What’s In Your Hand?

What Is That In Your Hand? Exodus 4.1-5 Remember Your word to Your servant, for You have given me hope. Psalm 119.49 God knows your life from the beginning to the end. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139.16 What is that in your hand? The Question of God Moses had settled in as a shepherd. Having done this for 40 years, at 80 years of age he was probably thinking, “I have lived a good life. I blew it in Egypt by killing the Egyptian. But here I am working. I have a family I provided for. I miss my brother, Aaron and sister, Miriam, but like Joseph I have new family.” His children are now adults. His lot in life is he went from being the next Pharaoh to a fugitive shepherd, an occupation detestable to the Egyptians. One action can change the course of your life. But all is not lost. God does not abandon us. We learn Plan B, His permissive will which interestingly can bring us back to God’s plan and purpose. He is a God of Grace. He can take us where we are today. He forgives sins! Out of nowhere seemingly God can appear to us and offer another opportunity, only this time not out of emotions but with His direction. I can relate to Moses. I was 2/3 the way through Bible College, 2,000 away from home. I had heard some family members were messing around with sin. I said, “I am ready. I need to go back East and lead them back to Jesus!” I am so glad I didn’t. I was thinking with my emotions not wise! When Moses had watched the sheep, been a shepherd for 40 years God interrupted his life. He had much bigger plans. He used those forty years of watching the sheep to prepare Moses as an instrument in His Hands. God had brought him back to his roots, what his forefathers did. God was getting ready to bring this nation of shepherds back into the Land He promised them. God’s Hand was upon Moses even though he didn’t know it. God was with him in the desert! Acts 7.17-36 Shepherds from Genesis to Revelation Both the Old and New Testaments have shepherds as their main characters. Abraham, Issac, Jacob Jacob named change Israel. David Psalm 78. 70  He chose David His servant
    and took him from the sheep pens; 71 from tending the sheep He brought him
    to be the shepherd of His people Jacob,
    of Israel His inheritance. 72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;
    with skillful hands he led them. David, The LORD is my Shepherd psalm 23.1 * Jeremiah 31:10
' Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, 
And declare it in the isles afar off, and say, 
' He who scattered Israel will gather him, 
And keep him as a shepherd does his flock.' In the New Testament, Jesus reveals the name “I AM” to Moses in the desert to those who follow Him as “I am the Good Shepherd” John 10.10 He tells Peter at the end of His time on earth, John 21. Jesus Reinstates Peter 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time He said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. The feeding and care of the lambs and sheep are the work of shepherds in the church. We have seen the church turn into a theatre, a show, a circus, “The Greatest Show On Earth” Attraction Churches And we are watching the show shut down in many places. I love R.T. Kendall’s words about those who want to be pastors today, not encouraging seminary, but for them to study the Word and pray. Jesus said, “I will build My Church…” He does it as He did it here on earth. Through the Word and Prayer. I have lived through some interesting times in American Church History. Trends that have had tragic results. The image of the New Testament Ministry is the shepherd. I Peter 5.1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. Jesus that Great Shepherd of the sheep The photo that hangs in my study The olive wood given to me 42 years ago by the Reeds. Okay, back to Moses in the backside of the desert. Let me say at this point that if you are in a desert, wait for the LORD. None of us here are in a literal desert like Moses, well maybe some listening to our livestream, but it could be a spiritual one like Moses. What is a Desert spiritually? * It is dry. Not a word from the LORD. Just going about daily tasks. The need of refreshment is great. Life is routine. * Food is scarce. Not a lot of abundance. Just getting by. Financial stress increases. You are depending on the LORD for daily bread, literally. * It is lonely. Lots of alone time. (This can prove to be a blessing in the end) Lots of time to think and reflect. Not a lot of friends who understand. Each heart knows its own bitterness and no one else can share its joy. Proverbs 14.10 Lots of wandering and wondering. * There is no end in sight. Sinai, 8 hours, whew! Long days in the sun. Long nights in the quiet. One day goes into another, to the point of losing track of time. Individuals as well as churches can go through the desert. Only God can deliver us. Mission work often is bringing water to the thirsty. Delicious food to the hungry. Or rice. So here is Moses in conversation with the LORD. 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. God is promising to be with him and help him and provide for him. He is giving him His Word. 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. 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.” Pastor David Trauffer and I in Freeport. * 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 thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy, Jesus said. John 10.10 Paul said to the Ephesian Elders, “. Acts 20.28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. The work of shepherding a literal flock is demanding. The work of watching over the flock of God even more so. * Offer what is in your hands to Him. Nancy, bulletin John, plowing Edie, writing encouragement Mary, driving, Robert Siggy and Margot, cleaning bathrooms Anthony handing out bulletins 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 * 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 * Grab that social media by the tail! Livestream/ online congregation 100’s each week Kenya Pastors Fellowship, people in our community 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 All we need to do is walk in them! This is walking in the unforced rhythms of grace. What is that in your hand?