Introduction

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. I am delighted to see each one of you here today, gathered in the house of the Lord, ready to receive His word and His blessings. We are here, not by chance, but by divine appointment. God has a message for us today, a message that will inspire us, encourage us, and guide us as we navigate the journey of life.

Our sermon today is titled "Moving Forward," and it is a message that is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago when it was first delivered to the Israelites. It is a message that speaks to our hearts, our minds, and our spirits. It is a message that challenges us to keep moving, to keep pressing on, to keep reaching for the promises of God, no matter what obstacles we may encounter along the way.

Before we delve into the heart of our message, let us turn our hearts and minds to the Word of God. Our scripture reading today comes from the book of Exodus, chapter 14, verse 15. In this passage, we find the Israelites standing at the edge of the Red Sea, trapped between the sea in front of them and the Egyptian army behind them. They are terrified, they are desperate, they are crying out to God for help. And God's response to them is both surprising and profound. He says to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on."

What a powerful message! God is not telling the Israelites to stand still, to wait for Him to rescue them, to wait for Him to work a miracle. No, He is telling them to move on, to keep moving forward, to keep pressing on towards the promises He has given them. And that is the message He has for us today. He is telling us to keep moving forward, to keep pressing on, to keep reaching for the promises He has given us.

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, for this opportunity to gather together in your presence, to hear your Word, to receive your blessings. We ask that you open our hearts and minds to the message you have for us today. Help us to understand your Word, to apply it to our lives, to live it out in our daily walk with you. Help us to keep moving forward, to keep pressing on, to keep reaching for the promises you have given us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Now, imagine for a moment that you are standing at the edge of a vast ocean. The waves are crashing against the shore, the wind is howling, the sky is dark and stormy. Behind you, there is a vast army, ready to attack, ready to destroy. You are trapped, you are desperate, you are afraid. But then, you hear a voice, a voice that is calm and steady, a voice that is full of authority and power. The voice says, "Move on."

That is the voice of God. That is the voice that spoke to the Israelites at the Red Sea. That is the voice that speaks to us today. It is a voice that does not promise an easy journey, a voice that does not promise a life free from challenges and difficulties. But it is a voice that promises victory, a voice that promises deliverance, a voice that promises a future filled with hope and blessings.

So, let us heed that voice. Let us keep moving forward. Let us keep pressing on. Let us keep reaching for the promises of God. And as we do, let us remember that we are not alone. God is with us, guiding us, strengthening us, empowering us. He is our rock, our fortress, our deliverer. He is our God, and we are His people. And with His help, we can and we will keep moving forward into the promises He has given us. Amen.

Trusting in God's Promises

Scripture Reference: Exodus 14:15 (NIV)

"Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.'"

God's promises are not just words. They are the very essence of His character, a reflection of His love and faithfulness. In Exodus 14:15, we see a powerful example of this. The Israelites are standing at the edge of the Red Sea, with the Egyptian army closing in behind them. They are terrified, crying out to God for deliverance. And God's response? "Move on."

Now, this might seem like a strange response. After all, they're standing at the edge of a sea. Where are they supposed to go? But God isn't just telling them to move physically. He's telling them to move spiritually, to step out in faith and trust in His promises.

Let's look at this in more detail.

Firstly, God's command to "move on" is a call to action. It's not enough to simply hear God's promises; we must also act on them. The Israelites could have stood on the shore of the Red Sea all day, praying and crying out to God. But it wasn't until they stepped forward in faith that they saw God's deliverance. In the same way, we must not just hear God's promises but also act on them. We must step out in faith, trusting that God will fulfill His promises to us.

Secondly, God's command to "move on" is a call to trust. The Israelites were in a seemingly impossible situation. The sea was in front of them, and the Egyptian army was behind them. But God had promised to deliver them, and He was calling them to trust in that promise. In the same way, we may find ourselves in seemingly impossible situations. But we must trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem to contradict them.

The Hebrew word for "move on" in this verse is "nasa," which means to journey, to go forward. It's a word that implies progress, movement, advancement. God is not calling us to stand still in our faith, but to move forward, to journey deeper into His promises.

As the great theologian C.S. Lewis once said, "Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done." Every day is a new opportunity to trust in God's promises, to step out in faith, to "move on."

Thirdly, God's command to "move on" is a call to hope. The Israelites were in a desperate situation. They were trapped, with no apparent way out. But God had promised to deliver them, and He was calling them to hope in that promise. In the same way, we may find ourselves in desperate situations. But we must hope in God's promises, even when circumstances seem hopeless.

Finally, God's command to "move on" is a call to perseverance. The journey through the Red Sea wasn't easy. The Israelites had to walk through a sea, with walls of water on either side of them. But they persevered, trusting in God's promise of deliverance. In the same way, the journey of faith isn't always easy. But we must persevere, trusting in God's promises, even when the journey is difficult.

