What Is That In Your Hand? Part Two

What is That In Your Hand? Part Two Exodus 4.1-31 So here is Moses in conversation with the LORD. Remember at this point Moses had been taking care of his father-in-law’s sheep for 40 years! When God interrupted him. The Work of a Shepherd: A Watchman A Guard A Guide A Physician A Savior/ Rescuer A Feeder for the sheep. We need to feed ourselves “Daily Bread”. A Shepherd loved the sheep Moses learned how to lead the nation of Israel by being a shepherd. He was doing the work of a shepherd to prepare him to lead, not drive, the children of Israel into the Promised Land. It took 40 years, a significant number. It rained 40 days and 40 nights when the flood came and Noah and his family were in the Ark. It took the children of Israel 40 years to get into the Promised Land, all of them except Caleb and Joshua died out there. Jesus went to the desert to pray and fast for 40 days. It was a period of 40 days that Jesus spoke to the Disciples about the Kingdom of Heaven after He had resurrected before He was taken into Heaven. Last spring and summer we talked about what He talked about. “Desert Experiences” are importantly in shaping God’s Shepherds Joseph in Egypt 13 years David on the run from Saul for 10 years Paul, in the Arabian Desert for 3 years And Moses in the backside of the desert for 40 years Now God reveals Himself to him and calls him to his life’s work. Five chapters to this point. The Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy to come before Joshua takes them into the land. God has spoken about wonder filled promises and mighty acts promised. This seems to be more than Moses can take in. * He is overwhelmed. God is giving him more than he can handle. * He overwhelms us with our circumstances… so we will lean upon Him. * He overwhelms us with His goodness so we be blessed and look to Him * He overwhelms us with a calling so we realize we cannot do it without Him. Is that your story? God is promising to be with him and help him and provide for him. He is giving him His Word. Moses is conversing with Before Abraham was, I am. Now, where we pick up this morning, God is giving him signs, miracles and wonders. Notice God first used what was in his hand. His shepherd’s tool. Moses had been using it for 40 years. The LORD refers to this staff three times in this passage. 2 Then the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.” 20 So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand. This staff was going to come over and over again in Exodus. It would go before Pharaoh I parted the Red Sea. It provided water from the Rock. It reminded Moses where he came from. DVD Haiti 2015. Wow! All of us have talents, God given abilities. Whether it is writing, playing an instrument, cooking, painting or collecting bottles for missions, we use our hands. What is in your hand this morning? Moses offered excuses until God got him down to the staff in his hand. “I can’t pray like other people. I don’t know the Bible like others. I don’t have any talents.” * Commit Your Hands to Him with Me. These are holy hands, He’s given us holy hands, He works through these hands and so these hands are holy. Our whole body, soul and spirit A living sacrifice. Romans 12. 1-3 Clean hands and a pure heart Psalm 24.4 Wanting to build up the Body of Christ The work of shepherding a literal flock is demanding. The work of watching over the flock of God even more so. As a shepherd Moses knew a lot was done with his hands. Anointing, preparing a table, even the still waters! Prayer, intercession, he was about to find out, was done by his hands. Exodus 17.12 When Moses' arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down. 13 In this way Joshua totally defeated the Amalekites. 14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write an account of this victory, so that it will be remembered.” * Offer what is in your hands to Him. Nancy, bulletin John, plowing Edie, writing encouragement Mary, driving, Robert Siggy and Margot, cleaning bathrooms Margot and Anca providing amazing treats. Albert is a craftsman. He can do things with wood that dazzle the eyes, marble too. Anthony handing out bulletins David, on his harp… I mean guitar What gift do you have, no one else knows about, a work of your hands All of us praying… praying hands Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. I Timothy 2.8 A call for men to come and pray. * Musical Instruments Many of us have them… how about an orchestra? Making a joyful sound Pull out those instruments from the attic or wherever they are! Start doing the songs we sing on Sunday… Expand to new heights! Talk to Marcos/ talk to David * What we offer to God He blesses and does wonders. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD. Writing texts, notes… encouraging one another Listening to the LORD… Loren Cunningham and The Mercy Ships “Is That Really You, God? Theresa to the AIDS Orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya Speaking next week at the Nazarene Church in Patchogue * Grab that social media by the tail! Livestream/ online congregation 100’s each week Kenya Pastors Fellowship, people in our community Pastor Johnson last Sunday. Personally Post positive things Post the love of Jesus I would that all of God’s people were prophets! But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit on them!” Numbers 11.29 The Apostle Paul had that same heart. Use the various outlets to share the Word of God. Edie Raevis posts a verse on her Facebook Page each day. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139.16 For we are God’s workmanship (masterpiece) created in Christ Jesus to do good works which He has prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2.10 Remember Your word to Your servant, for You have given me hope. Psalm 119.49 All we need to do is walk in them! This is walking in the unforced rhythms of grace. What is that in your hand?