Enjoy The Spiritual Journey

I. EXORDIUM:

Are you enjoying the journey?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that we need to live in godly contentment and enjoy the journey with JESUS.

IV. TEXT:

Exodus 13:17 (Amplified Bible)

13:17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God led them not by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer; for God said, Lest the people change their purpose when they see war and return to Egypt.

V. THESIS:

Praise, worship and thank You very much LORD JESUS for we enjoy the spiritual journey we have with You, we don't mind if the journey is long or short as long as You are travelling with us as a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.

VI. TITLE:

Enjoy the spiritual journey

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author and Central Character: Moses

B. Date written: 1447-1410 b.c.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

C. Purpose: To be a permanent reminder of God's redemptive act on Passover night; and of His care and direction, through the cloud of day and the pillar of fire of night, during His people's wilderness wanderings on the way to Canaan.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

D. To whom written: Each new generation of Israel

E. Main Theme: History of Israel from death of Joseph to the erection of the tabernacle

F. Key word: deliverance

G. Key verses:

Exodus 12:40-43 (Amplified Bible)

12:40 Now the time the Israelites dwelt in Egypt was 430 years.

12:41 At the end of the 430 years, even that very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out of Egypt.

12:42 It was a night of watching unto the Lord and to be much observed for bringing them out of Egypt; this same night of watching unto the Lord is to be observed by all the Israelites throughout their generations.

12:43 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the Passover: No foreigner shall eat of it;

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. GOD could lead us to a way that was nearer

"When Pharaoh let the people go, God led them not by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer;"

If we think he leads not his people the nearest way, yet we may be sure he leads them the best way, and so it will appear when we come to our journey's end. [Source: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary]

GOD's leading is always the best not the shortest.

1. GOD will lead us to the best way not the shortest.

Psalms 25:12 (New Century Version)

25:12 Are there those who respect the Lord? He will point them to the best way.

2. Apostle Paul is teaching the best way not the short way.

1 Corinthians 12:31 (New Century Version)

12:31 But you should truly want to have the greater gifts. And now I will show you the best way of all.

3. Our final outcome has hope

Jeremiah 29:11 (Amplified Bible)

29:11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

The end justifies the means. We don't live this way. We live in the way of the LORD, justified means and justified ways and ends.

4. All things work together for our best but not all things are good.

Romans 8:28 (Amplified Bible)

8:28 We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

5. Righteousness is preparing our way and our every footsteps

Psalms 85:13 (Amplified Bible)

85:13 Righteousness shall go before Him and shall make His footsteps a way in which to walk.

6. Way of the LORD - JESUS CHRIST (John 14:6)

Proverbs 10:29 (Amplified Bible)

10:29 The way of the Lord is strength and a stronghold to the upright, but it is destruction to the workers of iniquity.

7. The way and leading of the LORD is not quick but slow.

Proverbs 28:20 (Amplified Bible)

28:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich [at any cost] shall not go unpunished.

Proverbs 13:11 (Amplified Bible)

13:11 Wealth [not earned but] won in haste or unjustly or from the production of things for vain or detrimental use [such riches] will dwindle away, but he who gathers little by little will increase [his riches].

Proverbs 20:21 (Amplified Bible)

20:21 An inheritance hastily gotten [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning, in the end it will not be blessed.

B. But we could change our purpose when we see war and return