Sunday, July 9, 2006

Last Sunday’s lesson touched on the Israelite people’s fall into slavery at the hands of the Egyptian Pharaoh who felt threatened by the great number of Israelite people; fearing they would rise up and he would loose his power and authority as king.

You discussed Moses’ life as he witness the abuse of the Israelites, and how he killed an Egyptian while coming to the aide of a Hebrew man being beaten. When the Pharaoh heard what Moses had done, he tried to kill him. Moses fled from Egypt to the land of Midian where he lived for many years. During these years the Israelites remained in slavery. They continued to cried out to God for deliverance.

While in Midian, Moses married a woman named Zipporah (Bird). She was the daughter of a Midianite priest. They had children. Moses worked as a shepherd caring for his father-in-law’s flocks. Chapters 3 and 4 of Exodus tell us that God spoke to Moses about the plight of the Israelite people, His plan to bring them to freedom, and His desire to use Moses as a vessel to accomplish His plan. Moses was full of excuses. God gave Moses an assistant, Aaron. He also assured Moses that all those who were trying to kill him had died and that Egypt was under the rule of a new Pharaoh. So Moses returned to Egypt with his family. When He arrived, he, along with Aaron, met with the leaders of Israel. Aaron told them all God had revealed to Moses about His plan to free them from their bondage. The people trusted and listened, believing that God knew about their affliction, and that He was concerned with what was going on with them.

This quick review brings us to Exodus Chapter 5 where today’s lesson begins.

Moses and Aaron’s message would hit the Pharaoh two fold………His honor and His profit.

To allow the Israelite’s to leave as God instructed would mean that the Pharaoh would have to submit to God’s authority and don’t forget, the Israelite people were the Pharaoh’s workforce.

The Pharaoh’s response sends a message: I do not know, nor care for….neither value or fear this god you speak of………why should I, the king, do what he says.

Do you sense a hint of pride?

The Pharaoh’s prideful heart didn’t change the truth that God is over all – nor does ours.

The Pharaoh will soon find out hardships come your way when you choose to disregard the LORD and elevate yourself. The same holds true today. God offers salvation and unconditional love however, He also gives instruction for us to live by……By disregarding His commands, we reveal a prideful heart and a lack of fear for the LORD which will bring nothing but heartache our way.

Many times a prideful heart prevents people from accepting God’s gift of salvation. They choose to be their own god. But as we discussed earlier their pride doesn’t change the truth – God is over all.

A prideful heart causes us to feel like we are doing God a favor………….we elevate ourselves when we give God our leftovers and believe that our leftovers are good enough.

Think about it…..

What are we saying to God when we have a hit and miss attitude about church?

God, if Your lucky and I don’t have anything better to do, I’ll go to Sunday School; Discipleship Training; Wednesday night Bible Study; Worship Services.

What about when we come to church and we serve only as a distraction: talking;

note passing; etc?

I’m not here to hear from you today God, I’m hear to see and be seen by others.

What do we say to God when we talk bad about others, tell dirty jokes, use foul language?

God, I just have to say what I want to say……You understand……if not You’ll just have to get over it.

What about when we half do things?

God, I know you gave your best for me, but this will have to be good enough for You.

What do we say to God when we make a fuss over the things our parents, teachers, etc tell us to do….you know….clean your room…..you have homework……?

OUCH!!!!! I don’t think we need to go any further today.

This last week I spent a few days in my closet…..cleaning it out. I disposed of a lot old things I couldn’t use. I came across boxes of Sunday School lesson plans I had over the past few years. Lessons I had studied, lessons I have presented to you in this very class. As I was clearing them away making room for future lessons the Holy Spirit brought this verse to mind….

I said a prayer for us all……..God as given you and me an abundance of opportunities to draw close to Him. To learn His Word…..to apply His teaching. Stacks of lessons I threw away, making room for lessons to come. What will we do with the opportunities God has graciously given to us? What will we do with future opportunities He presents? What will our lives lived say to our LORD? May our lives never again reveal a prideful heart that says, "God I don’t fear or value You. God is over all! God has given us His very best….He is worthy of our best, worthy of our all.

Many of you went to Falls Creek…..Remember 1 – 2 – 3 (Privilege – Opportunity – God Appointed) You heard one of the best speakers I’ve ever heard – you admitted Brother Hill covered things you have heard David speak on – me present in class – many of you recommitted your life – where are you in that commitment – where would you like to be – where do you need to be? Don’t allow a prideful heart to keep you from being all you can be for God!