# Sharp words from Exodus 18

Key Passage: Exodus 18:1-5
Date: June 7, 2024

filling in, though he’s a regular song leader, Brother Patrick, Ms. Marlene out sick, and pray they get over it, nothing long term. And so I appreciate him staying over here. He’s heading back to Masters Club. And I appreciate him to do it. By the way, I appreciate Brother Bradley, leading us in prayer over each prayer request. I appreciate that. I think that’s very, very important. I want us to do that on Wednesday night, not just pray general, but pray over all those requests. Somebody thought were important enough to fill out.

And Exodus chapter number 18 of God’s Word. And we’re going to read the first five verses. Pray and just hit a little general and then get down a little bit more. I just feel like the Lord wants to talk about one old really subject, if you will, here in a bit. We’re going to use Moses’ life as an illustration of it. But just one thing tonight I don’t think will be very long.

Every time I think that, I’m thinking wrong, you know. But Exodus chapter number 18, verse number one. Would you please stand for the reading of God’s word? By the way, I’m thrilled you’re here on Wednesday night. This is the answer for America. I mean, can you imagine if millions and millions of Christians were in church on the Wednesday night, just faithful to the House of God? The difference America would be. I praise the Lord for you.

And I’m glad you’re in church. I look at Brother Dumpford. His hips are messed up. And he’s teaching tomorrow night in Bible Institute. Pray for him. And good to have them. They’ve been out of town. By the way, he preached a funeral. I think three people got saved in that. And then afterwards, Ms. Dumberg got to lead somebody to the Lord afterwards. And so God just using them. That’s wonderful. Praise the Lord. I pray for them. Good to see everybody on a wish tonight. Glad you’re here. Exodus 18, verse number one right there.

When Jethro—now that is not from the Beverly Hillbillies, all right, different individual—when Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel, his people, and that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back.

Now just pause for a minute here. You remember as Moses was coming over to Egypt, God had already told him what he was going to do? You’re going to deliver the children of Israel. And remember there was that incident in the end there. We covered that. And most think that is when Moses sent his wife and two boys back over to Midian and to live with their father, his father-in-law for the time. And so this was three months later, and the father-in-law was bringing them back to Moses. But there were some sharp words. We’ll mention that in just a moment here. And it looks like one of Moses’ boys almost got killed, too. And we’ve discussed that. There were issues there. And we’ll kind of hit that in just a minute here. But I want you just kind of know what he’s talking about.

Verse number two, then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back. And her two sons, of which the name of the one was Gershom, or Gershom, excuse me, for he said, “I have been an alien in a strange land.” So when Moses first got over there to Midian, remember he was over there 40 years, he just felt like he was an outsider. He was in a totally different world.

You ever feel like that? You ever feel like God’s people feel like that sometimes? And that’s where Moses was when he had this son. Verse number four, and the name of the other was Eliezer, for the God of my father said he was mine help and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh. Now, notice that, the God of my fathers.

Two different angles on that. One thing was, remember, he was raised in Pharaoh’s courts, so he was probably trained and taught in all the Egyptians’ gods. But he said, those gods were not the God of my fathers. They’re not Pharaoh and all; the God of my Father, Jehovah. Now on that, but when he had this boy, his second boy, he was over in Midian, and Jethro was a priest of Midian. We don’t know everything. There’s different thought. Nobody really knows exactly what all that meant. But he said, no, it wasn’t these gods? It’s the God of my father, Jehovah. And he’s delivered me. So just some thoughts on these names here, these names of his boys and the meaning behind it. Verse four again, and the name of the other was Eliezer, for the God of my father said he was mine help and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.

And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife into Moses in the wilderness where he encamped at the Mount of God. Let’s pray very briefly. Would you pray that God would just give us what we need? You’re here. Let’s pray he gives you what you need while you’re here tonight. Father, we do come. And that’s a request, Lord. Would you give these people what they need, Lord? And Father, even in some cases, what they won’t. And Lord…

And just you meet our needs as only you can. Father, please do not look at my life. Look at Jesus. And Father, through the blood of Jesus, the grace he won, I pray you to pour out just your power and your refreshing and your strength, your encouragement to your people. And Father, be such a blessing. We’ll thank you for it. We’re asking for that in the name of Jesus we pray. So we’re asking in faith, Father, through Jesus. Amen. Thank you so much for standing. You may be seated.

