Exodus 13:17-15:2 Facing the Red Sea Part 2 The Same God who led you in will lead you out
Notes
Transcript
Uncertainty. Fear. Real danger lurking. A hype in the community that fears the worst. Am I referring to the world we live in. Perhaps I could. But I am instead talking about the setting for the story that is unfolding over 3,000 years ago.
Redeemed from slavery. The nation of Israel is taking its first steps of freedom. But trouble and chaos erupt. Has God forgotten them? Did He lead them into disaster?
Those are their feelings. But feelings often lie to us. God is still in control. Last week we learned that God means for them to be where they are.
We are looking at Exodus 13-14. The Lord’s people are facing great trouble. What are lessons they should learn? What are lessons that we can learn from them?
The life of the people of God is not random. It has purpose. There is one who is there. Guiding. With purpose. With a plan. Oh, that we might respond as if this were true.
Again I am taking a lot of ideas and even words from a book by Robert J Morgan. .Red Sea Rules: 10 God-Given Strategies for Difficult Times by Robert J. Morgan
Published for Billy Graham Evangelistic Association by Thomas Nelson
It is a practical book that examines Exodus 13:17-15:2.
It is about lessons we need to understand when we are facing our own Red Sea.
Exodus 13:17-15:2 Facing the Red Sea Part 2
Focus on Him
Exodus 13:17-15:2 Facing the Red Sea Part 2
Focus on Him
I. When facing the Red Sea Realize God means for you to be where you are
I. When facing the Red Sea Realize God means for you to be where you are
A. The same God who led you in will lead you out
A. The same God who led you in will lead you out
We need to set the proper perspective at the beginning. The problem did not catch the Lord by surprise.
II. When facing the Red Sea Be more concerned with God’s glory than your relief
II. When facing the Red Sea Be more concerned with God’s glory than your relief
A. God is in control of the problem
A. God is in control of the problem
1. He actually opened the door for the problem to occur – allowed it
1. He actually opened the door for the problem to occur – allowed it
(NKJV) Exodus 14 2 … you shall camp before it by the sea.3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.’ … And they did so.
a. Bookends with obedience – never be a problem right? Wrong
a. Bookends with obedience – never be a problem right? Wrong
b. God’s leadership places them in the position for the problem to occur
b. God’s leadership places them in the position for the problem to occur
c. Their obedience will increase the severity of the problem
c. Their obedience will increase the severity of the problem
2. He might allow / cause the problem to increase in severity – influenced it
2. He might allow / cause the problem to increase in severity – influenced it
(NKJV) Exodus 14 4 Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them;
a. God allows the severity of the problem to go unchecked
a. God allows the severity of the problem to go unchecked
b. Actively involved just not the way we think
b. Actively involved just not the way we think
B. God’ purpose is to show His dominion over the problem
B. God’ purpose is to show His dominion over the problem
(NKJV) Exodus 14 4 Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army,
1. He let’s things get out of hand
1. He let’s things get out of hand
2. Never any question He can do it
2. Never any question He can do it
3. When He does it in a big way – He gets the glory
3. When He does it in a big way – He gets the glory
4. Ultimately shows His dominion over all
4. Ultimately shows His dominion over all
C. God’s goal is to make Himself known
C. God’s goal is to make Himself known
(NKJV) Exodus 14 4 Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD.” And they did so.
D. Ask the right question: How can God be glorified in this situation?
D. Ask the right question: How can God be glorified in this situation?
1. Asking the wrong question: How can I get out of this mess
1. Asking the wrong question: How can I get out of this mess
2. Ask the right question: How can God be glorified in this situation?
2. Ask the right question: How can God be glorified in this situation?
3. How does God gain glory?
3. How does God gain glory?
a. when His enemies are defeated;
a. when His enemies are defeated;
b. when His children are delivered;
b. when His children are delivered;
c. when His name is exalted;
c. when His name is exalted;
d. when His exploits are remembered; and
d. when His exploits are remembered; and
e. when His praises are sounded.
e. when His praises are sounded.
Step back now and consider the problem. Just because the Lord is in control does not mean that it isn’t a serious issue.
III. When facing the Red Sea Acknowledge your enemy but keep your eyes on the Lord
III. When facing the Red Sea Acknowledge your enemy but keep your eyes on the Lord
A. The enemy exists
A. The enemy exists
(NKJV) Exodus 14 5 Now it was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people; and they said, “Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?”
1. All is not well - The problem is real – not imagined
1. All is not well - The problem is real – not imagined
2. Some people hate God’s people
2. Some people hate God’s people
3. The true enemy exists organizing a master plan against them
3. The true enemy exists organizing a master plan against them
B. The threat is real
B. The threat is real
1. The enemy is powerful
1. The enemy is powerful
(NKJV) Exodus 14 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his people with him. 7 Also, he took six hundred choice chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt with captains over every one of them.
a. Egypt at the height of its power
a. Egypt at the height of its power
b. The most powerful country of this known world
b. The most powerful country of this known world
c. All gathered against a bunch of slaves
c. All gathered against a bunch of slaves
2. The danger is there
2. The danger is there
(NKJV) Exodus 14 7 … and he pursued the children of Israel; and the children of Israel went out with boldness. 9 So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon.
