Delivered to Dwell: Understanding Biblical Freedom

 

Summary

Freedom is often misunderstood in our secular culture as the absence of responsibility, allowing us to do whatever we please. However, biblical freedom is directed towards a greater purpose, which is what we will explore in our new series on the book of Exodus. This story is not just ancient history; it is our story too. My personal journey began when my family moved to Liberia as missionaries. Liberia's history is marked by a tragic irony: those who fled oppression in America became oppressors themselves in Africa. This cycle of the oppressed becoming oppressors is a recurring theme in human history, and it highlights the need for genuine transformation through God's presence.

The book of Exodus is central to our faith, much like the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus in the New Testament. It tells the story of Israel's deliverance from 400 years of slavery in Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land. This series, "Delivered to Dwell," emphasizes that God delivers us not just to set us free but to dwell with us. We are redeemed for relationship, set free to worship, and saved to serve. Deliverance is not the end goal; dwelling with God is the ultimate purpose.

As we embark on this series, we must remember that God is in control, holy, and faithful to His promises. He acts for our salvation and speaks to us, calling us to worship Him. The story of Exodus reminds us of the importance of fearing God over man. The Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, exemplified this by disobeying Pharaoh's orders to kill Hebrew baby boys because they feared God more than Pharaoh. Their actions demonstrate that fearing God is liberating, freeing us from the disabling fear of earthly powers.

In our current season of uncertainty, we must resist fear and cultural pressure, prioritizing our faith in God. Whether it's being bold in our faith, prioritizing worship over worldly success, or standing for truth in our workplaces, we are called to trust God. The Exodus story reminds us that God's ultimate purpose is to be known and proclaimed throughout the earth. As we journey through this series, let us pray for a deeper understanding of God's word and for His name to be proclaimed faithfully.

Key Takeaways:

- Biblical freedom is not about doing whatever we want but is directed towards a greater purpose: dwelling with God. We are redeemed for relationship, set free to worship, and saved to serve. Deliverance is not the end goal; dwelling with God is the ultimate purpose. [03:39]

- The cycle of the oppressed becoming oppressors is a recurring theme in human history. Without genuine transformation through God's presence, this cycle continues. It is a sin issue that elevates self above God's authority, creating division. [07:22]

- The story of Exodus is central to our faith, much like the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus in the New Testament. It tells the story of Israel's deliverance from 400 years of slavery in Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land. [11:19]

- Fearing God is liberating, freeing us from the disabling fear of earthly powers. The Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, exemplified this by disobeying Pharaoh's orders to kill Hebrew baby boys because they feared God more than Pharaoh. [21:28]

- In our current season of uncertainty, we must resist fear and cultural pressure, prioritizing our faith in God. Whether it's being bold in our faith, prioritizing worship over worldly success, or standing for truth in our workplaces, we are called to trust God. [26:36]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Freedom
- [01:15] - Personal Story: Liberia
- [03:39] - The Cycle of Oppression
- [05:00] - Biblical Freedom Explained
- [07:22] - Launching the Exodus Series
- [09:00] - Importance of the Exodus Story
- [11:19] - God's Promise and Multiplication
- [13:45] - The New Pharaoh's Oppression
- [16:03] - Remembering God's Covenant
- [18:30] - The Role of Fear in Faith
- [21:28] - Shiphrah and Puah's Courage
- [24:00] - Civil Disobedience in the Bible
- [26:36] - Biblical Justice and Worship
- [30:45] - God's Ultimate Purpose in Exodus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Delivered to Dwell

