"I Am Who I Am"

September 2, 2007

Series: Attributes of God; Exodus 3:13-15

Introduction: One of the questions in life from so many people is: Who is God? They want to know, because they want to understand about this God in whom they trust. They want to know because along with faith, there needs to be some understanding. But even more, they want to know that God is truly the One in whom they can put their trust. So this morning we start a new series on the “Attributes of God.” Over the next few weeks we will be talking about how God is unchanging and provides for our needs, how God is almighty and all-powerful, how God is all-knowing and over all things, how God is holy and good. I believe that when we get to the end of this series, we will have a better understanding of who God is, and why it makes sense to put our trust in Him. By doing this, it will also enable us to see that God is far beyond us, and yet makes Himself as close as can be. This is good news that we have this all-powerful creator, who wants us to know Him and be known by Him!

I. The Greatness of God- (Exodus 2:11-12, 3:1-15)

a. Moses- Moses is a lot like you and me. At first glance it might not

seem to be this way, but I believe this to be true. Even though Moses grew up in the palace of the Pharaoh, and even though Moses had most everything that he could want, and even though Moses had the best training and teaching, in the end he knew that he didn’t belong in the palace. In the end, Moses knew that he was a Hebrew, and it pained him to see his people struggle.

In the book of Exodus, we read about how Moses would look out and see his people doing their hard labor. He saw how the Egyptians treated his people so poorly. And in time, this began to wear on him. Moses had nowhere to take this burden, and he let it build up inside of him. So much so, that it finally just exploded. Just like you and me, if we let our frustration build up, it will come out in unhealthy ways. It didn’t seem to Moses that God was doing anything to help his people, and so one day he took it upon himself.

We read about this in Exodus 2:11-12, “One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.” Because of this, Moses had to flee to the desert, where he spent many years. Moses didn’t realize that this time in the desert was actually preparing him for what God had for him to do. But before Moses could agree to do it, Moses had to learn who God was.

b. Moses meets God- So as we come to Exodus, chapter 3, Moses gets

the opportunity to meet God. This is probably an experience many of us would want to have. I know many people who struggle to believe because they can’t see God or experience God in a visible way. Moses gets the opportunity to do this.

Now think about this for a moment, God was going to ask Moses to go back to Egypt, to confront the Pharaoh, and to free the Hebrews from their slavery. But Moses was a murderer, and a deserter. To go back could mean possible death. To go back and challenge the Pharaoh would be suicide. Why would Moses ever agree to do this? God had to help Moses understand who was on his side. God wanted Moses to understand about God’s greatness and authority. God wanted Moses to understand that he wasn’t going alone, he was going on behalf of God, and with God’s authority and power fully behind him.

So God and Moses get into a discussion. God assures Moses that He has seen the suffering of His people. God assures Moses that He plans to do something about it. Then comes the kicker in verse 10: “God says, ‘So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt’.” I could imagine Moses saying: “Come again? I don’t think I heard you right God. (laughing) I thought I heard you say that you were going to send me to free the Israelites.” Actually, the way Moses really said it was like this: (verse 11)- “But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh…?’” I’m sure this is the way you and I would respond too. Who am I to go and do this?

Now we move into God helping Moses understand who God is: (verse 12)- “God said, ‘I will be with you;…’” That’s it. God says, ‘I will be with you.’ God thinks that this should be enough for Moses, because God knows who He is, and what it means for God to be with Moses in this. But it isn’t enough for Moses. Moses presses on, implying that the people will want to know God’s name. In other words, they will want to know God’s credentials. SO, God responds in verse 14, “I AM WHO I AM.” That is God’s name; I AM WHO I AM.

Now on the surface, this name might not mean that much. But we need to understand that this name means that God is self-existent; He has no dependence on any one or any thing else. As self-existent, He is also self-sufficient, and therefore all-sufficient. I AM WHO I AM also refers to His eternal being. He is the One who was in the beginning, who is now, and who will be for all eternity. He is the One who is truly great. From Him all things have come forth, and in Him all things find their meaning. To understand that God is “I AM,” is to understand that the creator Himself is with you!

