.74] When you have brought the people out of Egypt, [215.14 --> 218.38] you will worship God on this mountain. [219.08 --> 220.14] The word of the Lord. [222.48 --> 224.46] Now, as with everything in the Bible, [224.80 --> 228.18] this is a little story in the midst of a giant story. [228.18 --> 232.62] And while the burning bush story sort of stands on its own in terms of intrigue [232.62 --> 234.04] and in terms of magnitude, [234.04 --> 237.80] it's placed in this grand narrative of Scripture. [238.20 --> 241.80] And it's important to be reminded, or perhaps even hear for the first time, [242.22 --> 246.62] how this event fits into this big story of Scripture. [247.26 --> 248.40] And so, strap yourselves in. [248.62 --> 251.70] I'm going to get us there in about 400 words or less, [251.88 --> 253.02] how the Bible gets us here. [253.10 --> 256.80] So, as you've been hearing with Pastor Burt over the past few weeks, [256.80 --> 258.50] we've been talking about this man, Joseph. [258.90 --> 263.26] Well, this story takes place right after the story of Joseph in the Bible. [263.64 --> 266.52] And without purposefully ruining the end of Pastor Burt's sermon series, [267.02 --> 269.98] Joseph, who is the son of Jacob, who is the son of Isaac, [270.10 --> 272.78] who is the son of Abraham, gets sold into slavery [272.78 --> 276.00] and eventually becomes this high-ranking official in Egypt. [277.10 --> 279.82] After he interprets this dream of Pharaoh teaching, [279.96 --> 282.84] or prophesying, sorry, about this famine that's going to be hitting Egypt, [282.84 --> 286.60] he gets put in charge of all of the harvest [286.60 --> 288.60] and of all of the food within Egypt, [288.72 --> 291.56] making sure that Egypt will be in a good place when this famine hits. [292.02 --> 294.56] Now, because of this famine, Joseph's extended family, [294.72 --> 296.20] which was about 70 people, [296.64 --> 300.08] actually moves to Egypt for all the food that is there. [300.24 --> 301.92] And they end up reuniting with Joseph [301.92 --> 304.78] and living there for a very long time. [305.54 --> 307.34] Now, while in the Bible the story of Moses [307.34 --> 309.14] immediately follows the story of Joseph, [309.14 --> 312.20] in fact, about 400 years go by. [312.72 --> 315.46] And in that time, numerous generations, of course, pass. [315.54 --> 317.60] And over the course of those 400 years, [318.04 --> 322.34] Joseph's family of 70 grows massively. [322.88 --> 324.96] In 400 years, that family of 70 [324.96 --> 329.96] grows to a family of 600,000 soldier-aged men, [330.60 --> 333.76] which we read about in Exodus 12, verse 37. [334.50 --> 337.96] So that's 600,000 soldier-aged men. [337.96 --> 340.50] And if you included the women and the children [340.50 --> 342.28] and the non-soldier-aged men, [342.46 --> 344.00] we're talking about a group of people [344.00 --> 346.18] that's probably well over 2 million. [346.50 --> 349.02] That's a lot, and that is a very fertile family. [349.94 --> 351.28] Now, over that time, [351.46 --> 353.50] pharaohs have also come and gone, of course. [353.84 --> 356.62] And eventually, they kind of forget about Joseph [356.62 --> 357.70] and all he did for them. [357.74 --> 359.06] And they forget about this family [359.06 --> 362.06] that's now grown into this giant number of people. [362.36 --> 363.94] They grow increasingly worried [363.94 --> 365.50] and end up enslaving them [365.50 --> 368.06] and eventually command that all Hebrew boys [368.06 --> 370.60] that are born be cast into the Nile River and killed. [371.26 --> 373.44] Well, Moses is born in that time. [373.94 --> 375.28] And Moses' mother saves him [375.28 --> 376.28] by putting him in a basket, [376.42 --> 377.40] floating him down the river. [377.50 --> 379.62] He eventually gets adopted by pharaoh's daughter, [379.96 --> 381.14] gets to live in the palace, [381.54 --> 382.26] learn their customs. [382.34 --> 384.48] But one day, he sees a Hebrew man [384.48 --> 386.44] being treated poorly by an Egyptian soldier. [386.44 --> 388.36] So he kills the Egyptian soldier, [388.84 --> 390.42] gets called out for it, and flees. [391.10 --> 392.10] And now he's on the run. [392.52 --> 394.86] He's a shepherd for his father-in-law, [395.04 --> 397.24] and he's been in the wilderness for a long time. [397.44 --> 400.08] And then he sees a burning bush. [400.56 --> 403.28] And that is the text that we are in today. [404.50 --> 407.08] So interestingly, the years of Moses' life, [407.18 --> 409.58] they're divided into three 40-year chunks. [409.70 --> 411.62] It worked out quite perfectly for him, actually. [411.62 --> 413.20] So the first 40 years, [413.30 --> 415.26] he spends in the palace in Egypt. [415.52 --> 417.34] Then he kills that man, and he flees. [417.40 --> 418.42] In the next 40 years, [418.42 --> 421.54] he is a shepherd in the wilderness in Midian. [421.84 --> 423.58] And the third starts with this passage. [423.68 --> 424.60] He sees this bush, [424.84 --> 425.84] and he eventually goes [425.84 --> 428.76] and helps lead the Israelites out of Egypt. [429.18 --> 430.22] That's how it's broken down. [430.30 --> 431.72] Now, it's interesting, though, [431.76 --> 437.46] because Moses was born to be Israel's deliverer. [437.80 --> 440.18] He was born to help lead them out of the Promised Land. [440.18 --> 444.12] And yet, not a word of that is mentioned to him [444.12 --> 446.50] until he's 80 years old. [446.50 --> 448.92] As we continue through this story, [449.00 --> 449.78] remember that nugget, [449.86 --> 450.86] because that's very important. [451.90 --> 453.22] The other interesting note [453.22 --> 454.84] before we really dig into this text [454.84 --> 458.38] is the location that this story takes place. [459.26 --> 460.88] Verse 12 of our text tells us this. [461.54 --> 463.66] But the mountain where Moses was, [463.74 --> 465.32] where this burning bush story takes place, [465.38 --> 466.24] is the same mountain [466.24 --> 467.92] that Moses will later receive [467.92 --> 470.00] the Ten Commandments from God, [470.18 --> 471.08] and the same mountain [471.08 --> 472.74] that the Israelites will worship God. [473.56 --> 475.38] Some details like that slip through sometimes [475.38 --> 476.14] when we hear these stories, [476.20 --> 477.04] but I found that fascinating [477.04 --> 478.50] that God uses this place [478.50 --> 480.44] as sort of a central hub [480.44 --> 482.06] for a lot of the different things that he does. [483.08 --> 484.26] Now to the text at hand. [484.32 --> 486.56] There's two characteristics of God [486.56 --> 488.50] that come out of this encounter [488.50 --> 491.66] that deserve our attention today. [492.42 --> 493.12] And so we're going to look [493.12 --> 494.68] at these two characteristics now. [495.12 --> 499.30] The first characteristic of God [499.30 --> 500.66] that comes from this passage [500.66 --> 503.36] is the power of God. [504.68 --> 506.12] It's God's power. [507.08 --> 508.18] God appears to Moses [508.18 --> 509.50] in the form of a burning bush. [509.86 --> 510.70] Now throughout the Bible, [511.10 --> 512.38] God uses fire and smoke [512.38 --> 513.90] to symbolize his presence. [514.36 --> 515.48] Even nowadays, of course, [515.58 --> 517.08] we will light candles [517.08 --> 518.70] to symbolize Christ's presence [518.70 --> 520.16] or the Holy Spirit's presence [520.16 --> 520.86] in our service. [521.46 --> 522.70] But here in this story, [522.78 --> 524.88] this is much, much more [524.88 --> 526.12] than a symbol. [526.12 --> 529.80] This was God present [529.80 --> 531.54] in the burning bush. [532.70 --> 533.86] Now if you read your text, [533.94 --> 535.48] it might seem a bit confusing at first [535.48 --> 536.58] because verse 2 says [536.58 --> 537.62] that an angel of the Lord [537.62 --> 538.84] appeared to Moses in the bush. [539.10 --> 540.20] But then right after that, [540.28 --> 540.80] in verse 4, [540.86 --> 542.32] it says that God called out [542.32 --> 543.14] from the bush. [543.88 --> 545.42] Now it's important to note this too, [545.50 --> 546.96] just to clarify that a little bit. [547.18 --> 548.46] In the early Old Testament, [548.86 --> 549.52] in the early, [549.62 --> 550.54] the Pentateuch especially, [550.98 --> 552.52] angels were not simply [552.52 --> 554.14] just messengers. [554.14 --> 556.38] They weren't just messengers [556.38 --> 558.06] delivering a message from God. [558.52 --> 559.28] But in fact, [559.36 --> 560.16] they were entities [560.16 --> 562.00] that embodied the living God. [562.86 --> 565.06] God came down to his people [565.06 --> 567.02] in the presence of an angel [567.02 --> 568.30] elsewhere in the Old Testament too, [568.34 --> 569.22] like when God called down [569.22 --> 570.74] to Hagar in Genesis 21, [570.96 --> 572.34] or when God wrestled Jacob [572.34 --> 573.40] in Genesis 32, [573.70 --> 575.32] or when God spoke to Gideon [575.32 --> 576.50] in Judges 6. [576.64 --> 578.08] So this is the same thing here. [578.28 --> 580.80] This is God present in the bush. [581.06 --> 581.74] Nothing else. [582.02 --> 583.10] Nothing less than that. [585.14 --> 586.50] So we've got God in the bush. [586.58 --> 587.56] He calls Moses over, [587.64 --> 588.64] and then they've got this dialogue. [588.82 --> 589.98] And read this with me right now. [590.26 --> 591.56] Look at verses 4 to 6. [591.98 --> 592.58] God calls out. [592.62 --> 592.82] He says, [592.92 --> 593.90] Moses, Moses. [594.40 --> 595.34] Then Moses replies, [595.42 --> 595.94] Here I am. [596.82 --> 597.34] And God says, [597.40 --> 598.24] Don't come any closer. [600.08 --> 601.30] Take off your sandals, [601.52 --> 602.86] for the place where you're standing [602.86 --> 603.84] is holy ground. [605.22 --> 605.94] That's interesting. [606.72 --> 607.60] God then goes on, [607.64 --> 608.00] and he says, [608.08 --> 609.48] I am the God of your father, [609.48 --> 610.78] the God of Abraham, [611.02 --> 611.70] the God of Isaac, [611.80 --> 612.50] the God of Jacob. [612.50 --> 614.82] And after God says this to Moses, [615.88 --> 618.62] Moses hides his face from him. [619.96 --> 620.48] Why? [622.52 --> 623.60] The text tells us [623.60 --> 624.94] it's not in reverence to God. [625.54 --> 627.46] It's not because of shame. [627.60 --> 629.74] It's not because of guilt of past sins [629.74 --> 631.04] that he's committed. [632.04 --> 634.40] It's because he feared God. [634.48 --> 636.84] He feared to look at God. [637.74 --> 638.54] This was not guilt. [638.68 --> 639.60] This was not shame. [640.24 --> 641.28] This was fear [641.28 --> 643.70] that caused Moses to hide his face. [644.48 --> 645.32] This is huge. [645.40 --> 646.40] This is a big detail. [646.80 --> 648.18] There's a parallel story in the Bible, [648.32 --> 649.26] Isaiah chapter 6, [649.42 --> 651.74] where God calls out to Isaiah in a vision. [652.02 --> 653.50] And it's a very similar situation, [653.60 --> 654.36] just like this story. [654.70 --> 656.06] Isaiah turns his face [656.06 --> 657.74] from God in that story. [658.44 --> 659.52] But in Isaiah's case, [659.66 --> 661.26] it's because he feels unworthy. [661.88 --> 662.92] It's because he feels [662.92 --> 664.30] that he is too sinful. [664.30 --> 666.26] He is unable to look at God [666.26 --> 667.36] because of the sins [667.36 --> 668.16] that he has committed. [668.78 --> 670.92] And then God touches Isaiah's lips [670.92 --> 671.54] and says, [671.98 --> 673.28] your guilt is taken away. [673.68 --> 675.76] Your sin is atoned for. [677.52 --> 678.86] In fact, sin and guilt [678.86 --> 680.98] are often the first thing acknowledged [680.98 --> 682.80] when the living God [682.80 --> 684.12] interacts with his people. [684.80 --> 685.62] If you think about Jesus [685.62 --> 686.54] when he walked this earth, [686.82 --> 689.18] how often before he heals someone [689.18 --> 690.62] or while he's healing someone, [690.76 --> 693.08] is he also forgiving their sins? [694.30 --> 695.06] Constantly. [697.52 --> 699.20] But that's not here in this story. [700.38 --> 701.04] Notice that? [701.88 --> 702.24] Now remember, [702.34 --> 703.60] Moses is very guilty of sin, [703.76 --> 705.04] the least of which is murder. [706.10 --> 707.38] And that's why he finds himself [707.38 --> 708.44] in this neck of the woods anyways. [708.58 --> 709.74] But this is not guilt or shame [709.74 --> 710.60] that he's hiding its face. [710.66 --> 714.20] It's because he is afraid of God. [715.14 --> 716.68] Moral demand and forgiveness [716.68 --> 719.02] play little to no role [719.02 --> 721.80] in this encounter with God. [722.94 --> 723.78] So here, [724.48 --> 728.44] God's not portrayed as love or justice, [729.36 --> 731.40] but he's portrayed as power. [732.76 --> 733.90] Now of course God is love [733.90 --> 735.14] and of course God is just. [735.24 --> 736.24] That's not to minimize that. [736.24 --> 737.10] But right here, [737.18 --> 738.82] those characteristics aren't spoken of, [739.14 --> 741.12] but his power is. [743.10 --> 743.54] Moses, [744.00 --> 746.76] standing in the powerful presence of God, [746.76 --> 748.14] has to take his sandals off [748.14 --> 749.64] and hide his face. [751.84 --> 753.18] Now the power of God [753.18 --> 754.72] is definitely a constant theme [754.72 --> 755.20] in the Bible, [755.20 --> 756.38] but I think it's actually one [756.38 --> 758.34] that we often brush aside. [759.96 --> 761.98] Perhaps it's because it's [761.98 --> 762.90] incomprehensible. [763.56 --> 764.46] Perhaps because [764.46 --> 766.70] it's less attractive to us [766.70 --> 767.54] than love [767.54 --> 767.94] or [767.94 --> 769.52] or his mercy. [769.92 --> 770.94] Those ones we like, [771.10 --> 771.84] they're attractive. [771.98 --> 773.06] We can relate to those. [773.06 --> 773.82] But his power? [774.90 --> 775.84] Not so much. [777.96 --> 779.34] We can't truly grasp [779.34 --> 779.88] the magnitude [779.88 --> 781.48] of any of God's characteristics, [781.74 --> 781.84] though, [781.88 --> 782.96] unless we understand [782.96 --> 783.68] God's power. [784.74 --> 785.42] God's grace, [785.54 --> 786.04] God's mercy, [786.14 --> 786.80] God's justice, [786.96 --> 788.40] they are all predicated [788.40 --> 789.76] on this very power [789.76 --> 790.92] that God possesses. [791.82 --> 792.62] His grace, [792.76 --> 793.24] his mercy, [793.32 --> 793.88] his justice, [794.18 --> 794.88] none of them [794.88 --> 796.22] hold up to anything [796.22 --> 797.56] if it weren't [797.56 --> 799.18] for God's power. [800.32 --> 801.80] And Moses got that. [803.06 --> 803.94] So he was afraid. [805.96 --> 807.12] The distance between [807.12 --> 808.12] God and man here [808.12 --> 808.78] is highlighted [808.78 --> 809.52] in this encounter [809.52 --> 810.26] and that distance [810.26 --> 811.36] is measured [811.36 --> 812.34] by power. [812.66 --> 813.74] Now all of us today, [814.82 --> 816.20] this is applicable to us [816.20 --> 817.20] because in our approaches [817.20 --> 817.66] to God, [817.76 --> 818.40] in our approaches [818.40 --> 819.30] to other man, [819.82 --> 821.00] it's going to behoove us [821.00 --> 821.66] all to remember [821.66 --> 823.26] that infinite distance [823.26 --> 824.48] that exists [824.48 --> 825.84] in the power [825.84 --> 827.78] between us and God. [829.12 --> 830.08] I think we can so easily [830.08 --> 830.90] call God friend, [831.02 --> 831.72] we can so easily [831.72 --> 832.72] call God our father, [832.72 --> 833.38] our savior, [833.76 --> 835.12] we so easily blame him [835.12 --> 836.30] when things are going wrong, [836.44 --> 837.40] we get mad at him [837.40 --> 838.54] when we don't get our way, [838.72 --> 839.54] we get frustrated [839.54 --> 840.22] when we don't understand [840.22 --> 840.82] what's happening, [841.00 --> 842.10] but how often [842.10 --> 843.20] do we sit [843.20 --> 844.50] and tremble [844.50 --> 846.46] at the reality [846.46 --> 847.36] that God [847.36 --> 850.10] is so much [850.10 --> 852.28] more infinitely powerful [852.28 --> 854.06] than any of us? [854.06 --> 856.92] and in a culture [856.92 --> 858.44] that teaches us [858.44 --> 859.14] that we are [859.14 --> 860.38] our own gods, [861.06 --> 863.42] this is incredibly important [863.42 --> 864.34] for us to remember. [866.38 --> 867.82] So that's the first characteristic. [868.00 --> 868.74] God is powerful. [869.22 --> 869.94] What's beautiful [869.94 --> 870.96] in this passage though [870.96 --> 872.28] is that in [872.28 --> 873.52] his infinite [873.52 --> 874.68] and ultimate power, [874.94 --> 876.62] we see a second characteristic [876.62 --> 878.20] come to the top [878.20 --> 879.32] and shine through. [879.32 --> 881.52] And this is a characteristic [881.52 --> 882.74] that often doesn't [882.74 --> 884.18] accompany power. [885.78 --> 886.68] And that is that [886.68 --> 887.84] God is concerned [887.84 --> 889.76] for his people. [891.42 --> 892.90] That's the sole reason [892.90 --> 893.66] for this encounter [893.66 --> 894.38] in the first place. [894.84 --> 896.46] God was concerned [896.46 --> 897.78] for his people. [899.30 --> 900.86] Just before this passage, [901.06 --> 902.18] the last three verses [902.18 --> 903.20] in Exodus 2, [903.40 --> 904.76] there's four terms used [904.76 --> 908.26] to describe God's response [908.26 --> 909.16] to his people's suffering. [909.68 --> 910.44] So if you've got your Bibles, [910.54 --> 911.16] you can look at that too. [911.22 --> 912.58] Exodus 2, 23 to 25. [912.90 --> 913.52] God heard [913.52 --> 914.94] his people's groaning. [915.34 --> 916.18] He remembered [916.18 --> 917.62] his promises to them. [917.70 --> 918.34] He saw [918.34 --> 919.34] their suffering [919.34 --> 920.46] and he knew [920.46 --> 921.46] they needed saving. [922.46 --> 923.16] God heard, [923.38 --> 923.86] remembered, [924.24 --> 924.52] saw, [924.68 --> 925.14] and knew. [925.70 --> 926.62] And then in this text [926.62 --> 927.56] that we read to today, [928.08 --> 928.60] God [928.60 --> 931.66] uses the same language. [932.82 --> 933.38] You can read that [933.38 --> 934.36] in verse 7 [934.36 --> 935.24] through 10. [935.34 --> 936.22] God saw the misery [936.22 --> 936.76] of his people. [936.98 --> 938.24] He heard them crying out. [939.12 --> 940.20] The people's cries [940.20 --> 940.74] reached him [940.74 --> 941.28] and he saw [941.28 --> 942.18] how they were being oppressed. [942.52 --> 943.86] So because God saw this, [944.06 --> 945.26] he remembered his people [945.26 --> 946.52] and he tells Moses [946.52 --> 947.32] that he has come down [947.32 --> 948.00] to save him. [949.48 --> 950.16] All of this [950.16 --> 951.00] because he is concerned [951.00 --> 951.64] for his people. [953.48 --> 954.46] And the result [954.46 --> 955.40] of his concern [955.40 --> 956.66] are the words [956.66 --> 957.80] of Exodus 3, [957.98 --> 959.20] verse 8 [959.20 --> 960.58] in our text today. [961.18 --> 964.08] I have come down. [965.36 --> 966.36] God had come down [966.36 --> 966.96] to his people [966.96 --> 968.10] and he was about [968.10 --> 969.84] to divinely intervene [969.84 --> 971.64] to get them out of Egypt [971.64 --> 972.80] and into the promised land. [974.08 --> 974.86] And then do you know [974.86 --> 975.84] how the story goes from there? [976.64 --> 977.84] God does come down. [978.52 --> 979.42] He saves his people [979.42 --> 979.88] from Egypt. [980.00 --> 980.74] He leads them [980.74 --> 981.94] to the promised land [981.94 --> 983.16] and establishes them there. [983.92 --> 984.92] And then generations [984.92 --> 985.74] go by [985.74 --> 987.34] and the generations [987.34 --> 988.46] come and they go [988.46 --> 989.30] and God's people, [989.50 --> 990.56] while they're stubborn, [990.56 --> 992.46] they would disobey God [992.46 --> 993.66] and God's calling [993.66 --> 994.42] on their lives. [994.50 --> 995.12] They would sin [995.12 --> 996.22] and they would worship idols [996.22 --> 997.04] and they would bow down [997.04 --> 997.74] to false gods [997.74 --> 999.04] and they would take over [999.04 --> 999.56] the customs [999.56 --> 1000.84] of the people around them. [1000.96 --> 1001.84] So much so that [1001.84 --> 1002.66] it gets really bad. [1002.72 --> 1003.62] They start sacrificing [1003.62 --> 1004.46] their own children [1004.46 --> 1006.00] to these false gods. [1006.20 --> 1007.46] And it gets really, [1007.66 --> 1008.94] really bad. [1010.68 --> 1011.84] And God's watching [1011.84 --> 1012.94] the whole time. [1013.94 --> 1014.70] And he would always [1014.70 --> 1015.28] be listening. [1016.34 --> 1017.56] He'd always be speaking [1017.56 --> 1018.10] to them, [1018.52 --> 1019.68] telling them to turn to him. [1021.24 --> 1022.08] But they don't. [1023.68 --> 1024.50] And they suffer [1024.50 --> 1026.48] again and again. [1026.84 --> 1027.76] They become captives. [1027.98 --> 1028.80] They become captives [1028.80 --> 1029.42] to Assyria. [1029.50 --> 1030.30] They become captives [1030.30 --> 1030.84] to Babylon. [1031.10 --> 1031.82] They become captives [1031.82 --> 1032.44] to Persia. [1034.06 --> 1034.98] Until one day, [1036.84 --> 1037.80] God's concern [1037.80 --> 1039.94] culminates [1039.94 --> 1041.94] in Bethlehem [1041.94 --> 1043.44] where once again [1043.44 --> 1044.28] he comes down [1044.28 --> 1045.98] as a baby this time, [1046.06 --> 1046.94] not in a burning bush, [1046.94 --> 1048.48] but with the same intentions, [1048.60 --> 1050.36] to save his people. [1052.72 --> 1054.62] This baby is born, [1054.70 --> 1055.42] the Son of God, [1055.46 --> 1056.48] who grows into this man, [1056.54 --> 1057.44] who dies on a cross [1057.44 --> 1058.64] and is risen from the dead [1058.64 --> 1059.88] and he ultimately [1059.88 --> 1061.22] defeats sin and death [1061.22 --> 1062.36] for good. [1064.66 --> 1066.16] See, God's concern [1066.16 --> 1066.92] for his people [1066.92 --> 1068.20] has been a permanent fixture. [1070.70 --> 1071.96] He was concerned for them [1071.96 --> 1072.86] when they were captives [1072.86 --> 1073.42] in Egypt. [1073.58 --> 1074.52] He was concerned for them [1074.52 --> 1075.32] when they were captives [1075.32 --> 1076.24] to their own sin [1076.24 --> 1077.06] in the promised land. [1077.06 --> 1078.40] He was concerned for them [1078.40 --> 1081.76] when they were in captivity [1081.76 --> 1082.56] in their own sins, [1082.60 --> 1083.12] like I said. [1083.40 --> 1085.24] He was concerned for them [1085.24 --> 1086.04] when they were awaiting [1086.04 --> 1086.66] this Messiah. [1086.76 --> 1087.68] He was concerned for them [1087.68 --> 1088.52] when the Messiah came [1088.52 --> 1089.86] and they did not recognize him. [1090.54 --> 1091.30] And brothers and sisters, [1091.42 --> 1093.26] his concern for his people [1093.26 --> 1094.72] continues today. [1094.72 --> 1098.60] So whether you are here [1098.60 --> 1099.16] this morning, [1099.30 --> 1100.08] here in the sanctuary, [1100.30 --> 1101.06] there in the foyer, [1101.26 --> 1102.24] at home as well, [1103.24 --> 1104.92] and you are being held captive [1104.92 --> 1105.62] by depression [1105.62 --> 1107.94] or you're being held captive [1107.94 --> 1108.62] by grief [1108.62 --> 1110.28] or by worry [1110.28 --> 1112.28] or by fear [1112.28 --> 1113.48] or by confusion [1113.48 --> 1115.22] or by anxiety [1115.22 --> 1116.12] or by frustration [1116.12 --> 1116.94] or by pain [1116.94 --> 1118.54] or by whatever affliction [1118.54 --> 1119.40] you find yourself [1119.40 --> 1120.30] going through today, [1120.30 --> 1123.78] God is concerned [1123.78 --> 1124.58] for his people. [1128.32 --> 1129.48] So much so [1129.48 --> 1130.64] that he came down [1130.64 --> 1131.34] a third time [1131.34 --> 1132.40] permanently [1132.40 --> 1133.34] with his Holy Spirit [1133.34 --> 1134.04] to be with [1134.04 --> 1135.10] and to walk with [1135.10 --> 1135.96] his people. [1137.52 --> 1138.96] The Father came down [1138.96 --> 1139.86] in a burning bush [1139.86 --> 1140.60] to save his people [1140.60 --> 1141.58] from slavery in Egypt. [1141.76 --> 1142.96] The Son came down [1142.96 --> 1143.78] in Bethlehem [1143.78 --> 1144.52] to save his people [1144.52 --> 1145.04] from death. [1145.36 --> 1146.14] And the Holy Spirit [1146.14 --> 1146.72] came down [1146.72 --> 1148.14] to save his people [1148.14 --> 1150.04] from whatever captivity [1150.04 --> 1151.28] that life's trials [1151.28 --> 1152.04] and temptations [1152.04 --> 1152.70] bring on you. [1152.98 --> 1153.80] God is here [1153.80 --> 1154.72] not to remove [1154.72 --> 1155.30] those trials [1155.30 --> 1155.98] and temptations [1155.98 --> 1157.42] but to bear it with us, [1157.50 --> 1158.62] to walk with us, [1158.72 --> 1159.90] to help us through it, [1160.04 --> 1161.98] and to be with us [1161.98 --> 1163.44] in whatever captivity [1163.44 --> 1164.50] we find ourselves. [1164.82 --> 1165.48] And even though [1165.48 --> 1166.52] it may not seem like that [1166.52 --> 1167.18] all the time, [1167.36 --> 1168.88] he is holding us all [1168.88 --> 1169.84] in hands [1169.84 --> 1170.86] more powerful [1170.86 --> 1171.88] than we ever care [1171.88 --> 1172.50] to admit [1172.50 --> 1173.86] or ever [1173.86 --> 1176.14] can comprehend. [1178.14 --> 1178.78] And those two [1178.78 --> 1179.84] characteristics of God, [1179.90 --> 1180.48] his power [1180.48 --> 1181.84] and his concern, [1182.84 --> 1183.46] they go together [1183.46 --> 1184.22] so beautifully [1184.22 --> 1187.14] that my prayer [1187.14 --> 1187.74] for us today [1187.74 --> 1188.24] is that we can [1188.24 --> 1189.24] just simply begin [1189.24 --> 1190.66] to wrap our heads [1190.66 --> 1192.42] around the beautiful [1192.42 --> 1193.42] truth that is [1193.42 --> 1194.32] both of those things. [1197.30 --> 1198.06] The last thing [1198.06 --> 1198.66] I'd like to look at [1198.66 --> 1199.50] today from this passage [1199.50 --> 1199.86] is this. [1199.92 --> 1201.42] It's Moses' response. [1201.84 --> 1202.68] Now in order to do that [1202.68 --> 1203.34] though, we have to remember [1203.34 --> 1204.06] his context [1204.06 --> 1205.06] just a little bit. [1205.94 --> 1206.32] Now remember, [1206.44 --> 1207.20] Moses was working [1207.20 --> 1208.04] as