Bible Reading:
- Exodus 1:1-22
- Genesis 46:3-4
- Deuteronomy 4:9-10

Observation Questions:
1. What was the historical context of the Israelites' situation in Egypt, and how did it lead to their oppression? [11:19]
2. How did the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, respond to Pharaoh's orders, and what motivated their actions? [21:28]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the cycle of the oppressed becoming oppressors, and how is this related to the story of Liberia? [03:39]
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of the Exodus story to the Christian faith? [07:22]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the sermon imply about the nature of biblical freedom compared to secular freedom, and how does this relate to the concept of dwelling with God? [07:22]
2. How does the story of the Hebrew midwives illustrate the concept of fearing God over man, and what does this teach about moral courage? [21:28]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Exodus story is a foreshadowing of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus? [11:19]
4. How does the sermon connect the theme of God's faithfulness to His promises with the multiplication of the Israelites in Egypt? [11:19]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt pressured to conform to cultural norms that conflicted with your faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? [26:36]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of fearing God over man. How can you cultivate a deeper reverence for God in your daily life? [21:28]
3. Consider the cycle of oppression mentioned in the sermon. Are there areas in your life where you might be perpetuating this cycle, even unintentionally? How can you seek transformation through God's presence? [03:39]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of remembering God's promises. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of God's faithfulness during challenging times? [16:03]
5. How can you prioritize worship and service to God over worldly success in your current season of life? What specific changes might you need to make? [26:36]
6. The sermon calls for boldness in faith. Is there a specific area where you feel called to be more vocal or active in your faith? What steps can you take to act on this calling? [26:36]
7. Reflect on the idea that deliverance is not the end goal but dwelling with God is. How can you deepen your relationship with God this week, and what might that look like in your daily routine? [07:22]

Devotional

Day 1: Freedom for a Greater Purpose
Biblical freedom is not about doing whatever we want but is directed towards a greater purpose: dwelling with God. True freedom is found in being redeemed for relationship, set free to worship, and saved to serve. Deliverance is not the end goal; dwelling with God is the ultimate purpose. This understanding of freedom challenges the secular view that equates freedom with the absence of responsibility. Instead, it invites us to see freedom as an opportunity to live in communion with God, fulfilling His purpose for our lives. [03:39]

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you use your freedom to serve others and deepen your relationship with God today?


Day 2: Breaking the Cycle of Oppression
The cycle of the oppressed becoming oppressors is a recurring theme in human history. Without genuine transformation through God's presence, this cycle continues. It is a sin issue that elevates self above God's authority, creating division. This pattern is evident in the history of Liberia, where those who fled oppression became oppressors themselves. The story of Exodus reminds us of the need for transformation that only God's presence can bring, breaking the cycle of sin and division. [07:22]

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you are tempted to respond to oppression with oppression? How can you invite God's transformative presence into that situation?


Day 3: The Centrality of Exodus
The story of Exodus is central to our faith, much like the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus in the New Testament. It tells the story of Israel's deliverance from 400 years of slavery in Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land. This narrative is not just ancient history; it is our story too. It speaks to God's faithfulness, His power to deliver, and His desire to dwell with His people. As we study Exodus, we are reminded of God's promises and His ultimate purpose for His people. [11:19]

"And I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians." (Exodus 6:7, ESV)

Reflection: How does the story of Exodus inspire you to trust in God's promises and His plan for your life?


Day 4: The Liberating Fear of God
Fearing God is liberating, freeing us from the disabling fear of earthly powers. The Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, exemplified this by disobeying Pharaoh's orders to kill Hebrew baby boys because they feared God more than Pharaoh. Their actions demonstrate that fearing God is not about being afraid but about revering Him above all else. This reverence empowers us to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of opposition. [21:28]

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." (Proverbs 9:10, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are more afraid of human opinion than God's? How can you cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord that leads to wisdom and courage?


Day 5: Trusting God in Uncertainty
In our current season of uncertainty, we must resist fear and cultural pressure, prioritizing our faith in God. Whether it's being bold in our faith, prioritizing worship over worldly success, or standing for truth in our workplaces, we are called to trust God. The Exodus story reminds us that God's ultimate purpose is to be known and proclaimed throughout the earth. As we navigate uncertain times, we are invited to trust in God's sovereignty and His faithfulness to His promises. [26:36]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area of uncertainty in your life where you need to trust God more? How can you actively choose to trust Him today?

