He Will Get the Glory

Exodus 13:17–14:31 (ESV)

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” 18 But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.” 20 And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

14:1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea. 3 For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ 4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.

5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, 7 and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. 9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.

10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 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. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

15 The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”

19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.”

26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the Lord threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

Intro

Team building exercise

Trust fall

Sitting at the last min

You don’t plan to sit, its a fear response because you don’t trust the other people to catch you

Following Jesus can be a similar experience

You put faith in Christ and every thing is great,

but then he leads you into a difficult situation. You start to fear, you start to question, your eyes are on your situation, You are tempted to sit, to try to save yourself and you begin to wonder if God really is good, after all,

if he was, surely he would not be allowing this in my life.

How do you follow Jesus when it gets hard? When he asks you to give up something you love? When he allows trials in your life? When he calls you out of comfort? When it’s not working out on your terms?

The question we are asking is

FCF

How do I know I can trust God?

Can God be trusted?

You can’t trust a God that you don’t know, so God chooses to reveal himself

Background information

12th of the signs and wonders

Same formula

The Lord said to moses

Pharaoh’s heart is hard

God’s power is put on display

There was an interruption in chapters 12-13 to describe two festivals

The passover-Leads to Jesus

The feast of unleavened bread - Came to represent a breaking off with the old way of life/the life of sin

1 Corinthians 5:6–13 (ESV) — 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

As Christinas we can grow in our trust of God as we experience his power in our own lives and through the lives of others.

God's merciful presence 17-22

Those who came before us

Genesis 49:29 “29 Then he commanded them and said to them, “I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,”

Hall of faith

Hebrews 11:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.

Hebrews 11:23–29 (ESV) — 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. 29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.

Hebrews 11:13 (ESV) — 13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

They did not see the promise

Become aware of his presets

Psalm 23:4 (ESV) — 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.

God's plan 14:1-4

Trust in the Lord’s plan

Proverbs 3:5–8 (ESV) — 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Pharaoh’s plan 14:5-9

The people fear the Egyptians 14:10-14

Keep our eyes on Jesus

Matthew 14:28–33 (ESV) — 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

They we’re comfortable with Egypt

Sometimes we get used to our bad situation

We remember God’s ultimate goal for our lives

Our good and his glory

Romans 8:27–30 (ESV) — 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

We trust what we know, god is calling us into the unknown and it can be scary. Sometimes it can be hard.

God sticks to the plan 14:15-18

What is god trying to change in me?

How will god revive glory?

How can I glorify god in this situation?-they will see you good works and glorify your father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV) — 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

The plan unfolds 14:19-29

The people worship 14:30-31

The fear of the lord:

Luke 12:4–7 (ESV) 4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

How is it gained?

Proverbs 3:7

7  Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 16:6

6  By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,

and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.

Proverbs 23:17

17  Let not your heart envy sinners,

but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.

Proverbs 24:21

21  My son, fear the LORD and the king,

and do not join with those who do otherwise,

What does it look like?

Proverbs 9:10

10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,

and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Proverbs 8:13

13  The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.

Pride and arrogance and the way of evil

and perverted speech I hate.

Proverbs 14:2

2  Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD,

but he who is devious in his ways despises him.

Proverbs 15:33

33  The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,

and humility comes before honor.

What does it lead to?

Proverbs 1:7

7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 10:27

27  The fear of the LORD prolongs life,

but the years of the wicked will be short.

Proverbs 14:26

26  In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence,

and his children will have a refuge.

Proverbs 14:27

27  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,

that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Proverbs 15:16 -Contentment

16  Better is a little with the fear of the LORD

than great treasure and trouble with it.

Proverbs 19:23

23  The fear of the LORD leads to life,

and whoever has it rests satisfied;

he will not be visited by harm.

Proverbs 22:4

4  The reward for humility and fear of the LORD

is riches and honor and life.

Proverbs 29:25

25  The fear of man lays a snare,

but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.

Proverbs 31:30

30  Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Luke 7:16 (ESV) — 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!”

How do we learn to trust God?

Those who went before us.

Our own past experiences of what God has done

We look for God in our present circumstances.

We remember God’s ultimate goal for our lives.

His glory and our good (being conformed into the image of his son)

What is god trying to change in me?

How will god revive glory?

How can I glorify god in this situation?-they will see you good works and glorify your father in heaven.

Closing

You can’t trust a God you Don’t know

The more we know God, the more we will trust Him

Who is this God we serve?

God is Kind

God is powerful/we are powerless

God is merciful/we are undeserving

Psalm 46 (ESV)

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song.

1 God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah