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Exodus 3:7-12
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. We’ve been studying the account in Exodus 3 where God sends Moses back to Egypt as a “missionary” to lead Israel out of slavery and into the land of Canaan. God demonstrated His concern for His people by telling Moses he would come down to deliver them up to a rich and plentiful land. Then we learned God’s concern for His people leads Him to demonstrate His compassion towards them. The connection between us and Moses is that all true Christians are missionaries, at least, to the people in the community where they live. As such God expects us to show our concern for them by extending God’s compassion to them. So let’s consider for a few moments
III. GOD’S CULTIVATION OF HIS PEOPLE! Let’s consider first: NECESSITIES GOD REQUIRES!
1. A Need To Draw Near To God –V. 3. Because we are created in the image and likeness of God, there is within all people an inherent instinct to draw near to God. Sin removes that desire. Listen! Watch! Salvation goes way beyond just restoring the desire to be near to God! Our salvation puts us in Christ and Christ in us! One of the most authenticating proofs that an individual is a truly born again Christian is their desire for all things God!
2. A proper response to God’s gracious call. V.4 God extends an invitation for everyone to draw near. However, the indwelling Holy Spirit knowing exactly how the perfect will of God The Father is to be applied to us specifically – then works in our heart to make us understand the call has changed from universal to individual. The Holy Spirit also helps us understand– the in our heart – that God is calling us by name to Himself.
3. Must express a reverence and readiness to obey. God told Moses to remove his shoes because he was on holy ground. Here is another warning that a casual or flippant attitude toward God and all that he requires is considered rude and unbecoming. The warning to repent of such is better heeded now than at the judgment seat! God also requires:
4. We approach God in purity and reverence! Even though God had drawn Moses to Himself by calling Moses’ name, God told Moses to keep his distance. Moses is invited close enough to hear what God has to say – but not so close to become comfortable—lest familiarity breed contempt! God also teaches Moses by telling him to remove his sandals that anywhere God is – is holy ground. The current heresy of easy believism that presents God as nothing more than a Grantor and Giver of all things wonderful has caused us to forget that God is above all things—holy! Here’s the point: as missionaries to the lost around us we are responsible for presenting God to them not just a Savior but as the Holy One! Part of the cultivation or preparation phase of the missionary’s life is to allow God to help them see Him in their own heart as holy. Some where this chain of arrogant casualness before a thrice holy God must be broken. That can only happen in a heart that comes near enough to God to know and understand who He is – and as a result humble itself in fear of the Almighty God who has summoned it to Himself.
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
