Sermon: Of the Hardness of Hearts, Mighty Signs & Wonders, and the Image of God
Preacher: Simon Teague, Student Intern
Date: Sunday, July 26, 2020
Scripture:
The mere mention of the name Moses arouses different images in the minds of people. My thoughts go back to the 19 award-winning film, the “Ten Commandments,” directed by Cecil B. DeMille, in which Charlton Heston, played the leading role. Every Easter Sunday, after dinner, my family would watch this movie in which Moses was depicted as handsome, strong-hearted, and confident–and a little bit of ladies man! In fact, my earliest ideas about Moses were formed by this classic Hollywood image. Today’s generation would probably place that production among the archives of film history, much preferring the more modern “Prince of Egypt,” an entertaining, animated film that presents another image of Moses: sleek and trim, quick-witted, fun-loving, and virtually ageless. Kids and adults alike find delight in this fantasy portrayal of a man who looks the same in his teenage years as he does in his 80s! However, there’s something conspicuously absent from both of these portrayals. As we look at the biblical record–the most reliable source on Moses’ life–we discover that neither of these depictions are accurate. We discover that like all of us, Moses was a human being with faults and frailties. However, despite his short comings, he was used by God in a remarkable way.
Why should we study the life of Moses? Because arguably, he is one of, if not the, the greatest person in the Old Testament. As an infant, Moses, the son of Hebrew slaves, miraculously escaped death and was raised as the adopted grandson of Pharaoh, the most powerful man in the world at that time. As an adult he would rediscover his Hebrew heritage, and through a series of life-changing events, would eventually lead the People of Israel from slavery in Egypt on a journey through the wilderness right to the borders of the Promised Land. Moses was liberator, law giver, and the mediator of a new covenant between God and His people. He communed with God on Mount Sinai; built the tabernacle, according to the plans God gave him; over saw the establishment of the Levitical priesthood and the sacrificial system; and is credited with writing the Pentateuch–the first five books of the Bible.
Moses’ story, found in the extensive narratives from Exodus 1 through Deuteronomy 34, is more than simply a biography. It’s a covenant document that celebrates God’s creation of the nation of Israel in fulfillment of His promises to the patriarchs, and declares His glory to the world. However, Moses isn’t limited to the Hebrew Scriptures. He’s also one of the most referred to Old Testament personalities in the New Testament. Indeed, in the account of Jesus’ transfiguration recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and 1 Peter, Moses, along with Elijah, is depicted conversing with the transfigured Jesus on the top of the mountain. His presence at the transfiguration reminds us that Moses, who at the height of his prophetic life shines with the glory of the Lord, and who best images the God of Israel and conforms to His will, also had flaws that leave us waiting for the One who will be greater than Moses–who will be not just be the Liberator of Israel, but all of humanity.
This series will look at the lessons that we can learn from the life of Moses, so that when we face or “Red Sea test” we’ll be better able to move forward instead of retreating back, bolstered by our study of the real Moses of the Bible.
SERMONS
Sermon: Misery, Midwives, & Murder
Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering
Date: Trinity Sunday ~ Sunday, June 7, 2020
Scripture: Exodus 1:1-122
Sermon: Born After Midnight
Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering
Date: Trinity Sunday ~ Sunday, June 14, 2020
Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10
Sermon: God’s Will, My Way
Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering
Date: Trinity Sunday ~ Sunday, June 21, 2020
Scripture: Exodus 2:11-15
Sermon: God’s Desert School of Self-Discovery
Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2020
Scripture: Exodus 2:15-25
Sermon: Burning Bushes & Second Chances
Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering
Date: Sunday, July 5, 2020
Scripture: Exodus 3:1-10
Sermon: Excuses, Excuses
Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering
Date: Sunday, July 12, 2020
Scripture: Exodus 3:10-4:20
Sermon: From Bad to Worse
Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering
Date: Sunday, July 19, 2020
Scripture: Exodus 5
Sermon: Of the Hardness of Hearts, Mighty Signs & Wonders, and the Image of God
Preacher: Simon Teague, Student Intern
Date: Sunday, July 26, 2020
Scripture: Exodus 7:1-7; 10:1-2
Sermon: Obedience & The Night Nobody Slept
Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering
Date: Sunday, August 2, 2020
Scripture: Exodus 11 & 12
NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, the sermon did not record. In order to listen to/watch the sermon, you will have to view the Sunday service here.
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Sermon: Between the Devil & the Deep Red Sea
Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2020
Scripture: Exodus 14
Sermon: Learning From the Past
Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering
Date: Sunday, August 16, 2020
Scripture: Exodus 15:22-27
NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, the sermon did not record. In order to listen to/watch the sermon, you will have to view the Sunday service here.
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Sermon: Moses, CEO
Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering
Date: Sunday, August 23, 2020
Scripture: Exodus 18:7-27
NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, the sermon did not record. In order to listen to/watch the sermon, you will have to view the Sunday service here.
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