Boundaries For Worship

Introduction: Once again, the children of Israel are within the boundaries of center of idol worship; Egypt. It is from here that God is working out two important things: 1) Proving to all of Egypt that God is sovereignly supreme & 2) Moving His people to a land where His people can properly worship Him.

The question for you today is this: What surrounds your life right now? Are those boundary lines positioning you to where God can receive proper and faithful worship?

Examples: Where you live, where you work, where you go to school, what you watch, what you listen too, where you vacation to, the people you associate with, etc...

We will witness with plagues 3 and 4 that God alone sets the standard for worship, not the present world we live in.

1) The Boundaries Of The Plagues (v17)

A. The land and the people

The third plague affected man and beast.

This is the plague of “lice”

The Hebrew word can mean gnats or mosquitos.

It’s root means to “cover” or “nip” or “pinch.”

I think lice would better explain the experience.

“all the dust” - speaks to Egypt comprehensively.

Why “all” of Egypt?

God’s objective is to be seen as the one and only supreme God in the land.

God sends reminders to you every day to keep that reality in your own heart!

All nations will one day take the bended knee before the God of Heaven.

B. The God of the plague (vv18-19)

Up until this point, Pharaoh has used His magicians to mock God’s plagues.

NOT ANYMORE!

God will always flush out the fakes and phonies.

Notice: The ones Pharaoh looked to for ammunition to shoot down God’s power before the people were now advising Him of who is more powerful.

Notice Pharaoh’s response (v19)

Let this once again be said of man’s true condition.

False doctrine today enjoys placing a high view of man and low view of God.

C. The Restriction of the plague (Flies)

Up until this time the plagues has affected both Egyptian and Israelite.

Egypt was not only in the Egyptians but also in the Israelites.

God is now showing the Egyptians the people who worship the ONE TRUE GOD.

COMFORTING action from God.

Nothing that afflicts you takes God by surprise.

To strip God of His sovereignty is to strip believers of their peaceful hope in Him.

God knows EXACTLY WHO ARE HIM!

Illustration: Property line disputes

2) The Boundaries For Worship (vv20-32)

A. Pharaoh’s Restrictions

“in the land”

2Co 6:14-17 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? [15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? [16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

This is the kind of compromise Christians make today.

It sounds like this, “We can be Christians, just not narrow ones.”

Be broad minded, just not narrow minded.

Be a broad minded Christian and don’t change your life.

The animals they would sacrifice were considered sacred to the Egyptians.

Listen…if your life does not change, you are NOT a Christian!!!

Quote: (unknown) Salvation is by faith alone, but faith is never alone.

James says, “I’ll show you my faith by my works”

The Gospel will never leave you the way it finds you.

You are not long a DEAD MAN!!!

“only ye shall not go very far away”

In other words, keep Egypt in view from where you worship.

Illustration: I could not do my homework with the TV in view.

Illustration: I can’t study listening to music with lyrics.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

There should be a NO TOLERANCE for you mind to be fixed on anything else other than Jesus Christ when you worship.

Conclusion: What are you allowing into the boundaries of your life? Are you keeping your heart in the boundaries God has given you that you might worship Him in spirit and in truth?

Unbeliever, are the boundaries of your believing faith contain only Jesus alone?