Lessons from the Burning Bush - Christopher C. Moore

Summary

In this inspiring sermon, the speaker reflects on the biblical story of Moses and the burning bush, drawing parallels to modern life. The narrative emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's call in ordinary circumstances and being prepared to answer that call. The sermon challenges listeners to understand their own inadequacies and to embrace humility, while trusting in God's ability to use them for His purpose, regardless of their perceived limitations.

Takeaways

• 🙏 Opening Prayer: The speaker begins with a prayer of gratitude for the opportunity to learn and share the Word of God, setting a reverent tone for the event.
• 👥 Acknowledgement of Support: The speaker acknowledges the presence and support of Reverend James Fitzgerald and his fiancée Faith, highlighting the importance of community in spiritual journeys.
• 🎨 Art as a Metaphor: The speaker uses Bernini's sculpture 'Habakkuk and the Angel' as a metaphor for being redirected by God, illustrating the concept of divine intervention in our lives.
• 🚶‍♂️ Personal Journey: The speaker discusses the different stages of Moses' life, emphasizing how God can use our common situations to reveal an extraordinary calling.
• 🔥 The Burning Bush: The burning bush is presented as a symbol of God's presence and a call to service, teaching that God can manifest Himself in unexpected ways.
• 📖 Biblical Reference: The speaker references Exodus 3:1-6 to draw lessons from Moses' encounter with the burning bush, showing how scripture can provide guidance for our own spiritual journeys.
• 🌟 God's Capitalization: The message that God can capitalize on our ordinary situations to bring about extraordinary outcomes is a key theme of the speech.
• 🏜 Isolation for Attention: The speaker suggests that God often isolates us to get our full attention, using the example of Moses in the desert to illustrate this point.
• 🗣️ Divine Calling: The call to ministry is not just about direction or guidance but about experiencing God Himself, which is a central message of the speech.
• 👣 Responding to God's Call: The speaker emphasizes the importance of responding promptly and with faith to God's call, as demonstrated by Moses' 'Here I am'.
• 👟 Holy Ground: The instruction for Moses to remove his sandals signifies the sanctity of the ground and the importance of recognizing and respecting God's holiness.
• 🙈 Humility Before God: The speech concludes with the theme of humility, as Moses hides his face out of fear and reverence, reminding us of our own limitations and need for God's grace.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speech given at the Dallas Seminary in Houston?

The main theme of the speech is the divine calling and the importance of recognizing and responding to God's call in one's life, as illustrated through the biblical story of Moses and the burning bush.

Who is the speaker's good friend present at the event, and what is his role?

The speaker's good friend present at the event is Reverend James Fitzgerald of the Lily Grove Church, who has come to offer his support.

What does the speaker describe as the significance of the sculpture 'Habakkuk and the Angel' by Gian Lorenzo Bernini?

The sculpture signifies the idea of being redirected by God, as the angel grabs the prophet Habakkuk by the hair, lifting him towards the heavens, symbolizing a redirection towards God's vision and will.

What biblical story does the speaker reference to convey the message of God's calling?

The speaker references the story of Moses in Exodus chapter 3, where God calls to Moses from the burning bush, signifying a divine calling and the need for a personal encounter with God.

What are the 'four manifested lessons' the speaker mentions can be learned from the burning bush story?

The specific four lessons are not detailed in the transcript, but the overall message is about understanding God's calling through personal encounters, recognizing God's ability to use common situations for divine purposes, and the importance of humility and readiness in responding to God's call.

How does the speaker describe Moses' life before he encountered the burning bush?

The speaker describes Moses' life before the burning bush as being divided into three significant 40-year segments, starting with life in an Egyptian palace, then tending to Jethro's sheep in Midian after fleeing from Egypt, and finally being called to lead Israel.

What modern-day example does the speaker use to illustrate the point about God using people in ordinary situations for extraordinary purposes?

The speaker uses the example of Derek Brodus, a freshman football player from the University of Tennessee, who was unexpectedly called to play in a game and successfully kicked crucial points, demonstrating that God can use anyone, regardless of their perceived skills or status.

What does the speaker suggest about the nature of God's calling in people's lives?

