Looking Back to Move Forward (2020 Edition) (Week 1)

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I am excited about some of the things I sense the Lord doing here at Emmanuel. I am excited that the things He is doing isn’t the work of an individual or person. What we are seeing is the work of God. The work of the person of Jesus. The work of the person of the Holy Spirit.

With KICKO, I work with a lot of different churches and each one has their own unique church culture. Some have recently weathered over 2 years without senior leadership. CSPC just installed a new pastor, during COVID, after the search committee looked into candidates for over 2 years after their senior minister retired. It was something they knew was coming. It was something they had prepared for but still when the time came the task was no easier to find the right next fit. That church continued to do ministry, continued to serve in the city, continued to disciple their body having fellowship in numerous ways. They had people that were prepared to lead and a congregation that was committed to the body.

I have watched as other large churches in our area have gone through transitions these past few years as well. Much like what I have gone through at KICKO, my friends at Sevier Heights experienced a retiring senior pastor hand over the reigns to his son. Holly Miller, an incredible preacher and pastor, after retiring stepped aside to allow his son Tim lead at that church.

Another large church partner had their longtime senior minister retire as well nearly 6 years ago. They replaced him with a fiery revivalist, mission-minded pastor who rocked the boat from what they were accustomed. Two years later they found themselves looking again for senior leadership recognizing they weren’t a good fit for each other.

There are other churches that haven’t been in leadership transition but have been attempting to transition their church’s culture. For some of our partner churches they are built around a personality. Many times when this is the case the church is limited to how far and how much it can accomplish based on the senior leader. The key is to recognize the propensity of your congregation, to call those strong in your weaknesses to surround you, and allow others to be empowered to carry out the mission and vision of a church in a way that allows for holistic health.

This is easier said than done.

This morning…we are going to visit an idea that I first preached when stepping into the role of Lead Pastor here at Emmanuel. Nearly 1 1/2 ago, James took a full-time position in Middle TN, and I stepped in to transition the church during that time. This was one of the first sermon series I preached during that transition.

LOOKING BACK TO MOVE FORWARD

There is a habit that God says will help us in moving forward in His fullness and plan for our life. He asks the Israelites numerous times to remember, to not forget, to even erect stones, have a festival/feast to cause you to REMEMBER. Some of the very traditions we partake of in the Christian faith involve a TABLE of REMEMBRANCE.

The Art of Remembering has books written about it, techniques accompanying it, and various attempts by people everyday to enhance their ability to remember. We try associations, repetition, and just about anything that will help us remember better. This is one of the scariest things for me to think about encountering with those in my family or even for me, myself—losing the ability to remember.

Go with me to Exodus 13.

Exodus 13:17–18 NIV

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.

QUESTION: I don’t know if it has happened to you, but I have felt like I had to learn the hard way or get somewhere in life the long way. Have you ever felt like that? I don’t always understand why it is taking so long or why things had to happen the way they did, but at the end of all things I surrender my plans, the times, and even the pathway to the Lord.

Proverbs 16:9 NRSV

9 The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.

This is one of those verses my mom would quote to me when things didn’t always go the way I expected, and I love that the Lord allows us to make some plans. But ultimately, we can rest knowing that when we have surrendered ourselves to Him, He directs our paths.

For the Israelites, the Lord knew they weren’t prepared to face hardships like they would if they traveled the shortest route. What may seem fastest may not be wisest. What may seek quick may not be healthy. Haven’t we learned that about most fast-food places? The Lord protects the Israelites by guiding them, not the shortest but the safest way.

The Lord will oftentimes, not always but often, place a hedge or I have sometimes referred to it as a spiritual bubble around us. I see this with new believers or after being delivered from something (an addiction, unhealthy relationship, the list can go on). The Lord will place us in this hedge, this shadow of His wings, so that we can be sustained or heal. It will not produce the same growth that test and challenges will produce but it brings a moment of joy and satisfaction in rest when we are young or weary.

Listen to how Paul takes the OT examples and teaches the church at Corinth.

1 Corinthians 10:6 NIV

6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.

1 Corinthians 10:11 NIV

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.

The things in Scripture that occured to Israel have been recorded as examples and warnings. We are reading God’s interaction with humanity throughout history. It isn’t just fairy tales or fables but is Divine records for examples for not only then but us as well NOW.

1 Corinthians 10:12–13 NIV

12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

We talked about humility a few weeks ago. If you missed Keys to the Kingdom (Week 3) go back and listen to how foundational humility is to God’s Divine nature. Because it is a part of who He is it is built into the laws by which our world operates. Kingdom principles didn’t come into existence after Christ but instead have already been. Paul tells us here that the OT stories have been written as examples to remind us to learn from history.

