Heritage Sabbath

October 20, 2001

Sermon Outline

"Lest We Forget"

Introduction

a.	Sermon Texts: Deut. 4:9, 23; 6:12; 8:11.

b.	These texts emphasize Moses' great burden for Israel—that as time passed, they would not forget the Lord.

The Three Forty-year Periods of Moses' Life

a.	In the first 40-year period Moses was born to Hebrew parents, adopted by Pharaoh's daughter as her own child, reared to the age of 12 by his own mother. Then, living in the palace of the king, he was educated as heir to the Egyptian throne.

b.	After killing an Egyptian, Moses was forced to flee from Egypt to Midian, where he was tutored by God to carry out the mission He had planned. It took him 40 years to unlearn the ways of Egypt.

c.	Moses received his call to service directly from God at the burning bush. During the next 40 years he led the people out of Egypt and was as a father to them as they wandered in the wilderness.

Moses' Last Warnings and Admonitions

a.	Moses rehearsed the history of Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Deut. 4-6, Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 462-468.

b.	They were not chosen because of their number, nor because they were better than other people. Deut. 7:7-9.

c.	The consequences of obedience and disobedience. Admonished to choose life (Deut. 30:19, 20) or their fate would be terrible.

Prophetic Fulfillment

a.	Israel did not obey God in spite of Moses' warnings. Matt. 23:38; Acts 7:51-53.

b.	They rejected the Messiah. Matt. 27:25. They had expected Him to come:

1. As a mighty Prince. DA, p. 34.

2. To break the power of the Romans. DA, p. 30.

3. As a conqueror. DA, pp. 65, 66; PK, p. 709.

4. As a Lion of the Tribe of Judah. MB, p. 2.

5. To reign as a Mighty World King. EW, p. 159.

6. To make Judea an earthly paradise. DA, p. 377.

c.	Remnant will be saved from out of the Jewish nation. AA, p. 380; John 1:12; Rom. 11:5, 6.

d.	Salvation for both Jews and Gentiles. John 3:16; Acts 18:5, 6; 13: 46, 47.

Warnings of Moses Apply to God's People Today

a.	God chose Moses as His prophetic leader in the Exodus Movement. Exodus 4:25.

b.	In the Advent Movement, Ellen G. White was chosen by God for her prophetic role. Fundamental Beliefs No. 17; 1 SM, p. 32.

The Gift of Prophecy

a.	In the New Testament Church

1. Our Lord promised it. Matt. 23:24; Luke 11:49

2. Poured out upon all flesh. Acts 2:17, 18.

3. Prophets in the early church. Acts 11:27; 13:1; 15:32.

b.	In the Remnant Church

1. Mark of identity. 1 Cor. 1:6-8.

2. Associated with God's commandment-keeping people. Rev. 12:17; 19:10.

3. A test of truth. Isa. 8:16, 20.

c.	Blessings of the Gift of Prophecy

1. Gives spiritual eyesight, thus preventing spiritual blindness. 1 Sam. 3:1, 2; 28:6; Prov. 29:18.

2. When heeded, brings prosperity. 2 Chron. 20:20.

3. Practical counsels for Christian living. Deut. 1-33. E. G. White books on Biblical themes.

Lest We Forget

a.	Similarities between the Exodus Movement and the Advent Movement. Hosea 12:13.

b.	What would have happened to the Seventh-day Adventist Church without the guidance of Ellen G. White?

c.	There would be no SDA church as we now know it. Would have foundered on the rocks of fanaticism.

d.	"Nothing to Fear for the Future, Except as We Forget." TM, p. 31.

Conclusion

a.	Let us pay attention to the counsels of the Messenger of the Lord.

b.	Thank God for this gift that seeks to get us ready for the coming of the Lord.

c.	"We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history" (LS, p. 196).