Israel’s lack of faith in the God of the Scriptures points all of us to our need for Jesus who saves and meets our needs.
Why didn't they just keep praising and trusting the Lord who worked miracles?
Israel somehow started to walk in doubt. They were forgetful of God's miraculous power and how He freed them. How is your memory (after age 30 our memory can decline)? Are there certain things that you find easy to forget? Let's memorize Scripture and write down all the miracles God did!
If you really want to forget, then please forget about the sins of your old life and returning back to that lame old life. Sin is fun for a season, then it gets so moldy!
Let's remember the Word and to advance by faith spiritually.. glorifying Him while taking ground so to speak for His Kingdom ..rather than digressing or being stagnant, rather than staying stationary due to unbelief. Our time is short and many people still need to grasp the gospel.
"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Phil. 3:12-14 nkjv
In what ways did the event at Marah “test” the faith of the people of Israel?
What is the meaning of bitter water in the Bible?
Who/what is Marah in the Bible?
All the way why did God continue to provide for His people even when they were unfaithful? What
does this tell us about God? He is faithful!
"If we are faithless, He remains faithful [true to His word and His righteous character], for He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13 tlb
Last week, we heard about the Jew's liberation from Egypt, about prayer, God's faithfulness resulting in the Jews praising the Lord! Wonderful! We're still moving through Exodus 15 and...
You Too Can Praise The Lord With A Song Of Truth (In the Exodus we believers see disciplines for our church life today)!
Survey Question Asked: Principally Why does the Church Exist?
Many responded with: To entertain our families, some said: To take care of our families, some said: to evangelize the world.
Let me answer and tell you why: The Church exists to worship and glorify the Lord , it is our first priority and only vertical ministry, (See Eph. 1:6, 1 Pet. 2:9).
The early church, "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need." Acts 2:42-45 niv
You and I were born to all-out praise, to pray, to worship and to obey God's word. Yes, and to bring pleasure to God the Father (in fellowship with Him). The early church was a pattern church (yet it wasn't flawlessly perfect. Jesus is returning for a church without _?_and __?_).
"..that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." Eph. 5:26-27 esv
And Why are We still Here? To Win People. World Evangelism is our Primary Horizontal Task!
Let's focus on Jesus and agree to keep the main things the main things. Know Him and the essentials.
Today, we see some churches are built on entertainment, or on a personality instead of Jesus, on a worldly leadership philosophy and some are wisely built upon the Word (that's my church in Plano).
Listen, there is no spiritual growth for you or for me independent from the living Word of God.
Some churches are built on programs, some on opinion polls, on skilled drama, movie clips, on festive pageantry, on politics, on alleged "ministry fundraising" and some are built up and built upon the Word.
Listen, a church will develop an appetite for what you regularly feed it, and typically what you go fishing to catch the people with (so to speak), is what you’ll have to continue utilizing in order to keep them with. Let's feed instead of fleece. Let's nurture and do it God's way. Let's be and live well with His church.
The early church was WELL, not spiritually sickly? Do you want to walk well? Well, here are four ingredients (see Acts 2:42-47) for successful Christian living? Acrostic - the early church was a:
1) WORSHIPPING CHURCH - Prayer (praise, thanks, application, petition worship etc.)
2) EVANGELIZING CHURCH - Witnessing
3) LOVING CHURCH - Fellowship
4) LEARNING CHURCH - Bible
The outgrowth of those in the early church biblically/earnestly seeking and worshiping the Lord together was effective evangelism (yes, they witnessed and the Lord saved people). Church, go tell of Jesus ..across the street and across the sea!
"..praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:47
Every member in Christ is called to live the life being a witness (a rep), and to verbally witness by the power of the Spirit. We want to build a bridge, not burn a bridge. The Bible Message is for wisely spreading in love, not for hurting people or keeping to one's self.
Do You Sometimes Feel Too Shy to Share the Gospel?
When was the last time you prayed for holy boldness and an opportunity to evangelize?
