What Does Our Heart Desire?
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Introduction
Introduction
As I was preparing for tonight’s message, I came across a funny story regarding Muhammad Ali. The story went like this;
“In Muhammad Ali’s heyday as the heavy weight champion in boxing, he had taken his seat on a 747 which was starting to taxi down the runway for take off. The flight attendant walked by and noticed Ali did not have on his seat belt, and said, “Please fasten your seat belt, sir.”
He looked up proudly and snapped, “Superman don’t need no seat belt.”
Without hesitation she stared at him and said, “Superman don’t need no plane.””
For the last two weeks, we discussed how Moses and the Israelites were discouraged after Moses first encounter with Pharaoh. Things didn’t get easier for them, they got harder. In the midst of their discouragement, we discussed five promises that can encourage us in the midst of a discouraging season and they were;
1.) The Lord is THE LORD.
2.) The Lord established a covenant.
3.) The Lord knows our suffering.
4.) The Lord redeems and rescues.
5.) Entrance into the Promise Land.
Tonight, we are at a point in the story where Moses and Aaron are going to confront Pharaoh again. Now, Pharaoh won’t let them go because of his pride and his sin of pride, just like our sin of pride, will be his downfall.
The Lord answered Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother will be your prophet. You must say whatever I command you; then Aaron your brother must declare it to Pharaoh so that he will let the Israelites go from his land. But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart and multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. Pharaoh will not listen to you, but I will put my hand into Egypt and bring the military divisions of my people the Israelites out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the Israelites from among them.”
So Moses and Aaron did this; they did just as the Lord commanded them. Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh. It will become a serpent.’ ” So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord had commanded. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent. But then Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers—the magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same thing by their occult practices. Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed their staffs. However, Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had said.
(Prayer)
A Harden Heart
A Harden Heart
Back in chapter 4 of Exodus we first encountered the phrase “But I will harden his heart.” and Dante asked, what that all meant. Tonight, we are going to answer that question because it comes again not once but twice in the texts we just read;
But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart and multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.
However, Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had said.
Harden: In Hebrew means “to twist” or “wring out”
(Example: Wringing out a wet cloth)
So with that example, imagine the Lord taking Pharaoh’s heart and wringing out his heart. What is the Lord going to wring or twist out of Pharaoh? Stubbornness and Pride.
How will the Lord do this? By giving Pharaoh what he wants. And what does Pharaoh actually want? Remember Exodus 5:2?
But Pharaoh responded, “Who is the Lord that I should obey him by letting Israel go? I don’t know the Lord, and besides, I will not let Israel go.”
Ultimately, in Pharaoh’s heart is the substances pride.
Pride: Arrogance or delusions of greatness on account of one’s achievements, status or possessions. Scripture frequently speaks of God humbling the proud.
Dictionary of Bible Themes 8803 pride, evil of
Pride is viewed as a great evil because it involves pretending to a greatness and glory that belong rightly to God alone.
The wrath of the Lord will be placed upon Pharaoh by handing him over to want he really wants; to be glorified and reject the Living God. The apostle Paul addressed this in Romans 1:18-25
For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.
Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.
Pharaoh is claiming to be wise by mocking and rejecting the living God. The Lord is going to be patient with him and show Pharaoh grace numerous times, but ultimately the Lord’s patience will run out.
“God is patient, but He isn’t passive.”
Patient: To be able to remain calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time or when dealing with problems or difficult people; To get something done in a careful way over a long period of time without hurrying.
The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
Passive: accepting or allowing what happens or what others do, without active response or resistance.
Judgement will come to Pharaoh and to all of this world. Jesus said;
“Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
We can’t read these passages and think “Wow, Pharaoh is such bad person, glad I’m not like him.” Just by thinking that, we are allowing the sin of pride to flow from our hearts.” We can and have all lived a life out of pride and culture doesn’t help things either. Culture wants us to buy into this sin of pride and to glorify in our sins that reject God.
Examples of Pride:
Aren’t teachable.
Never admit mistakes.
Always wanting to be the center of attention.
Don’t like when someone is “better then you” at something.
Too good to do the “small things.”
“If you think you are perfect and have no issues to deal with, you are allowing the sin of pride to control your life.”
What’s the cure?
A Life of Humility
A Life of Humility
How do we live a life of humility? Being totally submissive to the Lord.
So Moses and Aaron did this; they did just as the Lord commanded them.
“If we don’t submit our lives to the Lord with humility, it’s difficult to live a life of humility.” God shows favor on those who live a life of humility;
The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous;
He mocks those who mock
but gives grace to the humble.
The wise will inherit honor,
but he holds up fools to dishonor.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
When arrogance comes, disgrace follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.
Moses, Aaron, and Pharaoh all got a glimpse of what they deserve. Look at verse 10-12 in chapter 7 of Exodus
So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord had commanded. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent. But then Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers—the magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same thing by their occult practices. Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed their staffs.
Moses and Aaron were given wisdom that the Lord is the victor. Pharaoh was and will continue to be shown disgrace because of the Lord’s victory, and his pride will ultimately will lead to his down fall.
What does our heart desire? Do we desire to be glorified or the Lord? I know many of you know the right answer, but ask yourself, Am I living out the right answer? John Bunyan once wrote;
“He that is down needs fear no fall,
He that is low, no pride;
He that is humble ever shall
Have God to be his guide.”
Let the Lord be the guide of our lives so we don’t fear the fall of our pride.
(Prayer)