Called Out 3.5.23

The Book of Exodus El libro del éxodo *Called Out* *Llamado* March 5, 2023 Scripture Reader: Brenda Baltus (Exodus 1:15-22) Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah: When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live. But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king's orders. They allowed the boys to live, too. So the king of Egypt called for the midwives. "Why have you done this?" he demanded. Why have you allowed the boys to live? The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women," the midwives replied. "They are more vigorous and have their babies so quickly that we cannot get there in time. So God was good to the midwives, and the Israelites continued to multiply, growing more and more powerful. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: Throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River. But you may let the girls live. Good morning and welcome to Lake Erie Church. I'm Pastor Bill Isaacs and with my wife Shelley, we lead this great church. If you are visiting today, we are so happy you came-we always recognize you have a choice to attend any church and that you chose LEC is so very important to us. Today, Pastor Dustin and I are beginning a new sermon series as we look at the Old Testament book of Exodus... Facts to know about the book of Exodus... * EXODUS in Hebrew means "called out". * The book tells the story of deliverance of the Hebrew nation from slavery in Egypt * The book contains many of the laws and statutes which were to govern the nation. * The book is believed to be written by Moses and is part of five Old Testament books Moses wrote often referred to as the Pentateuch. Datos a saber sobre el libro del Éxodo... * ÉXODO en hebreo significa "llamado fuera". * El libro cuenta la historia de la liberación de la nación hebrea de la esclavitud en Egipto * El libro contiene muchas de las leyes y estatutos que debían gobernar la nación. * Se cree que el libro fue escrito por Moisés y es parte de cinco libros del Antiguo Testamento que Moisés escribió, a los que a menudo se hace referencia como el Pentateuco. So as we look at the book of Exodus we start by asking How do we live the Christian life when we find ourselves in circumstances that restrict us and limit us? ¿Cómo vivimos la vida cristiana cuando nos encontramos en circunstancias que nos restringen y nos limitan? From the story of Moses we learn... Not Everything You Are Facing Is Under Your Control No Todo Lo Que Enfrenta Está Bajo Su Control * There were a number of external factors affecting Moses and his life. o He had no control over the time when he was born * The population growth of the Hebrew nation was becoming a political problem for the Egyptian government * The Pharaoh of the land at the time of his birth was an insecure leader * The environment of Egypt was hostile to the Hebrew people at the time of his birth * As we mature, we come to understand that there is a great deal of life over which we have no control-(though we like to think we control more than we do!) * Some things you don't have control over.. o When you were born o Who your parents are o What other people think of you o Weather o The passing of time o The time you will die o How people react to what you say and do * What do you do when you find yourself in difficult circumstances created by someone else? o You grew up with an abusive parent or unloving parent. o Your parents died when you were young o A drunk driver killed your child o Your family was poor due to financial reversals * How much control do you need to feel the security of knowing God takes care of you? (Psalms 37:25) I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. (Salmos 37:25) Yo era joven y ahora soy viejo, pero nunca he visto justos desamparados ni a sus hijos mendigando pan. * You may be forced to live in circumstances you did not choose but you are not forsaken, you are not without a purpose. o Moses was born into a difficult time but God's purposes were greater than his circumstances. o Joseph was a slave in Potiphar's house but the Scripture say "the Lord was with Joseph" o What if we lived our life that way-with a confidence that no matter what we face-the Lord is with us! Sometimes You Have to Make a Strategic Decision A veces hay que tomar una decisión estratégica * When confronted with life situation that is hard and challenging-who gets to decide your future? * Pharoah decided to kill all male babies but Moses' mother was not content to allow Pharaoh to determine the destiny of her child * She did what she could and she trusted God for the future... * She made a basket from the reeds and pitch and floated it in the Nile River * God knew where that baby was-he caused Pharoah's daughter found that baby floating in the Nile River because God's plans are bigger than our circumstances * You can choose to allow life to define you and lament all that has happened at the hands of someone else or you can choose to put your trust in the Lord and believe God has a plan for your life bigger than this moment... (Joshua 24:15) But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. (Josué 24:15) Pero si te niegas a servir al Señor, elige hoy a quién servirás. ¿Preferirías a los dioses a los que servían tus antepasados ​​más allá del Éufrates? ¿O serán los dioses de los amorreos en cuya tierra habitas ahora? Pero en cuanto a mí y mi familia, serviremos al Señor. * Moses himself determined that the choices he would make would be to do God's will (Hebrews 11:24-26) It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God's people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. (Hebreos 11:24-26) Fue por la fe que Moisés, cuando creció, rehusó ser llamado hijo de la hija de Faraón. Escogió compartir la opresión del pueblo de Dios en lugar de disfrutar los placeres pasajeros del pecado. Pensó que era mejor sufrir por causa de Cristo que poseer los tesoros de Egipto, porque estaba esperando su gran recompensa. * Rizpah (2 Samuel 21) had no control over the kings decision to allow her sons to be hung but she determined to fight for the future of my child o The birds are not going to pick at his bones o Somehow I'm going to do what I can Conclusion: Sometimes a short term decision has long-term impact. A veces, una decisión a corto plazo tiene un impacto a largo plazo. * Moses' mother thought she was saving Moses from Pharaoh when in reality she was also saving Moses for the Exodus * Joseph's employer's wife wanted him to make a short term decision but he did not want to handicap tomorrow by the choices of today We come to this place this morning and there is no way to predict how things are going to be in the next week, the next month, the next year...but the one thing that will make the difference-the one piece of hope that we have is that GOD IS WITH US...no matter what, no matter who, no matter when! The Lord is with us... God I'm a sinner I'm sorry for my sins I believe Jesus died for my sins I believe Jesus will forgive my sins I choose Jesus Dios soy un pecador lo siento por mis pecados Creo que Jesús murió por mis pecados. Creo que Jesús perdonará mis pecados. elijo a jesus