Carried on Eagle's Wings: God's Deliverance and Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Promises**

Description:
God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage was rooted in His promises to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Despite the Israelites' helplessness and involvement in idolatry, God chose to save them because of His unwavering faithfulness. This teaches us that God's faithfulness is the foundation of our deliverance. He keeps His promises, and we can trust Him to fulfill His word in our lives. Just as He intervened in the lives of the Israelites, He will intervene in ours, not because of our goodness or abilities, but because of His steadfast love and commitment to His promises. [06:36]

Bible Passage:
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations." (Deuteronomy 7:9, ESV)

Reflection:
Think of a promise from God that you are holding onto. How can you actively trust in His faithfulness today, even if the fulfillment of that promise seems distant?

**

Day 2: The Power of the Blood**

Description:
The Passover event, where the blood of a spotless lamb protected the Israelites from the death angel, foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the death angel passed over the homes marked by the lamb's blood, we are saved from eternal death by the blood of Christ. This underscores the importance of recognizing and accepting Jesus' sacrifice for our salvation. The blood of Christ is powerful and sufficient to cleanse us from all sin and bring us into a right relationship with God. It is a reminder of the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to redeem us. [13:11]

Bible Passage:
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace." (Ephesians 1:7, ESV)

Reflection:
Reflect on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice for you personally. How does understanding the power of His blood change the way you live your daily life?

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Day 3: Complete Redemption**

Description:
When God redeems, He does a complete job. The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land illustrates that God's deliverance is thorough and transformative. He doesn't just save us from our past; He leads us into a new future filled with His promises and blessings. This complete redemption means that God is not only interested in saving us from our sins but also in transforming our lives and leading us into His purposes. It is a journey of ongoing transformation and growth in our relationship with Him. [15:45]

Bible Passage:
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)

Reflection:
Consider an area of your life where you need God's transformative power. What steps can you take today to invite Him to work in that area?

**

Day 4: Personal Testimonies of Deliverance**

Description:
Personal stories of transformation, like the one shared about overcoming a troubled past through faith in Christ, highlight that God's deliverance is available to everyone. No matter how dire our circumstances, God can lift us on eagle's wings and set us on a new path. These testimonies serve as powerful reminders of God's grace and the reality of His intervention in our lives. They encourage us to trust in His ability to change our circumstances and to share our own stories of His faithfulness with others. [21:10]

Bible Passage:
"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." (Revelation 12:11, ESV)

Reflection:
Think about a time when God delivered you from a difficult situation. How can you share this testimony with someone who might need encouragement today?

**

Day 5: The Urgency of Salvation**

Description:
The call to accept Jesus as Savior is urgent because none of us are promised another day. Today is the day of salvation. This urgency compels us to make a decision and also to share the gospel with others, fulfilling the Great Commission. The reality of our mortality and the eternal significance of our choices should drive us to prioritize our relationship with God and to be proactive in sharing His love and message of salvation with those around us. [30:38]

Bible Passage:
"Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2b, ESV)

Reflection:
Is there someone in your life who needs to hear about Jesus today? How can you take a step to share the gospel with them, knowing the urgency of salvation?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound imagery of being carried on eagle's wings, as described in Exodus. This metaphor beautifully illustrates God's gracious and merciful deliverance of His chosen people, Israel, from Egyptian bondage. The eagle, known for its speed, height, and tenderness towards its young, serves as a powerful symbol of God's care and protection. Just as the eagle swoops down to save its exhausted eaglet, God intervenes to rescue His people when they are at their weakest.

We revisited the story of Israel's deliverance, starting with their enslavement in Egypt. Despite their helplessness and involvement in idolatry, God chose to save them because of His promise to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This promise was fulfilled through a series of divine interventions, including the ten plagues and the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. The final and most significant act of deliverance was the Passover, where the blood of a spotless lamb protected the Israelites from the death angel, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins.

The sermon also touched on personal testimony, illustrating how God's deliverance is not just a historical event but a present reality. Just as God delivered Israel, He delivers us from our sins and brings us into a relationship with Him. This deliverance is not based on our merits but on God's grace and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The call to action was clear: to accept Jesus as our Savior and experience the freedom and new life that comes from being carried on eagle's wings.

