May 26, 2024 "Bitterness to Sweetness" (Exodus 15: 22-27)

 Bitterness to Sweetness  

Exodus 15:22-27

 

The journey of the Israelites across the wilderness is similar to our spiritual journey.  The passage from Exodus 15 shows one of the challenges the Israelites faced in Marah. The Israelites grumbled, but this is not how we should behave.

 

In Chapter 14, we can see the Israelites praise God for bringing them out of Egypt. Soon after in chapter 15, the Israelites start to complain because of the bitter water.   

 

1.      When we take grace for granted, it is no longer genuine grace. The Israelites took for granted God's grace. Instead of waiting for God to act, they grumbled. If we appreciate what God has done for us, we will respond with thanksgiving whatever. We will respond gratefully to that grace. We will not rebel. When we feel that Jesus truly saved us, we would want to do something for God .  

 

Our attitude in our heart will be reflected in our words and actions

 

2.      We must remember that God is with us all along. The pillar of fire and smoke were signs that God was following them.

By having faith in Jesus, it is a miracle. We learn about Jesus from the Bible and sermons, but there is no scientific evidence that Jesus is God and saves us. We use faith to believe that God is with us and Jesus has saved us. God is bigger than anything in our lives. When things to be too big, Moses prayed.

 

Exodus 15:24-25 ESV

[24] And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” [25] And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them,  

 

God the healer restored the situation. God allows us into go into desperate situations so we may pray and become closer to God.

 

Our bitterness may come from losing a job, failing an exam, becoming ill or losing a loved one. We cannot avoid bitter situations, but God can change our bitterness into victory.

 

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Apr 14, 2024 "Passover" (Exodus 12:3-8)

 

Passover  

Exodus 12:4-8

 

The Gospels in the New Testament give us the best explanation of salvation; however, in the Old Testament the story of Passover was first passage of salvation. The lamb's blood is needed to save the people of Israel.

 

John 1:29 ESV

[29] The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  

 

In the New Testament, we understand that Jesus is the lamb of God which takes away sin.  

 

Exodus 12:7 ESV

[7] “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.

 

Although the Hebrews were told to eat the lamb, it was not enough to be saved. They needed to put the blood on the doorposts so the angel of death would pass over.

 

Much the same it is no good to hear and know about salvation and what Jesus has done. We have to put into practice what God and His word tells to do.  

James 1:22 ESV

[22] But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  

 

We have to walk in the light and have fellowship with each other. Jesus’ blood has cleansed us from our sin so that we can have fellowship.

 

1 John 1:7 ESV

[7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  

 

We have to repent and turn away from our wicked ways. We need to do more than just ask for forgiveness and do good works at church. It is a deliberate choice to change our lives and live for God.

 

Acts 3:19 ESV

[19] Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

 

Following Jesus is not easy. Following God is also not easy. The children of Israel went through this in the desert. They wanted to return to their old lives. It is easy to forget the misery we have escaped from.

 

Exodus 14:12 ESV

[12] Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”  

 

God did not want the Israelites to forget the bitterness of slavery. Bread without yeast does not taste as good regular bread and bitter herbs are strong. God did not want us to forget about the misery sin brings. It is not to make us feel guilty but remind us of the grace God has given us.

 

Exodus 12:8 ESV

[8] They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it.  

 

We must remember that God is with us. Just as the Israelites were instructed to remember what God told them to do and how He freed them.

 

God wants them to select largest most perfect of the Lambs. After a year, they are no longer Lambs but sheep.

 

Exodus 12:5 ESV

[5] Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats,

 

 

There is very much a community aspect of sharing. This has always been God's plan to save everyone. It was not limited to one or a certain group.

 

Exodus 12:4 ESV

[4] And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb.  

 

We too need to share the Gospel to others. Jesus is the only path to salvation. If we accept Jesus' grace it will overflow in us.

 

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Mar 10, 2024 "Trusting the Unseen: Embracing God's Empowerment in Our Journey" (Exodus 4:12-23)

 

Trusting the Unseen: Embracing God's Empowerment in Our Journey

Exodus 4:12-23

 

Moses killed an Egyptian before he became the leader of Israel. He has to run away from Egypt and found a new life. Later, he met God in a burning bush. God tells him great things and shows him great things.  

 

God calls him to go back to Egypt and free his people from Pharaoh and his tyranny. Moses, despite seeing all the great things God had done, asked God to find someone one else to go. Moses was doubtful God was sending the right person.

 

God prepares much more than what we need. However, we often doubt God when we are called. Many of us doubt God's faithfulness and direction.

 

1.      God will give you the ability and resources needed to complete the tasks you need.

 

With Moses, God had already prepared everything. God was going to teach Moses what to say and to train Aaron.

 

Exodus 4:12 ESV

[12] Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”  

 

God not only gave Moses the words to speak, but also the staff of God to demonstrate God's power through miracles. The staff carried no power, but God channeled his power through this wood.

 

God did not just free one person, He saved all His people from the strongest country at that time. There were 600,000 people who were rescued and Moses was the leader.

 

Exodus 4:20 ESV

[20] So Moses took his wife and his sons and had them ride on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the staff of God in his hand.

 

If we believe God is real and He is faithful, we will find peace and overcome. God will be glorified.

 

2.      God will be able to help you because He is all powerful.

 

Exodus 4:21 ESV

[21] And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.  

 

God is the creator of all things and is the master of all things. He hardened Pharaoh's hearts and demonstrated miracles to show His power and destroy the beliefs of the Egyptians. God showed He was the one true God and sovereign over all things.  

 

Exodus 4:22-23 ESV

[22] Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, [23] and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’”

 

God fights for His sons and daughters. God is our father, and we must remember that God is also our father. God loved His children. He corrected his children but forgave and provided for them again and again.

 

God continues to set us free. God came down in person.

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