WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.000 For those who don't know me, I'm Stuart Lester. I'm a part of the team here at Summerhill. 2 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:12.000 I'll start with the question, who here has been a member of a team? 3 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:22.000 Maybe a sporting team, a work team, or you may be a part of a volunteering team who helps other people. 4 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:27.000 Being a part of a team can be a great experience. 5 00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:34.000 You feel like you're a part of something bigger than yourself, and it can be really rewarding. 6 00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:46.000 As you think about being a team member, how do you think it would go if you, as a team member, decided not to participate? 7 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:55.000 That you would dress up in the uniform, you'd put on your gear, you would come out with the team, and then you would stand and watch? 8 00:00:55.000 --> 00:00:57.000 How do you think that would go? 9 00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:02.000 What do you think your team members might say? 10 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:08.000 Some years ago, I played a horse board called Polo Cross, and in Polo Cross, we only have a team of six. 11 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:15.000 You only have three on the field at any given time from your team, you have three of the opposition. 12 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:19.000 So how do you imagine that would go? 13 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:23.000 There's only three of you there, and one of you decides not to do much. 14 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:28.000 I know with some of the guys I played with that wouldn't last very long. 15 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:41.000 So I'm pretty sure that for any of us who have been a part of a team, if we decided not to participate, it wouldn't go well. 16 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:48.000 As a member of a team of any sort, there is an expectation that you will participate. 17 00:01:48.000 --> 00:02:05.000 So this morning we're going to look at our responsibility as Christians as to how we participate with God, into His will and into his plan for our lives. 18 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:11.000 Have you ever considered the fact that God doesn't need us? 19 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:20.000 I know that's a shock to some of us, But it's true. 20 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:29.000 He created us, and His Word tells us that he created us in his image. 21 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:46.000 I didn't know this, but probably every mom and doctor does that incredibly. God produces a heartbeat in us at around five weeks after our parents come together. 22 00:02:46.000 --> 00:03:00.000 We are as small as a grain of rice, and he causes this little group of cells to pulse, and our heartbeat begins. 23 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:19.000 King David, the author of Psalm 139, may not have known this detail, but he did recognize the authority of our amazing Creator when he wrote in verses 13 and 14, for you created my inmost being. 24 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:22.000 You knit me together in my mother's womb. 25 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:26.000 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 26 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:33.000 Your works are wonderful. I know that full well. 27 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:41.000 God provides the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. 28 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:47.000 He provides family, shelter, transport, work, clothing and money. 29 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:54.000 Everything we need to sustain and enjoy and thrive in life. 30 00:03:54.000 --> 00:04:07.000 It's not surprising that when we read in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 31 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:13.000 God is self existent, self sustaining and self sufficient. 32 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:28.000 In today's terms, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit could genuinely exist fully off grid. 33 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:38.000 God doesn't need us, but remarkably, he wants us as a part of his team. 34 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:46.000 Not because we are so awesome, loving, obedient, God seeking or faithful. 35 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:56.000 Not because we do any of these. To the contrary, we often do none or even we do the opposite of these. 36 00:04:56.000 --> 00:05:03.000 The reason God wants us is because he loves us. 37 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:10.000 He simply loves you. 38 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:15.000 We Read in Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you with an everlasting love. 39 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:20.000 I have drawn you with my loving kindness. 40 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:31.000 God loves us not because we are good, but because he is good, loving and kind. 41 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:38.000 Some weeks back I shared a message on transformation offering this question. Have you been changed? 42 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:46.000 Has your journey with Christ transformed you, who you are, what you do and how you speak? 43 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:51.000 This morning I would like to focus on why. Why change? 44 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:55.000 What is the purpose of that transformation? 45 00:05:55.000 --> 00:06:04.000 A great pastor has said transformation is God's work, but participation is our responsibility. 46 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:07.000 And if you've been listening, of course, that's our own. 47 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:13.000 Pastor Steve Fitzallen said those words a couple of times. 48 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:16.000 Transformation is God's work. 49 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:42.000 From gotquestions.org if you'd like to google up Got questions? If you've ever got questions about faith or the Bible, they're a great resource to to answer some of those questions they write in the Bible. Transformation means change or renewal from a life that no longer conforms to the ways of the world to one that pleases God. 50 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:52.000 And we Read this in Romans 12:2 do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 51 00:06:52.000 --> 00:07:00.000 Then you'll be able to test and approve what God's will is his good, pleasing and perfect will. 52 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:10.000 When we decide to follow Jesus, he helps us understand what is in our lives that we need to leave behind. 