AUG.13, 2000

1 Chr 11:4-9

4 And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land. 5 And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David. 6 And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief. 7 And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called it the city of David. 8 And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9 So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.

OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS I HAVE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH YOU ABOUT THE VISION GOD HAS GIVEN ME FOR THE CHURCH WHICH MOTIVATED ME TO PIONEER THIS CHURCH AND TO CALL IT BY THE NAME OF ZION.

Prov 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish:

but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

VISION: HAS REFERENCE TO THAT WHICH WE SEE, A DREAM, A GOAL, A REVELATION, SOMETHING TO PURSUE; VISION IS HAVING A SENSE OF DIRECTION AND PURPOSE IN LIFE. FOR A CHRISTIAN VISION IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE KNOWLEDGE GOD'S WILL. NOW, GOD’S WILL FOR BUILDING HIS CHURCH WAS REVEALED TO ME IN THE TERMS OF THE PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE OF ZION.

WE HAVE LEARNED OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS THAT ZION WAS FORMERLY A JEBUSITE FORT THAT PROTECTED THE JEBUSITE’S AND SUPPORTED THEIR PRESENCE AND ECONOMY IN THE LAND FOR OVER 500 YEARS. THIS FORT WAS IMPENETRABLE UNTIL DAVID TOOK THE FORT AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS REIGN AS KING IN ISRAEL.

THIS ACCOUNT IN 1CHR. 11:-4-9 IDENTIFIES THIS JEBUSITE STRONGHOLD AS A CASTLE OR MORE LITERALLY A FORT. IT WAS A MILITARY BASE FOR PROTECTING THE JEBUSITE GOVERNMENT AND LATER BECAME THE SEAT OF DAVID’S REIGN AS KING OVER ISRAEL. AFTER DAVID TOOK THE FORT OF ZION HE DECIDED TO DWELL IN THE FORT AND TO SET UP THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL THERE. SO THE OLD TESTAMENT ACCOUNT OF ZION IS THAT IT REPRESENTED THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH DURING THE REIGN OF DAVID. ZION ACCOMMODATED THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL AS WELL AS THE MILITARY FORCE TO DEFEND IT AND TO ENFORCE ITS LAWS. NOW WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL APPLICATION OF ALL THIS: WELL, LET’S TURN TO PSALM 2 FOR A REVIEW.

Ps 2:1-7

1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

THERE WAS AN IMPENETRABLE STRONGHOLD OVER ALL OF HUMANITY AS A RESULT OF ADAM’S SIN. DEATH, THE CONSEQUENCE AND THE DIVINE PENALTY OF SIN REIGNED AS A KING OVER ALL OF HUMANITY ACCORDING TO ROM. 5:14 "Neverthless, death reigned from Adam to Moses." THIS JEBUSITE STRONGHOLD OF ZION WAS A O.T. TYPE OF THE REIGN OF DEATH OVER HUMANITY. BUT JUST AS DAVID HAD A SECRET PLAN OF ATTACK UPON THE JEBUSITE STRONGHOLD OF ZION SO GOD HAD A SECRET PLAN OF ATTACK TO BREAK THE REIGN OF DEATH OVER HUMANITY.

THIS PHRASE IN PSA.2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. IS O.T. LANGUAGE DESCRIBING THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST. TO BE BEGOTTEN MEANS TO BE RAISE FROM THE DEAD. WHEN CHRIST WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD HE ESTABLISHED A NEW GOVERNMENT AND KINGDOM OVER HUMANITY AND IS NOW SITTING ON HIS THRONE WAITING UNTIL ALL ENEMIES BE PLACED UNDER HIS FOOTSTOOL.

Heb 10:12-13

12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever,

sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting

till his enemies be made his footstool.