###

Key Takeaways

1. God's Deliverance is Rooted in His Promises: God's intervention in the lives of the Israelites was not because of their goodness or abilities but because of His promise to their forefathers. This teaches us that God's faithfulness is the foundation of our deliverance. He keeps His promises, and we can trust Him to fulfill His word in our lives. [06:36]
2. The Power of the Blood: The Passover event, where the blood of a spotless lamb protected the Israelites, foreshadows the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the death angel passed over the homes marked by the lamb's blood, we are saved from eternal death by the blood of Christ. This underscores the importance of recognizing and accepting Jesus' sacrifice for our salvation. [13:11]
3. God's Redemption is Complete: When God redeems, He does a complete job. The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land illustrates that God's deliverance is thorough and transformative. He doesn't just save us from our past; He leads us into a new future filled with His promises and blessings. [15:45]
4. Personal Testimonies of Deliverance: Personal stories of transformation, like the one shared about overcoming a troubled past through faith in Christ, highlight that God's deliverance is available to everyone. No matter how dire our circumstances, God can lift us on eagle's wings and set us on a new path. [21:10]
5. The Urgency of Salvation: The call to accept Jesus as Savior is urgent because none of us are promised another day. Today is the day of salvation. This urgency compels us to make a decision and also to share the gospel with others, fulfilling the Great Commission. [30:38]
### [30:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction to Eagle's Wings
[01:09] - The Eagle's Characteristics
[02:25] - God's Deliverance of Israel
[03:48] - The Story of Joseph
[05:08] - Israel's Bondage in Egypt
[06:36] - God's Promise and Faithfulness
[07:57] - God's Call to Moses
[09:22] - The Ten Plagues
[10:51] - The Passover Lamb
[13:11] - The Significance of the Blood
[14:30] - Crossing the Red Sea
[15:45] - Complete Redemption
[17:04] - The Difference Between Life and Death
[18:29] - Personal Testimony of Deliverance
[21:10] - The Urgency of Salvation
[30:38] - Call to Accept Jesus
[31:03] - Choices in Life and Eternity
[32:07] - Invitation to Pray
[34:27] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What characteristics of the eagle are highlighted in the sermon, and how do they relate to God's care for His people? [01:09]
According to Exodus 3:6-10, what reasons does God give for delivering the Israelites from Egypt?
What specific instructions did God give the Israelites regarding the Passover lamb in Exodus 12:1-13?
How did the Israelites respond when they were trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army, and what was God's response through Moses? [15:45]

Interpretation Questions

How does the metaphor of being carried on eagle's wings deepen our understanding of God's deliverance and protection? [02:25]
In what ways does the Passover lamb in Exodus 12 foreshadow the sacrifice of Jesus Christ? [10:51]
What does the story of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt teach us about God's faithfulness to His promises? [06:36]
How can personal testimonies of deliverance, like the one shared in the sermon, encourage others in their faith journey? [21:10]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt helpless and God intervened in your life. How did that experience shape your faith? [02:25]
The sermon emphasized the importance of recognizing and accepting Jesus' sacrifice for our salvation. How can you make this recognition a more integral part of your daily life? [13:11]
God's deliverance of the Israelites was complete and transformative. In what areas of your life do you need to trust God for complete redemption and transformation? [15:45]
Personal testimonies were shared to illustrate God's deliverance. Do you have a testimony of God's deliverance that you can share with someone this week? [21:10]
The urgency of salvation was a key point in the sermon. How can you respond to this urgency in your own life and in sharing the gospel with others? [30:38]
The sermon mentioned that God's deliverance is not based on our merits but on His grace. How does this truth impact the way you view yourself and others? [05:08]
Think about the metaphor of the eagle swooping down to save its exhausted eaglet. How can you be more aware of God's presence and intervention in your moments of weakness? [01:09]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Friends, we have a book full of promises. God's going to keep every one of those promises to us. He is a God who keeps his promises." [06:36] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus himself said in Matthew chapter 11 and verse 28, he said, Come unto me, all ye that labor are heavy laden, and I'll give you rest. He wants us to come, to him. He wants us to know him. He wants us to have a relationship with him. Why? Because he loves us." [18:29] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The only way to be saved is to realize that you cannot do it, to realize that you need a Savior from above, and then look up and ask to be saved. You know, we're told in Romans 10.13, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. At that moment. At that moment. That moment you call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, He will swoop down beneath you and bear you on His wings." [20:40] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I want to tell you something, church. My wife stepped foot into, to a church 22 years ago, not looking very churchy, okay? Our responsibility is to be fishers of men, not cleaners of the fish, okay? My wife stepped foot into a church, not looking the churchy part, and God cleaned her up, the same as he did for me." [26:21] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I grew up poor. I mean, poor, okay, and I don't remember much of anything my dad taught me except this. You never, ever, ever, ever pass up a free meal, okay? This guy calls. He says, I'll buy your lunch. I'm like, I have no idea what you want, but I'll put up with you if I can get a free meal out of this, but you know, I got a free meal that day, but I got something much better than that, because he opened a Bible, and he introduced me to the truth that could set me free." [28:36] (26 seconds) ( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "When God redeems, as he had just redeemed these people, he does a complete job of it. God never starts a work of redemption without finishing it. Amen? He started a work of redemption here. He's going to finish that work of redemption, but this time he's going to do it in an altogether different manner." [16:20] (17 seconds) ( | | )

2. "Friends, this was a judgment from an almighty God upon a sinful nation and a sinful people. The firstborn that lived through the night knew something beyond the shadow of a doubt. They knew that they had just been redeemed by the shed blood of a lamb. They knew it." [13:11] (17 seconds) ( | | )

3. "Friends, that's what it means to travel on eagle's wings. It speaks of our deliverance. It speaks of our salvation, all the way from slavery to freedom, from the brickyards to the promised land, from death to life, from helplessness to the very heart of an awesome God." [17:04] (16 seconds) ( | | )

4. "I tell you this morning, church, if you have never received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I invite you to do that today because the day is the day of salvation. It's not next month. It's not next year. It's not years from now. And you might say, well, why, Wes? It's because none of us are promised another breath." [30:38] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Maybe some of you, you're saved, but you've not been carrying out that great commission. There's lost people all around us. And when you leave this building, you're entering a mission field. I pray that you'll take that to heart. I pray that as you leave this building, you take to heart the fact that you have been given one of the greatest missions, and that is to reach this lost and dying world with the message of Jesus Christ." [33:54] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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Were there any personal stories shared?