The Power of God (video + script)

A Gospel Sermon based on Exodus 4-6

Even Realities G2 Glasses

We all feel overwhelmed at times. Times when what is expected of us and what we are capable of are two vastly different things. Imposter syndrome hits. Despair sets in. And fighting back tears, we pray, “God, I can’t do this. It’s too much!”

Like us, Moses felt out of his depth when God called. Standing in front of the Burning Bush, he was completely sure that God had taken the wrong turn somewhere on His way from Heaven and stopped at the wrong bush in front of the wrong guy. Moses was a quitter. A fugitive. A loser. At least, that’s how he saw himself. He ran from his problems forty years ago and had been hiding in the desert, dressed as a shepherd, ever since. He was stuck. And he felt he deserved it. He had earned this life.

Moses had anger management issues. He killed a foreman for beating a labourer. So, he fled the country. Alone. He just ran! For forty years, he lived in Midian, married to a local woman, and working for her father. They had two sons. Gershom and Eliezer. Talk about someone who can’t let go of the past. He named his sons after his exile! Gershom means “I am a stranger in a foreign land” and Eliezer means “God delivered me from Pharaoh’s sword!”

If you lived in Midian and Moses was your next-door neighbour, you would not brag about knowing him. Nearly 80 years old, he still complains most days, likes to talk about what ‘could have been’, and still raises his voice when he’s angry because he doesn’t really like himself. You know the type.

Open your Bible to the book of Exodus. Today we are going to look at chapters 4, 5 and 6. And together, with Moses, we are going to learn about the Power of God in our lives. Especially in the times when we feel less than. Less than worthy. Less than able. Less than God calls us to be.

“When you feel overwhelmed or inadequate, where do you turn for strength and direction?”

The staff of God! What a great name for a walking stick! The stick is old, but the name is new. Look back at verse 2.

Now, just a few days later, he’s named it: “The Staff of GOD!”

This is fantastic foreshadowing! It leans into the story that is about to come. It also shows us something important about human nature.

Moses saw what God could do with a stick and started calling it “The Staff of God!”

And yet, it took Moses the rest of his life to fully trust HIMSELF to God. “You can use my stick, I’ll even name it after you. But you can’t use me, I’m useless.” Eighty years of regret and self-hatred take time to overwrite.

The journey from “Who am I?” to “I am Moses, the Man of God” took the better part of another forty years. It was a long journey.

As Pastors like to say, “God does not call the equipped but equips the called.” Despite Moses’s excuses, refusals, and feelings of inadequacy, God patiently reassures him, provides signs, and even sends his brother Aaron to help.

God does not call the equipped but equips the called. Our perceived weaknesses do not hinder God’s plans; rather, they highlight His power. Our walking sticks become “The Staff of God!” And, in time, our belief in what God can do through us grows as well.

Moses begins the journey to Egypt. His brother, Aaron, meets him partway. Together, they take God’s message to the Israelite people in Egypt.

How beautiful! The people believe Moses and Aaron. They hear God’s promises and see the signs of His power. Then they bow down and worship God! Everything is going so well.

Just like that day in Egypt, the power of God is available to us today. When you trust Him, you have His power on tap! In the Exodus story, God is revealed as the ever-present and active God of deliverance. The Exodus event is not just a historical rescue; it is a profound theological statement about who God is. God is our Deliverer.

So, now, Moses and Aaron are on a high. The people believe. They saw the miracles, heard the promises, and they worshipped God! I can imagine Aaron putting his hand on Moses’ shoulder and saying, “See! Israel is with us! Because God is with us!”

Uh oh! Sure, they didn’t expect Pharaoh to worship Yahweh. But the momentum was with them. They expected him to at least let them have their festival. But Pharaoh said no. So, Moses and Aaron repeat their demands. Pharaoh is not impressed. Then, Pharaoh realises what the problem is.

And that’s exactly what happened. Guess how happy the Israelites are, now?
Production 100. Happiness Zero.

The central conflict in the story is set and ready to escalate. It’s a battle of the gods. The sovereignty of Yahweh versus the perceived divinity of Pharaoh. Yahweh steps forward.

