9. Moses: Judgment, Salvation, Kingdom, Presence
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Subject: If God is good, why doesn’t he deal with the problem of evil? How can a good God allow such evil to exist in the world? Why doesn’t he do something about it? The answer: He does.
Video from the Bible Project
Our text is Exodus 15:1-18. Bible reading tip: When you’re reading a story and the story stops for a poem or a song, pay attention!
Four Words: How God Deals With Evil
Four Words: How God Deals With Evil
Judgment: God destroys evil. God defeats sin, Satan, death, and Hell. (Exod 15:3-12)
Exposition
Pharaoh was evil. Enslaved the Israelites… murdered their baby boys… hardened his heart even though God gave him many chances to repent… attacked the Israelites even though they had no army and no weapons…
God did not ignore the injustice and evil of Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Pharaoh was evil. God destroys evil. God destroyed Pharaoh. God will not allow evil to go unpunished. Ezekiel 18:4 (ESV)
4 Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.
There will be a judgment, and that gives us hope. God’s judgment against sin is a reflection of his goodness.
Illustration: One of my boys asked, “If God is all-powerful, why can’t he just forgive people who repent?” Because it wouldn’t be right or just or good… Judge releasing a murderer who says he’s sorry… Someone has to pay for the sin.
Application: Someone has to pay for the sin. That someone is Jesus. 1 Peter 2:24
24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
Salvation: God redeems the slaves. God purchases the captives and sets us free. (Exod 15:2, 13)
Exposition: Two really important words here: salvation and redemption.
God brings judgment against evil. But God has made a way to be saved—not just from the evil but from the judgment against the evil.
We are guilty. We have participated in evil and are born as slaves to sin. We are imprisoned in our own depravity.
God loves us so much that rather than destroy us along with the evil in us, he redeems or purchases us from slavery to be set free in Christ. Galatians 5:1
1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Application: We are enslaved by our own sin. But God made a door, so we could escape before he destroys sin and evil. John 10:9 (ESV)
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
Kingdom: God leads his people to the Promised Land. God brings us home. (Exod 15:13, 17-18)
Exposition
Illustration: Reading Little Pilgrim’s Progress with my two younger sons. He leaves the City of Destruction and goes on a journey through the wilderness, where he faces many challenges, obstacles he must work through, and enemies he must overcome as he journeys to the Celestial City where the King lives.
God brought Israel out of slavery in Egypt, through the Red Sea (baptism), and into the wilderness, where they will face many challenges, obstacles, and enemies as they journey to the Promised Land, their forever home (corresponds to modern-day Israel).
God redeems us from sin and death, he brings us through the waters of baptism, and now we are journeying through life—which can sometimes seem like a wilderness. We will face challenges, obstacles, and enemies as we walk with Jesus to the Kingdom of Heaven, our Promised Land, our Celestial City, our forever home, where we will live with King Jesus.
Application: Philippians 3:20a… “But our citizenship is in heaven…” Don’t live like a slave to depravity. Live as a citizen of God’s Kingdom. Seek the things that are of God and his Kingdom. Engage in the Kingdom gatherings. Learn the Kingdom way. Live the Kingdom life. Be a living preview of God’s Kingdom now. Be now who you want to be for eternity.
Presence: God dwells with his people. God makes his home with us. (Exod 15:13, 17; Rev 21:1-8)
Exposition: We are headed to our Promised Land, where we will live with God forever. But, we don’t have to wait to have his presence with us. We can have God with us now.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Conclusion
Conclusion
Everything comes together in Jesus. It’s only ever always all about Jesus.
Judgment: The cross of Christ.
Salvation: The blood of Jesus.
Kingdom: Jesus Christ, our King.
Presence: Jesus Christ, God with us.
This is God’s story. This is God’s invitation. Will you come to Jesus?