Podcasts about text exodus

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Latest podcast episodes about text exodus

Cornerstone Bible Church Sermons

Text: Exodus 8:20 - 32Keywords: Plagues, Redemption, Flies

Free Reformed Church of Mundijong
Moses seeks to experience God's glory in his life and the life of his people

Free Reformed Church of Mundijong

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2025 39:39


TEXT: Exodus 33:18-23, 34:4-8 Moses seeks to experience God's glory in his life and the life of his people 1. How Moses asks God to show him His glory 2. How God reveals His goodness and grace to Moses

Kenosha Bible Church | Audio Sermons (Sermons)

Text: Exodus 35:30- 36:6 Topic: Leadership, Integrity, Communication Purpose: To recognize good leaders, to lead well.

Cornerstone Bible Church Sermons

Text: Exodus 8:16-18Keywords: Gnats, Plague, Power

Center Grace Church Podcast
Learning To Pray In The Wilderness - 6/29/2025 sermon

Center Grace Church Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2025 46:14


Text: Exodus 17: 1-16 Preacher: Derek Baker

Cornerstone Bible Church Sermons

Text: Exodus 8: 1-15Keywords: Plague, hearts, obedience

Cornerstone Bible Church Sermons

Text: Exodus 7:14-24Keywords: Miracles, Hardheartedness

The Word for Everyday Disciples with Dave DeSelm
A Passion for His Presence: When Worship Deteriorates

The Word for Everyday Disciples with Dave DeSelm

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2025 36:11


What is worship? Here are a few definitions:Worship is the total adoring response of man to the Eternal God. Worship is responding to all that God is with all that I have.Worship is an active response to God whereby we declare His worth.Do you see some common threads? First of all, worship is an active response. There is no such thing as passive worship. Secondly, worship is to God. It's not “me”-focused. It is ever and always a God-centered activity. But what happens when worship deteriorates into something else? And how does that happen?To help us answer those questions, we're going to look at one of the darkest chapters in the Old Testament— a time when the worship of God's people totally unraveled. In Exodus 32, Moses had gone up Mt. Sinai to receive the law from God and had been gone for many days. The people started getting restless, so they went to Aaron (Moses' brother) and asked him to “make us gods” to worship. So, Aaron created a golden calf and invited the people to worship it. The people's worship of this “god” devolved into drunkenness and revelry. When God saw this, He was angry and ready to destroy them. How did this happen? How did their worship so utterly deteriorate and what observations can we make related to our own worship? 1.     Worship deteriorates when it becomes casual.These people did not abandon worship or forget God altogether. They simply wanted to make Him more palatable, more controllable. You might be wondering, “Did they know any better? What had their encounters with God been like before this?”  Exodus 19 gives us a snapshot. God has given Moses instructions to gather the people to encounter Him. God's presence was displayed through fire, smoke, thunder, lightning, and the sound of a trumpet. The holiness and fearsomeness of God filled the people with awe. Could you imagine anyone in that crowd picking their fingernails or chatting with their neighbor? Would anyone dare critique the presentation? No! They trembled with holy fear because they realized they were in the presence of the Living God!Friends, when we gather for worship, the same God is here! But all too easily we can lose our sense of awe and trivialize God by making worship casual.Here are three ways you can begin to challenge the drift to casual worship.Come prepared. We prepare for what matters. Come on time. We prioritize what matters.Come with a sense of commitment. Commit to worship with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.2.     Worship deterioriates when it becomes consumer-oriented.The Israelites asked Aaron to “make us gods to go before us.” They focus was on them. Consumer-oriented worship has its emphasis on what I want, what I get out of it. It sits back with arms folded and says, “Wow me.”  It critiques worship as one might a show.But real worship focuses on God and responding to Him as He deserves, not as we prefer.  3.     Worship deteriorates when it becomes compartmentalized.That is, it becomes disconnected from life.  In Ex. 32, the people went straight from “worship” to behavior that was disgusting and dishonoring to God. If our worship is simply going through motions, God is not impressed. Worship is meaningful to God only to the extent that it is the reflection of the authentic desires of my heart and an extension of my lifestyle on a day by day basis.  Text: Exodus 32, 19Originally recorded on January 10, 1999, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN

