Delivered September 9, 2007
by Pastor Eric Henderson
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh: Indeed, by a mighty hand he will let them go; by a mighty hand he will drive them out of his land.
2-8 God also spoke to Moses and said to him: I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name, ‘The LORD' I did not make myself known to them. I also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they resided as aliens. I have also heard the groaning of the Israelites whom the Egyptians are holding as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant. Say therefore to the Israelites, ‘I am the LORD and I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and deliver you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my people, and I will be your God. You shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has freed you from the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; I will give it to you for a possession. I am the LORD.'
9 Moses told this to the Israelites; but they would not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirits and their cruel slavery.
10-13 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, Go and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his land. But Moses spoke to the Lord, "The Israelites have not listened to me; how then shall Pharaoh listen to me, poor speaker that I am?" Thus the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, and gave them orders regarding the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt, charging them to free the Israelites from the land of Egypt.
28-30 On the day when the LORD spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, he said to him, I am the LORD; tell Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I am speaking to you. But Moses said in the LORD'S presence, "Since I am a poor speaker, why would Pharaoh listen to me?"
Intro.There are many ways to tell a story. When asked to tell the story of their life, some people wonder why, others tell their story in disjointed fragments, while some relish in the telling and reliving.
There are many ways to tell a story. Here's one way to tell the story of God and his people borrowing heavily from Stephen's sermon and from Exodus.
1. Israel and Moses storiesThe God of glory appeared to Abraham and said, ‘Leave your country and your people, and go to the land I will show you.' So he left.
Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac who became the father of Jacob who became the father of the twelve patriarchs. Because the Patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom enabling him to be made ruler over Egypt. Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering. Joseph's brothers came to Egypt seeking food and found reconciliation with Joseph. The families of the patriarch's moved to Egypt and greatly increased. Generations passed and another king ruled Egypt and began to greatly oppress the descendants of Abraham making them slaves for the next 400 years.
An unusual child named Moses was born during a time when newborn babies were being killed. But Moses was spared and educated in the wisdom of the Egyptians. When Moses was 40 years old he killed an Egyptian for mistreating a slave then fled in fear. (Excerpts from Acts 7:2-29)
The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out to God who heard their groaning, remembered his covenant, and was concerned for them.
God called to Moses who was tending a flock of sheep and said, ‘I am the LORD. I have seen the misery of my people and am concerned about their suffering. So I have come to rescue them, so now go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people out of Egypt. I will be with you. (Excerpts from Ex. 2.23-3.12)
2. Petitcodiac Mennonite Church's StoryThere are many ways to tell a story. Here's one.
About 30 years ago 5 families moved from Ontario to this area and began adjusting to new neighbors, new churches and new relationships with one another. They were confident that as they met as a house church in Jesus name, the Lord's blessing would follow.
Stirred by compassion for mentally handicapped adults, God was with the newly formed Mennonite Fellowship of Sussex as they provided residence and care for needy adults. In following years believers were baptized and new people began attending. Worship and fellowship gatherings were held at the Petitcodiac Kiwanis Community Center to accommodate the group.
When the church was 7 after dreaming and discussing the need for leadership, the group stepped out in faith and invited Siegfried and Margaret Janzen to provide pastoral leadership. The Janzen's accepted God's call through the church and moved to Petitcodiac. During the installation service the congregation said,
Our hopes for congregational leadership are being realized today. We have prayed, worked, and hoped for this time. We thank God for direction and provision in meeting our needs. We have discerned gifts in our brother which can combine with our own in a commitment for growth and service. We accept Siegried as God's gift to us and offer ourselves as laborers together with him and with God.
During Siegfried's tenure as pastor German neighbors were invited to participate in church life. Some members of the church joined Siegfried in ministry to those in prison.
When Petiticodiac Mennonite Church (PMC) was about 10 years old it supported the decision to open a Selfhelp Crafts Shop as a ministry to the needy of the world. With the Lord's blessing, the work of many volunteers, and the leadership of Joann DeJong, Linda Bunnett, Erin Constable, and Brian Elliot the ministry now blesses at least 140 families and continues to thrive and grow.
Near the end of the first decade of PMC's life which included times of prayer, discussion, frustration and joy a church council was selected. The purpose was to provide leadership for the witness, spiritual growth, and expansion of the church. (Quotes from the booklet PMC 25th Anniversary p. 35-39)
About 15 years after PMC was begun this building, once used to distribute alcoholic spirits, was purchased and renovated to provide a space for all to receive the Spirit of God. The Janzen's retired, followed by several years of Interims before Werner DeJong and family came to give leadership.
Moved with compassion for people in the Ukraine, Peter and Ada Bunnett offered their gifts to the people there and the congregation gave gifts of money to help feed the hungry.
Five years ago a relationship was begun with La Iglesia Menonita de Sinai in Bogata, Columbia. Money was donated to help them create a building for worship.
Throughout the year of 2003 the congregation celebrated and rejoiced in God's presence, power, and love at work amongst them for the past 25 years. During the 25 years, many people have participated in the life of the church and offered their gifts. Speakers encouraged the gathered worshipers to pay attention to God's guidance in the past as it anticipated serving God and the community in the future.
Following Werner's decision to end his ministry as pastor over a year ago, we have been seeking God's healing and listening for God's guidance for the future. We've gathered several times to consider how God has guided and shaped in the past, as we listen for what God is calling us to in the future.
3. Moses Various responses to GodGod called Moses and told him how he was to be involved in the future of God's people. God promised to be with him, but Moses replied to the LORD,
But God persisted to call Moses and give instructions and Moses went to the Israelites and to Pharaoh. The Israelites believed that God had appeared to Moses and when they heard that God was concerned for them they bowed down and worshipped.
In contrast, when Moses commanded Pharaoh to let God's people go, Pharaoh accused them of being lazy and demanded more work. So Moses asked God, why have you brought trouble on this people, and is this why you sent me? (Excerpts from Exodus 3-5).
God said, I am the LORD God Almighty, I have heard the groaning and remembered my covenant, I will bring you out, free you, redeem you. Go to Israel.
Eventually Moses went.
God said to Moses, Go and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his land. But Moses spoke to the Lord, "The Israelites have not listened to me; how then shall Pharaoh listen to me, poor speaker that I am?"
4. Petitcodiac Mennonite Church responses to God's callGod says to us, I am the LORD God Almighty, I have heard the groaning of people and remembered my covenant, I bring out, free, redeem. Go!
Jesus says to us,
In the year 2018 or 2028 when someone tells the story of PMC will they write that you said to God in words or actions, we have heard the groaning of people and God telling us to go in Jesus name to proclaim the Kingdom of God-so we went.
Or will there only be various excuses for not going, not doing in Jesus name?
May it never be said of this church that it was;
Let us go from this place in the power of God Almighty who calls us to be;
| Practising Christ-like living , guided by Mennonite Theology, within a welcoming Community of believers. |
Petitcodiac Mennonite Church