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Exodus #4
Sermon Summary
In this sermon, Sandy Hart emphasises God's majestic power and faithfulness in the commissioning of Moses and Israel, highlighting the importance of trusting God during times of waiting and the call to live as a holy nation that reflects His love and justice to the world.
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In today's sermon, we explored the journey of the Israelites from their deliverance from Egypt to their commissioning as a holy nation at Mount Sinai. We began by reflecting on the saving of Moses and his commissioning, which parallels the saving and commissioning of Israel. God demonstrated His power to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, fulfilling His purpose of showing that He is the true God. The Israelites were then led into the wilderness, a place of learning and trust-building in God. This period of "not yet" was crucial for them to grow in their faith and prepare for the Promised Land.
At Mount Sinai, God established a covenant with the Israelites, calling them His treasured possession, a priestly kingdom, and a holy nation. This covenant included the giving of the Law, which was meant to guide them in loving God, loving their neighbors, and caring for the land. The Law was not a means of salvation but a way to live out their salvation and demonstrate God's wisdom and discernment to other nations.
We also discussed the theological significance of the Exodus, which resolved the alienation from God introduced in Genesis 3, marked Israel as God's chosen community, and ensured their future success through obedience to the covenant. The Exodus story is a creation narrative, transforming chaos into order and oppression into love. It foreshadows the new creation brought by Jesus, who offers us deliverance from sin and a new life.
Key Takeaways
1. Trusting God in the Wilderness: The wilderness represents our "not yet" moments, where we are invited to grow in confident trust in God. Just as the Israelites learned to trust God during their journey, we too must learn to trust Him in our waiting periods. Reflect on how well you have trusted God this week and seek to build your trust through His Spirit, Word, and Creation.
2. Living as a Holy Nation: God called the Israelites to be a priestly kingdom and a holy nation, set apart to live differently. This calling extends to us as believers, who are to represent God's kingdom on earth. Consider how your life reflects this calling and how you can live out your faith in a way that draws others to God.
3. The Law as a Guide for Life: The Law given to the Israelites was not a means of salvation but a guide for living out their salvation. It addressed loving God, loving neighbors, and caring for the land. Reflect on how these principles apply to your life today and how you can embody God's wisdom and discernment in your actions.
4. The Theological Significance of Exodus: The Exodus story is a powerful narrative of transformation, from slavery to freedom and from chaos to order. It foreshadows the new creation brought by Jesus, who offers us deliverance from sin and a new life. Reflect on how Jesus' offer of new life impacts your daily living and how you can embrace this new creation.
5. God's Presence in Our Lives: Just as God promised to dwell with the Israelites, He is with us today through Jesus Christ. This constant presence is a source of comfort and strength. Reflect on how you experience God's presence in your life and how it influences your trust and obedience to Him.
Daily Hope Devotionals
Day 1: God Provides in the Wilderness
Scripture:
Exodus 16:4 (NIV):
‘Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.
https://www.biblegateway.com/p...
Devotional:
The wilderness represents our "not yet" moments, where we are invited to grow in confident trust in God. Just as the Israelites learned to trust God during their journey, we too must learn to trust Him in our waiting periods.
The wilderness is often a place of uncertainty and challenge, but it is also a place where God reveals His faithfulness and provision. For the Israelites, the wilderness was a time of learning to depend on God for their daily needs, such as manna from heaven and water from a rock. It was a period where they had to trust that God would lead them to the Promised Land, even when the journey seemed long and arduous.
In our own lives, we encounter "wilderness" seasons—times of waiting, uncertainty, and testing. These moments are opportunities for us to deepen our trust in God. By reflecting on how we have trusted God in the past week, we can identify areas where we need to grow in faith. Through prayer, reading Scripture, and observing God's creation, we can build our trust in Him, knowing that He is always with us and will guide us through our wilderness experiences.
Reflection:
Think about a current "wilderness" situation in your life. How can you actively trust God in this season, and what steps can you take to deepen your faith in His provision and guidance?
Reflect on specific situations this past week where you felt anxious or doubtful. How can you build your trust in God through His Spirit, Word, and Creation?
Prayer:
Lord, would You reveal areas in my life where I struggle to trust You. Holy Spirit, strengthen my faith and trust in You during my "not yet" moments. Give me the ability to see Your hand at work even when the path is unclear. Help me embrace the wilderness as a place of learning and growth, and give me a patient and teachable spirit as I navigate through uncertain times. Amen
Day 2: Living as a Holy Nation
Scripture:
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV):
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/p...
Devotional:
God called the Israelites to be a priestly kingdom and a holy nation, set apart to live differently. This calling extends to us as believers, who are to represent God's kingdom on earth. Consider how your life reflects this calling and how you can live out your faith in a way that draws others to God.
Being a holy nation means living in a way that is distinct from the world, embodying God's values and principles. For the Israelites, this meant adhering to the covenant and the Law given at Mount Sinai, which guided them in loving God, loving their neighbours, and caring for the land. Their distinct way of life was meant to be a testimony to other nations of God's wisdom and righteousness.
As believers today, we are also called to live as a holy nation, representing God's kingdom on earth. This involves living out our faith in practical ways that reflect God's love, justice, and mercy. By examining our actions and attitudes, we can ensure that our lives are a witness to others, drawing them to the transformative power of God's love.
Reflection:
In what specific ways can you live out your calling as part of God's holy nation this week? How can your actions and attitudes reflect God's kingdom to those around you?
Prayer:
Father God, show me how my life reflects—or fails to reflect—Your calling to be part of a holy nation. Show me specific actions or attitudes that need to change. Give me the courage and strength to live a life set apart for You. May I see opportunities to influence others positively through my actions and words. Amen
Day 3: The Law as a Guide for Life
Scripture:
Deuteronomy 6:5-6 (NIV):
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/p...
