Outline for Stop Trying and Start Trusting in the Lord based on Exodus 14:1-29

Third Wednesday of Lent

Sermon Text: Exodus 14:1-29

Sermon Theme: Stop Trying and Start Trusting in the Lord

I. Introduction. Flapping your arms to help your jet lift off.

II. The problem is we are surrounded by troubles like the Israelites in Exodus 14:1-2. “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon.”

III. God might be behind the problem. Why? Exodus 14:4. God will get the glory.

IV. Read Exodus 14:7 and talk about stop trying and start trusting the Lord. “Pharaoh took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them.”

V. Jesus knows about big problems. Caiaphas, Pilate, and the cross.

VI. Stay calm. Exodus 14:13-14 tells us, [And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”]

VII. The “What Ifs” of life.

VIII. Deliverance in the morning. “In the morning Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the LORD swept them into the sea.” (Exodus 14:27) When did God finally save his people from their long night in Egypt? In the morning. When does Psalm 46:5 say God delivers? In the morning. When did Jesus rise again? In the morning. When does God deliver us from the long nights of life? According to Lamentations 3:23 his mercies are new every morning. And what is the last name the Bible gives Jesus? The bright Morning Star. Psalm 30:5, “Weeping endures for a night, but joy (Joy! Joy!) comes in the morning.”

IX. Are you feeling stuck? Trapped? Overwhelmed?

X. Now is the time to stop trying and start trusting in the Lord. God has everything under control.