Sermon Central
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Let My People Go
Contributed by Brett Crosson on Jun 10, 2019 (message contributor)
Summary: A lack of commitment to God and His kingdom may be an indicator that we are still somewhat bound in certain areas of our lives. Christ wants us to be set free so that we can serve the purposes of God.
NIV 6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke (burdens) of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves (bondage) to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm...
Prayer
A little background to put that verse in context:
Exodus 5 ...Moses goes to Pharoah with a message....with a Word from God
The message is really in Two parts:
1. Let my people go!
This reveals the heart of God. God does not want the enemy to have any control over your life.
2. That they may worship me!
The Word worship in Hebrew means ‘to serve’
Jesus uses this in Matthew 4: it is written you shall worship the Lord your God and serve him only.
And to serve means to obey
Jesus said: John 14:15 if you love me you will obey my commands.
Not because we have to
But because we love to
This is the main purpose for which we were created....
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord
But creation has fallen
Yet Christ came to redeem that purpose
He said in John 4: The Father seeks true worshippers....
The main reason we are saved...so that we can declare the praises of him:
See 1 Pet 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth (proclaim...declare) the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
It is as though God is saying:
Pharaoh, you are holding my people in bondage, you are preventing them from worshipping me....you are preventing them from serving me.
You are standing in their way
And because you are standing in their way, you are standing in my way.
Ex 5:2
2 Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.”
Pharoah then accuses them of being lazy....makes things harder....collect own straw.... and produce the same amount of bricks
The people complained.....they became angry with Moses...and said: may the Lord judge you
Then Moses goes to God and complains...
Why did you send me here....
It’s in this set of circumstances that God speaks a Word:
NIV 6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke (burdens) of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves (bondage) to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm...
Just because your circumstances are bad, does not mean that God has abandoned his plan to redeem you...from your burden ...from your bondage
In fact when your circumstances turn bad it’s a sign that God is about to get some glory out of your circumstances....
When darkness covered the earth, God stepped onto the scene and said!!!
He can turn things around with the power of His Word.
When Sarah thought she could never fall pregnant..God said: by this time next year!
When we think all hope is gone...our God does great and mighty things!
When we think our enemies are too strong for us....Jesus says I came that you may have life....
This is what you must say to my people: I am the Lord. And there are three things I’m going to do for them.
Let’s break that down a little:
1. I am the Lord
I am Jehovah...Yahweh ....I am who I am
If you need healing, I am ..Jehovah Rapha the Lord who heals you.
If you need peace, I am ...Jehovah shalom, the God who is your peace.
If you need provision ...Jehovah the Lord your Provider.
If you are in trouble... I am Jehovah shammah, the God who is there, an ever present help in the time of trouble.
When it feels like hell... I am Jehovah sabboath ...the Lord of hosts
When the devil accuses you... I am Jehovah tsidkenu...the Lord your righteousness
When you’re thirsty...I am the living water
When you’re hungry..I am the bread of life
When you’re lost, I am the way
When you’re confused..a I am truth
When you’re dying in your sins....I am your life
When you want to get to heaven....I am the door
When you need a guide...I am the great shepherd
When you’re sitting in a dark cave....I am the light
I am the Alpha, omega...The ancient of days...the anointed one...
Tell the Israelites I am the Lord
I am the one who revealed myself to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
I am the one who made a covenant
I am a covenant making, covenant keeping God
If I say it I will bring it to pass
Tell my people I have come to them.