53 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:15.000 That is the patterns of this world and what we need to step into. 54 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:22.000 His good, pleasing and perfect will. 55 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:28.000 He empowers us and builds us into the men and women he has created us to be. 56 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:44.000 So our transformation is from God that leaves us with the responsibility to participate, to join with Christ in His incredible plan for us. 57 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:48.000 Participate is an action word. 58 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:50.000 We need to do something. 59 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:55.000 Turn up, step in be willing to work, to move. 60 00:07:55.000 --> 00:08:00.000 Put simply, have a go. 61 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:05.000 As servants of God, participation in his work is mandatory. 62 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:15.000 Our actions, words and even thoughts are evidence of our participation in the Gospel. 63 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:22.000 In the Bible, there are many men and women who took their participation in the faith with great responsibility. 64 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:34.000 Men like Paul, the great apostle, faced huge opposition in seeking to share the Gospel of Christ being stoned, put in prison and shipwrecked. 65 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:52.000 Mary, Jesus own mother, who faced some of the deepest sorrow a woman could endure knowing her son from his miraculous conception, incredible life, most cruel death, and finally his resurrection. 66 00:08:52.000 --> 00:09:00.000 All because she believed faithfully in God. 67 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:05.000 And there are many more, like Elijah, Jeremiah and Job. 68 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:11.000 But this morning we will consider the servant leader and prophet Moses. 69 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:19.000 Moses is referred to as Servant more than anyone else in the Bible. 70 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:35.000 The concept of servant is summed up well in this quote from General Bruce C. Clark, an army officer who served In World War I, World War II in the Korean War. 71 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:45.000 Rank is given you to enable you to better serve those above and below you. 72 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:54.000 It is not given for you to practice your idiosyncrasies. 73 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:59.000 We read Moses story in the Book of Exodus, beginning in chapter three. 74 00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:02.000 Moses is an Israelite. 75 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:08.000 His people are being held captive in a foreign country, as Fiona has alluded to. 76 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:14.000 He has gotten into some trouble in Egypt, so he's taken off to a place called Midian, where he meets a girl. 77 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:20.000 He gets married and is working for his father in law as a shepherd looking after the sheep. 78 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:37.000 Things are at peace for Moses until this day. He is leading the sheep up on a mountain to find feed, and quite unexpectedly, he sees a burning bush that doesn't burn down. 79 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:44.000 He goes to look at it, just to hear the voice of God speaking from the bush. 80 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:54.000 God asks Moses to return to Egypt and to lead his people out of captivity. And God reassures Moses by saying, I will be with you. 81 00:10:54.000 --> 00:11:00.000 Seems simple enough. 82 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:03.000 But Moses doesn't want to go. 83 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:09.000 And when we don't want to go, we start to make excuses. 84 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:17.000 Firstly, I am nobody, and says, who am I that I should go? God answers by explaining just how it is going to unfold. 85 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:20.000 Secondly, Moses says, what if they don't believe me? 86 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:29.000 God answers this time showing Moses three miracles he will be able to do that will prove he was sent from God. 87 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:37.000 Thirdly, Moses tries, O Lord, I have never been eloquent. I am slow of speech and tongue. 88 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:42.000 This time God answers with a little frustration. 89 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:45.000 Who gave man his mouth? 90 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:48.000 Who makes him deaf or mute? 91 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:50.000 Is it not I, the Lord? 92 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:54.000 I will help you speak. 93 00:11:54.000 --> 00:12:03.000 But Moses said, o Lord, please send someone else to do it. 94 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:10.000 Then the word says the Lord's anger burned against Moses. 95 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:21.000 Many of you are parents and you've asked one of your children to take a certain course of action because it's in their best interest. 96 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:34.000 And the answers may be something like, I don't want to do that, or but Mum, I want to ride my bike out on the street. 97 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:43.000 Or dad, I'm 15, I can wear what I like. 98 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:53.000 Or I'm 18, I just want to drive over to my mate's place and have a few drinks with my friends. 99 00:12:53.000 --> 00:13:08.000 When you see the dangers and you know the hurt that can come from these actions, how do you feel? 100 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:15.000 Isn't it because you love them that you need them to understand? 101 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:27.000 Like God with Moses? Perhaps they need to see you get that passionate before they truly understand. 102 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:44.000 Or maybe you remember disagreeing with your parents on what you wanted to wear, where you wanted to go and who you wanted to go with. 103 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:56.000 Did you ever think of your parents? You may have even said this out loud, if you love me, you would let me. 104 00:13:56.000 --> 00:14:02.000 And did your parents sometimes get angry? 