I AM
December 31, 2000 AM
Sermon Outline
Ex 3:11-14
INTRO: There is, beyond the azure blue, a God concealed from human sight. He tinted skies with heavenly hue and framed the worlds with His great might. With these words begins a hymn whose emphasis is God. I wonder if, in our busy lives, we have given much thought to God? Oh, Gods name is used often as an expletive ... in vain. His name appears on our currency and coins ... even on public buildings. But do we meditate upon Him? Are we awed by our contemplations. Consider the following thoughts:
1. Ps 46:10 Be Still and Know ...
a. we must take time to think about God
b. the pace of life reduces faith to sound bites ... to brief slogans
c. my concern is that we do not exalt Him ... for we hardly know Him
2. Ex 3:14 God of the Present Tense!
a. we are programed to think: birth, life, death
b. we think of past, present, future
c. but God does not fit into our limitations
d. I Am: without beginning or end ... present
e. 1 Tim 1:17 here is a majestic statement
3. Ex 3:6 God of the Great Covenant
a. one of the ways He identifies Himself
b. note Ex 2:24
c. recall Gen 22:15-18 repeated to Isaac/Jacob
d. this covenant brought Jesus to this world
e. Gal 3:8 brings the covenant to fruition
f. an aside: God keeps promises
4. Lev 19:1,2 God of Absolute Authority
a. undergirding these precepts? I am the Lord ...
b. no legislation - no election .... Mt 6:13b!!
c. God speaks ... ant thats all thats required
d. this 19th chapter of Leviticus is awesome in its nature
e. indeed, it could be a bit frightening ... its truly, Because I said so!
f. Isa 45:19
5. Isa 43:25 God of Forgiveness
1. for mine own sake - not merited - by grace!
b. from v.22-v.24 are listed Gods charges against Israel ... worthy of death
c. but His forgiving nature is suddenly noted
d. oh, God does not forgive the impenitent - Ezek 18:30
e. just so, the New Testament makes this clear - Acts 17:30
f. but God chooses to forgive the penitent
6. Isa 44:24 God of Creation
a. one of the most amazing statements: Ps 33:6-9
b. maybe we havent really given it much thought
c. but all God had to do was say the word
d. so, Gen 1:3 And God said ...
e. I cannot truly fathom the awesome power of God
f. but His power begs for our attention (note Rom 1:16)
7. Isa 48:17 God Who Leads His People
a. notice, too, v. 18 ... the option to follow is ours
b. failing to follow withholds His blessings!
c. but the great thing is that He providesguidance
d. Jno 6:63 ... Jno 17:17 ... 2 Tim 1:10
e. scripture is the means of His guidance ... the inspired word; the revealed word
f. so, Ps 23:3b ... He leadeth me...
CLOSE: Mal 3:6 ... God Who changes not. With all of the change around us, He is our Constant! The anchors slip away ... but never the anchor.
Cecil A. Hutson
31 December 2000