Finding Encouragement in the Midst of Disappointment
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Introduction
Introduction
As I was preparing for tonight’s sermon, I came across this story and thought it was fitting for tonight.
“When he was appointed as the pastor a church in Cambridge, England, in 1783 Charles Simeon was delighted. The people of the church did not share his joy. Many of the prominent members of the church opposed his convictions on reaching the lost with the gospel. To show their displeasure they locked their pew boxes during the service and left them empty so that those who came to hear Simeon preach had to stand or sit in the aisles. Eventually God began to work, and Simeon’s ministry had a powerful influence on the nation of England and the world through his efforts to encourage missionary work.
During the dark days of opposition Simeon wrote: “In this state of things I saw no remedy but faith and patience.... It was painful indeed to see the church, with the exception of the aisles, almost forsaken; but I thought that if God would only give a double blessing to the congregation that did attend, there would on the whole be as much good done as if the congregation were doubled and the blessing limited to only half the amount. This comforted me many, many times, when without such a reflection, I should have sunk under my burden.”
Opposition does not mean that we are doing things wrong—often it is evidence that we are doing things right. If we allow ourselves to be deterred from doing anything unless we have complete approval, it is certain that we will never accomplish anything of value. Rather than being discouraged by opposition, we should take comfort in God’s faithfulness and keep on doing what is right.”
As we continue in our study in Exodus, we are going to see Moses and the Hebrew people are discouraged. Why? As we saw last week, things didn’t go according to their plans. Moses and the Hebrew people thought they would be free instantly, instead they are dealing with the harshness of Pharaoh. If you would, please turn to Exodus 6 as we listen to the Word of God and find out how we can find encouragement in the midst of disappointment.
Then God spoke to Moses, telling him, “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but I was not known to them by my name ‘the Lord.’ I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land they lived in as aliens. Furthermore, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are forcing to work as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant.
“Therefore tell the Israelites: I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from the forced labor of the Egyptians and rescue you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and great acts of judgment. I will take you as my people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from the forced labor of the Egyptians. I will bring you to the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.” Moses told this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their broken spirit and hard labor.
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go from his land.”
But Moses said in the Lord’s presence, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then how will Pharaoh listen to me, since I am such a poor speaker?” Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them commands concerning both the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.
These are the heads of their fathers’ families:
The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel:
Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi.
These are the clans of Reuben.
The sons of Simeon:
Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin,
Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman.
These are the clans of Simeon.
These are the names of the sons of Levi
according to their family records;
Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Levi lived 137 years.
The sons of Gershon:
Libni and Shimei, by their clans.
The sons of Kohath:
Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
Kohath lived 133 years.
The sons of Merari:
Mahli and Mushi.
These are the clans of the Levites
according to their family records.
Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed,
and she bore him Aaron and Moses.
Amram lived 137 years.
The sons of Izhar:
Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri.
The sons of Uzziel:
Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri.
Aaron married Elisheba,
daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon.
She bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
The sons of Korah:
Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph.
These are the clans of the Korahites.
Aaron’s son Eleazar married
one of the daughters of Putiel,
and she bore him Phinehas.
These are the heads of the Levite families by their clans.
It was this Aaron and Moses whom the Lord told, “Bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt according to their military divisions.” Moses and Aaron were the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt in order to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.
On the day the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, he said to him, “I am the Lord; tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything I am telling you.”
But Moses replied in the Lord’s presence, “Since I am such a poor speaker, how will Pharaoh listen to me?”
(Prayer)
Relying On The Promises of God
Relying On The Promises of God
Have you ever had a bad day? Have you ever felt stuck? Have you ever felt alone, afraid, ashamed? Have you ever asked “God, where are you?” If we are all honest, every single one of us have been in a season where our spirits were broken. Moses and the Israelites are in a season where their spirits are broken. Because of their brokenness, the Israelites don’t want to listen/trust Moses and Moses is wondering if God is trust worthy. God is going to remind Moses, and us tonight, that He is trust worthy.
5 Promises From The Lord
5 Promises From The Lord
1.) He is The Lord:
Then God spoke to Moses, telling him, “I am the Lord.
Exodus 6:6 (CSB)
“Therefore tell the Israelites: I am the Lord,
Exodus 6:7 (CSB)
You will know that I am the Lord your God,
Exodus 6:8 (CSB)
I am the Lord.”
Exodus 6:29 (CSB)
he said to him, “I am the Lord;
Jesus 7 I AM’s:
I AM the Bred of Life (John 6)
I AM the light of the world ( John 8:12)
I AM the door to the sheep (John 10:7,9)
I AM the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)
I AM the good Shepard (John 10:11, 14)
I AM the way , the truth, and the life (John 14:6)
I AM the true vine (John 15:1, 5)
“If you don’t believe Christ is Lord, you won’t believe the rest of the promises to follow.” We all need to confront reality and ask ourselves if we truly believe this. Most of the time, the season in which our spirits are broken/discouraged, the heart will reveal whether or not we truly believe.
(Personal Example: Season of Discouragement)
My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.
2.) God Established A Covenant:
I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land they lived in as aliens.
“Christ established a new covenant with us.”
In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
3.) God Knows Our Suffering:
Furthermore, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are forcing to work as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant.
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And he came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open.
After leaving them, he went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.
4.) God Rescues and Redeems:
“Therefore tell the Israelites: I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from the forced labor of the Egyptians and rescue you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and great acts of judgment.
“This is the picture of the gospel message!”
5.) God Will Take His People To The Promise Land:
I will bring you to the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.”
Revelation 21-22
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.
Christ loves you.
Christ knows you.
Christ came to rescue and redeem you.
Christ came to transform you.
Christ wants a lasting relationship with you.
Do you want Christ? Do you desire to live a life that aims to please Him? Are you broken? Are you discouraged? Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Do you hate your sins? Do you want to get out of the curse that is Egypt and live in the freedom that is found in Christ? Repent! Repent! Turn from your sins, and confess that Jesus is Lord and Savior. Don’t try to do this on your own, because you can’t! It’s Christ that sustains you. It’s Christ that saves you. It’s Christ that mends your broken spirits. It’s Christ that will help you persevere. It’s Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, that will come again for His church and we will dwell with Him forever and ever and ever!
A Turning Point (Altar Call)
(Prayer)