105 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:04.000 Maybe like a loving God? 106 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:16.000 Loving parents will get angry if they can see their child may get hurt, deeply embarrassed or badly injured. 107 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:21.000 How you express that anger is another topic for another day. 108 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:24.000 But yes, God does get angry. 109 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:43.000 Recently a good friend told me of a fridge magnet she'd seen on a fridge and it said, Jesus is coming back and he's not happy. 110 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:54.000 It is interesting that one of the ways many people in our society today reject the good news of Jesus Christ. 111 00:14:54.000 --> 00:15:12.000 And they say, if God is the God of love and he loves me, he would happily allow me to live like this, or he would let me do this as a child doesn't see the danger of their disobedience. 112 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:20.000 Moses could not see at this point how important the task he was trying to avoid was. 113 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:24.000 A whole nation was going to be saved through his obedience. 114 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:30.000 It wasn't about him or his limited understanding of what was needed. 115 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:42.000 God had a history changing role for this humble man, but he did require an obedient participant. 116 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:54.000 Thinking over your life right now, are you participating with God in his big picture plan or are you looking on? 117 00:15:54.000 --> 00:16:05.000 Are you serving obediently? Or could you be frustrating the Lord's plans with some well rehearsed excuses? 118 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:13.000 Our attitude to the service of Christ should be the same as his attitude is for service to God the Father. 119 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:17.000 We read in Philippians 2, 5, 8. 120 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:30.000 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who being in Very nature. God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing. 121 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:55.000 Taking on the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. 122 00:16:55.000 --> 00:17:06.000 Sadly, I find it ever so easy to have a plan in my head as to where I believe God is leading. 123 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:13.000 So much so that, like Moses, I stopped listening to what God is saying. 124 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:18.000 Some years ago, I found myself between jobs. 125 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:24.000 I had been reassured that in the next few weeks a position I had been offered would become available. 126 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:31.000 I finished up the old job just before Christmas and was looking forward to the new one starting in the new year. 127 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:36.000 But days turned into weeks. 128 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:42.000 In the meantime, I saw another position advertised and thought that it would be good. 129 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:47.000 Then I thought, no, that's fine, I'll wait. 130 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:56.000 A week or so later I met a mate whom I rarely see. But he mentioned he had a friend who had this job going and that if I was interested, I should give him a call. 131 00:17:56.000 --> 00:18:00.000 It was the same company I had seen advertising. 132 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:04.000 I rang the guy and had a chat. It sounded pretty good. 133 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:09.000 I said, thank you, but I'll probably leave it for now. 134 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:13.000 Guess what? 135 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:27.000 Another week or so later, another friend mentioned the same company. We're looking for an operator now. You would think at this point. 136 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:37.000 A grown Christian man would see when God has a plan for you and you should consider it seriously. 137 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:41.000 But not this one. 138 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:49.000 Eventually I started the first job and God was kind. 139 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:55.000 But sadly that business got sold and I lost my job. 140 00:18:55.000 --> 00:19:00.000 Who would have thought? 141 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:04.000 We need to listen. 142 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:10.000 We need to be prepared to listen and not think we know what God wants. 143 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:13.000 But be very careful. We wait. 144 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:16.000 Listen. 145 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:23.000 When God calls us to participate in his service, he never leaves us alone to fulfil that service. 146 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:31.000 From Exodus 4 we read how God empowered Moses by giving him three miraculous signs to perform before Pharaoh. 147 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:38.000 Firstly, from verse 2, when God turns Moses staff into a snake and back into a staff. 148 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:55.000 Secondly from verse 6, he makes Moses hand leprous and then restores it. And thirdly, down in verse nine, we read, but if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. 149 00:19:55.000 --> 00:20:02.000 The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground. 150 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:10.000 Now, as if these miraculous signs weren't enough, the Father again reminds Moses in verse 12. 151 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:12.000 Now go. 152 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:25.000 I will help you speak and will teach you what to say, as God did for Moses in this story. In the Old Testament we are blessed equally by the promises of the New Testament. 153 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:43.000 For John the Apostle tells us in his book from chapter 14, verse 15, if you love me, you will obey what I command, and I will ask the Father and He will give you another counsellor to be with you forever. The Spirit of truth. 