Three months ago, they had crossed the Red Sea. They’ve been traveling through the wilderness. They’re down now around Mount Horeb, Mount Sinai. We think Mount Horeb more describes the range, and then Sinai more specific, the actual mountain at one point. We get the tank of maps from it, all that. But the very same synonyms in some ways there, they’re there. And so they’re close to where his father-in-law is. And I’m going to put this down here before I kick it down there. Amen, you know, I’ll do it for sure, so better move it now, you know. So they’re close. And so, you know, words getting out, the children of Israel are all way down here around Mount Horeb there. And remember, that’s where 40 years earlier, that’s where Moses was when he was watching the sheep, remember that? For 40 years he did, not 40 years, not necessarily earlier. But he was in Mount Sinai, I remember out Horeb, when the burning bush, and God called him to deliver the children of Israel. He’s back down there now, okay, down around there. So it’s close by where Jethro, his father-in-law is, and he’s hearing about all. By the way, I love it. The great testimony, words get down about what God’s doing there. And so Jethro hears all this. This is exciting. He said, in fact, Moses has been without his wife and his boys for three months. And he’ll probably get lonely. He’s tired of TV dinners, you know what I’m saying? I mean, some pork can cook up to salmon a lot of different ways, you know. And so he’s bringing them over there. And I really just want you to, you kind of got to watch for this. I think you’ll see it. I’m not making it up. I don’t think that or I wouldn’t go this way. I think it’s there. But you’ve got to look for it a little bit, all right? And I want you to see it. One more thought before we get to it. One more thought.

Isn’t it amazing that when Moses really, he backslid, he killed that Egyptian, then he had to run out of fear, you know, remember that? And he ran over to the backside of the desert and he was over there 40 years. Isn’t it interesting that God used all that to prepare him for this moment? And you never know what God’s preparing you for in the future. Even in our messed-up lives, a lot of times it’s messed up our own fault. I was thinking that’s amazing. It’s amazing. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden.” Why do you word it two different ways? Are heavy laden, I feel like that has to do with just put on you. You had nothing to do with it. You got cancer. You know, you got arthritis in your hip so bad it’s just bothering you all over, hurting all over. Well, maybe a little bit of blank because I’ve been trying to kick. You know, I’m a stumped these years. Never got it. He keeps missing. That’s where all that arthritis comes from, you know, I’m teasing, of course. But here’s the thing, you know, heavy laden, I think it has to do with just put on you. You got, you had nothing. But he doesn’t just say, “Come to me, you’re heavy laden.” He said, “Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden.” I think that labor has to do with a lot of times it’s your own fault. Your life’s messed up, and you’re the one to blame for it. It doesn’t matter whether you labor or heavy laden. Come in to me, all you got labor and a heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Isn’t he gracious? And he’s so good. And Moses, he had to run his own fault, but in the midst of all that, God prepared him for all these years later he’s going to use him to lead the children of Israel down here in this region of the world. And they’re down there now, all right?

And I want you to know what’s happening is father-in-law is bringing his wife and his two boys to see him. Now, three months, just think about it. The ones that most recent in our church, I think about Brother Kevin and Miss Terese. They got the big fight. Ms. Terese left town for about two weeks. And, no, you know the truth. She was visiting. Callie had the grandbaby. She was up there with that grandbaby. The first night or two, Brother Kevin, him and that puppy had some parties, you know, going on together. But after that, he started missing her, you know. And two weeks or whatever it was into it, I guarantee him, man, he is glad to get his wife back. Praise the Lord, she’s coming home, all that. That’s a wonderful thing. That’s where it ought to be. Just, man, can’t we, you know, this has been three months. I want you just kind of let that sink in. Him and his wife have been apart for three months. All right? Y’all got that. His boys, I don’t know how old they are. I fought that through. I’m not really sure. We could debate a little bit about it. Maybe with the incident, maybe the youngest was very young. We don’t know that, though. But he’s been away from his wife and two boys for three months, okay? Now, I want you to see this. I want you to kind of study it as we read it. We’re going to start verse number six here. Verse number six, chapter of 18. And I think you’ll see what I see in scripture here. I think you’ll see it. I don’t think I’m making it up. But you just kind of got to look at it closely here, all right? Verse number six. You all there tonight, amen? Here we go. Here we go.

Verse number six. And he said unto Moses, “I, thy father, Lord Jethro, am coming to thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.” Well, I’m not trying to be nitpicky, but it’s Moses’ son too, right? Not just hers. I understand, you know. By the way, that is a mistake if a wife kind of shadows or kind of comes in between the dad and the children. Man, the dad and children, mom and dad both need to have a good relationship with the kids. Dad shouldn’t have to go through mom to have a relationship with kids. But it’s just a little fault there, but I want you to notice that. Now look at the next verse. Look at the next verse. Look at the next verse. Look at verse number seven. “And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and did obeisance and kissed him.” I don’t want to kiss my father-in-law. Where’s my wife at? Goodness Christ, there’s a lot of problems right here with this thing. That has a tradition a little bit, but nothing in here about meeting his wife and boys. And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and did obeisance and kissed him. And they asked each other of their welfare. And they came into the tent. And Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done and so on and so on.

Now, I’m glad Moses has a good relationship with his father-in-law. I’m glad for that. But you would think that Moses is going to come out and, man, give his wife a big hug and kiss, and “I missed you.” And you think there’d be a wonderful reunion there. You’d think maybe even his sons, the Bible mentioned, “Man, I get to see my boys again. I haven’t seen you for a while,” you know. There’s nothing there. I’m not trying to read into it, but if I understand right, it just seems like there’s a weakness in Moses’ family. I’m not trying to be mean. But it seems, and I’ve studied out, other Bible students say the same thing. Wow. Whatever happened to, you know, just being close to your boys? Hugging and kissing? You know, I don’t know this, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if Moses’ relationship with his dad was a little strange since he grew up a lot in Pharaoh’s court. Probably didn’t get a lot of years with his dad, if you will. I have suspicion maybe that’s some issues there. Maybe that kind of… He didn’t know how to have a good relationship with his sons. I don’t know, but the Bible doesn’t mention anything about him being with his sons. But then his wife doesn’t mention at all, him, you know, loving or kissing, nothing there. I mean, whatever happened to a husband loving your wife? It says Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. Whatever happened to that? That’s pretty strong love. Whatever happened about dwelling with her according to knowledge? First Peter 3:7. I mean, it seemed like they had a little argument over there. But as far as we know, they weren’t even to Egypt yet. They were in the end going to Egypt. Remember the sharp words they had? Remember the sharp words they had about the son being circumcised? And Zipporah says, about the only words we have of Zipporah in the Bible. She says, “Hey, a bloody husband art thou.” That’s what she says. That wasn’t like bloody as far as a curse word in English. I’m not, you don’t think that, you know, English wasn’t around at this time. But it’s literally, she was talking about a bloody husband called circumcision and all these things. And they had sharp words. And right after that, boy, Zipporah is back over with their father-in-law, Moses, you know. And I’m just trying to say, it seems like there’s problems here.

Maybe even problems in Moses, you know, among us. Now, for them to work together all those years is pretty good, but there are, the one instance that we really know of, of Miriam and Moses and Aaron, you know, divide those three siblings. Is Miriam and Aaron, they start complaining about Moses’ wife being Ethiopian, over there in Numbers 12. And actually the Bible says they spoke against you. And when they did that, remember what happened? God didn’t say, “Well, that’s no big deal.” God said, “Uh-huh, Miriam,” remember she got leprosy over it? She had to go outside the camp. We’ll talk about that when we get to that point. And the Lord said, “If your dad just spit in your face,” this is what happened, shows there’s family problems there too. Not the best parenting. So I’m kind of just, I feel like the Lord just wanted us to kind of look at this thing. I don’t think I’m reading into it. I think there’s some family issues here. Y’all aren’t agreeing with me? It sure seemed like it to me. I mean, three months, you know, you’ve been away from your wife and boys. And the Bible just mentions kissing your father-in-law. You know, just seem like something’s there, you know. And just for a minute, I feel like the Lord would have us talk about this. By the way, I’m not trying to justify sin in the home. I’m not trying to do that at all. I’m not saying you can be whatever you want to be at home and you know God still use you. You’re not doing that, but I do want to talk to just a minute here about this: if the Lord requires us to be perfect for God to use you, he wouldn’t have anybody use.

