THE EXODUS OF EXCUSES (Part Two)

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

EXODUS 4:1-17

Pastor Rick Jackson

There are patterns in Scripture. one pattern concerns the nature of sin and how it is exposed in our behavior. Every sin is either a result of the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life or a combination thereof. This pattern was shown in the way Eve was tempted in the Garden, the way David was tempted and sinned in these three main areas, and the way the Lord Jesus was tempted by the Devil in Matthew 4 - yet without sin! I had never noticed but the pattern is repeated as Moses tries to get out of the service the Lord is calling him into and his excuses fall into this familiar pattern.

I. THE LUST OF THE EYE EXCUSE [v. 1-9]

v. 1 shows us Moses' concern was how the world saw him and how he saw the world

1. What You Have Is Enough [v. 1-5]

David's sling, Gideons trumpets & pitchers, the widows oil, the lad's lunch, etc.

2. Grace is an inward solution because sin is an inward problem. [v. 6-8]

The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart.

3. The Blood is the Solution [v. 9]

II. THE LUST OF THE FLESH EXCUSE [v. 10-12]

1. The Jimmy Stewart Syndrome [v. 10]

2. The Producer/Casting Director's Knowledge [v. 11]

God knows how sin has affected His creation.

3. What You Say Is More Important Than How Well You Say It! [v. 12]

III. THE PRIDE OF LIFE EXCUSE [v. 13-17]

1. The Arrogance of False Humility [v. 13]

2. The Anger Against Unbelief [v. 14]

3. The Admixture of Faith & Failure [v. 15-17]

Psalm 106:15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

Sometimes that which we ask for turns out to be a burden as well as a blessing.