The Burning Bush Experience: Exodus 3:1-10; Acts 2:1-4,14, 1:5,8.

In the O.T times God used different methods and means to speak to His chosen people. He gave them some experience of His power and presence to change them and use them to accomplish His eternal purposes. For example, God gave a vision of His glory and Holiness to Prophet Isaiah to call him and send him to His people.Similarly, God used the burning bush in the wilderness to call Moses and send him to fulfill His plan of deliverance for Israel.In the N.T, the Lord Jesus called ordinary fisherfolk, taught them and finally gave them His power of the Holy Spirit before sending them to make disciples of all nations.

The burning bush experience of Moses made a difference in his life and was a turning point in his life.God began to fulfill His purposes through Moses from then on. Earlier when Moses tried with his own fleshly efforts to do something, he failed and fled-to be emptied of all his "self". Now, in the wilderness, he has no purpose, direction, usefulness in life. Whe Moses was finished withhimself, then God took hold of him to work His glorious plan.

As the bush was burning, all that was useless-the surrounding area and other dry leaves,thorns etc., were burnt off, it was being cleansed. It was shining brightly to attract the attention of Moses. This is a picture of a believer through whom God begins to work His eternal plan.

Through the fire of the Holy Spirit God makes us different and uses us as never before. For example, look at the discipes' life before the day of Pentecost and after their expeirence of the fulness of the Holy Spirit. we notice a remarkable difference in their lifestyle as well as in their ministry to people. Before they were just disciples following Christ, had fellowship with Him, had knowledge of the truth, had the gift of preaching, doing miracles ( given by the Lord Himself). Note here, even before the Holy spirit arrived and filled them, they had the power to do miracles, authority to cast out demons, etc. So, you don't need the Holy Spirit to do these as others claim. But the difference in their lives after the Pentecost-that is important for us.

1. The Presence of God was very real and they knew it consciously: They became so intimate with God that they lived with a sense of divine presence. In the enlightenment they received clear revelation and so could see clearly what they were not able to see before. In the joyful lives they lived- so different from the gospels'ccount. Here no grumbling, fear, doubt, etc, but rejoicing even while persecuted in the story of Acts. Their happiness was no longer 'made or worked up' by man but of the Holy Spirit.

Similarly, in the story of Moses, God came down and manifested His presence. Moses became curious, was given the understanding of the people of Israel.

2. The Power of their witness to penetrate the peoples' hearts and win them for Christ: Gave them authority to stand up and speak. The power to prick the eharts of sin and bring change. They possessed this power beyond their reasoning in to their being. Now no need for someone to push/ pull them or keep reminding them that they must speak. It became spontaneous and powerful.

The powerful sight of the burning bush made Moses fearful to look at it. But God gave him authority to go to Pharaoh and bring Israel out of the land of Egypt. Moses recieved this extraordinary power and authority from God at this vision.

3. The Perspective of the things around them-there was a clear sense of the reality of all things. In the gospels' account, they were asking questions- now answering them! In the gospels they were asking who's the greatest among them. They were seeking for "self" promotion and protection. They feared for their safety. They were concerned about themselves. They were not sure what the Lord was telling them-not able to see spiritually things clearly.But now after the Holy Spirit has come, there was authority clearly evident in their lifestyle-in what they did!

Similarly, Moses was so self-centred-concerned about himself. Now looking at the bush can't ignore. Now he must go to deliver Israel and be prepared to face death!

The vision of the burning bush opens our inner eyes to see the reality clearly and to have a different, realistic perspective of all things around us.

4. The Purity in their life: The filling of the Holy Spirit brought s sharp separation between the believer and the world.As the burning set apart this bush from all other bushes, so that Moses could look at it and hear God's voice, so also the life filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, manifests a different lifestyle that is attractive and makes impact on others around.

We ought to see another world of Holiness. People cleansed and purified, manifesting a separated and sanctified lives through the Holy Spirit.

Similarly Moses was standing upon the hly ground.Where God is , there is holiness.The bush was being purified by the fire and tells of Moses' life being purified-to be a vessel sanctified for the Master's use. 2Tuimothy 2:21.

5. The Participation by their involvement: The had great delight and desire in prayer and communion with God and loved the scriptures. In the gospels' account they could not stay awake even for one hour! The only one who could stay awake- the Lord Jesus. Some tried and asked him how to pray.The Holy Spirit helps us to pray and keeps us alert and active in the house of God.

In the gospels, Lord Jesus quoted the Scriptures, but in the book of Acts the disciples quoted. the spirit of the world doesn't appreciate the Scriptures. By the Holy spirit alone you can love, desire and appreciate and understand the Scriptures.

Now they have to particiapte in reaching the world for saving it. They were chosen to become partners with God in the salvation work of whole mankind.This was made possible by the work of the Holy Spirit through them.

Similarly, through the burning bush, Moses was called upon o participate in God's deliverance plan for Israel. To go and bring them out of Egypt. God works through man if we hear Him and participate with Him in His eternal plans. Amen.

Have you experienced this vision of the burning bush in your own life? If not, don't go a step forward. wait and ask the Lord to show you this.Unless and until you become nobody and see the burning bush, God can not call you or use you effectively to fulfill His plans for His glory. Maybe you can do whatever you want and even may succeed by the worldly standards, however, it will not be glorifying or pleasing to the Lord. The vision of the burning bush is what is needed today for God to call and send many Moses'. And then and then only you will have authority and power and success-that will bring Glory to God and Blessing to His people. Amen!

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father,... that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge' that you may be filled with all the fulness of God." Ephesians 3: 14-19.