Cornerstone Bible Church Sermons

Text: Exodus 6:28-7:13Keywords: Grace, Obedience, Providence, Faith

Liberty Baptist Tabernacle Podcast
Negative Commands | Pastor Brooks | Sunday Morning

Liberty Baptist Tabernacle Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025


FUMC Sweetwater
'Crossroads' with Special Guest David Pruitt

FUMC Sweetwater

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 18:32


Sermon by Special Guest David Pruitt; May 4, 2025; First Methodist Church - Sweetwater, TX; ‘Crossroads'; Text:  Exodus 14: 5-31 You are invited to join us for our Worship Services at 309 Cedar Street in Sweetwater, Texas. For more information about our Church, please don't hesitate to email us at info@fumcsweetwater.org.(Music provided by spinningmerkaba, Sun Says Yes, under Creative Commons license - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/legalcode)

Echo Church / Rochester MN
Sunday Service // Free-From: Wilderness & War // May 04, 2025

Echo Church / Rochester MN

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2025 46:38


Pastor Andy Cass This message explores the ancient story of the Exodus to reveal how God still desires to set people free today—from sin, fear, addiction, and everything that binds us. True freedom isn't found in doing whatever we want, but in following the One who leads us out of bondage and into purpose. TEXT: Exodus 1:8–14, Romans 6:6, Exodus 12:12, Colossians 2:15, Exodus 12:31, Exodus 12:35–36, Galatians 5:1, Exodus 13:21, Philippians 2:12–13, Exodus 16:4, Romans 5:3–4, Exodus 19:4–6, Galatians 5:13 NOTES: Reality Check- "Does it really feel like the Land of the Free? Or like America the Bound?" “God wants you to be Free…From that which Binds you.” Main Framework- Enslaved & The Battle The Release & The Exodus Reliance & Servitude "Be Careful What saved you can Enslave you." "No power can stand against God's will to free you—except your own.” "When rescue finally came, it wasn't earned—it was given." “Freedom starts with surrender, but it must be followed by steps.” “A season marked by obedience, patience, and refinement. What's the hurry?” “Christianity isn't a static state. Belief alone can become a trap—when the true invitation is to move forward.”

Cornerstone Bible Church Sermons
The Promise of Redemption from Egypt

Cornerstone Bible Church Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2025


Text: Exodus 5:22-6:9Keywords: Redemption, Sovereignty, Promise

Cornerstone Bible Church Sermons

Text: Exodus 4:17-31Keywords: Faith, Commandments,

The Modest Media Company
Biblical Hi(story) - Uncovering the Symbolism in Moses' Birth

The Modest Media Company

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025 22:57


Imagine a tiny baby, adrift on the Nile in a woven basket, his life hanging in the balance. This is the birth of Moses—a story of danger, divine protection, and destiny. In this 22-minute video, we dive into Exodus 2 to explore how this fragile beginning sets the stage for Israel's deliverance and echoes a greater salvation that reverberates through time.Join me as we trace the Israelites' journey from refuge to slavery, uncovering how Joseph's forgiveness brought them to Egypt's doorstep. We'll witness the birth of Moses—a child spared from Pharaoh's decree, destined to lead his people to freedom. Along the way, we'll unpack the striking parallels between Moses and Jesus, both deliverers who emerged from peril to fulfill God's plan. From the waters of the Nile to the shadow of the cross, this narrative weaves destruction and salvation into a single, powerful thread. What can Moses' birth teach us about trusting God in uncertain times? Let's pull on this thread together and uncover its truth for today.

Cornerstone Bible Church Sermons
The Name, Excuses, & Miracles

Cornerstone Bible Church Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025


Text: Exodus 3:16-4:17 Keywords: Savior, Promises, Obedience

Evangelische Freikirche Espelkamp
Dein Gott, der dich heilt // René Gehrmann

Evangelische Freikirche Espelkamp

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 47:30


Text: Exodus 15, 22-27Webseite: https://freikirche-espelkamp.de

Living Hope Sermon Audio
My Strength Is Sufficient

Living Hope Sermon Audio

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2025 32:51


Text: Exodus 6:28-7:7

The Modest Media Company
Biblical Hi(story) - Moses & Exodus: A Story of Chaos and Promise