a. Full might
a. Full might
b. Defenseless
b. Defenseless
c. No escape
c. No escape
d. Be wise / don’t panic
d. Be wise / don’t panic
C. But the Lord is in control
C. But the Lord is in control
(NKJV) Exodus 14 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel;
1. Limits
1. Limits
2. Controls
2. Controls
3. Will ultimate defeat
3. Will ultimate defeat
D. Our security is in the One greater than anything that comes against us
D. Our security is in the One greater than anything that comes against us
So go to the One who is really in control. Live wisely / Trust God
IV. When facing the Red Sea Pray to the One in control
IV. When facing the Red Sea Pray to the One in control
A. Expose our self-reliance
A. Expose our self-reliance
(NKJV) Exodus 14 7 … and he pursued the children of Israel; and the children of Israel went out with boldness …
1. All was good – God displayed His greatness
1. All was good – God displayed His greatness
2. Received all they desired
2. Received all they desired
3. Left with confidence – but in whom?
3. Left with confidence – but in whom?
4. Easy to trust in the good times / all is well / nothing to fear
4. Easy to trust in the good times / all is well / nothing to fear
5. Were unaware that trouble was just around the corner (orchestrated by God)
5. Were unaware that trouble was just around the corner (orchestrated by God)
6. How will they react when times change? – the measure of faith
6. How will they react when times change? – the measure of faith
B. Face our own inadequacy
B. Face our own inadequacy
(NKJV) Exodus 14 10 And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid (terrified),
1. Behold – look at that – shock – comfort to disaster – Pharaoh, best chariots / other chariots / horsemen / foot soldiers / all coming for you
1. Behold – look at that – shock – comfort to disaster – Pharaoh, best chariots / other chariots / horsemen / foot soldiers / all coming for you
2. Looked at the circumstances rather than at God (ex. Peter) – needed to lift their eyes a bit higher
2. Looked at the circumstances rather than at God (ex. Peter) – needed to lift their eyes a bit higher
3. Important to be aware of our helplessness No other way out except God
3. Important to be aware of our helplessness No other way out except God
4. Cannot handle it – impossible situation – imminent harm
4. Cannot handle it – impossible situation – imminent harm
C. Turn your dependence to Him
C. Turn your dependence to Him
(NKJV) Exodus 14 10 And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD.
a. Panic or pray – result of giving up on yourself – or panic and pray
a. Panic or pray – result of giving up on yourself – or panic and pray
b. Turned to the right person
b. Turned to the right person
2. Pour out your heart to Him
2. Pour out your heart to Him
(NKJV) Exodus 14 10 … So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD.
a. Express your true feelings
a. Express your true feelings
b. Don’t hold back
b. Don’t hold back
c. Not a perfect attitude v. 11-12 – a really bad spirit – but to the right person
c. Not a perfect attitude v. 11-12 – a really bad spirit – but to the right person
(NKJV) Exodus 14 11 Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.”
d. Pray till you get a right attitude
d. Pray till you get a right attitude
e. God’s answers were not dependent upon great faith here / But God’s answer should increase the faith in the future
e. God’s answers were not dependent upon great faith here / But God’s answer should increase the faith in the future
f. His desire is that we pray with expectation not anxiety and panic
f. His desire is that we pray with expectation not anxiety and panic
D. Massive problems are great opportunities to expose our self-reliance and turn to faith-reliance on Him
D. Massive problems are great opportunities to expose our self-reliance and turn to faith-reliance on Him
V. When Facing the Red Sea: Stay calm and confident - Trust God to work
V. When Facing the Red Sea: Stay calm and confident - Trust God to work
A. Demands faith
A. Demands faith
(NKJV) Exodus 14 13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today.
1. The real test of faith – Anyone can say the right words - Can’t be faked – otherwise you will fear – real test – anyone can say I trust /
1. The real test of faith – Anyone can say the right words - Can’t be faked – otherwise you will fear – real test – anyone can say I trust /
2. Do you trust or not – this is always the issue – Will you trust?
2. Do you trust or not – this is always the issue – Will you trust?
3. He knows and reassures
3. He knows and reassures
a. 107 OT, 42 NT assurance to not be afraid
a. 107 OT, 42 NT assurance to not be afraid
1) Disciples on the sea 2) Woman with issue of blood 3) Mary at the tomb
b. Then able to do what we can
b. Then able to do what we can
c. Then able to consider what God is doing
c. Then able to consider what God is doing
B. Demands waiting on Him
B. Demands waiting on Him
(NKJV) Exodus 14 13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid.
Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”
1. Ceasing striving – let go of anxiety
1. Ceasing striving – let go of anxiety
2. Do what He asks you to do and no more
2. Do what He asks you to do and no more
3. Believe by faith He is able to work
3. Believe by faith He is able to work
C. Demands believing He delivers
C. Demands believing He delivers
(NKJV) Exodus 14 13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid.
Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”
1. Is what He does
1. Is what He does
2. Believe the promises He has given
2. Believe the promises He has given
3. Believe He fights on your side
3. Believe He fights on your side
4. Live with expectation that He will act
4. Live with expectation that He will act
D. Spiritual maturity can be described as the ability to keep passions under control because of faith in Him
D. Spiritual maturity can be described as the ability to keep passions under control because of faith in Him