STORY: This idea recently came up with my oldest daughter, Ellie. She has been studying the founding of our nation, our formative documents (Dec of Ind, Bill of Rights, etc.). She came to realize who had right and who didn’t (women, blacks, poor). Alongside this, she began to learn about the early colonies and what their history entailed. In studying about Charleston and the selling of slaves, she broke down in tears. “This isn’t fair. This isn’t right.” Through sobs and snotty tears she asked why she had to learn about this. Candi and I both (separately) reminded her of the importance of learning our history.

George Santayana said, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned (doomed) to repeat it.”

vs. 12 Learning requires us to admit that we don’t already know it all. It requires some level of humility. You ever been around someone that couldn’t learn anything? They couldn’t be wrong. They could be taught a different or better way to do something. They were full of pride. Part of remembering is an intentionality and purpose to reflection. It is reflection for the purpose of growing, learning, becoming better. Correcting wrongs. Righting wrongs. It is not repeating the failures of the past, whether your past or someone else’s.

Pride comes before a fall. The Lord can give grace to the humble but abhors the proud. vs. 13 Recognize the commonality of what you are facing. The pride that led to this fall included isolation as part of its process. Recognize your need for God, your need for one another, and relate to one another not in triumph only but also in struggle. It is in these weak moments that Christ can show His power. “Beyond what you can bear.” “so that you can endure it.”

Now back to Exodus 13:

Exodus 13:19–22 NIV

19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.” 20 After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. 21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

vs. 20 Sukkoth wasn’t only a place they passed through but is the name of the major Jewish festival held in autumn in which they build Sukkah, or temporary tents of shelter. It was to commemorate the sheltering of the Israelites in the wilderness.

About a year ago, in a staff/board meeting, we were discussing the changes ahead of us at Emmanuel. George had a specific word/image that he shared with us. It comes from the passage in Matthew 23.

Matthew 23:37–39 NIV

37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

George went on to share that the word he sensed for us in this season was the word, gather. I believe the Lord has been placing that within each one of us. Now is a time for us to come under the shelter of the Lord’s wings. He will be our rest. He will provide for us in this season as in all the others. The Lord is our Sukkoth, our shelter through the wilderness as well as in the Promise Land.

Vs. 21 & 22 Scripture says that the cloud by day and the fire by night was a mark of the Lord both present and guiding. He was active and never abandoned them. It is believed that the cloud and fire served multiple purposes.

Protection from the heat of the sun/cold of the night (travel to the desert)

Provided guidance and a guiding light for safe travels regardless of best times despite the obvious advantage over anyone else around them having the ability to move as freely as they please. (travel to the desert of Nevada, camped at the Grand Canyon-could see stars forever because no other lights were around. The smallest of fires illuminated campsites.)

In Nehemiah 9, the Jewish leaders refer to the cloud/fire as an instance of God’s care and provision for His people.

The pillar is a picture of God’s faithfulness and a lesson to us that God never leaves nor forsakes His people. (Hebrews 13:5-6)

DISTINCTION: God’s provision always distinguishes His people from the rest of the world.

Exodus 14:1–4 NIV

1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “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. 3 Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ 4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So the Israelites did this.

Vs. 2 The Lord told the Israelites to literally, physically TURN BACK. We are talking about LOOKING BACK TO MOVE FORWARD.

There are so many examples in Scripture where we see REMEMBERING being so important, even commanded. Even God Himself talks about REMEMBERING His covenant and promises to His people.

Exodus 2:23–25 NIV

23 During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. 24 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. 25 So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

God heard their groaning and remembered His covenant. So, He looked on the people and had concern for them. This concern led to the call. It led to the call of a man, Moses, who would encounter God in an unconsumable, burning bush.

Exodus 6:2–8 NIV

2 God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself fully known to them. 4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners. 5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant. 6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’ ”

The Lord heard the cries of His people, and He remembered His promises. AND here is WHAT I am going to do (vs. 6) AND here is WHY I am going to do it (vs. 7) BEGINNING. RELATIONSHIP. PROPHETS. vs. 7b Then you will know…who brought you out (LOOKING BACK) vs. 8 And I will bring you to the land (MOVING FORWARD)

Exodus 6:9 NIV

9 Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.

Wow! Have you ever had the truth in front of you but because of circumstances or a current funk in life or perspective you had…you just couldn’t even see the possibilities of what God wanted to do? I mean the promises seemed amazing. It was going to be a promotion. No more baking bricks all day, every day. No more enslavement. True and genuine freedom. What you had been wanting all along. BUT you couldn’t accept it, you couldn’t even HEAR it because you were just too discouraged. You were stuck in your funk and couldn’t imagine anything other than where you were currently at.

Maybe...

Personally…(a situation you are dealing with, a sinful habit you have been trying to surrender to God, etc.)

As a church or in Christian culture…(

As a nation…(look at different leadership, the current state of our country, the world, etc.)

There is always this tendency to compare, to be set in expectations, to question, to wonder.

CALL/INVITATION:

PRAY