Just for a minute, I just feel like the Lord maybe just talk about that. You know, ever think about it? You ever think about some of these great Christians in the Bible? And I mean that. I’m not saying that off the cuff. Great Christians in the Bible, they had some major flaws. You ever think about David? Probably the greatest king Israel ever had. You and David committed adultery? Yeah. Now, I’m not saying adultery’s okay, but he did. Not only that, he had the husband murdered. Spent about a year trying to cover it all up and God revealed it and God wouldn’t let it pass by. But that’s just the truth. And yet, God used that man. I mean, really, just probably the greatest king. If I remember right, the name David has mentioned more in the Bible than any other name in all the Bible. And yet he was a messed-up man.

Everything about Paul over in the New Testament wrote, God used him to pen 13, probably 14 books of the New Testament. If he penned 14, we don’t know about Hebrews, you know. But if he penned Hebrews also, most think he did. I tend to think he did. But anyway, if he penned, then that’s over half of the 27 books were penned by Paul. And you know, Paul was really involved in murder. He was killing. You’ve got to be a little bit psychotic to be out there just killing sweet, innocent, kind, loving people. I mean, as they’re killing Stephen, he’s saying, “Forgive them.” And he’s looking up into heaven and seeing Jesus standing by the Father. And Paul’s a part of that. I’m saying some of these great Christians were flawed people. That kind of messed up.

I’m not trying to read into it, but in fact, talk about Moses. We’ll go back to Moses earlier, 40 years earlier. He got mad and killed a guy. Is that true or not? That’s Bible. And it seems to me, if I don’t think I’m reading into it, I don’t think he had the best marriage in the world. And the Bible, of course, a pretty good fight over there, and one of the sons almost got killed out of it, and she leaves town for three months, comes back, they’re not even hugging and kissing. He’s kissing his father-in-law. I’m just saying there’s some problems there. I don’t think he was the best father. In fact, the priesthood didn’t go through Moses’ boys; it went through Aaron’s boys. They’re both from the same tribe, Levi. Could have went that way. God didn’t go that way. Probably had a messed-up background, if you will. I mean, because, you know, you spend, you know, biological parents when you’re young. We’re not sure exactly how long, I think for a bit, but then in Pharaoh’s court. And then when Moses is 40 years old, he’s kind of like, which one am I? Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and he prays the Lord when he’s 40, he finally made the right decision. I’m going with God and his people. I’ll probably have a messed-up background, if you will. Maybe a little bit of a split personality, you know. I mean, maybe that’s why the most meekest man, and then boom, every once in a while, he just flares out. He’s got a temper, you know. And I say all that to say, God still used him.

The Bible talks about it over there in Deuteronomy, the last part of that book, he said, “You know that Moses?” He says, “Not like some of these other guys. I talk to them somewhat. But Moses, he knows me face to face.” Wow. Pretty amazing. Not see him face to face, but he knows the Lord face to face. I mean, the Bible doesn’t say that about anybody else. That’s amazing to me. If you would ask, I think most Bible students would say the greatest leader in the Bible—a leader I’m talking about—is Moses. God used this man, Moses. He penned the first five books of the Bible. Moses did. Now, this is what I’m saying: if you’re not perfect, don’t beat yourself over the head for the rest of your life. God still likes to use you. God still has a plan for you. Okay, you got some flaws, you got some problems. I’m not saying continue on in sin. I’m not trying to say that. But you got some sins. You got some flaws. I’m not saying just keep going there. Overcome that thing. But don’t put yourself on the shelf saying God cannot use you. That’s not true. As long as you have breath to breathe, God wants to use you; he has a plan for you.

