Defining Moments

Pre-sermon Reading (Dt. 31:8; Heb 13:6)

Introduction

Life is full of defining moments — some major, others minor. We’ve all times when we felt like we were between a rock and a hard place — in Exodus 14, Moses and the Hebrew people were between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea — with no way out.

Exodus 14:13–14 ESV

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. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Prayer

Let’s begin with an important reminder from last week’s message:

When you wonder if God really cares about you, lean into this truth: God is always for you!

Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush (Ex 3) became a defining moment — one that would impact an entire nation and their descendants, to this very day. God called Moses to tell Pharaoh “Let my people go!”

In 5:1ff Pharaoh became angry because Moses’ foolish talk had distracted the Hebrew people from their work. He ordered that their work be increased. Their taskmasters treated them worse than ever — the people were very angry with Moses for getting them into trouble (5:20).

Moses and Aaron went back to Pharaoh — Showing signs and wonder — Aaron’s staff turned into a snake — Pharaoh’s magicians did the same thing but Aaron’s staff, now a snake, swallowed up those of the magicians.

Yet Pharaoh still would not let them go

This began the saga of the plagues God sent upon Egypt because Pharaoh refused to let them go.

Blood, Frogs, Gnats, Flies, Livestock, Boils, Hail, Locusts, Darkness — (chapters 7-11)

In God’s final acts of judgment the first-born sons of Egypt died…including Pharaoh’s son —

You can imagine the fear and anger among the Egyptians — they feared God would kill all of them next — Pharaoh told Moses to hurry up and leave with the Hebrew people

The first Passover - God them instructions for their very first passover and for the remembrance of passover annually.

Exodus 12:3–12 ESV

Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord.

Exodus 12:11–14 ESV

In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.

The situation was full of unforeseen and/or undesirable moments, with the people responding in different ways.

Would you agree our lives are often filled with unforeseen and undesirable moments?

The way we respond to unforeseen moments defines the nature of our faith and the depth of our character — these are truly defining moments

Transition: Everything leading up to and during the people’s deliverance from Egypt exemplifies how people respond to unforeseen moments

Unforeseen Changes

Moses’ life was suddenly full of big changes...defining moments — the whole nation of Israel was in the same boat

Can you imagine several million people packing up and leaving together, at a moment’s notice — what a road trip that would be — How did bathroom breaks work?

God led them on a route that didn’t make sense — why would God do such a thing? (14:1-4)

Gods’ plan made Pharaoh think they were lost and go after them

“And I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.”

Question

How do you respond to unexpected and often unwanted changes you are forced to take?

Transitional: Unwanted changes sometimes come in the form of threats

Unexpected Threats

The first few days of their freedom as a nation were happy days.

Here’s an important caveat: in the most wonderful seasons of life, threats can come out of nowhere.

…when unexpected threats — Defining moments -- happen…how do we respond?

Unexpected threats can bring great fear

Exodus 14:10 ESV

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.

Pharaoh’s armies on one side, and the Red Sea on the other — between “the devil and the deep red sea!”

Their hearts melted with fear

…when unexpected threats — Defining moments -- happen…how do we respond?

Unexpected threats can bring out the worst in people (14:11-12)

Once again…the people turned on Moses — “You should have left us in Egypt to die…there are plenty of burial plots there! We told you this would happen, Mr. Bigshot ‘deliverer’”.

How quickly we can change from upbeat and happy to panic and fear

God had a plan — They simply needed to stand still, watch, and be silent

There are times for moving and there are times to stand still and quietly wait…even when you feel threatened or afraid

You can do this because you know God will fight for you …the Lord will fight for you; you need only be still (v. 13-14)

Unexpected Deliverance Reveals God’s Omnipotence

Exodus 14:19–20 ESV

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, 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.

God protects us on all sides — He has no “blind spots”

The word and providence of God have a black and dark side toward sin and sinners, but a bright and pleasant side toward the people of the Lord. He…alloted darkness to the Egyptians, and light to the Israelites — M. Henry

God brings deliverance in His time and His way

At just the right time — God’s time…everything changed — another defining moment

In 14:21-22 Moses stretch out his hand over the sea — the Lord sent an east wind all night and divided the sea…leaving a dry path across to the other side

Pharaoh’s charioteers followed — when they realized they were in trouble,it was too late, “Let’s get out of here b/c the Lord is fighting against Egypt!”

The natural response to God’s deliverance is awe, reverence and strengthened faith

Exodus 14:31 ESV

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.

CONCLUSION

At just the right time...

Moses stretched out his hand over the Red Sea

God’s time is the right time, every time

He allows defining moments in our lives, for His glory and the building of our faith in Him

God instructed the people to prepare a lamb — they slaughtered the lamb, smeared some of its blood on the doorposts, roasted it and ate it with bitter herbs and unleavened bread.

They ate with their shoes on, their belt buckled securely, their bags packed and ready to go…

At just the right time…the angel saw the blood on their doorframes, and passed over them, saving their sons from death

Then they were set free by God — to be His people of promise

AT just the right time…Jesus stretched out His hands on the Cross

Romans 5:6 ESV

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

Here we are today…many thousands of years later

Our Lamb’s blood has already marked the doorframes of every heart that confesses their sinful condition, repents and and follows Him

John 1:29 ESV

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Our Lamb is risen and because He is alive, we have eternal life through Him

Communion (music)

On the eve of Passover, the people were instructed to have their shoes on, bags packed, their belt tight --- and ready to travel at a moment’s notice

As we prepare to receive communion today…search your heart

Are you ready…if Jesus were to return today — or if you were to die…Are you ready to go?

As you face defining moments today, tomorrow, or next week....the way you respond will define the depth of your faith and the depth of your character

We gain strong faith and growing character through surrender and worship — hungering for more of God — a daily relationship with Him, consuming His word and being full of His Spirit — talking to Him, listening to Him, and walking in obedience to Him.

Like Moses, we will have moments when we question God…but God is patient and He will lead us through each question — Just keep listening and following.