We know the rest of the story, God is there with Moses. God does show His power, and authority, and greatness. And God, through Moses, frees the people.

II. The God Who Provides- (Genesis 2:15-22; Exodus 17:1-7;

Matthew 6:25-32)

But another important attribute is how God provides for His people.

This is seen from the beginning of time. A popular belief about God is that He created the world, started it in motion, and now sits back just letting things happen as they happen. But this isn’t even close to the truth. The Bible shows us time and time again that God is a God who cares about us, and provides for us.

a. Adam- We see in the beginning of the Bible, that God creates

Adam. But God sees that this isn’t enough. Let’s hear the scriptures tell it for us:

Genesis 2:15-22, “15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." 18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." 19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.”

God provided the earth and all that was in it; but that wasn’t enough. So God provided the animals; but that wasn’t enough. So God provided Eve, so that Adam and Eve would be partners, and have each other.

b. Water in the desert- As we go back to the story of Moses, we see

that the Israelites are saved from slavery, and they go out into the desert. God knows that the people need some time to prepare themselves so that they can be independent, and govern themselves, and protect themselves from others. But the people grumble against God, not thinking that God is really caring for them.

And yet, time and time again, when the people grumble, God responds and provides for them. One such instance is in Exodus 17:1-7, “The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. ² So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses replied, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?" ³ But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?" ⁴ Then Moses cried out to the LORD, "What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me." ⁵ The LORD answered Moses, "Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. ⁶ I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. ⁷ And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?” Again, we see God providing for His people.

c. Don’t worry- But there is another important passage that helps us

to understand that God is a God who provides. This passage is in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 6:25-32, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these…³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?’… your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

God knows our needs. God cares about our needs. God provides for our needs. The God who created us, and said we are “good” is not going to leave us wanting. This God is One we can trust to care for us and provide for us; guaranteed!

III. The God Who is Almighty- (2 Samuel 7:18-20)

The last attribute of God I want to talk about this morning is the attribute of

God being almighty. The Hebrew word for this is “El-Shaddai.” This word was made popular by Amy Grant with her song of the same name. I want to play for you a portion of this song for you now…. El shaddai, el shaddai, El-elyon na adonia, Age to age you’re still the same, By the power of the name. El shaddai, el shaddai, Erkamka na adonai, We will praise and lift you high, El shaddai…Through your love and through the ram, You saved the son of Abraham; Through the power of your hand, Turned the sea into dry land. To the outcast on her knees, You were the God who really sees, And by your might, You set your children free….El shaddai, el shaddai, El-elyon na adonia, Age to age you’re still the same, By the power of the name. El shaddai, el shaddai, Erkamka na adonai, We will praise and lift you high, El shaddai. /God as almighty is never ending (As Amy Grant said: “age to age”), God as almighty saved Isaac by providing the ram to be sacriciced, God as almighty exhibited His power by turning the sea into dry land and by setting His children free.

In 2 Samuel 7:18-20 we read, “Then Kind David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in Your sight, O Sovereign Lord, You have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign Lord. What more can David say to you? For you know Your servant, O Sovereign Lord.” / Here we see the great King David humbling himself before God, acknowledging how God is the Almighty, above all. Here we see David recognizing that God has given him all that he has, and led him to place where he is now.

Conclusion: Who is God? Well, God is great. We see His greatness exhibited in how He freed His people from slavery, how He frees His people from their sins, and how He continues to free You and me when we seek Him. God is also the One who provides for His people. I gave you only a few examples of this, but the Bible is full of examples of God continually being there for His people, hearing their cry, and caring for their needs. God is also the almighty God; the el-shaddai. There is none other that is greater, there is none other who has more authority, there is none other who can be counted on more.

Today we barely touched the surface of who God is. And yet, with the little we did cover, I believe it gives us a wonderful glimpse of the wonderful God we believe in and worship. As you leave here today, I encourage you to take one aspect of today’s sermon, and find someone to share it with. By doing this, you will remember it more, and you will bless someone else, and hopefully draw them closer to God. Let us give praise to our God this day. Amen.

