The Burning Bush

Text: Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Introduction: As we celebrate our 47th anniversary, it is good for us to stop and ask what our vision is. God has called us to preach the Gospel in our community and to all living creatures. For us to keep the fire going with in each of us we must continually remind ourselves of the reason for following God’s will in our individual lives as well as with in our assembly. So today we want to check our vision.

To aid us in this we will examine a man of God who was also called to do a very special task. In our example today we will use in Moses. Let’s take a look at his calling and see how it still applies today.

Exodus 3: 1-6

Notice these thoughts as we look at the call of Moses…

1. In the bush we see our focus: The Glory of God

A parallel verse can be found in Deut. 33:16

Deuteronomy 33:16 And for the precious things of the earth and fullness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.

A. The glory of God – the word dwelt is the Hebrew verb shakan which is related to the Hebrew word shekinah.

B. As Moses looked on the burning bush he was seeing his first glimpse of the glory of God.

C. To serve acceptably we must understand that all is for the glory of God. We must be able to gaze upon his glory.

D. Isaiah - Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

E. Paul - Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

F. A vision of the glory of God is an essential prerequisite if are to serve acceptably.

G. As a New Testament Church it is first and foremost our calling to bring Glory to God. Ephesians 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

2. In the Bush we see our reason: The Burning Bush – shows God’s Grace

A. There are some fascinating ideas to contemplate when considering the burning bush.

B. Bush burning with fire and yet the bush was not burnt. The bush that God appeared in was just waiting to burn. Arid land, dry ground makes all the landscape dangerous when fire is present.

C. Yet because God is in control he was able to control the fire so that the bush did not burn.

D. Divine Judgment – God’s holiness in active opposition against evil. Heb. 12:29For our God is a consuming fire.

E. How can God who is a consuming fire burning up all that is contrary to his holy nature-reveal Himself without consuming?

F. Habakkuk 1:13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity…

G, In the way that God reveals himself to Moses in the bush, God has also revealed himself to us as well. While God’s judgment demands recompense, God’s grace offers a way of escape. Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

H Sin brought death (God’s judgment –fire) Grace has brought life. Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

3. In The Bush we see our Savior’s suffering: The thorny bush

A. The word used in Deut. 33:16 senah means thorny bush.

B. Thorns are a lasting reminder of the curse. Genesis 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

C. The creation that God created and was subject to punishment because of man’s sin was used cause pain on our Savior. Matthew 27:29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

D. The crown of thorns was just a small part of the complete suffering that our Savior endured on our behalf. Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
1 Peter 2:23-24Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

4. In the burning Bush we see our eternity – Life in Christ.

A. Moses records that God reveals Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jesus uses these words to prove to the Sadducees that there is a resurrection. Luke 20:37-38 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

B. The resurrection is our central hope in faith in Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:20-25 But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep. For since by man came death, by man came also resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.

C. Titus 2:11-15

Conclusion: What is our vision? God’s glory revealed in His grace towards us manifested through Jesus Christ our Savior who suffered on our behalf that we might have life.

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

The question we must all ask ourselves today is do we see Jesus or something else. As we move forward on another year of existence as a New Testament Church our vision will be either sharp or dull depending on how we see Jesus.