May 8, 2022
Pastor Ricky Smith
Sermon Notes
I. Identity Crisis
A. Shifting affiliations
Exodus 3:1
Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
B. Haunting past
Exodus 3:7-12
Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
As God reveals His power we better grasp our identity
II. Identify His name
A. Revealed in fire
Exodus 3:2-6
And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
B. Revealed in His name
Exodus 3:13-15
Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.
The God who creates watches over you in love
Next Steps
- I repent of my sin and confess Jesus as my King for the first time today.
- I confess my identity has been rooted in myself or my surroundings
- I commit to speak His name boldly to profess He alone can deliver us.
Deep Dive
- Read Isaiah 61:3 and discuss how God has used a tragedy or trial to grow us and glorify Him.
- Why do we make more of our name than God’s name?
- Read 2 Timothy 1:7, how does our citizenship and security change when we rest in God’s plan?
Springboards
- Have you ever experienced stage fright or fear of public speaking? How did you overcome it?
- How can God use our weaknesses and insecurities to point others to Him?
- Read 1 Corinthians 1:27 and discuss how it relates?