Satisfying Hunger

Satisfying Hunger

Exodus 16:1-18

Pastor Doug Holtz

So Moses heard the call of God to be leader for the people of Israel.

Moses cries for help.

God tries to get the attention of the Egyptians, of Ramses the new Pharaoh

      Raised as Moses’ brother.

      God sends the plagues.

            Frogs, gnats, flies

            Killed the Egyptian livestock (Israel’s herds survived)

            Boils, hailstorm, locusts

            darkness for three days

            Killed firstborn Egyptian sons, even livestock

Finally Pharaoh gave in, quickly changed his mind

      Chased after them

      To the Red Sea

God gave Moses power to split the water

      Israel crossed without incident

      Egypt tried, water came on them, drowned

Three days after, hadn’t found water

      People complained

      God provided

Our story today begins after that

      The joy found at the Red Sea

            Now long forgotten

They wanted it all

      Not just escape from the Egyptians

            But the promised land

They were in the desert, hungry

      They complained

            So would we!

God sent food. It was great

Quail every night

Manna (“What is it?”) every morning

  Sort of a Bible Times Chewandswallow.

        Movie: Cloudy with a chance of manna

They had enough

      Nothing extravagant

            But enough

Which soon wasn’t enough

      Greed took over

            Tired of enough

                  Wanted more

Just like Mayor Shelbourne wasn’t satisfied with simple food

      Taxed the machine with requests

            (Taxed God with whining)

God knew they weren’t ready for the land of milk and honey

      Israelites didn’t see the Promised Land for another 40 years

Sounds like the world today

      Someone asked why the church is dwindling

            We’re not shiny and attractive

                  People don’t want truth

                  They want stuff

And we’re told we need more every time the media gets us

Industry tells us we can be happier by buying their stuff          

            “A little piece of happy” – really?

            “Open happiness!” – for your dentist

            “Think different” – means you can be more awesome

            Sea Monkeys? Remember? “Own a bowlful of happiness”

                  Bring smiles, laughter, and fun into your home.

                   THEY’RE BRINE SHRIMP – YAWN

            Seven-up makes happy babies? No, sad parents

            Some even make money

teaching how to make money

making people believe their product can make them happy

A whole industry telling us we don’t have enough

      We will only be happy with their thing

            And we all fall for it.

We might well heed the words

      Of a recent modern-day prophet, George Carlin

            “Trying to be happy by accumulating possessions

            Is like trying to satisfy hunger by taping sandwiches all over your body.”

We can only be satisfied when the food in within us.

      We can only be happy when the happiness in within us

            No Mercedes car, no Barbie doll, no amount of riches

                  Will ever bring happiness

                   It doesn’t hurt…

But what is enough?

      Give us this day our daily bread.

            Just enough

      Even the manna God sent spoiled when it was horded

Stewardship month

      How can we be proper stewards of God’s abundance?

            Don’t horde it.

                  Just like manna, it goes rotten.

      Share your gifts

            Your time, your skills and abilities

                  Great with your hands? Use them to help others.

                  Great listener? Listen to others

                  Great storyteller? Tell stories.

                  Great singer? Sing to God’s glory

                  Great with kids? Share time with them.

     

It’s not difficult. We all have gifts to share.

            What if we all shared them.

Your pledge card

      Asks for a pledge of time.

            It’s between you and God.

                  Keep track someplace

      Asks for the talents and skills you can share.

            When you share, the blessing is yours.

      Yesterday, I painted ceilings all morning at Larson’s home

            Inspired by the people helping

                  Giving of themselves

                   Some of you were there

                             Or donated food (greatly appreciated)

      A lot of volunteer labor for tiling project

            Teaching Sunday School

                  Leading confirmation small groups

                   Decorating the narthex—kids can find their names

      ALL EFFORTS ARE BLESSED

            Seeing the house come together

            Watching the water head to the pond instead of inside the building

            Seeing kids discover God

            Watching relationships grow

Maybe it’s not about you.

After 40 years wandering in the wilderness.

      Moses climbed the mountain

            Saw a glimpse of the Promised Land

                  Knowing he would die before he got there

                   Gave thanks

                             Because others would know the promise fulfilled.

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection

      We know those promises are yet to come

            Who will learn of the promise fulfilled

                  Because of our leadership?

PRAY the God will lead others to the promises through us.