Pastor Josh Weisbrod – October 13, 2019

Key Idea: If we could just understand what the desert teaches us, that it is in the desert that we learn to be led by God, then we won’t skip the desert, but grow in it. // Key Passage: Exodus 2:11-25; Exodus 3:1-4

SUMMARY: We often think of desert seasons as punishment because it feels like the in-between gap between a calling and fulfillment. Often the desert brings discouragement. Some things you cannot learn in the palace where there is comfort and fullness, but only in the desert where it is dry, difficult, and desolate. In the desert, we learn to be led by God.

TEACHING:

The desert season purifies your priorities.
- Moses has a clear sense of justice, but selfish motives.
- Moses has power and authority, but he lacks perspective and clarity. It’s hard to get clarity in the palace.
- Pride will undercut the power of the purpose God called you to.
The desert prepares you for the promises.
- In the desert, God was preparing Moses for the promise. How can Moses lead the people of Israel (a million people out of slavery in Egypt into the desert) into a place he’s never been before?
- What if what God is teaching you in the mundane is part of the miraculous that He is preparing for you in the future?
- If you don’t learn in the desert time, how are you going to lead others? You’ll hurt yourself and any others that follow you. Learn how to be led by God, to find water, to trust, etc.
The desert clarifies your calling.
- Ephesians 2:10
- David was found in the desert, shepherding flocks (1 Samuel 16:11-13; received his calling in the desert and still went back to shepherding sheep for another 15 years.
- The palace makes you a king, but the desert makes you a leader.
- We grow in necessity, in lack, and in discomfort.
- When David is king, he is kicked out of the palace by his son, and found himself in the desert again.
- In comfort, we get confused, but in the desert, we get clarity.
- Jesus is in the desert for 40 days before he calls the disciples. (Matthew 3) He responds with clarity. He is walking with God and drawing closer to the Father, rather than complaining.
- Moses gets his calling in the desert. (Exodus 3:4)

Conclusion

When you find yourself in the desert time, ask God, What are you trying to show me? In the dry, desert season, God is right there with you. Allow yourself to be led by God. God loves to use people who are led by Him.

Reflection:

Throughout the week in your own time with the Lord, you can use these reflection questions as a way to deepen your relationship with God. Reflect on these questions in the presence of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to shine a light into your heart.

1) Do you sense that you are in a desert season now, just coming out of a desert season, or going into a desert season? How do you know? What have you learned in the past about being in a desert season that you could share with others?

2) Which of the following ideas do you most connect with, or is the most encouraging to you right now: The desert season purifies your priorities, 2) The desert prepares you for the promises, or 3) The desert clarifies your calling?

3) Pastor Josh asked the question, What if what God is teaching you in the mundane is part of the miraculous that He is preparing for you in the future? Have you ever thought about that before? How could that perspective change how you approach the season you are in? What do you think God is teaching you right now in whichever season you are in?

4) What do you think about the idea The palace makes you a king, but the desert makes you a leader or In comfort, we get confused, but in the desert, we get clarity? What has been your experience?

5) What is the most challenging for you during a desert season? How can you take what you learned about growing in the desert and learning to be led by God and apply it to your present situation?

FAQs:

I want a relationship with Jesus, but I’m not sure how to do that.

You can pray a simple prayer from your heart, no matter where you are or what you are doing.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

The next step is to tell someone. Talk to someone at church who is wearing a “How Can I Help You?” badge on Sunday, or share in your small group, that you prayed that prayer. They can make sure you get a Bible and support you in beginning your new life with Jesus.

I want to read the Bible but I’m not sure where to start. I don’t have a Bible.

If you are not familiar with the Bible and you aren’t sure where to start, you can always start reading about the life of Jesus in the book of Matthew in the New Testament. If you don’t have a Bible, let someone who is wearing a “How Can I Help You?” badge on Sunday morning that you don’t have a Bible and would like one.

I would like to get involved and serve in some way, but I don’t know how.

We invite you to attend Discover, which takes place once a month after the 10:45am service on Sunday morning. It is a great way to hear the vision for the church and discover how you can get more involved and serve.