THE WAY THAT GOD LEADS

TEXT: Exodus 13:15-22

INTRODUCTION: To "sanctify" means, to "set apart" for God’s use. The foundation of this was that God had spared the first-born of Israel from the death angel. Therefore, the first-born belonged to God. The first part of this chapter deals with the setting apart of all the firstborn of Israel They were under condemnation of death by God  They were redeemed by blood. Their debt was paid by a substitute sacrifice (lamb), which was innocent and died in their place This is a beautiful picture of salvation & redemption And, because they were redeemed, they now belonged to God

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

The last part of this chapter deals with God leading His people. God not only saves His people, but He also leads them!

Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

God never leaves His people without direction & leadership

Exodus 13:22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

God gave them the pillar of cloud/fire

He gives us the Holy Spirit!

When God leads His people, He leads them in a personal way -

I.          GOD NEVER LEADS THE IMPOSSIBLE WAY

Exodus 13:17-18 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

A.        He Never Tempts (Tests) Above What We are Able

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Psalms 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

1.      Someone has said, “The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God cannot sustain you.”

B.        When we refuse to follow God's leading:

1.      we are saying we know better than He does

2.      we are accusing God of being unfair/unjust

3.      we are questioning God's ability to keep His promises (unbelief)

4.      we are basically calling God a liar

C.        He builds our spiritual strength by progressive trials

1.      You can measure your spiritual maturity by the strength of your opposition!

2.      God reserves the greatest challenges for His strongest followers

Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

D.         He gives grace to keep going under any circumstances.

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

II.        GOD OFTEN LEADS THE LONG WAY

Exodus 13:18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness

A.         It will be a test of your faith

1.      God's way is not our way

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

2.       We should never be in a hurry with God

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

B.         It will be the building of your character

Deuteronomy 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

C.         It will be an Opportunity for Learning and Growth

1.      Learning takes time, and so does growth.

2.      Back when I got saved, and was called to preach, I felt so unworthy.

3.      I sought out my pastor, and he said the same thing happened to him.

4.      He said don’t worry, that God would prepare me (change me) one day at a time.

5.      Slower growth makes for strength; i.e. Oak vs. Pine

III.    GOD ALWAYS LEADS THE RIGHT WAY

Psalms 107:7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

A.         A Way that helps YOU.

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1.       God' s Will is always for our good

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2.       God's way is planned to make us most like Christ

Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

B.         A Way that helps OTHERS

1.      The Apostle Paul was in prison.

Philippians 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

2.       Some of the obstacles that we face are not for us, but for others!

a)      Think of Joseph: 

Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

b)       Who can tell how many people are looking to us?

Psalms 17:5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

C.         A Way that Brings Glory to GOD

1.      Shows us His mercy and grace

2.      Reveals His love and long suffering

3.      Defies human explanation

4.      Demonstrates the fallen nature of man - points others to Christ

2 Corinthians 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

 CONCLUSION: Thank God, He Always Leads His People!!

1.      Never in the Impossible Way

2.      Often in the Long way

3.      Always in the Right way