THE RISK OF FOLLOWING GOD

Dr. Richard J. Henderson August 28, 2005

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Matthew 16:21-28
Exodus 3:1-15

Introduction

The call of Moses is such an intriguing event. Moses is out watching his father-in-laws sheep when he sees this bush on fire that doesn't burn up. There isn't a lot to do out on the hillside, so Moses decides to go check it out.

Just as he's getting a closer look, Moses hears a voice call his name. Moses answers, "Here I am." Then God explains how he has seen the suffering of the Jewish people in Egypt, he has heard their cry for freedom. Moses is nodding, "Yes, it's an awful situation." Then God says, "So, come, I will send you to the Pharaoh to set my people free."

Whoa! Wait a minute! You want me to go? Don't you think you should interview lots of people to see who would be best for this job? I mean I just came to see about this burning bush.

I wonder - would Moses have been chosen if he ignored the bush on fire? Why did God choose Moses? Do we know why God chooses any of us?

I

Moses doesn't want the job God gives him. His first reaction is, "Who am I to go talk with the Pharaoh?" Moses immediately starts backpedaling when God tells him he has been chosen. Later on, he will complain that he shouldn't have the job because he's not qualified. "You need a good speaker to do this kind of thing. You know I've never been good at that." He's really saying, I think you ought to consider your other choices; there are many better people available than me.

When God calls us, we often don't feel up to it. We immediately see other people who seem better suited. Like Moses we think, I'm not sure I'm the person you want - which is also saying I'm not sure I want to do this. But God calls.

II

Moses isn't called to be a professional church worker. What God has in mind isn't a religious position. There were rabbis and scribes, good clergy positions, but that isn't what God calls Moses to do. Moses call isn't leading worship, teaching Bible classes or planning youth programs. God calls Moses to bring freedom to oppressed people. This isn't a job in the temple, but in a nation. The Israelites were held in slavery. They were suffering and abused, by the Egyptians. They cried out to God in their agony. God heard their prayers.

Moses is called to be a revolutionary. He has to confront the ruler, demand his people be freed, and lead them to away. He has to defy the ruler and take his people to the Promised Land.

Moses job doesn't involve church work, but bringing justice and freedom to a captive people. Moses shows us God doesn't just call people to ministry in the church. Those who work for peace, freedom, justice, and hope are also called by God. God calls some leaders to lift up people who are put down.

III

III When God calls Moses, it involves serious risk. He has to go head-to-head with the Pharaoh, who could easily have him killed. Freeing people isn't easy business. When Moses accepts God's call, he is putting his life on the line. Sometimes, when we accept God's call, it's dangerous work.

In our New Testament reading today, Jesus tells his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and there he will suffer and die. Jesus' call meant not only risking his life, but also dying. His friends say no, they try to talk him out of going, but he knows he has to go. Answering God's call can be dangerous.

It seems that many of contemporary Christians deny the risks of Christianity. In some places, Christianity seems like just another variation of self-help with God at your side.

Sheila picked up a couple of free "Christian women's" magazines while we were on vacation. I was surprised to see articles on pampering yourself and on how to choose the right clothes. As our culture has turned more "ME" centered, some Christians seem to have followed, by offering people what they want to hear. The result is an easy faith where God wants to serve you by making you feel good, finding the job you really want, and building the kind of bank account you'd like to have.

This is a faith designed to serve you, rather than asking you to serve God.

I got a letter last week from 2 Christian financial planners who wanted to lead classes on how to develop wealth. The letter started off by saying something like, "It isn't enough that Christians get free of debt, they need to understand how to build assets successfully." Getting out of debt is good and building assets is OK if you tithe, but did Christ die on the cross so that we could be debt free and develop a strong portfolio?

Moses was called to the dangerous ministry of setting captive people free. Christ willingly headed to Jerusalem knowing he would die. God's call can be risky. When you give yourself for other people, you might get hurt. You could be killed.

Conclusion

About forty years ago, the associate pastor at my home church took his vacation time and went to the South to register African American voters. He knew it was risky from the beginning. We know now that some people who went there were killed. While he was there, he and others that went with him were arrested. The Pittsburgh Press carried a front-page story, "Local pastors arrested." They were mistreated in jail and their car sabotaged, but they made it home safely. They felt called to offer a voice to people who had been denied that right.

My father was the senior pastor, and we immediately began to get hate calls at home. People phoned at all times of the day and night to call our associate and my dad the most despicable names. I was proud of my father. When our associate returned, he had him tell the full story of his experience, why he went and what he did, to the whole congregation the next Sunday. He stood behind him even though it meant taking a lot of abuse.

Don't believe those who try to tell you that being Christian today is a safe, easy thing. If you take seriously the teachings of Jesus, it may get you in trouble. When we answer God's call, it can involve real risk because, like Moses, we never know what God might ask us to do.

Amen

©Richard J. Henderson 2005