The speaker suggests that God's calling is not just about direction for one's occupation or guidance for education, but more importantly, it is about experiencing God and having a personal relationship with Him.

How does the speaker relate the story of Jacob from the Bible to the theme of the speech?

The speaker relates the story of Jacob, who was isolated and slept on a stone pillow, leading to a dream where he saw a ladder to heaven. This story is used to illustrate how God often uses isolation to get people's attention and communicate with them directly.

What does the speaker emphasize about the importance of recognizing and responding to God's call?

The speaker emphasizes that recognizing and responding to God's call involves being aware of God's presence in one's life, being ready to answer when called, and understanding that God can use anyone, regardless of their personal limitations or shortcomings.

What is the closing prayer's focus in the speech?

The closing prayer focuses on gratitude for understanding God's active presence and entrustment in people's lives, asking for help to acknowledge God's identity and to be used by Him despite personal limitations, and giving God the praise and glory due to His name.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 Opening Prayer and Introduction to the Burning Bush

The speaker begins with a word of prayer, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share and learn at the Dallas Seminary in Houston. Acknowledges the presence of Reverend James Fitzgerald and his fiance Faith, setting a tone of humility and reverence. The speaker then introduces the story of the burning bush from Exodus 3, drawing a parallel between the biblical narrative and the need for spiritual redirection in our lives.

05:00

🔥 The Significance of the Burning Bush and God's Call to Moses

This paragraph delves into the story of Moses and the burning bush, emphasizing how God uses ordinary situations to reveal His extraordinary calling. It discusses the life of Moses, divided into three significant periods, and how God's call came during a time of apparent failure and mediocrity. The burning bush is presented as a manifestation of God's presence, calling Moses to a higher purpose, and the importance of recognizing and responding to God's call in our own lives.

10:03

👀 God's Ability to Capture Attention Through Isolation

The speaker explores how God can capture our attention through isolation, using the example of Moses encountering the burning bush in the desert. It discusses the significance of the isolated location and how it allowed God to have Moses' full attention. The paragraph also draws parallels to other biblical figures like Jacob, who experienced divine encounters in isolated situations, highlighting the importance of being receptive to God's call during such moments.

15:08

🗣 God's Initiation and Moses' Response

This section focuses on the direct confrontation between God and Moses, initiated by God's call from the burning bush. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and responding to God's call with haste and faith. The speaker also touches on the theme of humility, as Moses hides his face in the presence of God, acknowledging his unworthiness and God's holiness.

20:10

🕊 Embracing Humility and God's Use of Our Limitations

The final paragraph discusses the theme of humility and how God uses our limitations for His glory. It reflects on Moses' self-perceived inadequacies and how God chose to use him despite them. The speaker encourages the audience to understand that it is God's grace and calling that enable us to serve, not our own abilities or eloquence, and to embrace the opportunity to be used by God for His purposes.

Keywords

💡Divine Calling

Divine Calling refers to a sense of purpose or mission that is believed to come from God. In the video, it is depicted as a directive that goes beyond mere occupational guidance or educational direction; it is a profound encounter with God that shapes one's life and ministry. The theme is illustrated through the story of Moses, who, despite his ordinary life as a shepherd, is called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

💡Habakkuk and the Angel

Habakkuk and the Angel is a 16th-century sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini that symbolizes the redirection of one's path by divine intervention. In the context of the video, it serves as a metaphor for God's intervention in our lives, pulling us towards His will. The sculpture is used to illustrate the idea that we may need to be redirected or 'pulled by the hair' to see things from God's perspective.

💡Burning Bush

The Burning Bush is a biblical symbol of God's presence and a call to service. In the video, it represents the moment when God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. The bush, which was on fire but not consumed, caught Moses's attention and became the site of a profound divine encounter, emphasizing the theme of God using ordinary situations for extraordinary purposes.

💡Humility

Humility is the quality of being modest and not overly proud or self-assertive. The video emphasizes the importance of recognizing our limitations and shortcomings in the face of God's greatness. Moses's reaction to God's presence, hiding his face out of fear and reverence, exemplifies humility and acknowledges that our abilities are insufficient without God's empowerment.