2 Tim 1:10

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (Abolished = katregeo, to render usless, unemployed)

1 Cor 15:24-28

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

JESUS HAS LEGALLY DEFEATED THE REIGN OF DEATH OVER HUMANITY AND HAS DESTROYED HIM THAT HAD THE POWER OF DEATH. DAVID SAYS PROPHETICALLY IN PSA. 2 THAT THE KING WOULD ESTABLISH HIS KINGDOM IN ZION…Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. SO ZION REPRESENTS THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE REIGN OF ETERNAL LIFE OVER REDEEMED HUMANITY.

Heb 2:14-18

14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood,

he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he

might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but

he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it

behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a

merciful and faithful high priest in things ertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself

hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

THE WORD "DESTROY" IN REFERENCE TO THE REIGN OF DEATH IN HEB. 2:14 IS THE SAME WORD IN 2 TIM.1:10 ABOLISH. IT’S THE GREEK WORD KATREGEO AND MEANS TO RENDER ENTIRELY USELESS, INOPERATIVE AND UNEMPLOYED, TO HAVE NO FURTHER EFFICIENCY, TO PUT OUT OF ACTION, TO DEPRIVE OF FORCE AND POWER. THESE WORDS DO NOT MEAN TO ANNIHILATE BUT TO STRIP OF POWER AND AUTHORITY. SO IN THE RESURRECTION JESUS DEFEATED HIM THAT HAD THE POWER OR AUTHROITY OF DEATH, THAT IS DEVIL AND HAS STRIPPED HIM OF ALL HIS LEGAL RIGHTS TO EXECUTE THE DIVINE PENALTY FOR SIN OVER HUMANITY.

Col 2:15

15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (KJV)

Col 2:15

15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (NIV)

Col 2:15

15 In this way God took away Satan's power to accuse you of sin, and God openly displayed to the whole world Christ's triumph at the cross where your sins were all taken away. (LVG)

THE REIGN OF DEATH OVER HUMANITY HAS COME TO AN END WHEN CHRIST WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD. SATAN HAS LOST HIS POWER AND AUTHORITY TO HOLD MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN BONDAGE TO DEATH. THIS IS ALL TYPIFIED IN THE NAME ZION. ZION IS THE SEAT OF GOD’S GOVERNMENT AND KINGDOM AND IS THE PLACE OF DELIVERANCE FOR OPPRESSED HUMANITY.

Joel 2:32

32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name

of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem

shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant

whom the LORD shall call.

Joel 2:32

32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name

of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in

Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said,

and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Obad 1:17-21

17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. 18 And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it. 19 And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead. 20 And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south. 21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD's.

Obad 1:17

17 But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and the house of Jacob will possess its inheritance.

Obad 1:21

21 Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the LORD's.

SAVIORS: Strong's # 3467 yasha` (yaw-shah');

a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by

implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor:

KJV-- X at all, avenging, defend, deliver (-er), help, preserve,

rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save (-iour), get victory.

DON’T LET THIS VERSE IN OBAD. CONFUSE YOU IN ANY WAY: THERE IS ONLY ONE SAVIOR OF MANKIND AND THAT IS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. THE WORD "SAVIOUS" IN OBAD.1:21 IS REALLY INTERPRETED DELIVERER. THERE ARE MANY HURTING PEOPLE IN OUR CITY THAT NEED TO BE DELIVERED FROM TORMENTING AND ADDICTIVE SPIRITS. THERE ARE MANY HURTING PEOPLE THAT NEED TO BE DELIVERED FROM GENERATION CURSES AND DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIORS AND GOD HAS CALLED US, ZION, TO REACH OUT TO THESE HURTING PEOPLE WITH THE LOVE OF GOD AND THE POWER OF GOD TO TURN PEOPLE FROM THE POWER OF SATAN TO THE POWER OF GOD. HERE IS THE TESTIMONY OF PAUL’S CALLING AS WELL AS OURS.