“A Good Name”

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Proverbs Series: Proverbs 22:1-5

Introduction: Isn’t it amazing how there are some people in this world whose names are so well known, that they are instantly known by only one part of their name. For example, you have SHAQ. Everybody knows that this is Shaquille O’ Neal, who is the famous basketball player who once played for the Lakers, now plays for the Miami Heat, and has 4 basketball titles. Or how about PELE. For anyone who knows anything about sports, they know that this is one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Or how about Denzel? Most people would know that this refers to the movie start Denzel Washington.

Each person has a name that results in instant recognition. And yet, is this really that important in life? Is there more to life than having your name be known to others? This morning, as we finish our series in the book of Proverbs, I want to talk about how God wants our name to not necessarily be known, but if and when it is known, it is known for making a difference for the Kingdom of God.

I. Name Vs. Fame- (Proverbs 22:1-2; Genesis 1:26-30; Ephesians 2:10)

a. What’s in a name?- What do you think of when you hear the name

Paris Hilton? How about Britney Spears? How about Mike Tyson? These are people whose names we also know instantly. They are very famous people. Paris Hilton is an heiress to a share of both the Hilton Hotel fortune and the real estate fortune of her father Richard Hilton. She has become famous through her attempts at acting (in the reality series “The Simple Life,” and in several other minor movie roles). She has also tried to be a singer, with a self-titled album “Paris” in 2006.

Next, we have Britney Spears. She is best known for her studio albums, music videos, and songs such as "...Baby One More Time”, "Oops!...I Did It Again”, and "Toxic”, for which she won a Grammy Award. In the early 2000s, Spears' success as a singer led her to high-profile advertising deals and endorsements, as well as films and reality television. Britney Spears has sold over seventy-six million records worldwide according to Time magazine, which ranks her as the eighth best-selling female artist in American music history. You might not know that Britney Spears was an accomplished gymnast as a kid. She performed in local dance revues and her local Baptist church choirs, and was auditioning for the Disney Channel The New Mickey Mouse Club by the time she was eight.

Thirdly, we have Mike Tyson. Mike Tyson is a former American world heavyweight boxing champion and is the youngest man to have won a world heavyweight title. During his prime in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Tyson was one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. Nicknamed "Iron Mike Tyson," Tyson unified the belts in the heavyweight division in the late 1980s and won many of his fights by knockout.

But what Paris Hilton is most famous for is her partying ways and her night- life escapades. Most recently, these actions have gotten her some jail time in a correctional institution because of several legal incidents….. Britney, while very successful in many ways, and well known, is becoming more well known recently for a failed marriage that lasted all of 55 hrs, a divorce after a marriage of a little over 2 years, some partying with Paris Hilton, and 2 trips to a drug rehabilitation facility.

And Mike Tyson? He was convicted of raping a beauty pageant contestant in 1992, his rematch with Evander Holyfield ended when Tyson bit off a portion of Holyfield's ear in retaliation for what he perceived as purposeful headbutts. And despite receiving over $30 million for several of his fights and $300 million over his career, Tyson declared bankruptcy in 2003.

b. Have in common- Here we have examples of 3 people who are

famous. Not only famous, but rich and famous. They are adored by many people. They can have most anything they want in life. And yet, they seem to lack so much in their lives. And what they lack, money can’t buy.

So many people want to be rich, or famous. It hits us all. The media tends to make the lifestyle look so glamorous and appealing. Traveling all around the world, dining in the great restaurants, and having people fawn all over them. Because of this image, we think that their life is better than ours, and that they are better people. But what we have to understand, is most of this is just a show.