The Modest Media Company

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2025 25:49


Stories have the power to reveal who we are, where we're going, and how God shapes us through the chaos. In this episode, we step into Exodus (Exodus 1-2)—a raw, untamed saga of a people pulled from slavery into a wilderness of transformation, led by Moses, a reluctant anchor in a storm of rebellion and promise. From Egypt's oppression to the edge of freedom, this opening act asks us: How do you hold fast when every step forward feels like unraveling?Join me as we trace the Israelites' journey from bondage to the brink, unpacking how Exodus sets the stage for humanity's wrestle with identity, faith, and a God who won't let go. We'll explore how Moses' call, the multiplying sons of Jacob, and a new king's fear weave a narrative that's both ancient and alive—pointing to patterns of rejection and redemption that ripple through time.What can Exodus teach us about trusting God in the in-between? Let's dive into this foundational text and uncover its truth for today.

Union Church
Exodus 3:1-6 - God With Us

Union Church

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2025 34:22


Listen along as we continue our series through Exodus. Text: Exodus 3:1-6 Title: God With Us “What Moses does mean by this? Did he mean that he became a foreigner to those who no longer accepted him? To the Egyptians, the Hebrews, or that now he's in Midian and he doesn't belong here either? Moses is a misfit and he has this hybrid identity that doesn't really belong.”  — Dr. Carmen Imes “What is the significance of the fire's being in the bush but not of the bush? It indicates that the fire Moses saw was independent of the bush—it was not using the bush for its fuel. That's why the bush wasn't consumed. It was burning from its own power. It was self-generated. This is a biblical example of what we call theophany, meaning “God made manifest.” The God whom we worship is a spirit. He is invisible, and His invisible substance cannot be seen by the human eye. But there are occasions in redemptive history where the invisible God makes Himself visible by some kind of manifestation. That is called a theophany, and it's what we see with the burning bush.” — R.C. Sproul  “God is not only identifying himself as Yahweh, the God who made a covenant with Abraham to bless him and multiply him and bring him into the land and make him be a blessing to all nations. Not only is He that God, but at the same time He's defining who Moses is. He belongs in that covenant people and the God of his father is that God, the God Yahweh. So he's grown up in an Egyptian context where there are lots of deities, lots of temples, lots of priests worshiping these different deities, and in his first encounter with God he finds out simultaneously who God is, and who he is, and that settles things for him. Going forward, his hybrid identity gets resolved and I think this is how it works actually for all of us. When we come to fully encounter the God of the Bible (Yahweh who revealed himself in Jesus)…as we come to know Yahweh we come to know ourselves. There's no real way to know who we are outside of knowing who God is, who God has created us to be, and who He's called us to be.” — Dr. Carmen Imes “Our wisdom, in so far as it ought to be deemed true and solid Wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. But as these are connected together by many ties, it is not easy to determine which of the two precedes and gives birth to the other. For, in the first place, no man can survey himself without forthwith turning his thoughts towards the God in whom he lives and moves; because it is perfectly obvious, that the endowments which we possess cannot possibly be from ourselves; nay, that our very being is nothing else than subsistence in God alone. In the second place, those blessings which unceasingly distill to us from heaven, are like streams conducting us to the fountain. Here, again, the infinitude of good which resides in God becomes more apparent from our poverty. In particular, the miserable ruin into which the revolt of the first man has plunged us, compels us to turn our eyes upwards; not only that while hungry and famishing we may thence ask what we want, but being aroused by fear may learn humility.”     — John Calvin “Yahweh is and always will be “God with”—God with those who faithfully obey his sending; God with his people in good times and bad; God with the poor and needy in their affliction; and eventually, Immanuel, “God with us.” —Christopher Wright Questions: 1. Can I celebrate the slow nature of character building?  2. Am I attempting to know myself apart from looking outward and upward? 3. Have I truly encountered the God who is with me?