WE LEARN FROM THESE 2 SCRIPTURES THAT ZION IS THAT PLACE WHERE GOD’S DELIVERANCE WILL COME FOR OPPRESSED HUMANITY AND REPRESENTS THE VISION FOR THIS LOCAL CHURCH. WE WANT TO REACH OUT TO HURTING AND OPPRESSED PEOPLE WHO ARE IN BONDAGE TO THE MALADIES OF SIN AND DEATH AND OFFER TO THEM THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. DELIVERANCE WILL ISSUE FORTH FROM ZION WITH THE AUTHORITY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD BACKING IT.

NOW, HERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT THE SCRIPTURE AFFIRMS IS IN ZION:

1. GOD HIMSELF IS DWELLING IN ZION.

2. THERE’S AN INNUMERABLE ARMY OF ANGELS.

3. THE RESURRECTED CHRIST IS DWELLING IN ZION.

4. THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD

5. THE ARMIES OF GOD

6. THE PALACE OR THE THRONE OF JESUS IS TYPIFIED IN ZION.

7. DELIVERANCE ISSUE FORTH FROM ZION

GOD IS PRESENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF RAISING UP AND PREPARING DELIVERERS TO SEND FORTH TO MINISTER UNTO HURTING AND OPPRESSED HUMANITY. AND SO WE READ IN:

Isa 2:1-3

1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Micah 4:1-2

1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain

of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will

teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law

shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

PLEASE NOTICE THAT THESE 2 SCRIPTURES OFFER THE INVITATION FOR PEOPLE TO COME UP TO ZION, TO LEARN GOD’S WAYS, TO WALK IT OUT IN THEIR OWN LIVES AND TO REACH OUT TO OTHERS WITH THE LOVE OF GOD AND THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. THE LAW SHALL GO FORTH OF ZION AND THE WORD OF THE LORD FROM JERUSALEM.

Isa 55:7-9

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

THE PHRASE, "TO GO UP" MEANS WE MUST COME UP TO GOD’S STANDARD IN EVERYTHING WE DO AND SAY. FOR IT IS THERE THAT HE WILL TEACH US HIS WAYS. NOW, HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT GOD’S WAYS ARE CONTRARY TO MAN’S WAYS? HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT GOD’S METHODS ARE DIFFERENT FROM MAN’S METHODS? SO WE HAVE TO LEARN TO DO THINGS GOD’S WAY.

Ps 103:6-8

6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for

all that are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways unto Moses,

his acts unto the children of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and

gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

HERE’S A SIMPLE LITTLE VERSE OF SCRIPTURE THAT WE CAN PASS OVER WITH LITTLE OR NO THOUGHT AT ALL AND YET HEREIN LIES THE SECRET TO COMING UP TO ZION AND SUBMITTING TO GOD’S PROCESSING OF DELIVERERS. THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SAW THE ACTS OF GOD THROUGH MOSES BUT DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY HAPPENED. MOSES, ON THE OTHER HAND UNDERSTOOD GOD’S WAYS BECAUSE HE WAS TRAINED AND PROCESSED BY THE LORD AND RAISED UP TO BE A DELIVERER.

EX. CHAPTER 2 AND ACTS CHAPTER 7 DESCRIBES FOR US THE PROCESS OF MOSES PREPARATION TO BE A DELIVERER AND IS SET FORTH AS AN EXAMPLE UNTO US. LET’S READ STEPHEN’S ACCOUNT IN ACTS 7

Acts 7:20-37

20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months: 21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. (HERE WE SEE THAT THE DELIVERER FIRST OF ALL BECAME BECAME THE DELIVEREE) 22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. 23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. (GOD BIRTHED A VISION IN HIS HEART) 24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: 25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. (MA’S WAYS ARE NOT GOD’S WAYS) 26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? 27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday? 29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons. 30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him, 32 Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold. 33 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground. 34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt. 35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. 36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. 37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

STEPHEN IS SPEAKING TO THE HIGH PRIEST AND THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS WHO HAVE REJECTED JESUS AND THE GOSPEL MESSAGE. HE BEGINS TO GIVE A SYNOPSIS OF ISRAEL’S HISTORY TO PERSUADE THEM TO BELIEVE IN JESUS. HEREIN LIES THE N. T. ACCOUNT OF MOSES BEING RAISED AS A DELIVERER TO GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE WHO WERE IN BONDAGE TO EGYPT.