The Law given to the Israelites was not a means of salvation but a guide for living out their salvation. It addressed loving God, loving neighbours, and caring for the land. Reflect on how these principles apply to your life today and how you can embody God's wisdom and discernment in your actions.
The Law provided to the Israelites was a comprehensive guide for how they were to live as God's chosen people. It encompassed various aspects of life, including worship, social justice, and environmental stewardship. The purpose of the Law was to help the Israelites live in a way that honoured God and promoted the well-being of the community.
For us today, the principles of the Law remain relevant as we seek to live out our faith. Loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, loving our neighbours as ourselves, and caring for the world around us are foundational to a life that reflects God's character. By applying these principles in our daily lives, we can demonstrate God's wisdom and discernment to those around us.
Reflection:
How can you incorporate the principles of loving God, loving neighbours, and caring for the land into your daily routine? What specific actions can you take to embody God's wisdom and discernment in your life?
Prayer:
Father God, would You deepen my understanding of Your commandments and how they apply to my life today. Help me to love You more, love my neighbours, and care for the environment. I pray for a heart that delights in Your Law, not as a burden but as a guide to living out my salvation, transforming my desires to align with Your will. Amen
Day 4: Teaching the Next Generation
Scripture:
Deuteronomy 6:7 (NIV):
“Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/p...
Devotional:
In this passage, God emphasizes the importance of teaching His commandments to the next generation. The Israelites were called to be intentional in their instruction, ensuring that the truths of God were woven into the fabric of daily life.
We are called to share with children and young people our relationship with Jesus, by framing our everyday struggles, and by sharing the provision and faithfulness of God. In doing this we give them experience of ‘living in the not yet’ as well as showing them God's trustworthiness and steadfastness. This is not merely a task for parents but a communal responsibility for all believers.
Reflection:
How and what are you teaching the next generation about God? Are you sharing His love and truth in your conversations? Are you modelling a life of faith that they can observe?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to be diligent in teaching Your ways to those around me, especially the younger generation. May my words and actions reflect Your love and truth, and may I create an environment where faith can flourish. Amen.
Day 5: The Theological Significance of Exodus
Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV):
" Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
https://www.biblegateway.com/p...
The Exodus story is a powerful narrative of transformation, from slavery to freedom and from chaos to order. It foreshadows the new creation brought by Jesus, who offers us deliverance from sin and a new life.
The Exodus is not just a historical event but a profound theological narrative that reveals God's redemptive plan. It is the transition of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt to freedom as God's chosen people. This transformation is a precursor to the ultimate deliverance brought by Jesus Christ, who frees us from the bondage of sin and offers us a new life in Him.
Understanding the significance of the Exodus helps us appreciate the depth of God's love and the lengths He goes to redeem His people. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection fulfil the promise of a new creation, where chaos is turned into order and oppression into love. Embracing this new life means living in the freedom and purpose that Jesus provides, allowing His transformative power to impact every aspect of our daily living.
Reflection:
Reflect on the transformation from slavery to freedom in the Exodus story and how it parallels your own journey from sin to new life in Christ. How does the reality of being a new creation in Christ influence your daily decisions and actions? What steps can you take to fully embrace the new life that Jesus offers?
Prayer:
God, how can I ever thank You enough for Your deliverance? Help me to fully embrace the new creation that You offer, and give me the strength to leave behind old habits and embrace a life of freedom and order. Help me to see how the new life in Christ impacts my daily living. Amen
Day 6: God's Presence in Our Lives
Scripture:
Matthew 28:20b (NIV):
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/p...
Devotional:
Just as God promised to dwell with the Israelites, He is with us today through Jesus Christ. This constant presence is a source of comfort and strength. God's promise to dwell with the Israelites was a profound assurance of His constant presence and guidance. This promise is fulfilled in an even greater way through Jesus Christ, who is Emmanuel, "God with us."
Through the Holy Spirit, we have the continual presence of God in our lives, providing comfort, strength, and direction. Experiencing God's presence is transformative. It reassures us in times of uncertainty, strengthens us in moments of weakness, and guides us in our daily decisions. By cultivating an awareness of God's presence, we can grow in our trust and obedience to Him, knowing that He is always with us and will never forsake us.
Reflection:
In what ways do you experience God's presence in your daily life? How does His constant presence influence your trust and obedience to Him, and what practices can you adopt to become more aware of His presence?
Prayer:
Lord, please give me a heightened awareness of Your presence in my life. Help me to trust and obey You more fully, knowing that You are always with me. I pray for the courage to follow Your leading, even when it's difficult. Thank You for Your constant presence and the comfort it brings. Help me to rest in Your presence and draw strength from it in times of need.
Day 7: God’s Strength in the Wilderness
Scripture:
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV):
"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/p...
Devotional:
The journey of the Israelites through the wilderness is a powerful reminder of our own spiritual journeys. Just as God saved Moses and commissioned him to lead His people, He also calls us to trust Him in our wilderness experiences. The wilderness can feel like a place of waiting, uncertainty, and even despair. Yet, it is also a place where we can learn to rely on God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Reflection:
In Isaiah 40:31, we are reminded that those who hope in the Lord will find renewed strength. This promise invites us to reflect on our own lives: Are you waiting well? Are you living well in your "not yet"?
The Israelites learned to trust God in their waiting: what can you do today to help you learn to trust Him more?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to trust You in my wilderness. Teach me to wait well and to find strength in Your promises. May I learn to rely on You, knowing that You are good and faithful. Amen.
