Spiritual Growth is Not an Option
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Israel's Reaction to Change and Challenges
Israel's Reaction to Change and Challenges
As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the LORD, and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’ ”
But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
1. Israel complained 14 times about their circumstances.
Ex. 5:1-22 - Pharaoh and the Straw
Ex. 14:11-12 - Just before crossing the Red Sea
Ex. 15:22 - No Water
Ex. 16:1-4 - hunger
Ex. 17:1-4 - Thirsty again
Ex. 32:28 - The people forsake God
Num. 11 - complaining about food again
Num 12:1-13 - Complain about leadership (Miriam & Aaron complain about Moses)
Num 14:1-10 - the difficulty of entering the promise land
Num. 14:10 - People try to kill Moses and pick a new leader
Num 16 - They rebel against Moses again
Num. 16:41 - continue complaining about Moses and his leadership
Num. 20:1-5 - water issues again.
Num 21:4-5 - angry with God and Moses
Israel is Stuck
Israel is Stuck
a. Two ways of getting stuck.
1. Keep looking back.
2. Stay where you are.
You will never grow if you keep looking back, or refuse to move at all!
Spiritual Growth is Not an Option
Spiritual Growth is Not an Option
So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
1. Scripture calls us to grow and change.
2. God provide's everything we need for change.
a. Be prepared to be uncomfortable.
b. Be prepared to take some risks.
Paul's Final Advice to the Thessalonians
Paul's Final Advice to the Thessalonians
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.
1. This advice is God's will for us!
2. This advice is the key to growing in Christ.
a. Being full of joy, constantly prayerful, and thankful always is the posture we need in order to grow in Christ!
3. We need the Holy Spirit to show us the way, and produce this type of heart.
Big Idea: Looking back, or staying in the same place doesn't produce growth. The scriptures tell us that getting stuck is NOT the will of God. God's will for us is to grow mature in Christ Jesus.