God, Preserving The Undeserving Pt. 3
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Review & Overview
Review & Overview
1. Previous Study’s Review
1. Previous Study’s Review
God, preserving the undeserving:
Preserved from thirst Ch. 15
Preserved from hunger ch. 16
Preserved from thirst again (rock) ch. 17
Preserved from defeat ch. 17
2. Current Study’s Overview
2. Current Study’s Overview
That brings us to ch. 18 where we continue this section of God preserving the nation of Israel.
Here we see God will be preserving Israel from Chaos.
If your taking notes 2 things:
1. The Testimony of God’s Preservation Vs. 1-12
1. The Testimony of God’s Preservation Vs. 1-12
1.1 Jethro Hears The Testimony Vs. 1-5
1.1 Jethro Hears The Testimony Vs. 1-5
In Ex.3: Moses was tending the flock of Jethro in Midian which is in Saudi Arabia near the Gulf of Aqaba…
He heard all that the Lord had done for Moses & the Israelites…
10 Plagues in Egypt…
parting the Red Sea…
defeat of the Egyptians…
Manna from Heaven…
defeating the Amalekites
Moses didn’t take any credit for it… it was all about the Lord…
APPLICATION: Ya know if anything good happens and we’re involved know it’s the Lord...
Rom.7:18 in me that is my flesh.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
Moses exhibited Great Humility… Num.12:3 Moses was the most Humble man on the face of earth.
3 (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)
APPLICATION: You may ask why is Humility so important… because humility is the way we received God’s Grace.
1 Peter 5:5, James 4:6 God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble…
We need God’s Grace for Eternal Life: Eph.2:8-9, Rom.3:24 justified freely by Grace…
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
But we also need it for Temporal Life:
Acts 20:32 builds us up.
Rom.1:5 obedience,
Rom.5:2 stand,
2 Cor.4:15 causes thanksgiving,
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
1.2 Moses Communicates The Testimony Vs. 6-8
1.2 Moses Communicates The Testimony Vs. 6-8
Mountain of God: Mt. Horeb… or Mt. Sinai…
A great Reunion with Moses and his family… & Moses tells Jethro all that the Lord had done…
APPLICATION: It’s always good to look back in our lives and Recount all that the Lord has Done…
To look back at His Goodness… His Faithfulness… His Provisions…
Because like Moses we all go through difficult times & its easy to have a lapse of faith… Moses did.
But when we look at God’s goodness & God’s faithfulness in the past… it gives us hope for the future.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
APPLICATION: Talk about how our testimonies w/ the Lord could bring others to Christ.
What has Gone done (past), what is God doing (present), and what is God going to do (future).
1.3 Jethro Worships God Because of the Testimony Vs. 9-12
1.3 Jethro Worships God Because of the Testimony Vs. 9-12
Awesome, the Lord uses Moses and the his testimony to bring his father-in-law Jethro to faith in the true & living God…
Its always a blessing to be used by the Lord to lead someone to Christ…
But what makes this amazing is in vs.1 Jethro was the priest of Midian… a very pagan group… they believed in multiple gods… & all the rituals that came with it…
APPLICATION: This tells me that no one is beyond the reach of God… no matter how terrible we think they might be there is hope…
There is help… there is healing… no matter how bad we were…
Now, also notice there in Vs. 11 that the Lord uses Moses and his testimony to show Jethro that the God of the Bible is above all other gods.
Above Definition - It means to be over something or someone. The word speaks of position.
What Jethro is saying is that the God of the Bible is higher than any other so called gods. He is above, He is better, He is the best. Turn w/ me to...
Because there the Apostle Paul gives us a quick explanation of Jesus’ position as it relates to all of creation, visible and invisible.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
"Prototokos" is a compound word formed from two Greek words:
"protos" (first)
and "tokos" (offspring or birth).
In its most literal sense, "firstborn" can mean the first child born to a family.
However, within the context of Colossians 1:15, the term has a deeper, more figurative meaning.
Colossians 1:15 states, "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."
Here, "firstborn" is used to emphasize the preeminence and unique status of Jesus Christ.
It indicates that Jesus is supreme over all creation and has a unique relationship with God the Father. The term "firstborn" also signifies that Jesus is the agent through whom all things were created (Colossians 1:16).
To fully understand the use of "firstborn" in Colossians 1:15, it's important to examine the cultural and historical context.
In the Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures of the time, the firstborn son held a special status, often receiving a double portion of the inheritance and taking on the role of the family leader.
By applying this term to Jesus, the author of Colossians is establishing Jesus' superiority and authority over all creation.