WE SEE RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING THAT MOSES WAS CALLED TO BE A DELIVERER BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT HIS NAME MEANS, TO DRAW OUT, TO RESCUE OR TO DELIVER. MOSES WAS DRAWN OUT OF THE NILE RIVER BY PHAROAH’S DAUGHTER AND SHE ADOPTED HIM AND RAISED HIM AS ONE OF THE KINGS SONS. NOW, EGYPT IS A TYPE OF THE WORLD AND SO MOSES WAS trained in all the wisdom of the ancient Egyptians. He became a mighty prince and a gifted speaker AND A LEADER IN THE ARMY OF EGYPT. ONE WOULD SURELY THINK THAT HE WOULD HAVE HAD THE QUALIFICATIONS TO BE GOD’S DELIVERER FOR ISRAEL BUT THEN GOD’S WAYS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR WAYS, AND GOD’S THOUGHT ARE HIGHER THAN OUR THOUGHTS.

WHEN GOD BIRTHS A VISION IN OUR HEART WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO RESPOND THE SAME WAY THAT MOSES DID IN VERSE:

Acts 7:23-25

23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: 25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

MOSES WAS DEFINITELY CALLED TO BE A LEADER AND CALLED TO BE A DELIVERER JUST AS ALL OF US ARE CALLED IN ZION TO LEAD IN SOME CAPACITY. NOW, THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF CALLINGS INTO LEADERSHIP:

THIS IS THE KIND OF CALLING MOSES RECEIVED. IT'S THE KIND THAT PEOPLE GET WHEN THEY BECOME PREACHERS, AND DIRECTORS OF YOUTH MINISTRY AND CHILDREN'S MINISTRY AND MUSIC MINISTRY. IT'S THE KIND THAT TELLS PEOPLE TO LEAD FRIENDSHIP GROUPS, OR TEACH THE KIDS. IT PUTS YOU IN FRONT OF A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I WISH I HAD MORE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THIS TYPE OF CALLING, BUT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS MESSAGE, THE SECOND TYPE IS MORE IMPORTANT BECAUSE ...

LISTEN TO WHAT PAUL TOLD TIMOTHY ABOUT PROVIDING SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH ...

... YOU MUST TEACH OTHERS THOSE THINGS YOU AND MANY OTHERS HAVE HEARD ME SPEAK ABOUT. TEACH THESE GREAT TRUTHS TO TRUSTWORTHY MEN WHO WILL, IN TURN, PASS THEM ON TO OTHERS. 2 TIMOTHY 2:2TLB

IT'S A MENTORING PROCESS. THOSE WHO HAVE DEVELOPED SOME SPIRITUAL MATURITY ARE CALLED TO BE INVOLVED IN IT AS MENTORS. WE'RE EXPECTED TO BE INVOLVED IN PASSING ON WHAT WE KNOW OF CHRIST TO OTHERS WHO ARE A STEP OR TWO BEHIND US. HOW DO YOU DO THAT? GET INTO A SMALL GROUP. HELP WITH YOUTH PROGRAM. WORK IN CHILDREN'S MINISTRY. BY THE WAY - THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL. DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S CALLED WHEN STUFF KEEPS GOING IN BUT NEVER COMES OUT? CONSTIPATION. IT'S POSSIBLE TO BECOME SPIRITUALLY CONSTIPATED! FOR YOUR OWN SPIRITUAL HEALTH, YOU NEED TO BE INVOLVED IN LEADING OTHER BELIEVERS TO GROW IN THEIR FAITH. EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT CALLED BY GOD TO SERVE IN AN UPFRONT FASHION, GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO BE A LEADER IN THAT SENSE AND LIKE MOSES YOU NEED TO BE PROCESSED BY THE LORD.