Then God goes into a beautiful riff. Using His name for the first time, Yahweh reveals His true identity and declares all that He will do for His people.

God fully introduces himself, by name, to Moses. What an amazing honour! Then, God makes seven promises to Israel.

As the people return to their houses from a hard day at the brickyard, Moses is excited about the new promises from God. He shouts as they trudge past, “Seven promises from Yahweh! Listen, everyone! Seven promises!” But nobody is listening.

The people are tired. They are tired of working. They are tired of mud.

They want straw, not promises.

Nobody is interested in Moses’ exciting news. At all.

The next day, as they head out to work, Moses tries again. “Seven promises from Yahweh! Listen, everyone! Seven promises!” No luck. Nobody hears. The Israelites just walk past Moses, ignore Yahweh’s promises, and keep making Pharaoh’s bricks.

Moses has two final statements in chapter 6. First, in Verse 12, after God tells him to go back to Pharaoh.

With his head hanging, he takes Aaron, and they return to Pharaoh to tell him again: “Let my people go.” And again. And again.

And there is no movement in the palace. To show the slow passage of time, at this point in Chapter 6, the storyteller lists all twelve tribes of Israel and all the heads of every family in every tribe. It goes on and on for 14 very long verses.

Finally, Moses is given the last word in this chapter of the Exodus story, and broken-hearted, he repeats himself.

God is patient. And God is always faithful. Both Moses and the Israelites experienced crippling despair in the face of their overwhelming circumstances. So do we, at times. And even when we return to our old excuses or go back to making bricks for the devil, God’s love and promises do not change.

The core message of these three chapters in Exodus is that God hears the cries of His people, remembers His promises, and acts decisively to deliver us.

There is hope. God sees, God hears, and God acts.

The Exodus Story is everywhere in the Bible. It is the overarching story of the people of God. The flight from Egypt is told explicitly in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Twenty other Old Testament books mention the departure from Egypt, the plagues, or the parting of the Red Sea. In the New Testament, there are ten books that tell bits of the Exodus story. And throughout the rest of the Bible, there are innumerable allusions and thematic nods to the Exodus. It would seem you can’t understand God or His people without the Exodus.

In the early church, the Exodus story takes on a new life. In 1 Corinthians 10, the wilderness wanderings serve as a warning for the early church. In the Faith Hall of Fame of Hebrews 11, the journey from Egypt to Canaan is cited as a primary example of faith development.

But, even more interesting are the ways the writers of the Gospels reach back into the Exodus story to inform their retellings of the disciples’ journey with Jesus.

John records the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus, clearly mirroring Yahweh’s seven “I will” statements in Exodus 6.

In all four Gospels, Jesus spends much of His time answering Pharaoh’s question, “Who is Yahweh?” He answers it most clearly in His completed mission.

Who is Yahweh? He is the one who provides salvation through His Son.

As Jesus walked this Earth, He sought out people who had the wrong answer to the question, “Who is Yahweh?” They were not Pagan Pharaohs or Gentile Kings. No, these false teachers were religious leaders in Israel. They had lost sight of God and completely forgotten who Yahweh was.

They were worse than Pharaoh because they studied the Torah and the Prophets and still got God wrong. Talking theology wasn’t a pastime for Jesus; it was primetime. The first time Jesus confronted the teachers of the Law is recorded in Luke chapter 2.

Jesus was just 12 years old.

It was the first year he was old enough to go with his parents to Passover. When the week of celebration was over, his parents headed home with a group from Nazareth. They walked all day, and only realised at bedtime that Jesus was not with them. The next day, they walked back.

Jesus called it: “My father’s business!” And he was serious about it.

In Mark chapter 3, the scribes tell everyone, “Jesus’ miracles are from the Devil!” This sets Jesus off. They are not just misunderstanding Scripture; they are calling Yahweh “Satan!” Jesus summons the scribes like a pack of demons and tells them to STOP! “You are Yahweh’s teachers! Teach the Truth! If you don’t fix your image of Yahweh, you will be guilty of the unforgivable sin – saying you know God and then lying about Him!”

“Who is Yahweh?” Certainly not Satan!

But when it comes to New Testament parallels of the Exodus story, Matthew shines above all the others. Matthew knows the Israelites love their story.