💡Isolation

Isolation in the video refers to the state of being alone or separated from others, which can be a place where God can communicate more clearly. Moses's experience in the desert, away from the distractions of life, allowed him to encounter the burning bush and hear God's call. The concept suggests that sometimes God uses solitude to capture our attention and speak to us directly.

💡Confrontation

Confrontation, in the context of the video, is the direct encounter with God that Moses experiences at the burning bush. It is a pivotal moment where God initiates a personal and transformative interaction with Moses, calling him by name and setting him on a path of service. This confrontation is a key part of the narrative, illustrating the personal nature of divine calling.

💡Initiation

Initiation is the process of beginning or starting something, often with a formal or significant event. In the video, God's call to Moses from the burning bush is an initiation into his divine service. It marks the start of Moses's mission to lead the Israelites and signifies the beginning of a profound relationship with God.

💡Consecration

Consecration is the act of setting something apart for a sacred purpose. In the video, when God tells Moses to take off his sandals because the ground is holy, it signifies the consecration of the place and the moment. It represents the sanctification of Moses's mission and his recognition of God's holiness, setting the stage for his divine service.

💡Transformation

Transformation is the process of changing in form, nature, or appearance. The video suggests that encounters with God, like Moses's at the burning bush, can lead to personal transformation. It is through such divine encounters that individuals are not only called to serve but are also transformed in their understanding of God and their role in His plan.

💡Service

Service in the video refers to the act of serving others, particularly in a spiritual or religious context. It is highlighted as a response to the divine calling and the encounter with God. Moses's call to lead the Israelites is an example of service, illustrating the theme that service is not just about doing but also about being in relationship with God.

💡Availability

Availability in this context means being ready and willing to be used by God for His purposes. The video emphasizes that God can use anyone, regardless of their perceived abilities or shortcomings, if they are available to Him. It is the state of being open to God's call and ready to respond, as exemplified by Moses's readiness to answer God's call despite his initial reluctance.

Highlights

Gratitude expressed for the opportunity to share at Dallas Seminary, Houston, with Reverend James Fitzgerald and fiance Faith present for support.

A prayer is offered for the removal of hindrances to receiving the Word of God with meekness and for the edification of all present.

The Bernini sculpture 'Habakkuk and the Angel' is used as a metaphor for being redirected by God to walk in His direction.

The concept of divine calling is discussed as more than just occupational direction but a deep encounter with God.

Moses' life is divided into three significant 40-year segments, highlighting his transformation from Egyptian prince to shepherd to leader.

The burning bush is presented as a direct manifestation of God's call for Moses to serve, emphasizing the importance of meeting God personally.

Lessons from the burning bush are introduced, teaching about God's ability to use common situations for extraordinary purposes.

Derek Brodus' story from the University of Tennessee football team illustrates readiness for unexpected opportunities.

Isolation in the desert is shown as a place where God can capture attention and initiate a divine encounter.

The burning bush's uniqueness lies in its unconsumed state, symbolizing God's presence and arresting Moses's attention.

Jacob's story is mentioned to illustrate how God uses isolation for profound spiritual encounters.

God's confrontation of Moses through the burning bush signifies the initiation of a face-to-face encounter.

Moses's response 'Here I am' demonstrates a servant's readiness to answer God's call.

Humility is emphasized as Moses is instructed to remove his sandals, recognizing the holiness of the ground where he stands.

God's self-revelation to Moses as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob establishes a relational identity and purpose for service.

Moses's fear of looking upon God reflects an understanding of his own limitations and the magnitude of God's presence.

The sermon concludes with a call to humility and understanding that it is God who enables and uses us despite our shortcomings.

A closing prayer expresses gratitude for God's active presence and entrustment in ministry, asking for guidance to use limitations for God's glory.