Cornerstone Bible Church Sermons
Moses at the Burning Bush

Cornerstone Bible Church Sermons

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2025


Text: Exodus 3:1-22Keywords: Moses, God, authority, land

Cornerstone Bible Church Sermons

Text: Exodus 2:1-25Keywords: Moses, Deliverance, Egypt

Second CRC of Kalamazoo
You Shall Not Covet

Second CRC of Kalamazoo

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2025 29:10


Pastor John Bothof - Scripture: Exodus 20:17 Text: Exodus 20:17

Second CRC of Kalamazoo
"You Shall Not Covet" L.D. 44

Second CRC of Kalamazoo

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2025 29:10


Pastor John Bothof - Scripture: Exodus 20:17 Text: Exodus 20:17

Second CRC of Kalamazoo

Rev. John Bothof - Scripture: Exodus 20:16 Text: Exodus 20:16

Second CRC of Kalamazoo
You Shall Not Bear False Witness

Second CRC of Kalamazoo

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2025 33:07


Rev. John Bothof - Scripture: Exodus 20:16 Text: Exodus 20:16

Living Hope Sermon Audio
To Serve, Or Not to Serve

Living Hope Sermon Audio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2025 48:17


Text: Exodus 6:14-27

Second CRC of Kalamazoo
You Shall Not Steal

Second CRC of Kalamazoo

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2025 43:55


Rev. John Bothof - Scripture: Exodus 20:15 Text: Exodus 20:15

Living Hope Sermon Audio
The Lord Is Not Slow

Living Hope Sermon Audio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2025 41:07


Text: Exodus 6:1-13

Second CRC of Kalamazoo
"You Shall Not Commit Adultery"

Second CRC of Kalamazoo

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2025 27:14


Pastor John Bothof - Scripture: Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27-30 Text: Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27-30

Edgewood Bible Church
Exodus 17:8-18:27 - Limited Leaders and an Unlimited God

Edgewood Bible Church

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2025 40:45


Text: Exodus 17:8-18:27 Big Idea: An unlimited God uses limited leaders so that all His people share in His redemptive work. 1. God uses weak shoulders to distribute his might (17:8-16) 2. God brings in an outsider to lead His leaders in worship. (18:1-12) 3. God relieves a weary judge to establish justice throughout His people. (18:13-27) Discussion Questions: 1. Why do you think God tied Israel's victory to Moses' raised hands? What was He teaching His people about dependence on Him and shared responsibility? 2. How did Jethro, an outsider, play a significant role in leading God's people in worship? What does this teach us about how God uses unlikely people for His purposes? Who in your life might seem like an “outsider” but might have a role in God's work? 3. Why was Moses' leadership approach described as “not good” by Jethro? What happens when leaders fail to delegate responsibility to others? How does Christ show us a better way? 4. God's redemptive work involves every believer, not just a select few. Are there areas in your life where you need to step up, share responsibility, or empower others? What's one step you can take this week to better align with God's design for shared responsibility? 5. If you are feeling discouraged in your discipleship relationships, what are some resources God has given you to help? How can you use those resources and find your rest in Christ?

Second CRC of Kalamazoo
You Shall Not Murder

Second CRC of Kalamazoo

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2025


Rev. John Bothof - Scripture: Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:21-22; 1 John 3:15 Text: Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:21-22; 1 John 3:15

Liberty Baptist Tabernacle Podcast
Go Forward | Pastor DeGarmo | Sunday Morning

Liberty Baptist Tabernacle Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2024


Edgewood Bible Church
Exodus 3:1-4:31 - Calling and Commission

Edgewood Bible Church

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 38:47


Text:  Exodus 3-4 Big Idea: God displays the fire of His glory amist the smoldering wick of His people.  1. Look at the God who is (3:1-10) 2. Look at the God who calls (3:11-4:17)  3. Look at the God who qualifies (4:18-4:31) Discussion Questions:  1. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness before being called by God at age 80. How can we trust that God is at work even when we feel like nothing is happening? 2. At the burning bush, God revealed Himself as “I AM,” emphasizing His self-existence and eternal nature. What does this reveal about who God is, and how should we respond?  3. Moses raised five objections to God's call, questioning his worthiness and ability. How do we sometimes respond like Moses when God calls us to step out in faith?  4. The circumcision of Moses' son emphasized the importance of obedience to God's commands. How do faith and obedience work together in the life of a believer?