Illus. A number of years ago Michelle Pfeiffer was on the cover of a magazine with the caption, “What Michelle Pfeiffer Needs Is … Absolutely Nothing!” But it was later discovered by a reporter that Michelle Pfeifer did need something to make her look the way she looked on the cover; she needed over $1500 worth of touch-up work. Here is a partial list of the touch-up artist’s bill to make Michelle Pfeifer look beautiful: Clean up complexion, soften eye lines, soften smile line, add color to lips, trim chin, remove neck lines, soften line under earlobe, add highlights to earrings, add blush to cheek, clean up neckline, remove stray hair, adjust color and add hair on top of head, add forehead, soften neck muscle…What would you look like in a photograph if you had a touch-up artist do that much to your picture?

(Hot Illustrations…, p. 231, “You Too Can Look Beautiful).

You see, the writer of Proverbs reminds us in 22:1-2, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches…The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of all.” The Lord is the maker of us all. And if you remember when God was creating, and He made man and woman, IN HIS IMAGE, AND He stated: “It is good.” When God made us, we were made in His image. And if you look at the life that so many people lead, God would not say, “It is good.” The name that people are making for themselves is not good. God has made us all for the sake of doing good things. Ephesians 2:10 tells us: “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Are you seeking to make a good name for yourself and for God?

II. Being Clever- (Proverbs 22:3)

a. Gullible- Have you ever known anyone who was gullible? The

definition of gullible is: “Someone who is easily duped or cheated.” Children can be especially gullible, because they are still innocent and believe that others are telling them the truth. But there are many adults who fit into this category as well.

Example- A student at Eagle Rock Junior High won first prize at the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair. He was attempting to show how conditioned we have become to alarmists practicing junk science and spreading fear of everything in our environment. In his project he urged people to sign a petition demanding strict control or total elimination of the chemical "dihydrogen monoxide." These were the reasons he gave: it can cause excessive sweating and vomiting

it is a major component in acid rain

it can cause severe burns in its gaseous state

accidental inhalation can kill you

it contributes to erosion

it decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes

it has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients.

He asked 50 people if they supported a ban of the chemical. Forty-three said yes, six were undecided, AND only one said no, knowing that the chemical he was talking about was water. Dihydrogen monoxide is another way of saying “H20!”

We are gullible in life when we fail to see the dangers around us, and continue on living in the same way. We are gullible when think that money, people, or possessions, are able to take the place of God in our lives. We are gullible when we tell ourselves that we can determine our own steps instead of letting God (like we talked about last week). We are gullible when we believe that all religions are the same…. The simple go on and suffer for it. We don’t have to suffer. God is trying to call out to us to listen up. Remember how Jesus always said: “He who has ears, let them hear?” He said this, because too many people failed to heed the warning of Jesus, and they continued on in their same way of life, oblivious to the call of God.

b. Clever- But, as the scripture says, “The clever see danger and

hide.” EX. Tami and I just went to see the new movie “Bourne Ultimatum.” The movie is about an ex CIA assassin named Jason Bourne. Bourne is seen as a threat to the CIA because they think he knows too much, and they can’t control him. So they send some assassins after him. But he dodges these new, superior assassins as he searches for his unknown past. In one scene, he and his female partner Nikki are trying to help an informant. But the assassin gets to the informant first. Then the assassin goes after Nikki. Nikki realizes the danger she is in, and so she starts to run, but she knows that in the long run she won’t be able to get away, so she starts breaking up parts of her cell phone and dropping them to the ground. As Jason Bourne is trying to catch up, he notices the pieces of the cell phone, and is able to follow. This is a quite clever way to act. “The clever see danger and hide.”

Where in life do you need to be more clever? I know that as a parent, as my kids get older, it isn’t enough to just tell them to do things. They are beginning to want to understand more about why things are the way they are, and why they are being asked to do things we ask them to do. And so as parents Tami and I have to get more clever. As parents you tend to work more deals with your kids when they get older. So, for example, we might say to them: “In the morning we’ll go to church, and then in the afternoon you can go to the birthday party.” Or another way is that we expect good report cards, but the kids also know that if they do well in school, they will get a reward. And so what happens, is when they bring home good grades, we go out as a family to A & W so the kids can have root beer floats.