Transcripts

Thank You dr. Sullivan and I'm truly

grateful to be here tonight to share

with you and this time of learning and

encouragement and I'm so grateful to be

here on the campus of Dallas seminary

Houston and I'm privileged to be able to

share with you tonight through the Word

of God I have a good friend here with me

tonight Reverend James Fitzgerald of the

lily Grove Church who has come to offer

his support and also my fiance faith is

here and I'm grateful for her presence

here in her support tonight if you would

just bow with me as I whisper a word of

Prayer Don our Father how we thank you

for this yet another privilege to hear

what you have to say and what you've

already said in your word we come now

asking that you would remove all

filthiness any type of malice anything

that would hinder us from receiving with

meekness the implanted word that is able

to save our souls we ask God that you

will be glorified and that everyone here

will be edified through the hearing of

your word it's in the name of Jesus that

we pray amen

in the sacred museum of the Vatican

there's a 16th century sculpture by Gian

Lorenzo Bernini that's entitled Habakkuk

and the angel and in this masterpiece

Habakkuk is holding a packed bag as if

he's travelling somewhere and his

movement is forward as if he is walking

ahead however his movement is impeded by

an angel that is hovering above him who

has grabbed this startled prophet by the

hair as if he is lifting him to the

heavens and there's something about that

image that is so apropos to us because

some of us are very much on our own way

walking in a very different direction

than God would have us to walk and we

need to be redirected to be pulled by

the hair if you will up into the heavens

to see what Habakkuk saw and that was a

vision from God for only vision of the

triune God can produce this kind of

living this type of walking this type of

moving for this type of lifting high

this kind of faith that will go wherever

and whenever the Lord wills because I

believe that some of us tonight would

contend that some places and positions

that God has called us we literally went

kicking and screaming

we were dreading the prospect of the

reality and what was staring us in the

face of our perception there were times

when we didn't know what aware God was

calling us to and there were other times

when we knew full well what we were

signing up for and we still didn't want

to go or do it but this idea of a

calling from God is more than direction

for our occupation it's more than

guidance for a place of Education it's

even more than dependence upon him for

clarity as it relates to ministry

placement above everything and anything

else God wants us to meet the

on the other end of the line yes he

wants us to know what to do as it

relates to our divine calling and even

me those expection expectations but more

so than that he wants us to meet him

that's where Moses finds himself tonight

in Exodus chapter 3 and if you'll turn

with me to Moses three verses one

through six well here what I like to

call lessons from the burning bush and

it is in Exodus 3 verses 1 through 6

where we find these words now Moses was

tending the flock of Jethro his

father-in-law the priest of Midian and

he led the flock to the back of the

desert and came to Horeb the mountain of

God and the angel of the Lord appeared

to him in a flame of fire from the midst

of a bush so he looked and behold the

bush was burning with fire but the bush

was not consumed then Moses said I will

now turn aside and see this great sight

why the bush does not burn so when the

Lord saw that he turned aside to look

God called to him from the midst of the

bush and said Moses Moses and he said

Here I am then he said do not draw near

this place take your sandals off your

feet for the place where you stand is

holy ground moreover 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 upon God if