Second CRC of Kalamazoo
Honor Your Parents

Second CRC of Kalamazoo

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2024 26:51


Rev. John Bothof - Scripture: Exodus 20:12 Text: Exodus 20:12

Living Hope Sermon Audio
He Pitched His Tent

Living Hope Sermon Audio

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2024 34:10


Text: Exodus 25:1-22; John 1:14

Second CRC of Kalamazoo
Rest Is God's Goodness To Us

Second CRC of Kalamazoo

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2024 35:10


Rev. John Bothof - Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11; Gensis 2:2-3 Text: Exodus 20:8-11; Gensis 2:2-3

Second CRC of Kalamazoo
From The Heart The Mouth Speaks

Second CRC of Kalamazoo

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2024 37:56


Rev. John Bothof - Scripture: Exodus 20:7 Text: Exodus 20:7

Living Hope Sermon Audio
Whate'er My God Ordains

Living Hope Sermon Audio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2024 32:06


Text: Exodus 5:15-6:1

Second CRC of Kalamazoo
"Do Not Make For Yourself Images"

Second CRC of Kalamazoo

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2024 31:39


Rev. John Bothof - Scripture: Exodus 20:4-6 Text: Exodus 20:4-6

Second CRC of Kalamazoo
Delighting In The Law Of The LORD

Second CRC of Kalamazoo

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2024 31:28


Rev. John Bothof - Scripture: Exodus 20:1-3 Text: Exodus 20:1-3

Echo Church / Rochester MN
Sunday Service // P3: Our Place // October 13, 2024

Echo Church / Rochester MN

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2024 54:56


Pastor Andy Cass Place is less about physical space and more about God's presence, drawing parallels to the Israelites in Exodus 33. He encourages Echo Church members to embrace the new building as a space where God continues to meet with them, while emphasizing that true transformation comes from being in God's presence, wherever He leads. TEXT: Exodus 33:1-15, Numbers 1-10, Psalm 27:4, John 14:2-3, Acts 16:25-30 NOTES: God's Presence Over All: You can have all the things, but without God's presence, even the best place or building is just brick and mortar. The Problem with Place: -When we make the place the main point. -When we get too comfortable. -When we lock the doors to change or remain stuck. Promise of Place: God's promise is that His presence will go with us, and we will find rest, echoing Moses' plea for God's presence in Exodus 33. "Church is a place to practice God's presence, learn His voice, and accept His love." BIG IDEA: "Place is less about a physical space and more about who is present with you." "All the Milk and Honey in the world and no presence of God, is like soggy Honey Bunches of Oats. Might as well eat oatmeal." God's Provision: "What we all need is the presence of God and whatever He provides, wherever He leads." The Problem with Comfort: "Discomfort is a blessing before the blessing." Church's Role: "If the Holy Spirit isn't present, then this place isn't much different than your gym, school, work, or favorite coffee spot." Invitation: "There's a place for you—the true you, not the fake you." Prayer: "Jesus, I surrender, I have more questions than answers, and I choose to follow You anyway." Leave a comment, subscribe, and share with a friend. Connect with us https://theecho.churchcenter.com/people/forms/113001 Support what Echo Church is doing at https://theecho.churchcenter.com/giving Watch Echo Online Sunday Service at 9 AM https://www.youtube.com/TheEchoChurch Become our friend and/or watch on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wearetheechochurch Follow us on Instagram: @wearetheechochurch

Audio Recordings
Biblical Theology: In the Text (Exodus, Samuel, Psalms)

Audio Recordings

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2024


Fairview Knox Church
"Let's Go"

Fairview Knox Church

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 49:11


Text: Exodus 14:1-3, 10-14

Cross Section from the Summit View Church of Christ
Idolatry of Security — Sunday Sermon, September 1, 2024

Cross Section from the Summit View Church of Christ

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2024 32:22


​Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — The Israelites knew better when they crafted a golden calf idol, directly violating the first two of the 10 Commandments spoken only weeks earlier in their hearing by the voice of God himself! So why did they do it? They did it because they were afraid—and in their fear, they looked for their security in something other than the true God. In our quest to keep ourselves from all idols, we must take care to make sure we look for our ultimate security in God alone.  Text: Exodus 32

Echo Church / Rochester MN
Sunday Service // DUE NORTH: Speed of Meek // August 11, 2024