a shepherd [1208.04 --> 1209.96] for about 40 years [1209.96 --> 1211.50] before this time happened. [1211.98 --> 1212.56] Now for someone [1212.56 --> 1213.48] of his knowledge, [1213.84 --> 1215.08] for someone of his education [1215.08 --> 1215.64] in past, [1215.92 --> 1216.50] this would have been [1216.50 --> 1217.02] considered [1217.02 --> 1218.58] very poor employment [1218.58 --> 1219.20] actually. [1220.16 --> 1221.42] Very poor employment. [1221.90 --> 1222.32] And yet, [1223.00 --> 1223.26] Moses [1223.26 --> 1224.78] was very content [1224.78 --> 1225.72] doing this. [1226.66 --> 1227.30] He was happy [1227.30 --> 1227.92] to be a shepherd [1227.92 --> 1228.40] in Midian. [1228.74 --> 1229.52] He was satisfied. [1229.70 --> 1230.20] He was meek [1230.20 --> 1230.72] and content [1230.72 --> 1231.70] and he was humble [1231.70 --> 1232.46] as he worked [1232.46 --> 1232.94] as a shepherd. [1233.14 --> 1233.98] And these are all things [1233.98 --> 1235.10] that he is quite celebrated [1235.10 --> 1236.38] for in the Bible. [1237.28 --> 1237.88] Numbers 12, [1237.94 --> 1238.38] verse 3 [1238.38 --> 1239.14] says this. [1239.34 --> 1239.52] It says, [1239.72 --> 1241.72] Moses was a very humble man, [1241.86 --> 1242.82] more humble [1242.82 --> 1244.02] than anyone [1244.02 --> 1245.28] else [1245.28 --> 1246.16] on the face [1246.16 --> 1247.20] of the earth. [1248.12 --> 1248.80] Isn't that something? [1248.86 --> 1249.50] That's quite a thing [1249.50 --> 1250.68] to be remembered for. [1252.00 --> 1252.54] Now keep in mind, [1252.60 --> 1253.58] Moses wrote numbers, [1253.72 --> 1254.18] so like, [1254.24 --> 1255.36] it's a little bit awkward [1255.36 --> 1256.36] to write that about yourself, [1256.52 --> 1257.74] but it's a little grain of salt. [1257.82 --> 1258.52] No, I'm kidding, of course. [1258.74 --> 1259.96] We can take that as truth, [1260.04 --> 1261.28] that Moses was [1261.28 --> 1262.02] humble. [1262.54 --> 1263.36] He was content, [1263.36 --> 1264.50] he was meek, [1265.30 --> 1266.54] and he was far from the man [1266.54 --> 1267.88] he was earlier in his life, [1268.78 --> 1269.54] when he was powerful [1269.54 --> 1270.38] and educated [1270.38 --> 1271.58] and he had means [1271.58 --> 1272.74] and a position of authority [1272.74 --> 1274.02] and had ultimate access [1274.02 --> 1274.56] to Pharaoh. [1276.00 --> 1276.76] In fact, [1277.06 --> 1279.04] if this were anybody else's plan [1279.04 --> 1279.72] other than God's, [1279.72 --> 1280.44] you would have thought [1280.44 --> 1282.02] that Moses would have been [1282.02 --> 1282.80] approached earlier [1282.80 --> 1284.36] when he had access to Pharaoh, [1284.42 --> 1285.18] when he had means [1285.18 --> 1286.08] and he had authority [1286.08 --> 1287.28] and he had all this power. [1288.32 --> 1289.48] To the human mind, [1289.54 --> 1290.86] that makes the most sense. [1291.86 --> 1293.04] That's how we function. [1294.24 --> 1295.18] But this wasn't [1295.18 --> 1296.18] someone else's plan, [1296.24 --> 1297.08] this was God's plan. [1297.20 --> 1297.86] God was patient. [1298.38 --> 1298.84] He waited. [1299.92 --> 1301.62] God waited until Moses had fled [1301.62 --> 1303.00] and he was a fugitive [1303.00 --> 1304.50] and he tended sheep [1304.50 --> 1305.86] for 40 years in Midian [1305.86 --> 1306.94] in the middle of nowhere [1306.94 --> 1308.24] because God needed Moses [1308.24 --> 1309.68] to stop being the brash, [1310.24 --> 1310.88] know-it-all, [1311.34 --> 1312.98] fix things on his own man [1312.98 --> 1313.72] he once was [1313.72 --> 1314.94] because apparently [1314.94 --> 1315.78] all that ever led Moses [1315.78 --> 1316.98] to do was murder someone. [1318.74 --> 1319.92] No, God needed to be patient [1319.92 --> 1320.78] and he needed to wait [1320.78 --> 1321.58] for Moses to become [1321.58 --> 1322.16] meek and humble [1322.16 --> 1323.00] because then [1323.00 --> 1324.70] it was God's power [1324.70 --> 1326.02] that saved his people. [1327.02 --> 1328.32] It wasn't Moses' position, [1328.56 --> 1329.90] it wasn't Moses' education, [1330.36 --> 1331.76] it wasn't Moses' means. [1334.02 --> 1334.88] It's interesting though, [1334.92 --> 1336.44] Moses almost became too meek, [1336.58 --> 1337.50] he almost became too humble [1337.50 --> 1339.16] because when God asks Moses [1339.16 --> 1339.80] at the burning bush [1339.80 --> 1340.62] to go bring his people [1340.62 --> 1341.20] out of Egypt, [1341.60 --> 1343.00] Moses replies in verse 11 [1343.00 --> 1344.66] with who am I? [1344.74 --> 1345.76] Who am I to do this? [1345.76 --> 1348.62] In fact, [1348.70 --> 1349.40] later in this chapter [1349.40 --> 1350.16] we didn't get to that, [1350.24 --> 1351.16] Moses thinks of a whole bunch [1351.16 --> 1352.00] of reasons why he should [1352.00 --> 1352.68] not be doing this. [1352.88 --> 1353.40] What if the people [1353.40 --> 1354.06] don't believe me, [1354.10 --> 1354.36] he says. [1354.40 --> 1355.34] I'm not really eloquent, [1355.46 --> 1356.58] I can't speak in front of people, [1356.62 --> 1357.54] this isn't a job for me [1357.54 --> 1358.90] and after all his excuses, [1359.44 --> 1360.38] he simply looks at God [1360.38 --> 1360.64] and he says, [1360.74 --> 1360.98] God, [1361.22 --> 1364.08] please just send someone else. [1368.52 --> 1369.42] His response maybe [1369.42 --> 1370.48] shouldn't be that surprising [1370.48 --> 1371.32] to us though, right? [1373.60 --> 1374.82] We ask the same questions, [1374.90 --> 1375.20] don't we? [1376.76 --> 1377.20] God, [1377.24 --> 1378.34] I can't pray for that person, [1378.42 --> 1379.04] not here, [1379.16 --> 1379.62] not now, [1379.70 --> 1380.38] not publicly. [1381.76 --> 1382.20] God, [1382.24 --> 1384.14] I'm not spiritually mature enough [1384.14 --> 1385.12] to lead that ministry. [1387.32 --> 1387.76] God, [1387.80 --> 1388.40] I'm not eloquent. [1388.62 --> 1390.56] I can't speak your gospel [1390.56 --> 1391.70] to people I don't know. [1393.26 --> 1393.70] God, [1393.74 --> 1395.12] I don't want to be an elder, [1395.34 --> 1395.96] just God, [1396.34 --> 1398.40] please send someone else. [1401.74 --> 1403.30] The ironic problem is [1403.30 --> 1405.42] when we feel this way, [1405.76 --> 1408.22] it is exactly the kind of person [1408.22 --> 1409.58] that God wants to use [1409.58 --> 1411.20] to fulfill his kingdom purposes. [1413.38 --> 1414.68] When we accept the fact [1414.68 --> 1415.98] that maybe we don't have [1415.98 --> 1416.62] what it takes [1416.62 --> 1418.10] to do all of the things [1418.10 --> 1419.48] God be me calling us to do, [1420.28 --> 1421.34] then it's God [1421.34 --> 1422.62] who gets the glory [1422.62 --> 1424.62] for accomplishing his purposes [1424.62 --> 1425.44] through us. [1425.44 --> 1426.44] God's sake. [1426.44 --> 1428.18] So even though Moses [1428.18 --> 1429.42] responded with excuses [1429.42 --> 1430.38] and fear [1430.38 --> 1431.68] and a whole lot of hesitation, [1432.42 --> 1433.26] God picked him up, [1433.96 --> 1434.98] he sent him out, [1435.24 --> 1436.52] and he used him [1436.52 --> 1437.66] in all his limitations, [1437.66 --> 1438.62] and Moses became [1438.62 --> 1441.16] one of the greatest fathers [1441.16 --> 1441.94] of our faith [1441.94 --> 1443.22] the world has ever known. [1443.22 --> 1447.50] Now the internet, [1448.18 --> 1449.66] it's a very interesting place. [1451.20 --> 1452.42] It's got tons of stuff, [1452.54 --> 1453.34] wormholes that you can [1453.34 --> 1454.00] get sucked into, [1454.18 --> 1455.14] videos that are completely [1455.14 --> 1456.72] used to watch, [1457.06 --> 1457.78] just a big waste [1457.78 --> 1458.40] of time generally, [1458.48 --> 1459.90] but every once in a while [1459.90 --> 1461.08] it gives you this [1461.08 --> 1462.42] beautiful gem [1462.42 --> 1463.58] that you can use [1463.58 --> 1464.58] in a certain situation. [1465.72 --> 1466.32] And as I was [1466.32 --> 1467.86] writing this message, [1468.08 --> 1469.42] I saw this meme, [1469.54 --> 1470.02] this picture, [1470.02 --> 1471.12] and it sums up [1471.12 --> 1472.14] this point so beautifully. [1472.96 --> 1473.68] See, Moses thought [1473.68 --> 1474.54] he wasn't qualified [1474.54 --> 1475.72] to be able to fulfill [1475.72 --> 1477.50] God's calling for him, [1477.70 --> 1478.94] but the truth is [1478.94 --> 1481.36] God doesn't call [1481.36 --> 1482.04] the qualified. [1482.88 --> 1484.62] God qualifies the called. [1486.32 --> 1487.40] God doesn't call [1487.40 --> 1488.26] the qualified. [1488.90 --> 1490.24] He qualifies the called. [1490.30 --> 1491.04] Who saw that meme? [1491.10 --> 1492.16] Anybody see a meme like that? [1492.92 --> 1493.84] I could have possibly [1493.84 --> 1494.74] taken credit for this. [1494.78 --> 1495.34] That's too bad. [1496.00 --> 1496.60] This is why you shouldn't [1496.60 --> 1497.64] preface things like this. [1497.90 --> 1498.72] That would have been brilliant, [1498.86 --> 1498.96] hey? [1500.02 --> 1501.10] God doesn't call [1501.10 --> 1501.80] the qualified. [1502.10 --> 1503.68] He qualifies the called. [1503.94 --> 1504.86] See, we're all called. [1505.70 --> 1506.30] All of us. [1506.34 --> 1506.90] We're all called. [1506.98 --> 1507.74] We're called to love. [1508.02 --> 1508.90] We're called to serve. [1509.14 --> 1509.94] We're called to forgive. [1510.16 --> 1511.00] We're called to submit [1511.00 --> 1512.04] to God. [1513.58 --> 1514.38] Perhaps you don't always [1514.38 --> 1515.68] feel qualified to lead [1515.68 --> 1517.04] or to pray in front of people [1517.04 --> 1518.34] or to love people [1518.34 --> 1519.46] who are difficult to love [1519.46 --> 1520.18] or to serve [1520.18 --> 1521.36] in different capacities, [1521.72 --> 1522.66] but in some way [1522.66 --> 1523.46] or another, church, [1524.54 --> 1525.46] you're the body of Christ. [1525.54 --> 1526.48] We're all the body of Christ. [1526.58 --> 1527.24] We are all called [1527.24 --> 1527.96] to these things. [1527.96 --> 1530.42] Take our church's [1530.42 --> 1531.02] mission statement, [1531.12 --> 1531.52] for example. [1531.62 --> 1532.66] Perhaps gathering [1532.66 --> 1533.42] or growing [1533.42 --> 1534.74] or going right now [1534.74 --> 1535.92] just seems difficult. [1536.14 --> 1537.32] It seems too hard for us. [1537.38 --> 1538.78] It seems that we're not [1538.78 --> 1539.76] qualified to do that. [1540.68 --> 1541.58] It's too difficult [1541.58 --> 1542.46] for us to accomplish. [1544.42 --> 1546.18] But God doesn't