you've read Moses's biography you'll

know from Exodus 2 that he is a poster

child for God's grace because his life

was almost over before it even began if

you fast-forward to Exodus 3 we're at

around the age of 80 Moses finds himself

on the backside of Mount Sinai tending

to his father-in-law Jethro sheep it is

there where he notices a foreign bush

burning yet the bush is not consumed

by the fire and just to cut to the chase

this burning bush was but a direct

manifestation of God himself to call

Moses to serve but this was not merely a

call from Moses to lead the Israelites

it was a call to Moses to meet God for

himself and that's what the word of this

text really says to us tonight that a

call to ministry is qualified by a true

confrontation with God himself friends

God does not merely want us to serve men

he ultimately wants us to experience him

but unfortunately many workers work for

a CEO that they've never met and this

text tonight challenges us to truly know

the God that we've been called to serve

this text tonight reveals to us four

manifested lessons through the

manifested presence of God that he

teaches us when he calls us to serve Him

so what can we learn from the burning

bush well first of all we learned in

Part A of verse number one what we can

learn from the burning bush is that God

can capitalize on our common situations

now Moses was tending the flock of

Jethro his father-in-law of the priest

of Midian most biblical scholars would

divide Moses his life into three

significant 40-year segments the first

40 years would begin with life in an

Egyptian palace and end in Midian on the

heels of murdering and an Egyptian and

burying him in the sand the next 40

years with Chronicle Moses

responsibilities of tending to Jethro's

sheep and being called to lead Israel

the last 40 years of his life would

chronicle his leading of Israel through

their wilderness experience and ending

with his death even before entering the

promised land and in this particular

time and Moses is like

he's living a life that is a far cry

from his days in Farrell's palace

he's living an ordinary life during an

ordinary job yet this is the place where

God uses an ordinary occupation to

extract an extraordinary calling because

long gone were the days of Palace life

and thoughts of great leadership no a

moment of failure literally changed

Moses's life of luxury to a meagre job

of sheep herding but sometimes it's at a

point of failure or mediocrity that God

gets the best out of us it's reminiscent

of what happened to University of

Tennessee freshman Derek brotas in the

year 2011 derek Brodus was sitting on

his couch awaiting kickoff for the

University of Tennessee to take the

field against a formidable soft

Southeastern Conference opponent it was

there when Derek Brodus receives a phone

call and to his surprise it is then

coach Derek Dooley that is on the line

Derek Dooley tells brought us to get up

and go outside as quickly as he can

because there's a police escort that is

waiting on him to take him to go play in

the game for you must understand Derek

Brodus earlier that fall had walked on

to the Tennessee football team and did

not make it because there were two other

kickers in front of him that were better

than him but the problem was the

starting kicker had just been hurt and

then the replacement kicker had just

hurt himself in pregame warmups to

everyone's surprise brought us kicked

three extra points and a field goal in

the first half and was given the game

ball after he had done such a

magnificent job he was not as talented

as the other kickers were but he was

ready when his number was called Moses

was just like that he was probably not

as skilled and Ella

1az Aaron he was probably not as

eloquent even as Miriam but he was ready

when God called friends you never know

when God may call you to get off of the

couch and employ your gifts for the

kingdom of God and it may not be during

the extravagant moment that he calls it

could be in a sheep field like David it

could be in a fishing hole like Simon

Andrew James and John or it could even

be on the Damascus Road like Paul it may

be during the moment that you least

expect it when God calls you to do your

greatest work the question on the table

tonight are you ready to answer when he

calls he can capitalize on our common

situations but also he can capture our

attention in isolation because it says

and he led the flock to the back of the

desert and came to Horeb the mountain of

God and the angel of the Lord appeared

to him in a flame of fire from the midst

of a bush so he looked and behold the

bush was burning with fire but the bush

was not consumed then Moses said I will

now turn aside and see this great sight

why the bush does not burn Moses here is

tending to the sheep on the backside of

the desert that is known as horrible but

it is here that he's away from

everything and everyone and he notices a

thorn bush that is literally burning but

the bush is not consumed by the fire now

notice here that a burning bush of

shrubbery in the desert was not an

uncommon sight the distinctions with

this burning bush was that in it was a

manifestation of Yahweh himself the

angel of the Lord and yet the bush had

not been consumed by the fire and this

literally arrested Moses as attention

and literally drew him to the burning

bush now note that this isolated place

in the desert did not have the allure of

a palace

or a public platform it was barren it

was cold and it was desolate yet this

was when God finally had Moses's

attention friends it is often when God

isolates us that he's best able to reach

us you remember Jacob don't you Jacob

had been literally a run out of town

he had just stolen his brothers

birthright and he was chased all the way

to her on because he did not want to be

confronted with the dismay and the

disdain of his brother so he fled to a

place called Iran and there he made what

I like to call a Sealy Posturepedic

mattress out of the earth and there he

made a pillow out of a stone and he lied

there that night and in the dream he saw

a ladder ascending and descending from

earth to heaven it was the nature of God