As the Early Church is growing, Matthew loves telling the Gospel using the Exodus as his template. From home to home, church to church, as he travels, he tells the story of slaves set free by Jesus. Just as Moses led them out of slavery to Pharaoh in Egypt, so Jesus sets us free from slavery to sin and Satan.

By the time Matthew finally sits down to write his Jesus story, his Gospel flows from his pen like milk and honey. Matthew is one of God’s Storytellers. He can break through people’s tough resistance to new Truth because he holds the storyteller’s secret. Tell a story people know and love. Tell it well. Then, once they are smiling and nodding at the familiar story, give it a new meaning.

Imagine Matthew preparing to write his Gospel. He lays out the scroll of Exodus next to an empty parchment.

Then he starts reading. “These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt…” (Exodus 1:1)

“I can do that,” Matthew thinks. He dips his quill into the inkwell and writes, “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham…” (Matthew 1:1)

Then there’s a birth story.

Birth of Moses. Birth of Jesus.

Pharaoh orders the killing of baby boys. Herod orders the killing of baby boys.

Moses grew up in Egypt. Hmm, well, Jesus and his parents did flee to Egypt and lived there for a few years. “That’s a cool connection,” Matthew thinks as he writes, “That will draw people into the story.”

The Hebrews leave Egypt.

Jesus’ family leaves Egypt to go home to Nazareth.

Then Yahweh opens the Red Sea, and the people walk through.

Oh, that’s like Jesus’ baptism when God opened the sky and His voice thundered His love for His Son!

You can see Matthew leaning into his writing now.

This is fun!

Next, slowly reading through the forty years of wandering in the wilderness, Matthew considers what the people learned on their long walk.

At the golden calf, they learned to have No other gods!

When mana fell from Heaven, they learned that God will provide!

When water flowed from a Rock, they learned - well, because Moses hit the rock in anger instead of trusting God, they learned different things. The people learned that God can provide water in the desert. And Moses learned that you should not put God to the test!

“Wow,” Matthew thinks to himself, “That reminds me of Jesus in the desert! The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness and barely learned a thing…. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness and never failed!

In every test, he quoted scripture.

Hmmm….” Matthew dips his quill again and leans over his growing Gospel. He is ready to write his greatest riff on the Exodus story.

You can check it out in Matthew chapter 4.

After his baptism, Jesus went into the desert, where he fasted for 40 days. The Devil came to Jesus at the end, when he was really hungry. “Hey, Jesus, what about these stones? They are about the size of loaves of bread. If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread!”

“Jesus answered,

God will provide! Jesus is alluding to the story of the Exodus – and quoting from Deuteronomy chapter 8.

Then the Devil takes Jesus to the top of the temple and says, “Prove you are who you say you are. Jump. God has promised to protect you with angels if you are the Son of God!”

Jesus answered him,

Deuteronomy again, chapter 6.

Finally, the Devil takes Jesus to a place with a really good view. So good in fact that the Devil can point out all the kingdoms of this world - their splendour and glory. “All of this, I will give you,” Satan said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

You can almost see Jesus smile as he shakes his head.

“The golden calf? Really?

From the mountain top? Really?

Haven’t you been paying attention, you old snake?”

Jesus said to him,

Deuteronomy 6, again.

Satan spent all that time trying to trip Jesus up by challenging him to prove that he is the Son of God, and ironically, that’s exactly what Jesus does by resisting the Devil - he demonstrates his Divine nature. Matthew smiles and writes the end of Jesus’ desert story.

Forty days to prove that Jesus is different. He is better than Moses. Jesus didn’t fail and try again. Jesus didn’t learn the lessons of obedience from the Exodus stories. He embodied them.

Matthew is declaring, “Jesus is the new Moses - a new redeemer with a new, improved plan. A perfect covenant, written not on two stone tablets but on your heart! Jesus didn’t ask the Devil’s proxy for permission to set God’s people free. THIS Rescuer brought Salvation with Him! Jesus is our Saviour!”

As Jesus walked up the road to Golgatha, He carried with him an old wooden cross. The Romans were fond of crucifying people, and undoubtedly, this cross had been used many times to end many lives. Like the staff of Moses, there was nothing special about this cross or any cross. But, from this day forward, every cross of every empire would be seen as a reminder of this cross.