Quotes

"What does freedom mean to you? Our secular culture has made it out to mean being free from responsibility so we can do whatever we want. But biblical freedom is directed towards something greater. And that's what we're going to unpack in this brand new series in the book of Exodus." [00:00:00] (17 seconds)


"And this isn't just a Liberia thing. This is a cycle of human history that unless people are genuinely transformed by the presence of God and learn to surrender and to become a servant leader, then the oppressed become the next oppressors. It's very predictable. It happens in every culture and country and race." [00:03:39] (23 seconds)


"It's at the very center of our faith which then sets the stage for the coming of Christ. And the theme that God has given us for this series is delivered to dwell, that God delivers his people not merely to set them free but to dwell with them, meaning that we are redeemed for relationship. We're set free to worship. We're saved to serve, meaning deliverance isn't the end goal. Dwelling with God is the ultimate purpose." [00:06:11] (36 seconds)


"And I believe that God's word will speak right into your situation in this season. Can we trust that God's going to do that over these next few weeks and months? Because the enemy would love to take advantage of the fear that you're experiencing right now and get you to change your priorities in life, to start centering the fear of man over the fear of God. And this has been the enemy's playbook from the very beginning." [00:07:22] (31 seconds)


"And this has always been the tactic of the enemy, to try to suppress the growth of God's people, the growth of God's church, through cultural pressure, through persecution, and through spiritual deception. It's why we have to learn how to live, as it says in Hebrews, as strangers and exiles in this world. Meaning that you can't have the mental framework that this world is your primary home." [00:18:31] (25 seconds)


"The midwives, however, this is the most important verse for us today. The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do. They let the boys live. Notice it doesn't say, you know, that they couldn't bear to see them harmed in this way. Or it doesn't say that the Hebrew midwives did this because they loved God." [00:21:28] (31 seconds)


"Fearing God doesn't mean being terrified of God, but it means being afraid of the consequences of disobeying God. To fear God is to revere him, to obey him, to trust him above all else, above all the competing factors. You know, in our day and age, we like to focus on love, on love for God. And that's for good reason. That's the greatest of all is love, right?" [00:22:48] (27 seconds)


" liberating. Many people think that the fear of God is like a restricting thing, but it's actually freeing. It frees us from living in the disabling fear of political leaders or evil dictators who are more powerful than we are. Puah and Shiphrah clearly feared God's judgment after death more than the earthly death that Pharaoh could inflict upon them." [00:24:53] (25 seconds)


"Of course, there's the apostles in Acts 5 who refused to stop preaching the gospel, declaring that we must obey God rather than men. There's in the book of Revelation, we read of those who chose loyalty to Christ above submission to the demands of the state. In Christ's letter to the seven churches, there's references to some of them who suffered as martyrs because of the word of God and the testimony that they maintained in the face of persecution." [00:25:59] (28 seconds)


"begins the teaching throughout the whole Bible that I'm so passionate about of biblical justice. That we as the church need to be teaching and modeling for society. Biblical justice is about the call to worship and serve God in the midst of and on the other side of oppression. It's not just freedom from, but it's freedom for. It's I'm not just going to tear down, but I'm going to build up. And this understanding that freedom comes with responsibility." [00:26:46] (35 seconds)


"And so as we begin this series, I want you to ask yourself, where is Pharaoh's fear trying to control your life? Where's Pharaoh's fear trying to control your life? And and and What is God calling you to trust him with today? What is he calling you to trust him with today? God's ultimate purpose. We're going to unpack this more and more in the coming weeks, but God's ultimate purpose in Exodus." [00:31:53] (28 seconds)


"And it's not just an Exodus. It's in the midst of whatever you're facing today. His ultimate purpose is that he would be known and proclaimed throughout all the earth to all the nations. And so that's what I want to pray that would come out of whatever you might be going through, that you would know God better and that his name would be proclaimed even more faithfully. Let's pray together." [00:32:21] (24 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?