Sunday, July 26, 2009

July 26, 2009

These are challenging times for many of us with health problems, financial stresses, family pressures and fear and frustrations related to your jobs. It can get overwhelming. These things can test our faith and cause us to give into doubt and discouragement.

I have had enough conversations and counseling sessions with you guys to know that some of you are walking through some deep waters and other are in the heat of the battle. So I thought that some encouragement might in order this morning. Let me begin by sharing a great portion of Scripture for you who are struggling:

“But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…..” Isaiah 43:1-3

From Exodus 14 I want to show you how God can use the things that threaten to destroy you and deliver you! We will look at “A Celebration By the Sea” and draw from it some truths that I hope will strengthen and encourage you.

TRUTH ONE – GOD ORCHESTRATES THE OPPOSITION, Vv. 1-9
This is very evident in there verses, but also we see how God has proved that He is in control of other situations:
"One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger. Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD." Job 1:6-12
God orchestrated the terms and conditions of Job's trial.
Paul told us in Romans that same truth:
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” I Corinthians 10:13
Jesus assured Peter that He was in control of the testing that was to come:

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31

God uses the enemy, the accuser, to accomplish His purpose in our life for His glory. These Scriptures affirm that and this story proves it.

Pharoah amassed his power and might to come against God’s people. He thought he had them right where he wanted them – BUT IN FACT, GOD HAD HIM RIGHT WHERE HE NEEDED HIM TO BE!

I want you to know today that whatever is opposing you – whatever person, whatever relationship, whatever circumstance, whatever need – God has allowed it and He has you right where He wants you and He has the enemy right where He wants him and you will prevail!

HIS PROMISES ARE TRUE AND HIS POWER IS SUFFICIENT!

TRUTH TWO – GOD TURNED THEIR VULNERABILITIES INTO HIS VICTORIES, Vv. 1-5

This was Moses’ first big move as a leader of God’s people. He led them where God told him, but from a strategic point of view, it was the worst possible place they could be, surrounded by hills and backed up against the Sea.

Not only did this put them in a bad position with Pharaoh, it also caused many of his own leaders to doubt him and criticize him.

This was not a good day for Moses!

But again, God had them right where He wanted them. Moses was in this place because God had led him there.

There is so much good truth here! Let me try to apply this for you:

1) I know that many of you are in the place of vulnerability because you are trying to follow God.

Let me assure you – and this story proves it – that you are never stronger than when you are where God leads you. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. If you are in this struggle because of following God – He will turn this weakness into a win!

2) I know that you prefer to work from your strength not your weakness.

Well, I will speak for my self, I would rather feel like I am working from strength rather than weakness. I don’t like feeling vulnerable. I don’t like being weak. I don’t like the feeling of being under attack by the enemy – AND BY SOME OF MY FRIENDS! That is where Moses was. Maybe you are there right now.

Let me help you here – this great victory happened because their vulnerability put them in a place where God’s power could be manifest!

Do a study of the miracles and you will see that every one of them happened at a point of weakness and vulnerability.

If I could point to one reason why the Church – including our church – does not see the power of God working through it today is right at this point – WE DON’T WANT TO EXPOSE OUR VULNERABILITIES – So, therefore, God can’t work.

James says, “Confess your sins one to another and pray for each other – SO YOU MAY BE HEALED!”

Here’s what we do – when our business goes bad, or when our marriage goes bad, or when we give into a habit, or our finances tank – we run from the church and hide! What we ought to do is run TO THE CHURCH!

We could change the spiritual dynamics of this church overnight if we would begin doing that!

3) I know that there are other people, including yourself at times, who are questioning your judgment for being where you are.

Moses put his leadership credibility at risk when he obeyed God in what appeared to be an illogical move.

Have you ever failed to obey God because you didn’t want to risk your reputation or look bad to your peers?

If you will dare to be vulnerable – God will turn your vulnerability into victory!

TRUTH THREE – GOD TURNED THEIR DESTRUCTION INTO THEIR DELIVERENCE, Vv. 10 – 30

There is an old saying that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. There is truth to that, but God can do even more than that!

When we understand that God is orchestrating the opposition in our life, and when we are willing to trust Him in our vulnerabilities, we allow Him to demonstrate His power and His glory!

I Want You To Notice Several Things:

1) God Works When We Work, Vv. 19-22

2) What He Wants From Us

- Deliverance Comes Through Bold Declarations, Vv. 13-14
- Deliverance Comes Through Bold Decisions, Vv. 15-18
- Deliverance Comes Through Bold Deeds, V. 21-28

WHAT IS IT THAT IS THREATENING TO DESTROY YOU THIS MORNING? MAYBE IT IS YOUR HEALTH THAT IS THREATENED, MAYBE IT IS YOUR MARRIAGE, MAYBE IT IS YOUR FINANCES, MAYBE YOUR CAREER, MAYBE IT IS A SIN OR A HABIT.

WHATEVER IT IS – GOD WANTS TO USE THAT TO DELIVER YOU!

RECOGNIZE THAT HE IS ORCHESTRATING THE OPPOSITION AGAINST YOU AND PRAISE HIM.

STOP HIDING YOUR VULNERABILITIES AND TRUST THEM TO GOD.

DO SOMETHING BOLD!