Under Pressure
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Intro:
We are jumping into a brand new series this morning. “In Pursuit,” we will be going navigating through the book of Exodus. So go ahead and turn to Exodus chapter 1.
I think we all can define “in pursuit” rather easily or when we hear the words “in pursuit” we have images and memories that flood our minds.
Some of us might think of:
A police chase
Dating (pursuing a guy or a girl)
A race
The IRS (hopefully not)
Dinner
The point is we all know what “in pursuit” is. So does God. He has been pursuing His creation all along, that includes you and I.
The title of the message today is “Under Pressure.”
Have you ever been under pressure? Maybe its:
School or work project
Financial
Relationships (Spouse, or potential spouse wanting a ring)
Health
Of course you have and so have I. We all have been under pressure. Maybe you’re under pressure now. And if you’re not the good news is you will be. We will get to why that’s good news in a bit. But for right now we all can relate to being under pressure. Which leads us to our text. Hopefully you are there Exodus 1:1.
Text
Text
1 These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah; 3 Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin; 4 Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher. 5 The descendants of Jacob numbered seventy in all; Joseph was already in Egypt.
6 Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, 7 but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them.
1:1- The original Hebrew actually puts the word “and” at the beginning of verse 1. Exodus in its beginning is connected to the book of Genesis. Why is this important? Take a look at Genesis 12.
1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2 “I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
It’s important to know that there’s a connection because the names listed have real meaning. All these folks are descendants of Abraham. They have now passed and the people living in Egypt are the part of the promise to Abraham. Notice they have multiplied. Their numbers range somewhere between 2-3 million people. Do you think Abraham ever dreamed that he would have 2-3 million descendants?
Let’s get back to the text.
8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”
11 So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites
So we see in the text that the Israelites had multiplied. We see a king of Egypt that doesn’t care about what happened in the past and begins oppressing the Israelites. That oppression, that pressure, is what we will be focusing on this morning.
Under Pressure
Under Pressure
In Exodus chapter 1 we find the Israelites under pressure. Keep you place in Exodus 1:8-12, especially verse 12.
12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites
The Bible says the more they were oppressed the more they multiplied and spread. That multiplication here in verse 12 is blessing.
Blessing from Pressure
Blessing from Pressure
Some of us find ourselves under pressure. If we will follow Jesus, if we will stay the course the Bible gives us an example that says we will be blessed. When you read the Word, it’s said in most bible schools that scripture interprets scripture. Which basically means that you will find the truth in more than one place in the Bible. If you can only find a concept in one verse or portion of scripture then its very possible that you’re taking it out of context.
5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.
6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
6 The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed,
but the Lord will protect his people.
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
When God sets people free that is blessing. When God protects his people that is blessing. When God cares for you that is blessing.
God blessed the Israelites while they were being oppressed. He will do the same for you. The pressure you are under today can lead to blessing if you will trust in the Lord.
So we realize that being under pressure can lead to blessing. See being under pressure can be good news.
People Can Be Hindrances
People Can Be Hindrances
We also must realize when we trust the Lord and are blessed that there are people in our lives or around us that won’t like it. Part of it is because God’s promises don’t mean anything to them.
8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.
We live in a time where the opinions of people can lead us away from the Lord. Our value, Our acceptance must begin and end in Jesus.
Conclusion
Conclusion
You and I may be in place where we feel under pressure or oppressed. That pressure or oppression may cause us to doubt or cause us to think God has abandoned us. Here’s the reality: God is In Pursuit of each us. God has a plan for your pressure. God has a plan for your life. God has blessings for your life.
The question is: Will you stay the course? Will you pursue God while you are under pressure? It says a lot about our spiritual maturity if we only pursue God when things are going well.
I challenge you today to stay the course and pursue God.