meeting the nurture of men and it was

there where Jacob finally said surely

the Lord was in this place and I did not

know it friends it is there and those

isolated moments and in those isolated

places where God finally gets us to

ourselves so he can finally reach us

best it was a burning bush on the

backside of the desert that finally got

Moses his attention

what is your burning bush moment in what

ways in what circumstances and what

instances has God isolated you from

everything else so that he can come

through clearly to you for some people

it could be a hospital bed for some it

could be by the chilly grave of a loved

one for some it could be through a

terrible divorce or a bad relationship

but what moments is God isolated you to

the point that it's only you and him so

that he can get your attention the

question on the table is will you pay

attention

but not only that dawn can confront us

by way of initiation because in verse 4

so when the Lord saw that he turned

aside to look God called to him from the

midst of the bush and said Moses Moses

and he said Here I am Moses has been

arrested by a burning bush and now that

God has his attention he initiate a

face-to-face confrontation dr. Joel

Gregory remarks that Moses knew that God

had presented himself in treason and

fire and here's a tree that burns and in

it the personal representative of God

you do know God is always setting bushes

on fire calling you arresting you and

grabbing you and as Elizabeth barring

browning would say earth scram would

heaven and every common bush a fire with

God but only he who sees it takes his

shoes off but it's not enough for Moses

to just see God's manifested presence he

also hears God's manifest his presence

because and what most were compared to

the same call from heaven that Abraham

received from the angel of the Lord on

Mount Moriah Moses responds to this

double call with from God with a simple

but unequivocal response Here I am and

it is God's desire for every servant to

respond with that much haste and faith

but in Moses his case and in very much

like our cases he didn't respond to God

until God firstly sought him thanks be

unto God that we have someone that still

knows our address that still knows our

name and is willing to grace us with his

presence even when we're not seeking in

that's the testimony of our salvation I

only chose God because God chose me I

only found who he was because he found

me I only fell at the mercy of the cross

because he was waiting

they're willing to receive me God can

confront us but we have initiation but

he can also consecrate us through

humiliation he said in verse 5 do not

draw near this place take your sandals

off your feet for the place where you

stand is holy ground moreover 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 upon God God has Moses

attention in both vision and voice and

Moses finally realizes what is happening

this is a moment of great magnitude he's

being called to lead and serve in

ministry but he cannot lead and serve in

ministry until he knows God's identity

but not just in definition he needs to

know God's identity in relationship and

it is here where God tells Moses to take

his shoes off of where he stands his

holy ground we understand that when we

take our shoes off it's a sign of

respect or reverence in certain places

and although we know Mount Sinai was a

place of reverence and worship God

didn't have to really tell Moses that

more than that this was the place where

Moses his service was set apart from

anything else he had ever done it was at

this place where God found out who God

was and God let Moses know who he was

but this account closes with a word of

humility not so much the God humiliates

us in ministry because of our

shortcomings but rather he uses who were

not to show us who he is because know at

the end of verse 6 Moses can't even

stand to look at God and I believe this

has to do with the fact that he knows if

you read Exodus 33 and 20 he can't look

at me that's what God said you can't

look at me and be able to live you can't

stand in my presence and live to tell

about it but not only does that prove to

be a reality Moses also knows he's got

some moral failure and he's got some

physical limitations

that would say I'm not good enough to

serve in ministry Lord I can't even put

a good sentence together I'm not an

eloquent speaker you mean to tell me you

want me leading all of these people and

God says yes he says understand Moses I

am Who I am and that's really what God

wants to get across the Moses he says

once you realize who you're not and what

you're not he says then you can fairly

assess Who I am so I want to encourage

you tonight friends that you may not be

the most eloquent of speakers you may

not be the smartest you may not be the

most popular you may not be the best

preacher you may not know all of the

Greek parsing principles you may not

know Hebrew to the letter but if you are

available to be used by God he can use

you in spite of you

that's our testimony tonight that if it

had not been for God using us and

letting doesn't know who he is none of

us would be here tonight

I just want to simply say to you not

tonight friends humble yourself and

understand that it is God who has made

us and not we ourselves we are his sheep

and we are the people of his pasture

let's pray

God we thank you tonight for letting us

know through this burning bush that

you're alive and that you're active that

you're concerned about us and that you

would entrust us to do ministry in your

name all you want is acknowledgement of

who you are through relationship and

availability to go wherever you say go

when you say go so lord thank you for

showing up in those isolated common

situations and letting us know this is

not some mundane routine but this is a

major entrustment that I want you to

embark so lord help us tonight

understand who you are in the face of

who were not Lord take our limitations

take our shortcomings and use them to

your glory into your honor and we will

be so ever careful to give you the

praise honor and glory that is due to

your name it's in the name of Jesus that

we pray amen

you