When you sow to the Spirit instead of to the flesh via edifying fellowship, prayer, Bible study then guess what! The outgrowth of that is witnessing. The early church was used of God to harvest many because Jesus was first and the basics were in place.
Dawson Trotman used a mariner’s wheel to illustrate the 2 horizontal and 2 vertical ministries you and I need to be involved with. And we are not to emphasize one aspect to the exclusion of the others.
Every spiritually healthy born-again Pastor seeks to prioritize ministry in God's local church. Godly fathers want to do this in a family. Every church and every family, only has three priority ministries:
1) Upward Every local church, every department of evey church, and every Christian wants to praise and worhsip Jesus daily. We want to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Reach up first! We are called to love, pray and worship the Lord acceptably!
2) Inward Every pastor of every church should only have two horizontal ministries if you think about it. We are to love the Lord most and then people. Reach inward to minister to saints, to gently encouraging, to equip, to challenge them and...
3) Outward Reach outward to minister in: 1.) Soul-winning is the result as God adds people in. Yes, our outward horizontal ministry involves biblically witnessing of Jesus using the Bible by, 2.) Exampling, edifyng, preparing people with open hearts to obey God and see Him save lost souls! Every day we make the decision to inqire of the Lord regarding the details like how, where, when and with right motives. He empowers us as we remain humbly dependant upon Him moment by moment.
He can get the doubt and fear out. Jesus said, "I will make you fishers..."
Indeed believers, like a spiritually reborn pastor, (even though your gifts may differ..) we each are called to honestly witness of Jesus without limiting Him. Your personal ministry is also to be three-fold in purpose:
1.) The exaltation of Jesus Christ.
2.) The equipping of the saints.
3.) The evangelism of the world.
She had a stellar walk until she criticized Moses regarding his wife. But Miriam loved the Lord most and God viewed her as a leader among leaders as she praised and worshipped Him!
Yes, the answer to that question above comes from the very words of Micah the prophet. He speaking for the Lord (in Micah 6:4), said, “For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam." Micah 6:4 esv
There you have it! God Himself gives us His own estimation of her. Yes, via the prophet Micah the Lord reveals that Miriam played a significant role in the exodus out of Egypt!
In love, singing of the truth to your first love (the Lord) from the heart is an important part of the Christian life and the Spirit enables all believers to praise and worship God the Father acceptably (on His terms).
In a secondary sense on the horizontal plane: That vertical ministry bears witness horizontally towards a watching world (looky-loos hearing and looking on). Of course, all our praises should come from the heart as the Holy Spirit works within us (Eph. 5:18–20), and this act of obedience should be based on Scripture (Col. 3:16). In this way, we worship the Lord “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Way important daily!
We've looking at prayer, praise, worship, obedience, and how God provided in the wilderness. Ex 15:22-17:7
1.) The Lord is the One who Triumphs (Ex. 15:1–21). When they walked by sight, Israel complained to people and about people (14:10–12); but when they believed God and saw His mighty hand at work, they praised Him. Redemption should lead to rejoicing (Luke 15:1–24).
If you feel like complaining, then complain directly to God with respect. Get honest with Him, the Lord can handle it and understands. Remember when Job did that? He voiced some terrible things in complaint and guess what.. those were prayers.
“They were prayers. You see, Job was being angry, and he was complaining, but he was being angry and complaining to God. He never walked away from God.”
He continued, “[Job] He said, ‘I don’t understand you, God. I’m angry at You.’ But he never turned away. He stayed with God when he was getting nothing out of it, which means in the end, Satan was defeated.”
“And what’s happening here is this man, even though he is not in any way praying the way you ought to pray. He’s still praying.”
Job’s prayers were filled with accusations against God, regret, pleading, and grief." ~Tim Keller
This first recorded song in Scripture is a pattern for true worship, for it emphasizes the Lord, who He is, and what He has done for His people. He saves His people (1–10), guides them to their inheritance (11–13), glorifies His name (14–17), and reigns forever (18). Today, let God be your strength, your song, and your salvation (v. 2; see also Ps. 118:14;Isa. 12:2).
