God created EVERYONE with a purpose. Yes, including YOU! When we say, “I am available,” God does more than we can ask, think, or imagine. In this message, Pastor Jen DeWeerdt continued our series “Into The Wild” with powerful encouragement from the Word of God, challenging us to say YES to loving the world around us.
Notes 📓✏️:
Here I Am
God partners with people to accomplish His purpose.
Exodus 3:1-10 One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.”
When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
“Here I am!” Moses replied.
“Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.
Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”
God partners with people to accomplish His purpose.
Here I am.
HUMILITY and AVAILABILITY.
In verse six, God says, “I am the God of your father – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”
Before God ever partners with Moses, He reminds him who he will partner with.
You have the promise of My presence in the process.
In verse 7 we see that God begins to lay out his plan…
“I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering.”
Because He is moved with compassion, God continues speaking to Moses in verse 8, “So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land.”
God partners with people to accomplish His purpose.
Verse 10 speaks to how God puts His rescue plans into action in our physical world;
“Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”
Your calling will be connected to your heart.
Discussion Questions 📝❓:
Conversation Starter:
Baptisms are happening in the next few weeks at the church, is anyone interested in taking a next step in this area?
First Stop:
- What is something you have learned about yourself and God these last 5 weeks?
- Jesus set a beautiful example of making the journey He was on, one of signifigance. Do you make the most of the life you have been given and the journey you have been caled to?
- Busyness can often full up our lives and we can miss out on being used by God. How can we be determined to say yes to the right things and allow God to direct our steps?
Mile Markers:
- If we only look at the destination or the end outcome we will miss so many things along the way. How can we walk through life intentionally and take in the life God has for us?
- Let’s discuss the differences between having a heavenly perspective and a worldly one. What are some of the key components of each?
- Reflecting on the entire series, what are some key takeaways or lessons that you’ve gained from “Into the Wild”? How will you apply these lessons to you ongoing journey of faith?
Destination:
- What significant work have you seen God do in your life?
- Pastor Jeremy encourages us to live life to the fullest and empower others with our journey. How can we actively engage with our communities and demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ in our daily interactions?
- This week references Revelation 21:3-5 and the promise of heaven. How does this promise influence your perspective on life’s challenges and the ultimate purpose of your journey on Earth?