The Moses Legacy: Exodus

In this sermon series, we will be looking at six key events in the life of Moses. Moses is one of the central characters in scripture to whom Jesus is regularly compared. By looking closely at how God interacted with Moses, we can get a better sense of how God interacts with us and how the New Testament writers responded to God's work through Moses.

Sermon Outline

I. God's name
A. Names are important
B. Name vs. Title
1. Titles relate to role and responsibility
2. Name is connected to identity
C. God revealing the divine name to Moses signifies intimacy and connection.
D. God has a name - YHWH

II. Names Implies Personality
A. God has personality and character.
B. Important because this is how Israel recognizes the God of the Bible vs. other gods.
C. Antidote for idolatry is recognizing God's character and personality.

III. Our setting today
A. Idolatry still prominent
B. "God" is not God's name. It is a vague term.
C. Historical examples of idolatry
1. WW1
2. US Civil War
D. We can all be susceptible to idolatry.
E. John Calvin - The human mind is a factory of idols.

IV. Antidote to Idolatry
A. God's revelation at the burning bush is an antidote to idolatry.
B. Knowing God's character is the antidote to idolatry.
C. God's character remains consistent, despite our ideas about God.
D. Jesus' character gives us clearest indication of God's personality.
E. Bible Study and growth groups are antidote's to idolatry, in that they root us in God's character.

GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. How did your parents decide your name? If you have children, how did you decide their names?

2. A name identifies a specific person. God's name specifically identified God for the Israelites. How did knowing God's name help prevent idolatry?

3. In what ways and/or where do you see idolatry being present today?

4. How can knowing Jesus' character prevent us from embracing idolatry?

NEXT STEPS

1. Make a list of all of the characteristics you associate with God?

2. Read one of the gospels over the next week and write down the characteristics of Jesus you see in that gospel.

3. Compare the list from the gospel from the list you wrote down in Step 1 and reflect on the differences and similarities.

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