Who could have known that on this day, a cross would hold THE POWER OF GOD as sin was forgiven and righteousness released. The valley of the shadow of death would forever be overwritten by this mountaintop experience of the glory of God!

In this moment, the Cross of Christ brought life to all through the death of Jesus.

But death could not hold Him! On the third day, Jesus returned to life and, in doing so, promised us a resurrected life today! Then, forty days later, he ascended to Heaven - with a promise to prepare us a place in His Kingdom. Salvation was fully embodied and enacted in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.

Jesus. His name means YAHWEH SAVES. … YAHWEH SAVES! Jesus’ successful rescue mission guarantees your Salvation. YAHWEH SAVES in Jesus. This is the Gospel.

There are more parallels between Matthew and Exodus. But this is the greatest one. Jesus came to finish the work of the Exodus. He is our Deliverer and our Saviour. Jesus is the great I AM. The YAHWEH who SAVES!

And all the promises he made to Moses and Israel, he makes to you and me, today.

Today, because of Jesus, there is a clear answer to this question.

If you want to overcome life’s overwhelm, turn to Jesus.
He gives rest to the weary.

If you want to defeat imposter syndrome, turn to Jesus.
He equips the called.

If you want to know that you are safe, turn to Jesus.
He is your provider and protector.

If you want assurance that you are loved, turn to Jesus.
For there is no greater love than the love He feels for you.

Jesus. YAHWEH SAVES. You.

God's Storytellers

I’ve been telling this story for 20 years. It continues to inform and strengthen me as my own faith matures and my relationship with God deepens. God bless you all, God’s Storytellers, each of you!

My favourite comment after the sermon was from someone who watched it on the livestream. They sent this message to a Lilydale member who forwarded it to me. Here it is:

‘David Edgren best storyteller and explained Rev. 12 in a relatable way - worth getting out of bed for’ - Livestream viewer

I hope you have been inspired by this sermon to make connections with people using your unique testimony. You are God’s Storyteller! Go forth and tell it well!

What story from your life does this sermon make you think about? 

How does it remind you of your own faith experience?

Living Out God’s Love for Creation

Geronimo the Beaver’s Aerial Adventures

The image is almost comically surreal — beavers, tumbling gently from the sky under leftover WWII parachutes, descending into the wild heart of Idaho. This isn’t a cartoon, but a remarkable true story from 1948, a testament to human ingenuity in wildlife management. Beneath the whimsical surface of Geronimo the Beaver’s aerial adventures, we can uncover a profound lesson about our sacred calling as stewards of God’s magnificent Creation, rooted deeply in the love that defines our faith.

Our First Commission

From the very dawn of Creation, humanity was given a unique and sacred task. In Genesis 1:28, God blesses Adam and Eve, instructing them to “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” The word “dominion” has often been misinterpreted as a license for exploitation. However, a closer look at the Hebrew context and the broader narrative of scripture reveals it means responsible care, faithful guardianship, and wise management—true stewardship.

We are not owners of the earth, but caretakers. As Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” Everything belongs to God, and we, as His beloved children, are entrusted with its safekeeping.

Geronimo’s Flight

Flash forward to 1948 Idaho for a comical but surprisingly successful parable of creative stewardship. Beavers, natural engineers of waterways, were thriving in some areas to the point of becoming a nuisance, damaging human infrastructure. Meanwhile, vast, untamed wilderness areas lay empty of these vital creatures, whose dam-building activities create crucial wetlands, support diverse ecosystems, and even prevent wildfires. The challenge was clear: how to relocate these “nuisance” beavers to where they could flourish and benefit the environment?

Enter Elmo Heter and his team, who, with an audacious blend of necessity and ingenuity, designed special parachute-equipped boxes. Geronimo, the brave test beaver, became a pioneer, repeatedly falling from the sky to perfect a system that would safely transport his kin. Ultimately, dozens of beavers were successfully airlifted into the remote backcountry, where they thrived, transforming barren streams into vibrant habitats.

