Panic or Peace? Which Will You Choose?
Notes
Transcript
Or How Not to be Like the Panicky Majority
Introduction: I Corinthians 10:1-12 twice emphasizes that the events of the Exodus were written down for our learning. Continuing our theme of Life Lessons from the Exodus, let us examine one of the most well-known events of God’s deliverance of His people: the crossing of the Red Sea. This account, which so many of us learned as young children in Sunday School, poses a powerful question that each one of us must answer for himself: panic or peace? Which will you choose? Let us study this account carefully so that we may learn how not to be like the panicky majority.
I. They Followed Directions (Ex. 14:1-9)
I. They Followed Directions (Ex. 14:1-9)
A. God’s plans may lead us into uncomfortable circumstances (Ex. 14:1-2, 5-9)
A. God’s plans may lead us into uncomfortable circumstances (Ex. 14:1-2, 5-9)
1. Understand the prosperity gospel is a false gospel Obeying God does not automatically excuse you from facing difficult circumstances in life
1. Understand the prosperity gospel is a false gospel Obeying God does not automatically excuse you from facing difficult circumstances in life
Illustration: Job
2. Expect that following the Lord will lead to various trials and tribulations (James 1:2-4; I Cor. 12:9-10)
2. Expect that following the Lord will lead to various trials and tribulations (James 1:2-4; I Cor. 12:9-10)
B. God’s plans always have a wise and benevolent purpose (Ex 14:3-4; Isaiah 55:8-9)
B. God’s plans always have a wise and benevolent purpose (Ex 14:3-4; Isaiah 55:8-9)
1. They will lead to glory for the one who deserves all glory (Ex. 14:4, 13-14, 31)
1. They will lead to glory for the one who deserves all glory (Ex. 14:4, 13-14, 31)
2. They will increase our faith (Ex. 14:31)
2. They will increase our faith (Ex. 14:31)
II. They Feared Disaster (Ex. 14:10-18)
II. They Feared Disaster (Ex. 14:10-18)
A. They saw with their physical eyes (Ex. 14:10)
A. They saw with their physical eyes (Ex. 14:10)
B. They reasoned with their fleshly minds (Ex. 14:10-12) - They panicked in the face of difficulty
B. They reasoned with their fleshly minds (Ex. 14:10-12) - They panicked in the face of difficulty
C. They should have looked with their spiritual eyes (Heb. 11:1; II Cor. 5:7)
C. They should have looked with their spiritual eyes (Heb. 11:1; II Cor. 5:7)
D. They should have reasoned using spiritual wisdom (Gen. 15:14) - Trust in the Lord yields calm and contentment even in the bleakest of circumstances
D. They should have reasoned using spiritual wisdom (Gen. 15:14) - Trust in the Lord yields calm and contentment even in the bleakest of circumstances
III. They Found Deliverance (Ex. 14:19-31) – In every circumstance, God will:
III. They Found Deliverance (Ex. 14:19-31) – In every circumstance, God will:
A. Do the things only He can do
A. Do the things only He can do
1. Sovereignly direct the timing of the deliverance (Ex. 14:19-20)
1. Sovereignly direct the timing of the deliverance (Ex. 14:19-20)
2. Sovereignly control the means of the deliverance (Ex. 14:21-29)
2. Sovereignly control the means of the deliverance (Ex. 14:21-29)
3. Sovereignly defeat the purposes of His enemies (Ex. 14:3-8; 23-25)
3. Sovereignly defeat the purposes of His enemies (Ex. 14:3-8; 23-25)
B. Expect His people to obey and do what He has enabled them to do
B. Expect His people to obey and do what He has enabled them to do
1. It may be to MOVE (Ex. 14:15)
1. It may be to MOVE (Ex. 14:15)
2. It may be to SHOUT and FIGHT (Josh. 6:5, 20-21)
2. It may be to SHOUT and FIGHT (Josh. 6:5, 20-21)
3. It may be to PRAY and MAKE MUSIC (II Chron. 20)
3. It may be to PRAY and MAKE MUSIC (II Chron. 20)
Conclusion: God is always good, and has a good purpose for every difficulty we face. Do we believe that and act upon it before we see that good purpose, or must we see first before we believe?