Since we’re talking here for a bit about marriage and family problems, this way God kind of led me to study this thing, family problems. Can I just say this? If you’ve been divorced before, don’t you listen to the devil. The devil can’t use you anymore? It’s always an impression on my heart, my mind. In Bible college, one of my teachers, he had been a pastor for years, and he was talking to those young preachers. And he said, you know, he said some of the best members in the churches I pastured was divorced folks. And he said, sometimes it just sobers them up to deliver them for the Lord. Now, I’m not trying to, you know, condemn and say, go get a divorce. I’m not trying to say that. But if you’ve already been there, it’s already done, friend, don’t you let… Sometimes the devil will make you think you got a big deal on your forehead. And usually nobody knows about it for the most part anyway. But the devil will do that to you and beat you down where you think God cannot use you. And that simply is not the truth. Amen. God still likes to use you in a great, great way. I’m saying Moses, I believe he had some problems. I believe he had some defects and some weaknesses, but God used him in a great, great way.

Now, we’ll say this: I think there are problems in the marriage, but they did stay married. He said, “Well, I got some problems.” I’m staying married. I’ve not been divorced. You’ve got problems in your marriage? Well, friend, first of all, nobody’s got a perfect marriage besides me and my wife. That’s far from the truth. If there are problems in our marriage, it’s Pastor’s fault, not my wife. Come on, I don’t want to sleep on the couch tonight, folks. You know, I’m talking about you. I’ve got to try to even this thing out somewhere at all the night. Nobody’s got a perfect marriage. Now, I understand that your prayers will not be not hindered, per 1 Peter 3:7. I understand that. I preached that many a time, and I’m for that. But, friend, if you think you’ve got to have everything just right for God to use you, Satan is selling you a bill of goods. Amen. God couldn’t use anybody. And don’t you let the devil say, “Well, you’re just so messed up, God can’t use you.” Friend, every person God uses is messed up. Praise the Lord for the blood of Jesus, amen. That’s our only hope.

By the way, praise the Lord, Moses didn’t quit. “Well, I got a messed-up family. I got problems with my past. I’m in a fight with my wife and my boys.” But he stayed at it for the Lord. Praise the Lord for that. I’m glad for it. He’s still doing God’s will for his life and God’s still using him.

Let’s look at this. This is interesting. We’re not going to be too much longer here. Right? No, we’re going to try. We’re going to keep going. Look at verse number eight. I’ve got to stick to my notes tonight. I’m getting off track. Amen. Look at this. Look at this. Just God, how you… God, God’s still using Moses in the middle of this messed-up situation. Look at verse number eight. “And Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done.” By the way, that capital L, capital O, capital R—who’s that? Who’s that? Jehovah, right, right. “All that the Lord, Jehovah, had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, and all the travail that had come upon them.” By the way, “and how the Lord, Jehovah, delivered them.” And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. And Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord.” Can I stop for just a second, right? We’ll go back to that. We’re pausing. Blessed be the Lord, all right?

Verse number 10, Jethro said, “Blessed be the… Jehovah, the Lord, who had delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptian, out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.” Now, can you hear that? Not before it, now. Not five years ago, not even 40 years ago. When I first met you, now, now I know that the Lord, that’s Jehovah, is greater than all gods, greater than the Midianite gods. For in the thing wherein they dealt proudly, he was above them. The Lord was above Egyptians and Pharaoh and all their pride. Watch this. “And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God.” Now, what is it? Who did those burnt offerings and sacrifices represent? The coming Messiah. He said, “Now I realize Jehovah’s the great one, he’s a real one, he’s a real deal right there. Let’s get some sacrifices, offerings that picture the coming Messiah, because I’m putting my faith in that right there.” He really got saved, all right? Look at the rest of this thing. In chapter, Moses’ father-in-law took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God. And Aaron came, he’s the high priest for Jehovah, the real God. And Aaron came in all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

And here’s the thing. Was things messed up? I think so. Personally myself, I think so. But God used the messed-up Moses to lead his father-in-law to the Lord. He said, “Man, I got problems.” That’s all right. God’s working on this. To your problems, there’s a family problem, family reunion problems, all these problems of relationships. That’s right. God can work through messed-up relationships because they’re all somewhat messed up. And in the middle of that, God uses Moses to lead his father-in-law to the Lord. Isn’t it wonderful that God uses one sinner to bring another sinner to Jesus? Amen. Isn’t that the truth? Amen. Let me tell you what I’ve found. I found the answer to our sin problem. It’s Jesus, not me. And he uses that sinner to get another sinner to Jesus. That’s wonderful.

