Speaker: Pastor Matt
Don’t you know that we serve a GREAT God? He is greater than any challenge, problem, sin, or issue that you may have. Today, we’re going to talk about how great of a God we have.
One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn't burn up. 3 “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn't that bush burning up? I must go see it.”
4 When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
“Here I am!” Moses replied.
5 “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. 6 I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.
7 Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. 9 Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. 10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”
12 God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”
13 But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?”
14 God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.
This is my eternal name,
my name to remember for all generations.
Exodus 3:1-15 (NLT)Our God is the great I AM. It’s difficult to wrap your mind around the idea that there was never a beginning or an end. There is no way for our brains to comprehend how big our God is.
Later, in the Book of John, Jesus says that he is the I AM. Over the next few months, we’re going to examine the book of John to dig deep into the name of I AM.
What good is information without application? Pastor Matt recommends that as we prepare for the I AM series, which begins next week, consider joining a Connect Group. A Connect Group is where we get to discuss the message in detail with a smaller group of people.
We Need A Fresh Encounter With God
See Moses, in this passage, had a fresh encounter with God. We've never seen the burning bush again in the Bible. God is so unpredictable.
We should seek God not the experience. If you do it in that order you can get both God and an experience. See, when we encounter the Great I AM, we get to discover who I am (and who we are). This will help you identify who you are in Christ.
God is good, God is Great, and God is Greater.
God Is Greater Than Our Obstacles
Obstacles help us grow and fall on our knees in prayer. God used the people in Egypt to prepare Moses for his task.
What obstacles are you facing right now? If you dive into the Word (Bible), you can be set free.
God Is Greater Than Our Fears
We all deal with fears every day. There are some obvious and less obvious fears. Some deal with the fear of spiders, closed space, flying, animals, peanut butter getting stuck to the roof of your mouth, soft fuzzy sweaters, and the fear of UNC winning the championship (or Tar-Heel-phobia).
Pastor Matt recalls his fear of using the restroom while his microphone was on. Last week, we got the “Live Stream” of him using the bathroom during the service. (All laugh)
Moses is afraid of taking the responsibility of going into Egypt and to speak with the Pharaoh.
But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”God was patient with Moses and he eventually used him to do great things.
11 Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
13 But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
Exodus 4:10-13 (NLT)
God Is Greater Than Our Needs
When we put God first in our lives, he will take care of our needs.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Often we seek those "other things" (money, career, love, etc) first before we seek the God of those things. This is one of the reasons the people of Israel kept getting into trouble. They kept finding new idols to worship.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Seek God first in your life and everything will be added unto you.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.God will meet all of your needs not all of your greed.
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
God is Greater Than Our Problems
You may have a problem in your life, but God is bigger and greater than that problem.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.Our greatest problem is sin. We were born into sin.
Romans 3:23 (NIV)
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.“I love that!” Pastor Matt says. God says come to me just as you are, not after you get your mess together.
Romans 5:8 (NLT)
Some people almost didn't even come to church today because they feel like their issues are too much. It doesn't matter what hurt, pain, or issues affect you.
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.“How can I get a fresh start with Jesus?” It’s a free gift. If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and that he was raised from the grave, you can be saved.
Romans 10:9-10 (NLT)
You don’t want to go back to the mess. He can make you as white as snow.
My God is good, my God is great, my God is greater!
Do You Need A Fresh Start?
If you would like to make a fresh start in your life and receive God's love, pray this prayer:
Dear God, I realize I've sinned and I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross and rising from the grave. Come in to my heart and save me. Thank you for giving me eternal and abundant life. Help me to live for you, for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
To share your story, want more information about next steps, or just in need of prayer, please contact Pastor Matt Fry.
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