Sermon Tone Analysis
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*Introduction: *In the journey from Egypt to Canaan, the Children of Israel came to a place called Marah, or bitterness.
This place was but the reflection of a condition that is to be found in every human heart.
*I.
The Problem *(Ex.
15:22-23)
* *
God allows His people to go through periods of testing.
We should be thankful for His refining process.
We should not be doubtful, perplexed, or amazed when we are tried (1 Pet.
4:12).
Having been delivered from the Egyptians, the Children of Israel immediately went into the wilderness, and after three days found themselves without water.
Because of their evil hearts of unbelief, they became bitter and resentful because of:
*The Failure of Human Resources* (Ex.
15:22)
Here the lack of water represents human inadequacy.
When we count on human resource there is always failure and disappointment.
This is true especially in the matter of spiritual growth.
*The Nature of Human Recourse*
When the water they carried failed, it appeared, at first, that there was no problem.
After all, there was a river ahead of them.
Here was their recourse.
However, that water was not only bitter and contaminated, and therefore, capable of transmitting disease.
*II.
The Poison *(Ex.
15:24)
* *
The acid test as to whether a person is in true victory is simply this: when the challenge comes, does he turn to the Lord with the faith of contentment, or run from the Lord with the fire of resentment?
Where there is resentment and bitterness, there is:
*The Poison of Destructive Criticism* (Ex.
15:24)
Moses was the God-ordained leader commissioned by God, doing exactly what God had directed, but the people murmured against Him when there was no water.
When we take our eyes off the Lord during periods of testing, our perspective becomes blurred and we begin to blame others.
* *
*The Poison of Disruptive Cynicism* (Ex.
15:24)
When we are out of God's will, we not only blame the wrong people, but we ask the wrong questions.
We fail to see our problems as opportunities for God to demonstrate His power.
We get bogged down in confusion and frustration because there seems to be no answer.
*III.
The Purging *(Ex.
15:25)
* *
Moses cut the tree and /plunged /it into the water.
Whatever poison was in that water creating disease was immediately cleansed, and the waters became pure and sweet again.
There is no bitterness of experience in our lives that cannot be sweetened by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Having demonstrated that He had an answer to every problem God said His people were to:
*Hear His Voice
* *
If they had just lifted their hearts to the Lord He would have answered, just as He answered Moses.
Asking God to meet our needs presupposes an active faith in Him.
Listening to His voice is a mark of true Christianity.
People who follow close to the Lord Jesus Christ will never be tempted to murmur or grumble or complain because they are hearing His voice, and that is all that matters.
*Seek His Face* (Ex.
15:26)
The shining face of Jehovah, the light of His face, was always an evidence of the favor of God, of walking in the light, of communion with God.
By the same token, whenever God turned away His face, it was because the people lost favor--they had sinned and were out of the light.
*Know His Grace* (Ex.
15:26)
That concept of healing is the unmerited grace of God applied to all our needs.
A person walking in obedience knows the grace of his Lord moment by moment, and there is a constant purging and healing each day.
*Conclusion:* Even though we are saved and on our way to heaven, that old nature within us still acts and reacts with bitterness and resentment.
But thank the Lord, with the problem and poison of bitterness there is purging.
God has the answer.
We must hear His voice, seek His face, and know His grace if we are to enjoy a life of victory.
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