This story, initially driven by practical wildlife management, beautifully illustrates an aspect of divine stewardship. It wasn’t about eradicating a “problem” species, but about relocating and re-integrating them into an ecosystem where they could fulfil their God-given purpose. It demonstrated ingenuity, care for life and ecological foresight.

Christ-like Stewardship

As people filled with the love of God, our stewardship extends beyond mere duty; it becomes an act of worship and a reflection of divine love itself. God’s love for His creation is evident in every sunrise, every intricate leaf, every complex ecosystem. He “clothes the lilies of the field” (Matthew 6:28-29) and notes the fall of every sparrow (Matthew 10:29). If God so deeply loves and cares for His creation, how much more should we, who are made in His image and filled with His Spirit?

Our stewardship of the Earth flows directly from the love that defines our faith. First, we show love for God by cherishing what He has made. When we defile creation, we dishonour its Maker. Second, we express love for Neighbour by recognising that harm to the environment unfairly hurts the most vulnerable. Access to clean air, water, and fertile land are basic human rights, so neglecting the Earth harms our entire global family. Finally, we demonstrate love for future generations by understanding that this planet is on loan from our children and grandchildren. The actions we take today will directly shape the world they inherit tomorrow.

Just as the team in Idaho sought to ensure the thriving of both beavers and human communities, our Christian stewardship seeks holistic flourishing. It’s about finding harmonious ways for humanity to coexist with and care for the natural world, recognising its intrinsic value and its role in God’s grand design.

Called to Action

The story of the parachuting beavers, while unique, serves as a powerful reminder that creative, intentional and loving action can lead to restoration and flourishing within creation. As followers of Christ, let us embody this spirit of stewardship.

To be loving stewards of creation, we must take intentional action. First, we should educate ourselves on global environmental challenges. Second, we must act locally. This means recycling, conserving energy and water, and supporting community sustainability. Third, we need to advocate globally. Speak up for policies that protect the planet and promote justice. Finally, we should cultivate wonder. Spend time in nature. Marvel at the beauty and complexity of God’s handiwork. This fosters deep appreciation for the creation we guard.

May our hearts be stirred with the same love that compelled God to create, and may our actions reflect the devoted care of faithful stewards, ensuring that all of Creation, from the smallest microbe to the majestic forests, continues to declare the glory of God. 

The Anxiety of God

Can you imagine being the God of the Universe and knowing you can only save humanity from sin’s blight if your plans go right? Revelation 5 reveals the moment.

God sat on His throne, holding a scroll with the deed for the Earth written inside. Long ago, God had given it to Adam and Eve when He created Earth as their home. “Love it and care for it!” God has said as he deeded Earth’s stewardship to Adam. But, in the very next chapter of Earth’s story, Adam chose to give the deed to Satan on a whimsical hope for personal greatness. How the scroll returned, unopened to God’s hand, we are not told. But, opening it is the one thing God cannot do.

The only way to open the scroll and return ownership of Earth to its Creator is to fulfil the requirements written on the outside of the scroll underneath the seven wax seals keeping it closed. The 24 elders and myriad of angels surrounding God cannot help. They are not Worthy. Only one is worthy. The Lion who became a Lamb to save us all!

It’s a prophecy, not reality. There is no scroll. But, in the way of prophecy and parable, the underlying story is true.

Jesus, the Lion of Judah, became the perfect lamb who took away the sins of the world. By his death on the cross, the gates of the Kingdom of God swung open wide!

The Wedding Florist

My daughter is a wedding florist. When she puts flowers together in a bouquet, they are a work of art. You only get one wedding, right? So, the flowers, like everything else, need to be the most glorious you’ve ever seen.

We live in Melbourne, Australia. It is cold right now. Nobody wants a cold wedding. Because, just like the flowers, you want the best weather you can get, and that’s not going to happen in August in Melbourne.

Click the image to read it at the Adventist Record

With no work for the month, my daughter decided to try a pop-up flower stand in a local shopping centre. So, the wedding florist showed up with flowers and started making bouquets. Wedding bouquets. Because that’s what she does. And wow, the comments!

I sat in the flower stand for a few hours each afternoon that I could. “Are these flowers real?” was the most common question I got asked.

