Full Trust Ahead!

Big Idea of the Message: God’s glory doesn’t always look the way we expect.

Fear

Today we feature another common Sunday school story. The nation of Israel has finally been freed from their Egyptian slavery. As they begin to flee Egypt, however, the pharaoh sends his army after them, and the people become afraid. This fear of what they think will happen in the future creates a lack of trust.

Ministry Pass Retold: Sunday School Stories You Thought You Knew

What is something that really scares you, I mean rattles you to your bones?

How do you handle this fear - by trying to hide from it, by trying to deny it, by trying to avoid it;

We all handle fear in different ways and fear comes to each of us in different forms;

Fear can be debilitating as it was for the Israelites in this circumstance;

Have you ever blamed someone else for you fears;

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 14

Terror turned Israelite elation and triumph into sarcasm and accusation. They considered Moses responsible for their impending doom, and themselves helpless victims.

The Israelites looked at what they felt was their only two options - death by the Red Sea or slavery in Egypt - they felt limited and constrained;

They, as many of us, did not consider God as an option;

So often we can fall into the trap of forgetting what God has done when we are afraid of what might happen in the future.

Ministry Pass Retold: Sunday School Stories You Thought You Knew

What if we let God show up and show off in our times of fear, what if we displayed the trust we claim to have;

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 14

Moses gave no defense of himself but focused instead on what the Lord would accomplish. The words salvation (here and Ex 15:2; Hb yeshu‘ah) and “saved” (14:30) mark the instructions for the encounter with Egyptian forces, its summary, and its celebration.

How do you handle you fear?

Protection

What does protection mean to you - peace, security, calm, relaxation;

Where do you look for protection - yourself, others, Christ;

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 14

The Lord informs Moses and all Israel how he is going to deliver them from this impossible situation.

Did God’s promised protection leave after Christ’s ascension into heaven - did God just sit back and say “best of luck to y’all I’m going on vacation”;

No! He promised His presence and protection forever;

Yes I understand there will be times when we do not feel His presence but that does not mean He left;

Trusting His promise requires faith and faith requires movement and movement occurs one step at a time;

When the Red Sea was parted, the Israelites moved forward one step at a time. Such is the walk of faith: no matter what may be bearing down on you, no matter what may be surrounding you, you move forward in faith as God has commanded.

Ministry Pass Retold: Sunday School Stories You Thought You Knew

There were several ways that God protected the Israelites that day - 1) a pillar of cloud, 2) parting the Red Sea, 3) drying the sea bed, 4) He took the wheels of their chariots;

Notice this God provided protection in the midst of their fear;

Do you trust Him in your fear?

Trust

What do you need to trust God with right at this moment;

What is your Red Sea or slavery moment;

What do you need to give Him complete and total trust over through unfailing faith;

Are you willing to trust that He will part your Red Sea?

Application Point: When you feel afraid, do you trust God, or do you panic and curse Him?