Bro Mike introduced a new short series for this summer - Journey from Egypt to the Promised Land
Text is Exodus 13:17-22
We are, even now, headed for the Promised Land. Are you?
Underlying question to consider: Is there a difference between the sinners' prayer and someone genuinely becoming a child of God?
Reminder: This epic journey caravan was accompanied by a casket- the bones of Joseph (see verse 19).
Our Journey - Does anybody know the way?
GETTING THERE....
1. With God giving the directions.
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter...
By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. Exodus 13:17a, 21-22
--Who is giving the directions is important to anybody.
--God did not chose the near route.
2. With God knowing why we are taking this route.
For God said, "If they face war, they might change their
minds and return to Egypt." Exodus 13:17b
--God doesn't want us to go back to Egypt.
--Our default position is to go back to our Egypt, not to the Promised Land.
--The journey is dangerous and difficult
--Notice the phrase, "For God said..." God watches out for us, to deliver us from trouble, but also to make us grow: protection and growth.
--Ultimately, it's not about our comfort and enjoyment. It's about getting you to where He wants you to go. He has a specific destination for us.
3. With God responsible for the supplies.
Wilderness straight ahead.
Last chance for supplies
for 40 years.
Question: Is there any evidence (not feeling) in your life that you are indeed on the journey to the Promised Land?
Since we are not traveling in single file with the cloud and the fire, led by Moses, how do we stay on the right path?
They had a pillar of cloud by day
They had a pillar of fire by night
They had Moses
We have:
The Holy Spirit
The Church
The Bible
These are the tools to keep us on the right path on our Journey to the Promised Land.
This message was a sort of journey in itself. My mind was considering our personal journey as we move away from this wonderful church.
So much of it applied to us -- I appreciated all the thoughts --
but I was sad also. Many of the Israelites had left friends, perhaps close and dear friends, back in Egypt.
With all the drama surrounding their Exodus they were certainly excited, and the prospect of the Promised Land certainly beckoned them forward. But probably, for many, it was a hard thing to leave their homes and familiar surroundings....
For the complete sermon, with its great illustrations, go to fbc-bc. org and click on sermons....