Pray, see [Ex. 15:21 esv] "And Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea."
[22] Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water.
[23] When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah."
[v. 24] And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"
[v. 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,
[v. 26] saying, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer."
2.) The Lord is the One who Heals His People (Ex. 15:22–26).
Here, physically heal every person every time that we ask Him to heal? No, the Bible doesn't teach that. Not sure why He doesn't, but He has His reasons.
There is no doubt that God has the power to heal anyone at any time. But does God choose to do this through those who call themselves or are called “faith healers?” The "faith healers" often teach that God wants them all to be well here and now, and that through their faith—and usually a financial offering is connected with this—God will reward their faith by healing them through the power of Jesus. If they fail or "lose their healing", it's due to the lack of faith of the would-be receiver.
Soon, arriving in heaven, all believers will be fully healed.
The people of the Exodus sadly went from rejoicing to complaining to other people and about other people! Fail!
Man, it is so easy to sing when the circumstances are comfortable, but it takes faith to sing when you are suffering. God tests us in the everyday experiences of life to see whether we will obey Him. He is able to change our circumstances, but He would rather change us (Phil. 4:10–13).
3.) The Lord is the One who Refreshes (Ex. 15:27). Life is not always battles and bitter waters. God brings us to the refreshing oases from time to time, and for this we should praise Him. However, we can never claim our inheritance if we linger at Elim. We are pilgrims, not residents.
What is it? During the forty years between the time the Israelites left Egypt and entered the Promised Land, they faced harsh conditions, including a scarcity of food. To alleviate this problem, God miraculously provided the Israelites with “bread from heaven,” called “manna.” The manna appeared each morning, and the Israelites were given specific instructions on gathering it (Exodus 16).
4.) The Lord is the One who lovingly Leads and Feeds (Ex. 16) -- believer, He promises to meet all our needs (see Phil. 4:19).
Would you grow tired of the same meal? Manna waffles, bamanna-bread, manicotti? Good question huh. Now these redeemed Jews started acting like unsaved Gentiles. I'm not sure why, but they got all gripey asking, “What shall we eat? What shall we drink?” (See Matt. 6:25–34). Remember God did not save you to leave you behind and alone.
God did NOT rescue them from the bondage of Slavery in order to kill them off with hunger! (See Rom. 8:31–32.) Their real problem was that they still had the old appetite from their old life and needed to learn to enjoy the new food God had for them. The manna is a picture of Jesus Christ (John 6:30ff.). The manna came only to Israel, and all it could do was sustain physical life. But the Savior came for the whole world, and He gives spiritual life. If the Jews did not appropriate the manna, they died. Sinners must believe on Jesus Christ to freely receive life.
[Exo 16:11 esv] "And the LORD said to Moses,
[v. 12] "I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, 'At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.'"
[13] In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp.
[14] And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground.
[15] When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, 'It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.'"
Six days manna, on the seventh rest day none.
God's people taking the time to feed on manna in the Bible is also a picture for us as we daily appropriate the strength of God through His living Word!
Just as your physical food becomes a part of your very being, so the spiritual food (the Word) strengthens your inner person when you read it. Therefore meditate on it, and wisely apply the Scriptures. Obey the living Word. The Holy Spirit will step by step show you how to wisely apply the principles of God's Word. Just as the Jews could not live on yesterday’s manna (that was for then, this is now), so you cannot live on yesterday’s spiritual diet. Begin each day with the Lord, and He will give you what you need for facing the burdens and battles ahead.
5.) The Lord is the One Who Continues to Give the Right Food (Ex. 16). God’s Word is food for the inner person. It nourishes people sort of like milk does (1 Pet. 2:2), like bread (Matt. 4:4), like meat (1 Cor. 3:1–2; Heb. 5:11–14), and sweet like honey (Ps. 119:103). Feeding on the Word should bring joy to our hearts (Jer. 15:16), and we should desire spiritual food more than our physical food (Job 23:12; Luke 10:38–42).
