Message Action PlanOne day when Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his relatives, the people of Israel. He saw an Egyptian mistreating an Israelite. So, Moses came to the man's defense and avenged him, killing the Egyptian. Moses assumed his fellow Israelites would realize that God had sent him to rescue them, but they didn't. The next day he visited them again and saw two men of Israel fighting. He tried to be a peacemaker. "Men," he said, "you are brothers. Why are you fighting each other?" But the man in the wrong pushed Moses aside. "Who made you a ruler and judge over us?" he asked. "Are you going to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?" When Moses heard that, he fled the country and lived as a foreigner in the land of Midian. Acts 7:23-29(NLT)
Forty years later, in the desert near Mount Sinai, an angel appeared to Moses in the flame of a burning bush. Acts 7:30(NLT)
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. 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. Exodus 3:1-2(NLT)
A burning bush:
In the midst of the routine
When you least expect it
You are surprised by God's invitation
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. "Do not come any closer," the LORD warned. "Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground." Exodus 3:4-5(NLT)
4 questions when God turns setbacks into comebacks:
1. WHO AM I?
But Moses protested to God, "Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?" God answered, "I will be with you." Exodus 3:11-12(NLT)
God's answer: I will be with you
2. WHO ARE YOU?
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?" God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you." Exodus 3:13-14(NLT)
God's answer: I am
Action Plan: Check out the all-new saddleback.com/foundations and learn more about God by watching the sessions on God- Part 1 and God Part 2.
3. WHAT ABOUT THEM?
But Moses protested again, "What if they won't believe me or listen to me? What if they say, 'The LORD never appeared to you'?" Then the LORD asked him, "What is that in your hand?" "A shepherd's staff," Moses replied. Exodus 4:1-2(NLT)
God's Answer: What's in your hand?
4. HOW ABOUT THIS!?
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." Then the LORD asked Moses, "Who makes a person's mouth?" Exodus 4:10-11(NLT)
God's Answer: I'm in control
He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. Hebrews 11:26(NIV)
He had his eye on the One no eye can see, and so kept right on going. Hebrews 11:27(Mes)
Action Plan: Take a piece of paper or on a computer create 5 columns. Title the columns: My Battle, Who Am I?, Who Are You?, What About Them?, How About This?.
My Battle: Write down your current concerns (health, finance, relationship, job, etc).
Who Am I?: For each concern, write down your ask of God. Be specific.
Who Are You?: For each concern, write down who God is for your concern. The physician?, the counselor?, etc.
What About Them?: For each concern, write down what is holding you back from ridding yourself of this concern. Be specific. Is your fear that a certain person would be disappointed, hurt, or make fun of you?
How About This?: For each concern, write down the area of control that you need to turn over to God.
For each concern you wrote down, you now have a prayer to pray. Share each one with your small group for support.
This week's episode of Doable Discipleship begins a series on spiritual disciplines. Week 1 features an interview with Buddy Owens on the practice of fasting. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen,click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over,click here.