In summary, the Greek word "prototokos" or "firstborn" in Colossians 1:15 is used to convey the preeminence, unique status, and authority of Jesus Christ in relation to all creation. This term highlights Jesus' eternal existence and His role in the creation and sustenance of the universe, emphasizing His supremacy and unique relationship with God the Father.
Talk about how only Jesus came from heaven no other religion.
Jesus Christ is talked about so highly in every religion.
Only Jesus was able to carry the burden of our sins.
2. The Wisdom from God’s Preservation Vs. 13-27
2. The Wisdom from God’s Preservation Vs. 13-27
2.1 The Reasons for Wisdom Vs. 13-18
2.1 The Reasons for Wisdom Vs. 13-18
Dependent on Moses Vs. 13-16 - So we see here that the people were going to Moses to inquire of God.
They needed to go through Moses to hear from God.
APPLICATION: Listen, we all need pastors, spiritual mentors, & elders to aid us with our walks with Christ.
But understand, 2 things why this model of Moses was dangerous:
#1 There is only one way to the father!
John 14:6
Our relationship w/ God is not you, the pastor, and God - It’s you and God!
Stinger: So it’s ok to go to pastors for advice but not for paradise.
#2 Solely relying on a man for God, can lead to worshipping that man.
Burden on Moses Vs. 17-18 - So by Moses doing things the way he was doing them it was going to wear him out. It was a burden on Moses.
And here we see Moses’ humility again in recognizing his own limitations.
APPLICATION: Sometimes we can go about life and not recognize that we are biting off more than we can chew.
Because of pride we think we can do everything but we are really spreading ourselves too thin.
ILLUSTRATION: When I first began ministry. Orphanage, Home Bible study, other bible study, Sunday & Wednesday service.
That affected chores at home & my work life.
2.2 The Requirements from Wisdom Vs. 19-22a
2.2 The Requirements from Wisdom Vs. 19-22a
Listen Vs. 19a - We need to listen to God for Wisdom! We need to listen to good wisdom.
APPLICATION: What are we listening too? Music, podcasts, worldly friends.
27 Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.
1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.
6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things;
Teach Vs. 19b-20 - The second requirement from this wisdom is to teach. To disciple.
APPLICATION: You know not everyone has the gift of teaching but everyone should be apt to teach.
In other words, you may not be called to full time teach the things of God - But when the time comes for an opportunity to teach, you teach what you know of God.
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Select Vs. 21-22a - Here we see one form of leadership… or government if you will…
The Lord appointed Moses to be the leader, Ex.3:… but the job was a big one and he needed help.
So the counsel Jethro gave him was good… to appoint leaders to come along side and help…
According to vs.21 there were 3 qualifications…
Fear God…
Love Truth…
Hate Covetousness…
This is the type of church government that Pastor Chuck has set up for Calvary Chapel… that there is one leader… one vision… one direction…
And the qualifications for those who come along side that one leader are found in 1 Tim.3:… bishops & deacons…
2.3 The Results because of Wisdom Vs. 22b-23
2.3 The Results because of Wisdom Vs. 22b-23
So what are the results if Moses heeds this wisdom?
It’ll be easier for him.
He will be able to endure and finish His calling.
and at the end of vs. 23 it will result in peace.
APPLICATION: Right now im sure life is hard, you feeling like giving up, and there is no peace because you are not heeding the wisdom of God.
APPLICATION: People think that Christianity is just a bunch of rules and regulations holding us back.
People think that Christianity commands all these rules to control the people.
God’s Laws are strictly to manipulate the masses and prevent people from really living life however they please.
But that is soooo far from the truth!
God’s ways and His laws are there no to restrict us but to protect us.
Sexual Immorality - divorce, std’s, heart ache etc.
Fleshly living - sickness, addiction etc.
Relationship Boundaries - Be kind, patient, loving.
God's wisdom and statutes serve as a guiding light, bestowing blessings and goodness upon those who diligently listen and apply His teachings in their lives.
When one embraces the divine principles laid out in Scripture, they find themselves walking a path that leads to prosperity, inner peace, and spiritual fulfillment (Psalm 1:1-3).
By listening and applying God's commandments, individuals cultivate a virtuous character, fostering kindness, compassion, and love for one another (Galatians 5:22-23).
The wisdom found in God's Word not only strengthens personal relationships but also nurtures a harmonious community, built upon the foundations of justice, mercy, and humility (Micah 6:8).
In living according to God's guidance, believers are endowed with a sense of purpose and the assurance of His love, protection, and support (Proverbs 3:5-6).
2.4 The Application of Wisdom Vs. 24-27
2.4 The Application of Wisdom Vs. 24-27
This was not only good advice… but apparently it was something the Lord Commanded, vs.23…
Moses did what the Lord commanded him to do… which is always a good thing…
And if the Lord commands you to do something… He will also empower you to do it…
31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.