Ever think about it? Remember over there in John chapter 4? Jesus must need to go through Samaria, and it goes right through the middle of that. The Jewish people usually went around because they’re prejudiced, and they’re going to go through the Samaritans, the half-breeds according to them, and all that. And Jesus said, “No, no, got to go through Samaria because there’s a lady there at the well. I’m going to lead her to me. She’s going to get saved.” And it goes to Sychar’s well. And there was 12 other Baptist preachers there, remember that? Apostles, and while they’re out there getting food—that’s what preachers do, they are eating all the time. I ought to be working, and they’re eating over there. What about that? You know who was it? Someone said the Baptists bring the word and eat the bird. Something like the singer said that. Who was it? Yeah, brother, yeah. He said, “I thought I never heard that one.” That’s a new one on me. You know, bring the word and eat the bird. Amen. That’s a good thing there, you know. And those other guys were over there getting food. And Jesus, remember he led that woman to him. She got saved that day. She was a brand new convert. And you talk about messed up. She’d been married five times, remember that? And the man she was with now was not her husband. She lived with a guy. She’s shackin’ it up over there. And, you know, the honest truth is those fellows are over there eating, and that lady went in town and said, “Hey, come over here. Let me show you a guy that told me everything I’ve ever done.” That was an exaggeration, by the way. That wasn’t exactly the truth, right? He told her, “You’re married, you know, you’ve been married five times, man, you live with now is not your husband.” He told her that, but he didn’t tell her everything. She’s exaggerating, but…

But praise the Lord, this messed-up woman in a messed-up relationship just got saved. She didn’t know the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. It wasn’t all written at that point anyway, but she didn’t know all that. Those Baptist preachers knew much more than her, but she’s out bringing people to Jesus left and right. Hey, praise the Lord, God can use sinners that open their mouth and tell people about Jesus. Sometimes the professional is so busy doing that, they’re not got time to win souls. That lady had time to win souls.

Moses, is he messed up? I believe so, but God’s using him in a great way. He led his father-in-law to the Lord. Hey, friend, don’t let the devil convince you that God can’t use you. God used old Moses. He didn’t quit. He stayed in there, praise the Lord. God’s using our messed-up Moses in a messed-up situation when God could do miracles when people just yield to God. You ever hear that song, “Something Beautiful”? He made something beautiful. That’s why it is with all of us. Just messed up. We bring it to him. He uses. Don’t say, “Well, it’s so messed up, God can’t use me.” No, the devil’s done sold you a bill of goods. That’s not true. God’s using old Moses, even though it was messed up. Reminded me, as I studied, it reminded me, the church who went to Northwest Indiana, large church. And Hammond, Indiana, the pastor of the house used to say it’s the armpit of America. Amen, just… Nothing beautiful about it, you know, besides an amazing church right in the middle of all the messed-up situation, you know, and just right outside of Calumet City. And, you know, the steel mills back in the day, man, they were just thriving, and it was a thriving area. But when they went down, boy, that whole area went down, it’s messed up. Not a good place. And Calumet City, right there, Indiana, Illinois border right there, and right there, and there was a lady that used to walk the streets in a bad way, sinful way. She had to sell her body. And yet, yet she heard about the love of Jesus, a love for an old messed-up woman like her. She got saved. She was a young convert. And yet that lady, by the way, she didn’t have everything just right. She’d come to church. She wouldn’t walk right. Some of you ladies wouldn’t like her, you know, and she didn’t dress quite right yet. She’s trying, but she is far from where she ought to be. But, man, she started bringing people and bringing them down the aisles to get saved during an invitation. She wanted to clip that line of work for sure. She got saved, and she got a job where a lot of the Bible college students worked at. What was interesting to hear those people of the college? She kind of rough around the edges, man, she’s telling everybody about Jesus, and she had to bring people to Jesus left and right. Hey, don’t you think God can’t use somebody with a bad background? And God could use them in a great, great way. And God’s using Moses. I believe we’ve got a lot of problems with God’s using him. So don’t let the devil lie to you. Well, I’ve got a lot of problems, but just keep serving God in the midst of all those problems. Keep yielding to him. Don’t quit. Keep reading your Bible, praying. When I’m not getting everything on to get out, you’re probably not, but nobody does. Keep reading it. Keep praying, keep confessing, keep getting right with God, keep yielding to him, he’ll use you.

