Attitudes

Attitudes

(Exo 13:17 18 KJV) And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: {18} But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

We know where they were (Egypt), why they were there (rebellion) and how long they were there (400) years. After 400 years, why did they finally decide they wanted out?

I. Because They Were Tired of things as they were.

(Exo 3:7 KJV) And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

Things will never be different as long as we are satisfied or as long as we have our feet facing one direction and our heart another.

Things will never be different until we accept responsibility and stop wishing we had what others have.

Topic: Labor

A poor, hungry man stood idly on a bridge watching some fishermen. Seeing one of them with a basket full of fish by his side, he said, "if I had a catch like that, I’d be happy. I’d sell it and buy some food and clothes." "I’ll give you that many fish if you do a small favor for me," said the fisherman. "What do you want me to do?" came the reply. "Just tend this line a while. I’ve got some business down the street." Gladly the young man accepted the offer. After the man left, the trout and bass continued snapping greedily at the baited hook. Soon he lost all his depression in the excitement of pulling in a large number of fish. When the angler returned, he said to the young man, "I’ll keep my promise to you by giving you everything you’ve caught. And I hope you’ve learned a lesson. You mustn’t waste time daydreaming and merely wishing for things. Instead, get busy and cast in a line for yourself."

The children of Israel were slaves. They were the major workforce for Pharaoh.

On the one hand they were taken care of. They had:

food, shelter, clothing, a job

But they were slaves. They were controlled by others, they could not come and go as they pleased.

Many in the church are slaves today! They are slaves to materialism, job life! We allow things to control us! Not Me, you say! You just watch how fast you jump when things tell you to!

II. They Wanted out of Egypt but needed some help

A) They cried out to God

He was there all the time. They were never alone. But God only intervenes when we ask Him to.

We need some help too! We can=t just sit back and say it can=t be done. We need to cry out to The Lord for deliverance:

Help us build this church

Tim needs help in visitation

We need help with cleaning

We need help with Wednesday night prayer meeting

Our Youth need people committed to them through God

AWe will forever be slaves to Awhat is,@ until we ask God about what Acan be!@

III. They Left Egypt Because They Could

Four hundred years they had been slaves. But when they realized that they belonged to God and began to pray for deliverance God heard them and remembered His promises.

We need to change things in this church because WE CAN!!

God has made promises to the church, but we need to claim those promises and get on with it! When we cry out to God in sincerity as they did, He will hear and He will answer.

Things might get worse before they get better. When Moses showed up on the scene ans started talking to Pharaoh things got much worse. Not only did they have to continue making brick, (Exo 5:7 9 KJV) Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. {8} And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. {9} Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labor therein; and let them not regard vain words.

There will always be opposition to change. From within as well as without. Sometimes we are so rooted into our ways that it takes much time, effort, suffering, and obedience to deliver us. But our God can do it!