INTRODUCTION - THE BURNING BUSH EXPERIENCE CHANGED THE LIFE OF MOSES FROM FAILURE TO GREATEST IN HISTORY

• God has used strange ways to call His Own - Burning Bush - Quiet Voice - Vision - Whale -
• When God calls a person- if the person is willing-God equips him to do the job at hand.
• God takes simple talents- and sets them on fire- making a shepherd the pivot of History

We are entering some unusual times in History- God is again seeking a man!

I. WHAT DID GOD SEE IN MOSES ?

One of the hardest questions - Why Moses-, Why Gideon, Sampson, Peter, Paul- ME - YOU?

A. MOSES HAD TO BE TAUGHT PATIENCE BEFORE GOD COULD USE HIM, AND HE LEARNED THE HARD WAY

1. He was predestined to be Israel's savior - Saved through bulrushes, made great general-
2. But he tried to rush things- 2:12, just as often we try things ahead of time- own strength
3. He had to flee for his life- 2:15 to exile- across to Arabian, s. of Aquaba, desert shepherd

B.  MOSES HAD TO BE PUSHED THROUGH HIS OBJECTIONS WHERE HE COULD NOT SAY "NO" TO GOD

1. Moses at least answered God after God got his attention- 3:4- more than most of us do.
2. His "Here am I" changed to "Who am I" 3:11, when he found what God wanted- no confidence
3. "They won't believe me"- 4:1 showed the fear that tore at his faith- I can't do it!  "I am not eloquent"- False humility-

C.  BUT GOD USED MOSES ANYWAY, EVEN THOUGH MOSES MADE HIM ANGRY- 4:14 AND IF MOSES, WHY NOT YOU?

1. In spite of all his faults, early cockiness, later cowardice, balking, refusing to learn
2. There never was a prophet like Moses- Deut 34:10 God knew him face to face great power

It was the touch of God's hand that changed him, started with Burning Bush

II.  WHAT DID GOD USE OF MOSES?

Moses had learned to avoid presumption- and now let God call what He wanted-

A.  MOSES HAD A SHEPHERD'S ROD THAT HE COULD USE - 4:2 - AND THIS COMMON, ORDINARY TOOL, GOD USED

1. This rod could be a staff to lean on, a tool to tend sheep, a weapon for man or beast
2. But God said, cast it on the ground (make it useless), Moses did - SNAKE, 3, MOSES fled.
3. God said Take it up -not normal to grab a snake- but Moses did as God asked- it worked!

B.  MOSES HAD A HAND HE COULD PLACE OVER HIS HEART 4:6, AND GOD DECIDED TO US HIS OWN HAND

1. With the hand placed inside his bosom, he could not smite again like he did the Egyptian
2. When it came out it was leprous as snow- the quiet, slow sin, sure DEATH, terror to man
3. When done again- infect the heart?-no, made normal, forgiven "Rebound"-daily cleansing

C.  MOSES HAD A TONGUE THAT HE WOULD NOT SPEAK WITH, 4:10, FEW PEOPLE WILLING TO ADMIT THIS

1. "I am not eloquent"- strange a university graduate being humble-But now God can get glory
2. He carried it to an extreme - & God became angry with him- v. 14 -gave him a mouthpiece
3. But as time went by- he was no slouch when it came to speaking with God- Mountains roared!

God calls each person to be himself- not to copycat some great leader, but self.

III. WHAT DID GOD DO WITH MOSES?

The secret of real power came upon Moses, and he changed the course of History-delivered Israel

A.  HE HAD THE POWER OF A SIMPLE, PLAIN TOOL, YIELDED TO GOD IN SIMPLE OBEDIENCE

1. God takes simple things, & obedience- & conquers! Shepherd's Sling, ram's horn, meal cake
2. We need to learn to be at the right place at the right time- faithful obedience to Him
3. When Moses faithfully tended sheep- God touched him- I've watched people grow-faithful in little things -

B.  HE HAD THE POWER OF A HAND OVER THE HEART, THE SYMBOL OF DEDICATION TO GOD

1. The placing of the hand over the heart- flag salute- patriotism, dedication to cause
2. We need to realize our sinfulness, be reminded by leprosy, made clean by God's power
3. I have watched a former alcoholic love a Sunday School Class to Christ- being faithful in love

C.  HE HAD THE POWER OF WORDS PUT INTO ANOTHER'S MOUTH, AND WRITTEN FROM HIS HAND - Pentateuch

1. God put great words into the pen of Moses,- and supplied him with Aaron-4:16
2. Moses felt inadequate, so God gave him a helper- sometimes troublesome,-but teamwork!
3. If you will learn to talk with God- you soon will be able to talk with men too!

But If you are willing to be used of God- He will equip you- Will you lead?

CONCLUSION - AS GOD LOOKS OVER THIS AUDIENCE HE ASKS "WHAT IS THAT IN THINE HAND?" - HEART TOO?

1. To say "Here am I, Lord" you need to find power of sins forgiven - new strength
2. To say "yes" -in your small abilities - let God use your practical obedience-Church Membership, School
3. To say-"I am not eloquent" then do what you can do- Pray! this is harder than speech!