And then let me say this, just a closing thought. You know, allow God’s servants to be human. Well, there’s a Sunday school teacher. Well, Sunday school teachers are messed up too. Well, she’s been in church for years and years. Well, that’s why she’s in church. She’s trying to grow, but she’s messed up like you’re messed up. You know, your spouse is not perfect. Boy, I know that for sure. Well, don’t expect them to be perfected. Just allow them to be, because they are. There are… I don’t like this Christianity where they just do everything just right, but they’re never reaching anybody. Friend, it’s not a museum to try to look good to everybody. It’s God wants to use you to help somebody. Man, roll up your sleeves and go love somebody, reach somebody, lift somebody. That’s what Christianity is all about. But allow them to be human.

Brother Howes used to tell his story. I hadn’t told him in a long time. It’s story number 148. You won’t remember because it’s so far down the line, you know. But an old preacher way back in the day, out in the country, out in the sticks, you know, and he had gotten saved out of a rough life, rough background, real rough. And he was growing and excited, and God called him to preach, and he probably took a pastorate probably before he should. I don’t know. But it was in this country church, and he got preaching, and he got preaching on the devil. And he said every messed-up situation in the world, Satan’s behind it. And all the pain and the family, you know, domestic violence and all the alcoholics and all the rest of that, Satan’s behind all that junk. And he just got preaching on that. And he just got into preaching against the devil. And before he knew it, he started cussing out the devil. I’m just talking about cussing like a sailor. Man, he gave the devil up one side and down the other, and all of a sudden he said, “What in the world am I doing?” And he stopped. And he said, “People, I’m so sorry. I’m an embarrassment to you in this church. Please forgive me.” And he said, “I understand I’m not qualified to be your pastor anymore.” And they said… he just walked out. He said, “I’m sorry.” They said… an old deacon in that just little country church. He said, “Well, at least we know which side the pastor’s on now. Knowing how he feels about the situation.” He said, “I know the pastor just resigned. I understand why he did, but I reckon we revote him in. Give him a raise.” That’s what they did. I’m going to try that once in a while, you know. That’s a true story, they say. I’m just saying, allow them to be human. Nobody’s got it all together. Nobody does.

You know, if God doesn’t write them off, don’t think we’re any better than God. You know, Revelation chapter 12, you know, it gives this title to the devil. It says, he’s the accuser of the brethren. Man, we don’t want to be on Satan’s side. He’s accusing the brother all the time. You’re talking about in Sunday school. You know what you all do for somebody? A Christian, you see they’re messed up, they’re sinning an honest sin in a day. Pray for them. Pray for them. We don’t want to be a part of that.

One last passage. I said we were going to get done early. I don’t think it’s going to happen. We’ll try, though. Acts chapter number nine. Real quickly. You want to look it up real quickly? Acts chapter nine. See, this way, if you don’t turn quick enough, I can blame it on you. We’ve got out on time if you didn’t get there quicker now, you know. Acts chapter nine. Acts chapter nine, Paul. Remember, I told about Paul earlier. He was messed up, killing Christians. You got to be messed up to be killing nice, kind folk. You really do. Paul was. God saved him. But before, you remember his name was Saul. And still after he got saved, some people still called him. It was called Saul sometimes after that. And…

Saul or Paul, he tried to preach over there in Damascus. He just gotten saved and boy, they’re about to, you know, the people that were with him to persecute Christians, man. He got saved and they said, well, he’s a, you know, turncoat, let’s get him. They’re trying to attack him and he sneaks down out of the basket over the wall. You know that story. And it goes over to Jerusalem a little bit here. A little bit of lapse of time. And the people in Jerusalem, kind of like a little bit of… you have the headquarters at Jerusalem at that time, a little bit like that. And he goes over there and they say, “Oh, the apostles are there.” And they said, “No, we don’t want anything to do with that Saul guy. We know he’s been killing people. I mean, remember what he did to Stephen? He had all that? He was holding the coats while they killed Stephen. Remember that, Saul?” Nobody wanted to touch him with a 10-foot pole. Saul? Well, we know that guy. We know what he’s all about. He’s got a reputation around town. And look what happens. Look at Acts chapter number nine. Look in verse number 26. Acts 9:26. “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.” But Barnabas. Oh, praise the Lord for Barnabas. “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”