IN ACTS 7:25 MOSES THOUGHT HIS BROTHERS WOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD THAT GOD BY HIS HAND WOULD BRING DELIVERANCE. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT GOD NEVER DOES ANYTHING BY THE HAND OF MAN. GOD NEVER USES HUMAN ABILITY ALL HE REQUIRES IS HUMAN AVAILABILITY AND A WILLINGNESS TO LET GO AND TO LET GOD HAVE CONTROL. HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT’S A LEARNING PROCESS? MOSES NEEDED TO LEARN THIS AND SO DO WE, WE NEED TO BE PROCESSED BY GOD FOR LEADERSHIP AND DELIVERANCE MINISTRY TO HURTING PEOPLE IN OUR CITY.

Exod 2:11-12

11 And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown,

that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens:

and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.

12 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there

was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

HERE IN EX.2:12 WE SEE THE INSECURITY OF MOSES BECAUSE BEFORE HE STRUCK DOWN THE EGYPTIAN, "HE LOOKED THIS WAY AND THAT" TO SEE IF ANYONE WAS WATCHING. SOMEONE WHOSE IDENTITY IS FIRMLY ROOTED IN GOD DOESN'T NEED TO LOOK "THIS WAY AND THAT" TO SEE IF HE CAN GET AWAY WITH SOME CLANDESTINE PLAN. SUCH A PERSON WOULD BE CONFIDENT IN GOD. SUCH A PERSON WOULD LOOK TO GOD, NOT "THIS WAY AND THAT." WHEN MOSES AND AARON CONFRONTED PHARAOH WITH EVIDENCE OF GOD, PHARAOH "TURNED" AND WENT AWAY (7:23). HE HAD NO INTEREST IN GOD. THE WORD FOR "TURNED" (PANAH) IS THE SAME WORD FOR "LOOKED" IN 2:12. MOSES WAS NOT INTERESTED IN TURNING TO GOD. THEREFORE, HE WAS A FEARFUL, INSECURE MAN.

WHAT WE NEED TO LEARN IS THAT GOD IS THE DELIVERER, NOT MOSES. MOSES "STRUCK DOWN" ONE EGYPTIAN, THEN HID THE BODY IN FEAR. GOD WOULD "STRIKE DOWN" ALL OF EGYPT'S FIRST-BORN (12:12). WHEN GOD STRIKES DOWN EGYPT, THERE WILL BE NO NEED TO HIDE THE BODIES. THE LAND WILL BE FILLED WITH THEM. GOD DELIVERED MOSES, AND GOD WILL DELIVER ISRAEL. MOSES DIDN'T DELIVER HIMSELF, AND HE CAN'T DELIVER ISRAEL. GOD IS THE DELIVERER. MOSES IS GOD'S SERVANT. WHEN WE TRY TO IMPLEMENT THE VISION AND CALLING GOD HAS PLACED ON OUR LIVES WE WILL MEET WITH FAILURE AND THAT IS JUST PART OF THE PROCESS.

IF WE FEEL LIKE FAILURES, THERE'S GOOD NEWS: GOD LOVES FAILURES. WE LEARN HUMILITY THROUGH HUMILIATIONS. AND GOD WORKS WITH US, PICKING UP THE PIECES.

AFTER MOSES FAILS TO CARRY OUT THE VISION FOR ISRAEL’S DELIVERANCE HE FLEES TO MIDIAN, WHICH IS IN THE WILDERNESS. HE GOES TO THE WILDERNESS, WHERE ALL GOD'S PEOPLE END UP TO LEARN ABOUT GOD. MOSES SPENT 40 YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, AS DID ISRAEL. PAUL WENT TO THE WILDERNESS OF ARABIA (GALATIANS 1:17). CHRIST SPENT 40 DAYS IN THE WILDERNESS; THEN HE WAS READY.