Being clever in life is needed in so many areas. In the area of finances, it can be a real challenge to pay all the bills and still be able to do extra things. You need to be clever. At work, it can be a challenge to be a Christian in a non-Christian environment. How can you share your faith with others? You need to be clever. In relationships, it seems that the smallest of disagreements can disrupt a friendship. You need to be clever. Living out your faith can be a real struggle, especially when you battle against your sinful nature. You need to be clever.

So, being clever is about realizing the danger before it comes, so that you can try and prepare an action that will help you to steer clear of the danger.

III. Humility and Caution- (Proverbs 22:4-5)

a. A reward- STORY: There is a story about a man who was fishing

on a beautiful beach. He was enjoying the sun and the prospect of catching some fish. After having been there for a while, he noticed a businessman approaching, trying to relieve some stress during the lunch hour. The businessman was surprised to see the man sitting in a chair and fishing, and said to him: “You should be working rather than sitting at the beach fishing.” The fisherman looked up, smiled, and not wanting to have to explain himself, he asked: “And what will my reward be?” “Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish,” said the businessman. “And then what will my reward be,” the fisherman responded. The businessman continued: “You will make money and you’ll be able to buy a boat, which will result in even larger catches of fish!” The fisherman, still not really wanting to be in this conversation continued: “And then what will my reward be?” At this point, the businessman was getting a little frustrated at the same question, and so he pushed forward: “You can buy a bigger boat, and hire some people to work for you, and build up a fleet of fishing boats, and let your employees catch fish for you. Then you can retire and have the money to be able to not work anymore, sit on this beach, and not have a care in the world.” To which the fisherman responded: “And what do you think I’m doing right now?”

So many people live life with the goal of seeking after rewards. They work hard so that they can get more money. They buy possessions thinking that they will have more fun in life. They keep busy trying to feel like they’re achieving something worthwhile. But the rewards that they seek after are empty, compared to what God has for us….Proverbs 22:4 says, “Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.” But the kind of riches that is being talked about here is not what we think. Jesus was very clear when he told us about what we should seek: (Matthew 6:19-21)- ¹⁹"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also./ When we humbly seek God, God reminds us that He is saving up for us a reward in heaven that can never be taken away!

b. Be cautious- Play song “These Thorns,” by Angela Spivey (verse 1)

There are thorns in my flesh, I can’t seem to overcome,
and these thorns in my flesh, just keep on hindering me.
Lord, I really want to be everything You want me to be,
so I’m begging You, Lord, please remove these thorns.

I would like to play a song for you called “These Thorns,” by Angela Spivey. What you’ll be hearing is verse 1, and the lyrics are in the outline in the bulletin.

These words are powerful, because they tell us that if we want to be everything that God wants us to be, then we must not only have God remove the thorns in our lives, but then we must stay away from them after they are removed. The thorns of life are whatever tempts us away from God. It could be a relationship, it could be a job, it could be friends, it could be alcohol, or drugs, or sex. It could be gambling, or swearing, or soap operas. These thorns are in your life, and in my life. Proverbs 22:5 says, “…the cautious will keep far from (the thorns and snares).”

Conclusion: We started out talking about the importance of having a good name. When your name is spoken, do others think good thoughts? If you are selfish, and seeking after the things of the world, then probably not. But if you seek after the things of God, and you seek to avoid the temptations of this world, then the answer will be yes. But to keep your name good, you must be clever in how you live. Not clever in sneaky, but clever as in wise. And you must seek after eternal rewards, and not the rewards of this world.

We have gotten to the end of this series in Proverbs. I have chosen passages that are varied, and I believe helpful. I have chosen passages that lead us to understand what God desires of us, and how God wants to lead us in our lives. I hope that you will not be satisfied with just the few passages I have chosen, but that you will desire to go back to the beginning, and read the whole book!

And so as we go away today, think about this: in God there is wisdom; if I seek after God, I will find this wisdom; if I seek after God, I will have a sense of understanding of life; if I seek after God, I will be able to avoid many of the pitfalls others fall into. So let us go this day giving thanks to God for the wisdom that He so lovingly passes on to us. And let us live in this wisdom. Amen.