2016.6.12　礼拝

2016.6.12　礼拝

245th Life Church Service 2016.6.12
Exodus 3:7-12 “Knowing and Responding to God’s Call – 2”

In our life, we need to put our importance on our family, school or work. Jesus said to put first the kingdom of God and its righteousness. But how do we do this?

Review from last week: Philippians 3:8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Paul’s example of putting priority on God.

God calls us. When we are faced with the crisis of belief, it gives us the opportunity to seek deeper relationship with God.

➀ Starting from the Right Place. That is…
Exodus 3:8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians….

Moses did not ask God for help, but it was God who called Moses.
・ God knows our needs, but…
Exodus 3:7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers and I am concerned about their suffering.
Since God knows our needs, He initiates the call and not because we ask our needs to be satisfied.

・ All things start from His Will, Needs, and Plan.
・ It is not just God’s respond to our needs, but God wishes to utilize us for His Work.

God is almighty, but He wants us to take part in His Work as we confirmed last week:

Matthew 11:28-30 “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,”
Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me, “Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Call for salvation and mission should not be separated. God’s intention is the same because when we respond to His call and take part in His Work, it leads to salvation.

【Question for Application】 ・All things start from His Will, Needs, and Plan. Where do you start?
From your needs? To be saved? For mission? Or anything else? Are you ready for the call?

Matthew 28:19-20 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

➁ Be aware of your unwillingness.
Exodus 3:11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

Moses was not willing to go along with God’s call. Moses experienced a conflict within himself and gave excuses. Most of us go through this crisis of belief. What are the reasons of your unwillingness/hesitation?

Exodus 4:10 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.”
Like Moses, we should have dialog with God rather than just keeping anxieties to ourselves and hear from the Bible.

➂ Believe God’s promise.
Exodus 3:12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you…”

If we wish to be with God or God be with us, we must respond to His call and take part in His work. We cannot expect God to be with us if we wish to realize our purpose unless it is God’s will as clarified in the following part of the Great Commandment:
Matthew 28:20…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

【Question for Application】 ・Why God (Jesus) is with you?
Exodus 3:12 When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”
When we receive the Holy Spirit and know that God is with us, we become witnesses of the work of God.