154 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:51.000 As God was with Moses, the promised Holy Spirit is with you and I who have put our faith in Christ. 155 00:20:51.000 --> 00:21:00.000 And he will provide us with the power and strength we need to serve him obediently. 156 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:21.000 As Christians, when we find ourselves floundering in some difficulty, a sudden loss, a negative diagnosis or worrying situation that just doesn't seem to have an end, we are blessed to have the healing and restoring power of the Holy Spirit available. 157 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:37.000 From Ephesians 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being. 158 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:52.000 Looking forward, how is God asking you to participate in his mission, his plan right now? 159 00:21:52.000 --> 00:22:05.000 We never know what God has in store for us, but we all know that if we don't move, it is very hard for the Lord to redirect us. 160 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:10.000 As they say, it is difficult to turn a stationary ship. 161 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:18.000 The Book of Exodus is the incredible story of God's faithfulness and power at work in the lives of his people. 162 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:32.000 We read in chapter 14, verse 31. And when the Israelites saw the great power of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in His. Moses, Moses his servant. 163 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:42.000 And again from 3311, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend. 164 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:56.000 This reluctant and fear filled servant, shepherd of sheep, would not only lead a nation out of slavery, but would also have one of the closest relationships with God recorded in scripture. 165 00:22:56.000 --> 00:23:05.000 And this because he became the obedient participant of God. 166 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:23.000 To finish up this morning, may I share with you how transformation, God's work followed by participation in his will has changed my life. 167 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:38.000 This Christmas Day, this one coming 20 years ago, I came into this church for the first time and not really knowing why. 168 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:43.000 The life I had lived for the prior 40 years had left me washed out and lost. 169 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:48.000 With few close friends and with no real purpose. 170 00:23:48.000 --> 00:24:07.000 I had tried many things and ways to find fulfilment and hope successfully. Riding competition horses had filled much of my life, but left a deep stain of arrogance and pride. 171 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:17.000 Drinking and playing the fool had diminished my integrity in the eyes of many. 172 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:32.000 Being married was a real positive in my life, but arrogance and selfishness destroyed that. 173 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:38.000 Walking away from a loving wife. 174 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:44.000 And the Deep desire for a sexual relationship proved very destructive. 175 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:52.000 The culmination of these things left me wondering, is this all there is to life? 176 00:24:52.000 --> 00:25:09.000 I had seen during my life some people whom I admired for their humility and integrity and knowing they were Christians sometimes wondered, could I ever be like that? 177 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:17.000 It was at a particularly low point that I spoke to a Christian friend and asked why he appeared to have it all together. 178 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:22.000 He said it was his faith. 179 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:24.000 This got me thinking. 180 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:32.000 Maybe this faith thing could change me into a decent man. 181 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:48.000 He also explained the reality as to how I had been living my life and how that it was destroying me that I needed to submit my life to Christ. 182 00:25:48.000 --> 00:26:01.000 At first I wasn't convinced, but realized soon after I am a sinner and that sin condemns us to death. 183 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:18.000 And the only way I could be free of this condemnation was to understand that Christ paid the price for my sin, that I needed to repent, turn from my old ways and receive Christ by faith. 184 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:36.000 My salvation was not a dramatic one or a one off event, but a steady learning from God's word, solid preaching and discipleship training from godly men and women. 185 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:54.000 As I look back at the life I used to live and the result of that lifestyle and of the decisions made God's saving grace, his work transformed my life. 186 00:26:54.000 --> 00:27:09.000 From seeking fulfilment in alcohol, sport and relationships, I now have contentment, direction and hope in Him. 187 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:20.000 I have many regrets, none heavier than the hurt I caused my family and other people. 188 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:32.000 The lost opportunities to serve Christ and to know his love, mercy and forgiveness many years earlier. 189 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:40.000 Since participating in the call of God on my life, it has been and continues to be challenging. 190 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:49.000 But God in His grace is teaching me every day to trust him, listen to him and learn from Him. 191 00:27:49.000 --> 00:28:00.000 But the greatest benefit is that I know for certain that I have eternal life. 192 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:07.000 Friend, Jesus has paid a huge price for your salvation. 193 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:10.000 Suffering a torturous death. 194 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:17.000 It is in his grace and his grace alone that you are saved. 195 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:22.000 How is God asking you to participate? 196 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:26.000 Is he calling you to commit your life to Him? 197 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:31.000 No more excuses. 198 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:38.000 Or maybe he's calling you, as Brian mentioned earlier, to step onto leadership. 199 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:43.000 No more excuses. 200 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:56.000 Or maybe simply asking you to share your salvation story with someone this week with no more excuses.