6.) The Lord is the One Who Allows Tests and Trials (Ex. 17:1–7). Pray and obey. You never solve your problems by blaming other people. Israel’s real problem was unbelief and a desire to go back to the old life. Egypt here represents the corrupt world-system.
Listen, every difficulty you meet is an opportunity for testing yourself (yes in the area of fidelity and trusting your faithful Lord). Testing, sure --for going forward or going backward spiritually. The rock pictures Jesus Christ who was smitten for us on the cross (1 Cor. 10:4), so that we might regularly partake of the satisfying living water of the Holy Spirit within (John 7:37–39).
7.) The Lord is the One Who Allows Opposion (Ex. 17:8-13). Pray and obey. Where the Israelites ready for another enemy? The Egyptian army had been drowned, but the Amalekites were very much alive and did not want Israel in their territory. It was like Esau fighting Jacob again (Gen. 36:12).
It takes earnest intercession up on the mountain as well as intervention in the valley for God’s people to win the victory on the battlefield.
Israel watched God defeat the Egyptians, but now they had to enter the battle themselves and trust God for victory. God allows the time of struggle. Life here indeed has some opposition and some battles for us believers to contend with.
Church, it's a good day to keep on seeking the Lord, to keep on prayin' with the right address attached cuz the opposition arrives. Remember how Moses reached out to the Lord. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites retained the advantage in their battle.
[Ex. 17:8-13 esv] "Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim.
[v. 9] So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand."
[v. 10] So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
[Ex. 11] Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.
[Ex. 12] But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
[Ex. 13] And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword." (Homework verses to meditate upon for next week).
"..we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22
"They preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. 'We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,' they said." Acts 14:21-22
Prayerfully reflect on God as a loving Father who cares for and provides for His people. Write it down. List all the ways
that God has provided for you in your life so you won't forget.
THINK: How can you know that you can trust in Him to provide for you as a loving Father? How has God shown His care and His love for you? How have you seen God provide for others.. I mean just what they needed and precisely when they needed it? What does this tell you about God, His character, and His relationship with His people?
PRAY Spend some time in praising and thanking God today. Thank Him that He is faithful to His people even when they are not faithful to Him. Thank Him for all the ways He has provided for you in your life. Thank Him for the giJ of Jesus and salva9on by grace through faith. Thank Him that even though we cannot trust and obey Him on our own, He made a way for us to be saved.
ACT: Trade your worry for trust and peace. Take everything you are worried or anxious about and all your doubts and fears and bring them before the Lord in prayer. Give them all up to the Lord in trust and ask Him to give you His supernatural peace. If you don’t feel that inexplicable peace right away, ask again. And again. And again. Remember, it takes 9me for the Fruit of the Spirit to grow.
Our need meeting High Priest intercedes in heaven for us (Heb. 4:14–16). This is the first mention of Joshua in Scripture. Little did he know that one day he would take Moses’ place as leader of God’s people.
8.) The Lord is the One Who Meets Our Need For Inner Assurance ..Of His Forgiveness (That's Most needed! Ex. 17:14–16). Pray and obey, for there's no other way that's good. Each test can tell you something new about yourself and about our Lord God (Gen. 22:14; Exod. 15:26). When you face the battles of life, remember that He is your banner and can give you victory (John 16:33; 1 John 5:4–5).
"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10
Jesus said, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matt. 4:19
- Hook? (Do a memory game: In a group each one talk about your favorite verses (perhaps from these chapters even). Then next week ask exch one what they recall.. to see if they remember the references and what their friends said).
- Book.. "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful." Joshua 1:8 amp
- Took? Okay, so what was your takeaway? Please take Jesus. Most important -- let Him Lead as Lord to Guide You!