You know, God used Paul later on, spread the gospel over there, Asia Minor, and then around, you know, the water there over into Europe, what’s now Europe. And really, we think from that, our ancestors for the most of us, that’s how we got the gospel. And, of course, 13, 14 books of the New Testament. Well, I wonder if there wasn’t a Barnabas. It was old Barnabas. He didn’t point his finger, look down his nose, tell everybody around town about Saul. He took him in. He said, “Let me befriend you.” I know you got issues. He knew that. He wasn’t a dummy. He knew. He knew. He knew it. But praise the Lord, he knew Jesus that saved him. He said, “Come on, Saul. I’ll take you over to the apostles. I’ll tell them all about you, what God’s done in your life.” Man, I’d rather be, instead of being on Satan’s side, the accuser of the brother, I’d rather go here with Barnabas, trying to bring him into the fold so God can use him more.

Would you bow your heads and close your eyes, please? Heads bowed, eyes closed. It might be a good night for us to say, “You know, I’m messed up, just like all of us are messed up, but I want to re-enlist. I know God can still use me. God’s still working. Lord, use me. I want to, in the midst of all my problems and difficulties and issues, Lord, I’m raising my head. I’m volunteering again. Would you use me?” That’s you tonight. That’s the preacher, that’s me. That’s a good description of me right there. If you would just lift your hand up, preacher, I want to re-enlist. I got all my problems in this, but I want to re-enlist. I want to raise my hand, volunteer again for the Lord, would you use me? Anybody like that tonight? Just lift your hand, if you’d just slip it up. God bless you. I want to volunteer again. God bless you. That’s good. That’s good. Thank you so very much. Maybe you’re here tonight and you say, “You know, instead of speaking against them, like Miriam did against her brother.” Yeah, Moses had issues. But instead of speaking against him, I’d like to be a Barnabas. I’d like to try to encourage him, God to use him. God spoke to my heart. I want to allow others to be just human. God spoke to my heart about that tonight. And that’s you tonight, you slip up your hand. Rich, God spoke my heart about that. God bless you. God bless you. Me too, me too. God bless you. That’s important. God bless you. That’s good. That’s good.

Hey, would you please stand tonight? Let’s stand right where you are. Would you come and spend some time with the Lord if God led you to do so? Would you do that? Father, thank you. You used messed-up people like us. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for viewing us through the blood. Thank you, Jesus, for the way of the cross. Lord, we come to you tonight. Would you use us? Thank you for using Moses. Thank you for giving us a glimpse into his humanity. Lord, you use it to encourage your people. Well, thank you for what you do. In Jesus’ name we ask. Amen. Would you spend some time as our instruments play? Would you do that?

Amen. There’s a wonderful passage. It’s in Psalms. I’m not sure. I can’t remember where off the top of my head. But it says, “The Lord taketh pleasure in those who hope in his mercy.” As you think about that, Lord takes pleasure in those who hope in his mercy. Praise the Lord, it’s not all about us. It’s all about him, isn’t it? That way he gets glory, credit, not us. It belongs to him. And I’m so glad you’re here tonight. And praise the Lord, God’s using old Moses. And he’s got problems like all of us, but God’s used him in a great, great way. And it’s just wonderful to see. Glad you’re in church on a Wednesday night. I’m thrilled to have you here. Pray for Brother Chip and Ms. Tammy. They’re going to be helping his mom move. They’ll be going to Florida down there. Brother Chip’s got a lawn chair picked out. No, they’re going to be helping to move. They’ll be helping to move. They’ll be working. Pray for them this coming up a couple days here. Brother Chip, would you dismiss us with prayer, please?

Original File: Pastor Paul Chisgar - Sharp words - Wednesday PM 09132023