call us [1546.18 --> 1546.66] to these things [1546.66 --> 1547.54] because we're qualified. [1549.24 --> 1550.26] It's quite the opposite, [1550.42 --> 1550.58] actually. [1550.64 --> 1551.56] God calls us [1551.56 --> 1552.38] to do these things [1552.38 --> 1553.72] in spite of our qualifications. [1553.72 --> 1553.96] Christians. [1556.02 --> 1556.72] It's only then [1556.72 --> 1557.54] that God gets to be [1557.54 --> 1558.62] ultimately glorified. [1561.02 --> 1561.86] The Apostle Paul [1561.86 --> 1563.06] says this so beautifully [1563.06 --> 1563.70] in one of his letters [1563.70 --> 1565.48] to the church in Corinth. [1565.64 --> 1566.44] He says this thousands [1566.44 --> 1567.44] and thousands of years later. [1567.54 --> 1568.02] He says this. [1568.06 --> 1568.28] He says, [1568.36 --> 1569.08] Brothers and sisters, [1569.88 --> 1571.04] this is not actually very kind, [1571.10 --> 1571.92] but it's a really good point. [1572.00 --> 1572.12] He's like, [1572.18 --> 1572.78] Brothers and sisters, [1572.96 --> 1573.98] not many of you [1573.98 --> 1574.78] were wise [1574.78 --> 1576.02] by human standards. [1577.10 --> 1578.48] Not many were influential. [1579.68 --> 1581.34] Not many are of noble birth. [1581.34 --> 1584.30] But God chose [1584.30 --> 1585.76] the foolish things [1585.76 --> 1586.72] of this world [1586.72 --> 1588.68] to shame the wise. [1589.74 --> 1591.20] God chose the weak things [1591.20 --> 1591.86] of the world [1591.86 --> 1594.04] to shame the strong [1594.04 --> 1596.10] so that no one [1596.10 --> 1597.66] may boast before him. [1598.14 --> 1599.20] It is because of him [1599.20 --> 1601.18] that you are in Christ Jesus. [1602.36 --> 1603.48] Therefore, as it is written, [1604.38 --> 1605.64] let the one who boasts [1605.64 --> 1607.60] boast in the Lord. [1607.60 --> 1612.10] God doesn't call the qualified. [1612.54 --> 1614.04] He qualifies the called. [1615.90 --> 1616.92] So brothers and sisters [1616.92 --> 1618.02] of Emanuel CRC [1618.02 --> 1618.68] and anybody else [1618.68 --> 1619.78] watching online right now, [1620.46 --> 1621.36] please remember this, [1621.42 --> 1623.74] that God is more powerful [1623.74 --> 1625.88] than we can ever comprehend. [1627.36 --> 1628.58] And may we be deeply, [1628.82 --> 1629.80] deeply affected [1629.80 --> 1631.84] by the infinite distance [1631.84 --> 1632.48] there is [1632.48 --> 1634.14] between God's power [1634.14 --> 1635.42] and our own. [1635.42 --> 1637.26] Second, [1637.40 --> 1638.46] God is deeply [1638.46 --> 1639.56] concerned [1639.56 --> 1640.86] for you. [1642.18 --> 1643.00] No matter what [1643.00 --> 1643.88] you are going through, [1644.80 --> 1645.66] God is listening, [1645.86 --> 1646.60] God is watching, [1646.76 --> 1647.36] He is hearing, [1647.48 --> 1648.22] and He is remembering [1648.22 --> 1649.44] His promises to you. [1650.70 --> 1651.74] He is with you always [1651.74 --> 1653.08] to the very end [1653.08 --> 1653.82] of the age. [1655.26 --> 1656.02] And finally, [1656.10 --> 1656.56] God is not [1656.56 --> 1657.72] calling you [1657.72 --> 1658.66] because you are qualified. [1660.38 --> 1661.86] He qualifies you [1661.86 --> 1663.22] to fulfill [1663.22 --> 1664.46] His calling. [1665.42 --> 1666.58] Don't mix those up. [1667.96 --> 1668.40] Amen? [1669.96 --> 1670.98] Let me pray with you. [1671.24 --> 1671.68] Father God, [1671.96 --> 1673.32] we thank You [1673.32 --> 1673.92] for this story. [1674.02 --> 1674.38] We thank You [1674.38 --> 1674.94] for Moses [1674.94 --> 1676.02] and the burning bush. [1676.24 --> 1676.74] We thank You [1676.74 --> 1677.84] for the power [1677.84 --> 1679.64] that comes [1679.64 --> 1680.42] through this story. [1681.12 --> 1681.70] We thank You [1681.70 --> 1682.46] for Your concern [1682.46 --> 1683.18] for Your people, [1683.46 --> 1684.38] why You came down [1684.38 --> 1685.14] in Egypt, [1685.34 --> 1686.12] why You came down [1686.12 --> 1686.76] in Bethlehem, [1686.88 --> 1687.62] why You came down [1687.62 --> 1688.32] at Pentecost. [1690.08 --> 1690.64] And God, [1690.68 --> 1691.14] we thank You [1691.14 --> 1692.56] that You are with us. [1692.56 --> 1694.20] You are powerfully, [1694.78 --> 1696.50] concerningly with us. [1698.24 --> 1698.68] And so God, [1698.74 --> 1700.26] may we respond accordingly. [1700.38 --> 1701.02] May we know [1701.02 --> 1702.60] that You are in charge [1702.60 --> 1703.34] of all things, [1704.48 --> 1705.92] that You are thinking of us, [1705.98 --> 1707.34] have us in Your heart, [1707.70 --> 1708.72] and that You call us [1708.72 --> 1709.62] to live lives [1709.62 --> 1710.96] of love and service [1710.96 --> 1711.68] and gratitude [1711.68 --> 1712.60] in this world. [1713.12 --> 1714.48] So may we boldly [1714.48 --> 1715.52] step forward [1715.52 --> 1716.70] in that knowledge. [1717.48 --> 1718.32] May we go forward [1718.32 --> 1719.54] knowing that You are with us [1719.54 --> 1721.50] and that You qualify us [1721.50 --> 1722.52] to live out this calling. [1723.26 --> 1724.32] But let us make excuses. [1727.28 --> 1727.94] Let us live [1727.94 --> 1728.72] as You call us to live. [1728.76 --> 1729.18] We pray this [1729.18 --> 1730.28] in Your Son's precious name. [1730.56 --> 1730.78] Amen.