MOSES SITS DOWN BY A WELL. HE DOESN'T "GO OUT," AS HE DID BEFORE. HE JUST SITS THERE, PROBABLY QUESTIONING HIMSELF. HE ISN'T SEEKING TO DELIVER ANYONE. THEN SEVEN WOMEN "CAME" TO DRAW WATER (2:16). THOSE WHO NEED DELIVERANCE COME TO HIM. WHEN HE'S GIVEN UP ON ESTABLISHING HIMSELF, SOMETHING COMES TO HIM THAT AWAKENS THOSE HIDDEN DESIRES. THE TEXT SAYS HE "HELPED" (YASHA') THEM, WHICH IS TRANSLATED "SAVE" ELSEWHERE, PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO GOD'S SALVATION (14:30). THE WOMEN TELL THEIR FATHER THAT MOSES "DELIVERED" THEM (2:19).

WHEN MOSES HAD GIVEN UP ON BEING A DELIVERER, HE BECOMES A DELIVERER. HE SAVES THE WOMEN FROM THE SHEPHERDS, AND HE WATERS THEIR FLOCK. THIS LITTLE EPISODE PREFIGURES MOSES' LATER ROLE AS A DELIVERER OF ISRAEL, WHEN HE LEADS THE PEOPLE OUT OF BONDAGE IN EGYPT AND GIVES THEM WATER IN THE WILDERNESS (15:25, 17:6). IN THIS, THEN, GOD OFFERS ENCOURAGEMENT TO MOSES, SHOWING HIM THAT HIS DESIRE TO BE PART OF GOD'S PLAN OF DELIVERANCE IS GOOD. EXODUS 2:16,17

WHEN MOSES STEPPED OUT AND TOOK ACTION, HE BELIEVED THAT THE JEWS WOULD RESPOND BY MAKING HIM THEIR LEADER, BUT THEY DIDN'T. IN FACT, JUST THE OPPOSITE HAPPENED.

"AND WHO ARE YOU?" THE MAN DEMANDED. "I SUPPOSE YOU THINK YOU ARE OUR PRINCE AND JUDGE! AND DO YOU PLAN TO KILL ME AS YOU DID THAT EGYPTIAN YESTERDAY?"

EVEN THOUGH MOSES HAD COMPASSION FOR HIS PEOPLE, HE DIDN'T HAVE THE CHARACTER TO LEAD. AND THE PEOPLE KNEW IT. HE WAS IMPULSIVE, HOT-HEADED, AND HE HAD WAY TOO MUCH CONFIDENCE IN HIS OWN NATURAL ABILITY. AND SO HIS FIRST ATTEMPT AT LEADERSHIP WAS A TOTAL FAILURE. NOT ONLY THAT, IT APPEARED THAT HIS DAYS WERE NUMBERED.

MOSES REALIZED THAT HIS DEED WAS KNOWN, [AND] HE WAS FRIGHTENED. AND SURE ENOUGH, WHEN PHARAOH HEARD ABOUT IT HE ORDERED MOSES ARRESTED AND EXECUTED. BUT MOSES RAN AWAY INTO THE LAND OF MIDIAN. EXODUS 2:1115TLB

... [GOD] COMFORTS AND STRENGTHENS US IN OUR HARDSHIPS AND TRIALS ... SO THAT WHEN OTHERS ARE TROUBLED, NEEDING OUR SYMPATHY AND ENCOURAGEMENT, WE CAN PASS ON TO THEM THIS SAME HELP AND COMFORT GOD HAS GIVEN US. 2 COR. 1:34TLB

LIKE MOSES, GOD USES OUR DESERT EXPERIENCES TO PROCESS US FOR LEADERSHIP AND DELIVERANCE IN ZION. THE WORD MIDIAN LIT. MEANS CONTENTION AND MOSES WAS 40 YEARS IN MIDIAN WHERE GOD CONTENDED WITH HIM AND ALL THE WAYS OF EGYPT THAT HE HAD LEARNED FROM HIS FIRST 40 YEARS. DO YOU REALIZE THAT MOSES WAS 80 YRS OLD WHEN GOD BEGAN TO USE HIM AS ISRALE’S DELIVERER? GOD IS NOT IN A HURRY TO PROCESS US IN CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT CAUSE HE KNOWS THAT IT WILL TAKE YEARS TO BREAK OUR DEPENDENCE ON OUR OWN STRENGTHS, IDEAS, OPINIONS AND WISDOM.