Echo Church / Rochester MN

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2024 48:36


Pastor Andy Cass Discover the power of slowing down and embracing meekness in a fast-paced world. Learn how trusting in God's timing can transform your life and passions, guiding you towards true strength and purpose. TEXT: Exodus 2:11-15; Colossians 3:12; Matthew 5:5; Numbers 12:3; James 3:13; Matthew 11:28 NOTES: "Sometimes you have to slow down in order to speed up." "Meekness is not weakness; it's the balance of power and control, speed and steering, seeing and leading." "Meekness is your passion domesticated." – Jamie Winship "Meekness is learning how to manage your pace, drive, and passions." "Unbridled passion is like riding a bike without a handlebar. "Drive your passions instead of your passion driving you." "Opposite of meek is exasperation—all gas and no control.

The Bethany Mennonite SMC Podcast
The God Who Fights For You - Robert Showalter 6-30-2024

The Bethany Mennonite SMC Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2024 35:51


Text: Exodus 14:14 Context Exodus 14

Meir Soloveichik
American Exodus: Franklin, Jefferson, and the Seal of the United States

Meir Soloveichik

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 17:23


The story of a committee formed on July 4, 1776, shows us how the founders read the Exodus story, and how they saw in it two separate and essential themes that they wished to impress upon America. Text: Exodus 13-16

Living Hope Sermon Audio
For God Alone, Wait

Living Hope Sermon Audio

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2024 35:40


Text: Exodus 5:1-14

The Word for Everyday Disciples with Dave DeSelm

Feelings of inadequacy have sidelined so many people in the Kingdom of God. Whether because of past failures, poor self-esteem, or too many put-downs, they've concluded they could never make a difference.Ironically, one of the greatest heroes of the Bible suffered from feelings of inadequacy. His name is Moses. Hidden by his mother in an attempt to protect her baby from those committed to killing all the male Hebrew children, he was discovered and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter. Moses was raised as the prince of Egypt, living a life of privilege and power.  But eventually, an inner turmoil ensued as Moses came to understand that the blood of Hebrew slaves ran through his veins. It came to a head one day when he saw one of his countrymen being beaten by an Egyptian overseer. Moses intervened and in the struggle killed the Egyptian.  Fearing for his life, Moses fled to the desert of Midian. There Moses took a wife, had a son, and spent the next 40 years herding sheep in the wilderness.But God wasn't done with him. Moses had a dramatic encounter with God who spoke to him from a burning bush. God gives Moses an assignment: return to Egypt and tell Pharoah to let my people go.Moses struggles with this mission for multiple reasons. First of all, he's 80 years old.  Surely his best leadership years are behind him.  How can an old man make a difference?Secondly, he's already failed at this deliverance thing once.  He'd messed things up so badly, who would ever dare to trust him to do anything right?Third, he has some sort of speech impediment.  How do you rally a dispirited group of people if you have no oratory skills?  Finally, Moses has a credibility problem. How would these people believe that God sent him of all people?God responds to Moses' skepticism by asking a question: What's in your hand?See, the issue isn't the ability you bring to a situation but the availability you offer to God.  The thing in Moses' hand was an ordinary shepherd's staff. God tells him to throw the staff on the ground and the staff becomes a snake! Then God tells him to pick up the snake…by the tail…and it becomes a staff again. Why would God do that? Because He had an important lesson for Moses…and for us.Moses was a shepherd and he had a shepherd's staff.  It was nothing special, nothing more than a stout stick.  But that staff represented everything Moses was. The staff represented his identity, his influence, and his income. God was saying, “Moses, you don't think you have all that much in your hand. But if you will give Me what you do have… your identity, your influence, and your income – as small and insignificant as they may appear... I'll do miraculous things with it.  Things beyond your wildest dreams.” From then on, that staff was known as the “rod of God,” and God used it to turn the Nile to blood, to part the Red Sea, and to bring water from a rock. History was changed because Moses gave God what was in his hand.I have wondered, what would have happened if Moses had said no to God. What happens when we say no to God?When you fail to respond to God's challenge, over time His voice fades and His reality dims.God is not concerned with all that you don't have or can't offer – He's looking for what you're willing to submit and let Him multiply.What's in your hand?  Text: Exodus 3-4 Originally recorded on June 19, 2011, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN