But God...Took Them the Long Way
Notes
Transcript
Handout
(S1)
SERIES—BUT with God
Pray—Bibles
You can’t get there from here!
Hilton Head Island
Travel plans—Route? Short/Long Way/Direct/Shortest
“17 When Pharaoh let the people go...
The begining of the Israelites journey out of Egypt.
— Joseph—Egypt—Moses—Plagues—Exodus—Freedom—Destination—Canaan
Egypt was never meant to be their home. Gods plan was always for their salvation
Psalm 47:4 He chose the Promised Land as our inheritance, the proud possession of Jacob’s descendants, whom he loves.
Yet, they would discover that it was as much about the journey as it was about the destination.
(S2) — What are you doing God?
If you Google maps Caanan from Egypt—The Direct route was not God’s choice. God’s would take them, not the most direct and shortest route, but the longest
17 God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land 18 BUT GOD...led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness
Ever wanted to ask that question…?
With God...the long way is not the wrong way!
Why? Because they needed to learn some things about God and themselves. they would need to learn to TRUST in God...
Great Lakes GMC Convening Conference—Trusting each other—God
“Trust in yourself and you are doomed to disappointment; trust in money and you may have it take from you, but trust in God, you are never to be confounded in time or eternity.’ D.L. Moody
What are you doing, God? — Are you willing to trust Him in your circumstances? There is a BUT God in your life?
(S3)
The people left Egypt left under the leadership of Moses. On the long way...to the promised land, they would need to first learn to trust in...
God’s Divine LEADERSHIP
God’s Divine LEADERSHIP
“17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter.
That God was not only with them, but LEADING them...
Follow the Leader/youth/chairs
When we trust in God’s divine leading, he may take us the long way, but what I’ve learned—It’s never the wrong way…because He wants to teach us something on the journey
85 Newly Ordained Clergy—Higher calling—Laity (called people)
With God, the long way is never the wrong way if we trust in Him!
(S4)
There were two routes by which God could have led Israel.
1. WAY OF THE SEA—running along the northeast to the edge of the Mediterranean and thence up to Gaza.”
2. WAY OF THE WILDERNESS— Desert of Shur…Sin
One was shorter, quicker and abundant with provision—the other was...
They would not only have to trust in God’s divine leadership, and trust in...
(S5)
God’s PURPOSE in leading them
God’s PURPOSE in leading them
“17“If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.””
The way of the sea was fortified with enemy posts along the way—God’s purpose in leading them the long way, was...
(S6)
I. God’s purpose in leading them was to PROTECT them
I. God’s purpose in leading them was to PROTECT them
…but not from the enemy, from themselves. God knew their human nature...
He knows ours — prone to wander—to sin—not trusting, wanting to return to what we know
Why addictions are so powerful
God’s purpose was to protect them so they would STAY with him, even if it was the long way
God know we need his protection…the purpose of salvation—Jesus
(S7)
1 Thessalonians 5:8 “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
God’s purpose in leading them was to PROTECT them
God has taken me the long way to get me to where I need to be spiritually...God will do the same for you when you trust in his purpose to protect you
God’s purpose in leading us...is to protect us
“18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.”
The long way, they still would face there enemy, but...
(S8)
II. God’s purpose in leading them was to show them his POWER
II. God’s purpose in leading them was to show them his POWER
Red Sea—Conquering the enemy—commanded the Israelites attention
No enemy is to big for God—He wanted them to know that he was greater than any enemy they would face
Greater is he who is in you…than he who is in the world
God’s purpose was to have a people whose testimony to the world would be, “Saved by the power of God.” Through the Bible Book by Book
There is power for us today in the name of Jesus...
Acts 3:16 “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.”
When we trust in his power, there is no enemy to great, nothing we can face that God won’t lead us through
God’s purpose in leading us today...is to show us is power
“19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.”
God’s purpose in leading them was so they would
(S9)
III. Remain FAITHFUL to Him
III. Remain FAITHFUL to Him
Taking the remains of Joseph, who saved his family…would remind them of the covenant of God to Abraham, Jacob and them that they would prosper...
God will surely come to your aid…if you remain faithful and trust in my purpose for leading you...
Joni Eareckson Tada—Promises of God
How do we remain faithful today? By trusting in his word—his son—New covenant
Luke 22:20 “After the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
God’s purpose in leading us is so that we will remain faithful
Why are we becoming a GM church?
(S10)
They trusted in God’s divine leadership and discovered His purpose in leading..
PROTECTION—POWER—FAITHFUL
They knew God was with them
21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
How do we know God is divinely present with us and leading us today?
Jesus took the way of the wilderness for you and me...
He promised the gift of the spirit who resides in every believer today—Word/Holy Spirit—speaks, convicts and convinces and leads us...
(S11)
Psalm 139“7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
God was leading them to an INTENDED future…to the mountain of God…to himself...and in Jesus does the same for you.
Colossians 3:24 “since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
(S12) — What are you doing God?
We have to learn to trust God so we can trust each other....It may be the long way, the way of the wilderness
Do you trust God enough to let him lead you in your life?
…that he will protect you, show you his power and help you remain faithful?
We are all on a journey. The way of the sea…the way of the wilderness?
Good News..we’re not alone in it—God desire has always been our salvation
There is only one way to get to God from here...to put your trust in Jesus