GOD PREPARES US BY CAUSING US TO LEAVE SOME THINGS BEHIND.

• 1. MOSES THOUGHT HE COULD DO GOD'S WILL FROM THE SPLENDOR OF THE PALACE. HE THOUGHT HE COULD BE ISRAEL'S DELIVERER FROM A POSITION OF HUMAN POWER. HOWEVER BEFORE HE COULD BECOME WHAT GOD WANTED HIM TO BE, HE HAD TO LEAVE.

• 2. TO BE WHAT GOD WANT US TO BE THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE HAVE TO LEAVE BEHIND TOO. WE MUST LEAVE OUR SIN, OLD HABITS, WAYS OF THINKING, ADDICTIONS, CRITICAL SPIRIT… WE MUST LEAVE OUR SHAME, ABUSE, INSECURITIES, FAILURES… WE MUST LEAVE OUR BITTERNESS, UNRESOLVED ANGER, UNFORGIVENESS, ON-GOING CONFLICTS, RELATIONAL CANCERS… WE MUST LEAVE OUR DESIRE FOR CONTROL AND LET GOD BE IN CHARGE OF OUR LIVES.

• 3. BEFORE WE CAN BE WHAT GOD WANTS US TO BE WE HAVE TO LEAVE OUR BAGGAGE BEHIND. JESUS SHARED THAT TRUTH WITH THE PERSON WE KNOW AS THE RICH, YOUNG RULER IN MARK 10:21-22.

Acts 7:29

29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.

Exod 2:15-21

15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.

17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. 18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day? 19 And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock. 20 And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread. 21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.

5. MOSES LEARNED THE LESSON OF OBSCURITY. SERVE GOD

GOD PREPARES AND TEACHES US IN BARREN PLACES.

Isa 46:13

13I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

Joel 3:16-18

16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. 18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

Zech 2:10-11

10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. 11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

Zeph 3:16-17

16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion,

Let not thine hands be slack. 17 The LORD thy God in the midst

of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy;

he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

WITH GOD DWELLING IN OUR MIDST, LET THE TRUE ZION OF GOD, THE CHURCH NOT BE LAZY, PROCRASTINATE AND IDLE IN THIS CALL TO LEADERSHIP AND DELIVERANCE. LET NOT YOUR HAND BE SLACK BUT LET’S BE DOING THE WORK OF GOD, BY THE POWER OF GOD AND MOTIVATED BY THE LOVE OF GOD. WE ARE CALLED TO BE DELIVERERS JUST LIKE MOSES TO THE LOST AND EVEN TO SOME OF GOD’S PEOPLE IN OUR CITY THAT NEED TO BE DELIVERED FROM THE SATANIC STRONGHOLDS IN THEIR LIVES. GOD IS CALL US: ZION CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TO SUCH A TASK. WON’T YOU ACCEPT THE INVITATION TO COME UP TO ZION, LEARN HIS WAYS AND WALK IN HIS PATHS? BECAUSE THEN THE LAW WILL GO FORTH OF ZION WHICH REPRESENTS AUTHORITATIVE IN BINDING AND LOOSING AND SETTING THE CAPTIVES FREE. THE CALL IS TO COME UP AND LEARN AND BE PROCESSED BY THE LORD SO THAT WE CAN BE USED BY GOD TO MINISTER TO HURTING PEOPLE IN OUR CITY. LISTEN, WE NEED TO BE COMMITTED TO A CAUSE BIGGER THAN OURSELVES. WE NEED TO GET A VISION OF ZION BECAUSE WITHOUT VISION WE ARE BLIND TO THE OPPORTUNITIES GOD GIVES US TO SERVE HIM BY REACHING OUT TO HURTING PEOPLE IN OUR CITY. WON’T YOU SAY YES TO GOD THIS MORNING?