COMPLETED 9/29 Turn the Page-Learning the Story of God Fear to Faith
Fear to Faith
September 29, 2024
Our Goal in this series is two-fold:
1. “Turn the page” verb. To proceed to the next page in a book.
2. “Turn the Page” is also an idiom. It means, “To make a fresh start.”
Story Recap: Genesis 1-50
In Genesis 1-11, humanity fractures their RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
In Genesis 12, God makes a COVENANT with Abraham
The rest of Genesis focuses on ABRAHAM’S FAMILY – the prehistory of the Nation of Israel.
Moses’s Call
Exodus 3:1-4 - Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” (NIV)
FIRE is a frequent sign of God’s Presence in the Old Testament.
• Exodus 13:21 – As the people of God traveled in the desert, God was present in a pillar of fire that would provide light and guide them at night.
• Exodus 19:18a – When God met Moses on Mount Sinai to give him the 10 Commandments, the mountain was covered with smoke as God descended with fire.
Exodus 3:10-12 - “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 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: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” (NIV)
When Moses asks, “ WHO AM I ? ”
God responds, “I WILL BE WITH YOU.”
Exodus 3:13-14 - Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (NIV)
When Moses asks, “ WHO ARE YOU ? ”
God responds, “I AM.”
I AM is a name, but it is also a VERB
• When we come to God and say, “I am not good enough.” God says, “I AM.”
• When we cry out to God saying, “I am not strong enough.” God says, “I AM.”
• When we question God saying, “I am not gifted enough.” God says, “I AM.”
Exodus 4:1 - Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” (NIV)
Through Moses’ questions, it’s important to recognize that even this great Biblical hero was AFRAID.
Exodus 4:13 - But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” (NIV)
In the end, Moses had one thing he needed: A willingness to TRUST GOD and step forward IN FAITH.
Our Call
WE ALL have a calling on our life to move the story of God and his people forward, but FEAR can get the best of us, too.
Like Moses, we can feel:
INADEQUATE
INCAPABLE
UNCOMFORTABLE
A Challenge
Are you willing to TRUST GOD and step forward in faith?
Step 1: Take a step IN HERE
Step 2: Take a step OUT THERE
Acts 2:3 - “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” (NIV)
God is with us. He has an adventure planned for each one of us. So let’s trust him and step forward in faith.