Trusting God's Promises: The Power of Faith

 

Summary

In today's exploration of Exodus 12, we journey through the profound narrative of God's promise to Abraham and its unfolding through the generations. Abraham, despite having no children and facing an occupied promised land, trusted God's promise to bless him and make him a father of nations. This promise is not just historical but deeply relevant to us today, as it points to the coming of a deliverer through Abraham's line, through whom all nations would be blessed.

The story of Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, yet rising to a position of power in Egypt, is a testament to God's providence and the preservation of the promised line. This family, chosen by God, grew from 75 people to a nation of about 2 million during their 400 years in Egypt. However, a new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph, leading to the oppression of the Israelites, marking the first instance of systemic racism and anti-Semitism in the Bible.

The narrative takes a dark turn with Pharaoh's decree to drown every newborn Hebrew male, a grotesque act of state-sponsored infanticide. This highlights the danger when societies lose sight of the sacredness of human life, made in God's image. The sermon emphasizes that life is sacred because it is God-given, and when this truth is ignored, evil is unleashed.

In Exodus 12, God declares, "I am the Lord," revealing His self-sustaining, self-existent nature. This God, who revealed Himself to Moses through the burning bush, is not dependent on human belief for His existence. He is the "I Am," unchanging and sovereign. The plagues in Egypt were judgments on the Egyptian gods, demonstrating the futility of opposing God. Pharaoh's refusal to let the Israelites go led to escalating plagues, illustrating the futility of resisting God's will.

The Passover narrative introduces the concept of substitutionary atonement, where the blood of a lamb spared the Israelites from judgment. This foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. The application of the lamb's blood on the doorposts symbolizes the necessity of personal faith in Christ's sacrifice for salvation.

Key Takeaways:

- Trust in God's Promises: Abraham's faith in God's promise, despite impossible circumstances, teaches us to trust in God's faithfulness and timing. His promises are not bound by our limitations but are fulfilled through His sovereign will. [00:46]

- The Sacredness of Life: The narrative of Pharaoh's decree against Hebrew infants underscores the sacredness of human life, made in God's image. When societies disregard this truth, they open the door to profound evil. [09:09]

- God's Self-Existence: God's revelation to Moses as "I Am" highlights His self-existence and independence from human belief. He is unchanging and sovereign, existing by His own power, and not shaped by human preferences. [16:50]

- The Futility of Resisting God: Pharaoh's defiance against God's command illustrates the futility of resisting God's will. A fight against God is one that cannot be won, and reconciliation with Him is the path to peace. [21:27]

- The Necessity of Faith in Christ's Sacrifice: The Passover lamb's blood, which spared the Israelites, points to Christ's sacrifice. Salvation requires personal faith in Jesus, whose blood was shed for our sins, ensuring our safety from judgment. [32:25]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - God's Promise to Abraham
- [01:02] - The Line of Blessing
- [02:20] - Joseph's Story of Forgiveness
- [03:35] - Growth of Israel in Egypt
- [04:24] - A New Pharaoh's Oppression
- [05:12] - Systemic Racism and Anti-Semitism
- [07:24] - The Sacredness of Human Life
- [09:53] - God's Revelation to Moses
- [12:08] - Moses' Education and Belief
- [13:41] - The Burning Bush Encounter
- [16:00] - God's Self-Existence
- [20:22] - God's Judgment on Egyptian Gods
- [23:58] - The Plagues as a Lesson
- [24:28] - The Passover and Substitution
- [30:48] - Jesus, the Lamb of God
- [33:39] - The Urgency of Faith in Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Exodus 12:12-13
- Genesis 12:1-3
- John 1:29

---

Observation Questions:

1. What promise did God make to Abraham, and how did it relate to the future blessing of all nations? ([00:16])
2. How did Joseph's story demonstrate God's providence and the preservation of the promised line? ([02:20])
3. What was Pharaoh's decree regarding Hebrew infants, and what does it reveal about the value of human life in that society? ([06:49])
4. How did God reveal Himself to Moses, and what significance does the name "I Am" hold? ([10:08])

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Abraham's faith in God's promise, despite impossible circumstances, challenge our understanding of trust in God's timing and faithfulness? ([00:46])
2. In what ways does the narrative of Pharaoh's decree against Hebrew infants highlight the dangers of a society that disregards the sacredness of human life? ([09:09])
3. What does God's self-revelation as "I Am" teach us about His nature and independence from human belief? ([16:50])
4. How does the story of the plagues illustrate the futility of resisting God's will, and what lessons can we draw from Pharaoh's defiance? ([21:27])

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you had to trust in God's promises despite challenging circumstances. How did that experience shape your faith? ([00:46])
2. In today's world, where do you see the sacredness of human life being challenged, and how can you advocate for the value of life made in God's image? ([09:09])
3. How does understanding God's self-existence and sovereignty impact your daily life and decisions? Are there areas where you struggle to acknowledge His authority? ([16:50])
4. Have you ever found yourself resisting God's will in your life? What steps can you take to align yourself more closely with His purposes? ([21:27])
5. The Passover lamb's blood symbolizes faith in Christ's sacrifice. How can you ensure that your faith is active and personal, not just a tradition or ritual? ([32:25])
6. Consider the urgency of faith in Christ as presented in the sermon. How can you share this urgency with someone in your life who may not yet know Jesus? ([33:39])
7. What practical steps can you take this week to live out the truth that God is who He is, and not who we want Him to be? ([19:30])

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting Beyond Sight
In the story of Abraham, we see a profound example of faith in God's promises. Despite having no children and facing an occupied promised land, Abraham trusted in God's promise to make him a father of nations. This trust was not based on visible evidence but on the assurance of God's faithfulness and timing. Abraham's journey teaches us that God's promises are not limited by our circumstances or understanding. They are fulfilled through His sovereign will, often in ways we cannot foresee. As we reflect on Abraham's faith, we are encouraged to trust in God's promises, even when the path seems unclear. [00:46]

Genesis 15:5-6 (ESV): "And he brought him outside and said, 'Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.' Then he said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness."

Reflection: What is one promise from God that you find difficult to trust in right now? How can you actively choose to trust Him today, even when you can't see the outcome?


Day 2: The Sacredness of Life
The narrative of Pharaoh's decree to drown every newborn Hebrew male is a stark reminder of the sacredness of human life, made in God's image. This act of state-sponsored infanticide highlights the danger when societies lose sight of this truth. When the sanctity of life is disregarded, profound evil is unleashed. This story calls us to recognize the inherent value of every human life and to stand against any form of injustice that devalues it. As we reflect on this, we are reminded of our responsibility to uphold the dignity and worth of all people. [09:09]

Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV): "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

Reflection: How can you actively affirm the sacredness of life in your daily interactions and decisions? Is there a specific way you can advocate for the dignity of others today?


Day 3: The Unchanging "I Am"
God's revelation to Moses as "I Am" highlights His self-existence and independence from human belief. He is unchanging and sovereign, existing by His own power, not shaped by human preferences. This understanding of God challenges us to recognize His authority and to align our lives with His unchanging nature. In a world that often shifts with cultural trends and personal opinions, the constancy of God provides a firm foundation for our faith. As we reflect on this, we are invited to deepen our trust in the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. [16:50]

Malachi 3:6 (ESV): "For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to accept God's unchanging nature? How can you embrace His constancy as a source of strength and stability today?


Day 4: The Futility of Resisting God
Pharaoh's defiance against God's command illustrates the futility of resisting God's will. Despite the escalating plagues, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, demonstrating that a fight against God is one that cannot be won. This story serves as a powerful reminder that reconciliation with God is the path to peace. When we resist His will, we only bring turmoil upon ourselves. As we reflect on Pharaoh's story, we are encouraged to surrender our own stubbornness and to seek alignment with God's purposes. [21:27]

Proverbs 21:30 (ESV): "No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are resisting God's will? What steps can you take today to surrender and seek His guidance?


Day 5: Faith in the Lamb's Sacrifice
The Passover narrative introduces the concept of substitutionary atonement, where the blood of a lamb spared the Israelites from judgment. This foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. The application of the lamb's blood on the doorposts symbolizes the necessity of personal faith in Christ's sacrifice for salvation. As we reflect on this, we are reminded of the urgency of placing our faith in Jesus, whose sacrifice ensures our safety from judgment. [32:25]

1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV): "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."

Reflection: How does the reality of Christ's sacrifice impact your daily life? What is one way you can deepen your faith in His atoning work today?

Quotes


Abraham had to trust God; only God could deliver what God had promised. But Abraham believed God, and God counted it to him as righteousness. Now we saw that God's promise to Abraham is wonderfully relevant to each and every one of us. God said to Abraham, I will bless you, and through you, all the families of the earth will be blessed. [00:32:52]

When people lose sight of the truth that human life is sacred because it is made in the image of God, they begin to believe that human life is something over which someone else gets to choose. We have become very used to hearing about a woman's right to choose. [00:49:11]

When God is not known, human life will not be long valued, and where human life is not valued, evil will soon be unleashed. And here we have the grotesque evil of state-sponsored infanticide on racial lines. So here is a truth I think that our country desperately needs to hear and to grasp: human life is sacred. [00:52:17]

God states, I am the Lord. Exodus chapter 12 and verse 12. On all the gods of Egypt, I will execute judgments. I am the Lord. Now, when you see that title Lord with four capital letters in the Bible, and you will see that many, many, many times as here in Exodus chapter 12 and verse 5. [00:56:08]

This self-existent, self-sustaining God could not be confined to any time or any place. He exists by the power of His own being. And then God revealed the wonderful name by which He wanted His people to know Him. To Exodus 3 verse 14, God said to Moses, I am who I am. [01:02:23]

God does not depend on believers. He exists irrespective of whether we believe in Him. He is I am who I am, and because He exists by His own power, the fire doesn't depend on the fuel. He's never dependent upon us because He exists by His own power. [01:06:47]

Pharaoh took on a fight that he could not win, and the story of the plagues teaches us this very, very important point: the utter futility of taking on a fight with God. A fight with God is a fight you can never, never win, and the sooner you reconcile yourself to Him, the better. [01:11:25]

The blood shall be assigned to you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you or destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Now God always acts with perfect justice, and justice shows no partiality. [01:13:14]

Your life will be saved through the death of another. That's what it was like for Adam; that's what it was like for Isaac. This is how it will be for you. Without the shedding of blood, we're told in the New Testament, there is no forgiveness of sins. This is how it happens: your life is spared because another is laid down. [01:30:04]

The heart of the Christian gospel is that Jesus Christ has come to save you from the judgment of God, and it took the laying down of His life, the shedding of His own blood, taking your place for that great salvation to be given to you. Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. [01:45:00]

When you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the saving power of His shed blood will be applied to your life. I picture Moses going from house to house at the time where they were just preparing on that night. I picture this in my mind: is the blood on your house? Have you done it yet? [01:48:56]

At the end of the Bible story, if you run it all the way through, you'll find this marvelous scene, but all of the great redeeming purpose of God is fulfilled, and there's a marvelous multitude, a vast crowd of people, and they're rejoicing, saved from the judgment of God and reconciled to God and rejoicing in His presence. [01:52:15]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Aug 30, 2021. Do you have any questions about it?

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