I would smile and say, “Yes! They are beautiful, aren’t they?” Then I would tell them about my daughter, the wedding florist, and why these flowers looked so much better than the flowers they were used to seeing. “A wedding florist shapes each flower,” I said, more than once.

One young couple walked by holding hands. She whispered to him, “You should buy me flowers!”

I wasn’t meant to hear it, but being single-sided deaf, I read lips very well. I said, “Yeah, he should!” They both turned around and burst out laughing.

An elderly lady walked up and said, “I need some flowers for my neighbour’s daughter. But, I’m not sure if she will come past the house, now that her mum has died.”

“When did your neighbour die?” I asked.

“Yesterday.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” I said, “Did you know your neighbour well?”

She smiled warmly. “Oh yes, she moved in six years ago and we talked nearly every day!”

I paused and then said, “Your friend passed away yesterday. Are you okay?”

She looked up at me with a teary smile, “What a lovely question,” she said, “Yes, I’m okay. She’s been unwell for some time.”

I had so many great conversations during those afternoon shifts in the flower stand. Ladies, young and old, wanted to tell me about their weddings. Men wanted me to know they used to be florists, deliver flowers, or be married. And lots of people just wanted to be heard. Flowers slow people down. All beautiful things do.

One particular conversation with a man stands out. He was chatty but clearly uncomfortable. I was trying to read him, but getting odd signals. It’s like he had something to say but wasn’t sure he could. Finally, he blurted, “I don’t usually say this, and I’m not sure how you’ll take it, but Jesus loves you.”

“I know!” I said and smiled. “Thanks for reminding me. Do you go to church nearby?”

Clearly relieved, he said, “Yes, I go to the church at the end of Hull Road. It’s called The Sanctuary.”

I laughed. “I go to the same church!” I said, “I just go on the day before you.”

He looked confused and then said, “Oh! Are you a Seventh-day Adventist?”

I nodded and said, “I am, and there’s something I want you to know. Jesus loves you, too!”

I shared the story of this conversation during chapel at the Seventh-day Adventist School, located up the road from the church. When I said the line, “I go to the same church. I just go on the day before you.” I met eyes with one of the teachers who also goes to church with me on Saturdays. She had the same confused look on her face as the man did. What was I missing?

It wasn’t until a few days later, when I was reading a book, that I realised how I was confusing people. In Reggie McNeal’s “A Work of Heart”, he describes a new mindset that is emerging in Christianity — actually a very old mindset — in which followers of Jesus see only two cultures: The Kingdom of God and the pre-Christian world. In a world where Jesus is largely unknown, there are only two kinds of people: those who know Jesus and those who do not. For the past 200 years, during the Christian and post-Christian era, the many denominations of Christianity have been in competition with each other, stealing sheep as often as they could. Many people who grew up in pre-millennial churches still have this mindset. But those of us Jesus people who see the apostolic pre-Christian world around us work together. And, as much as the world needs Jesus, we Jesus followers need each other!

On my final day manning the flower stall, I watched as a stooped elderly lady and her carer walked ever-so-slowly toward one side of the flower display. Finally, they reached the right front corner. Her eyes were downcast, fixed firmly on the seat of her walker as she pushed it along, shuffled step by shuffled step. I waited until she was directly in front of me, flowers all around her. “Hello!” I said cheerfully. She looked up slowly until our eyes met. “How are you today?” I asked.

“Not good at all.” She said.

“It’s been one of those days, has it?” I asked.

She nodded.

Then, with a joyful voice, I chirped, “But look! Flowers!” And I gestured as if doing a magic trick. She smiled and looked at the flowers, perhaps seeing them for the first time. Then I said, “We all have tough days, but flowers help.”

“True. They do,” she said. I looked up at her carer, perhaps her daughter, and she smiled back from behind watery eyes.

“They are free to look at.” I said, quietly, “Spend as long as you like.” She did. And then she looked back at the seat of her walker and continued shuffling through her day, hopefully a little happier having been with a Jesus follower and His flowers.

Today, I’m thinking about my daughter, the wedding florist, and how she shapes each flower. And, I can’t help but think, isn’t this the work of every Jesus follower? We meet people every day, and in conversation, with time and care, we shape them lovingly in the beautiful image of their Maker.