So let's heed God's command to "move on." Let's act on His promises, trust in His promises, hope in His promises, and persevere in His promises. For His promises are sure and steadfast, a reflection of His unchanging love and faithfulness.

Promises from Exodus 14:15

Scripture Reference: Exodus 14:15 (NIV)

"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.'"

In the book of Exodus, we find the Israelites at the edge of the Red Sea. Behind them, the Egyptians. Before them, a vast body of water. They were stuck. But God had a message for them, "Move on."

God's Promises are a Call to Action

God's promises are not just comforting words. They are a call to action. When God told the Israelites to move on, He was telling them to act on His promise. He had promised to deliver them, and now it was time for them to step into that promise. God's promises are not passive; they require our active participation.

God's Promises are a Source of Courage

In the face of the Red Sea, the Israelites were terrified. But God's promise gave them courage. They knew God was with them, and that gave them the strength to move forward. God's promises are not just words; they are a source of courage in the face of fear.

God's Promises are a Guide for Our Journey

God's promise to the Israelites was a guide for their journey. It led them through the Red Sea and into the Promised Land. God's promises are not just comforting words; they are a guide for our journey. They lead us into the future God has planned for us.

Scripture Reference: Matthew 14:29 (NIV)

"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

In the New Testament, we see a similar theme in the story of Peter walking on water. Jesus calls Peter to step out of the boat and walk towards Him. Like the Israelites, Peter was faced with a seemingly impossible situation. But Jesus' promise gave him the courage to step out in faith.

God's Promises are a Beacon of Hope

In the midst of the storm, Jesus' promise was a beacon of hope for Peter. It was the assurance that he was not alone, that Jesus was with him. God's promises are not just comforting words; they are a beacon of hope in the midst of our storms.

God's Promises are a Foundation of Faith

Peter's faith was built on the promise of Jesus. It was this promise that enabled him to step out of the boat and walk on water. God's promises are not just comforting words; they are a foundation of our faith. They enable us to step out in faith and walk into the promises of God.

So, as we face our own Red Seas and storms, let us remember God's promises. Let them be our call to action, our source of courage, our guide for the journey, our beacon of hope, and our foundation of faith. Let them help us to keep moving into the promises of God.

God's Faithfulness

Scripture Reference: Numbers 23:19 (NIV)

"God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"

In the journey of life, we often find ourselves standing at the crossroads of doubts and uncertainties. We question the path ahead, unsure of the promises that lie in wait. Yet, in these moments of wavering faith, we are reminded of the unwavering faithfulness of God. A faithfulness that is not like the fleeting promises of humans, prone to change and inconsistency. No, God's faithfulness is steadfast, unchanging, and true. When God speaks, He acts. When He promises, He fulfills.

In the academic world, this concept is not foreign. Scholars in the field of theology have long studied the promises of God, and their findings echo the sentiments of Numbers 23:19. Dr. John Piper, a respected theologian and author, has written extensively on the faithfulness of God. He notes that "God's faithfulness means that everything He says and does is certain." He is 100% reliable, 100% of the time. He does not fail, forget, falter, change, or disappoint. He says what He means and means what He says and therefore, does everything He promises.

This brings us to the first point of our discussion. The faithfulness of God is not just a theological concept; it is a practical reality that we can rely on in our daily lives. When we face challenges, when we are overwhelmed by the uncertainties of life, we can lean on God's promises. We can trust that He will not abandon us, that He will not let us down. Because He is not a human that He should lie or change His mind. His promises are yes and amen.

A.W. Tozer, a renowned Christian author, and pastor, once said, "God is not a man that He should lie. Does He promise and not fulfill?" This quote, while simple, carries a profound truth. It reminds us that God's promises are not empty words. They are not mere comfort for the weary or solace for the broken-hearted. They are the very essence of His character, a testament to His unchanging nature.

This leads us to the second point. The promises of God are not just for the here and now; they are for eternity. They are not bound by time or space. They transcend our earthly understanding and reach into the very heart of eternity. When God makes a promise, it is not just for a moment or a season. It is a promise that will stand the test of time, a promise that will carry us through the trials of life and into the glory of eternity.

In conclusion, as we journey through life, let us remember the faithfulness of God. Let us remember His promises, His unchanging nature, and His eternal love for us. Let us keep moving forward, not in fear or doubt, but in the assurance of His promises. For He is not a man that He should lie. He is God, and His promises are true.

Conclusion

As we draw to a close on this sermon, let's take a moment to reflect on the promises of God as seen in Exodus 14:15. We've learned today that God's promises are not just words, but they are the very foundation of our faith. They are the assurance that we can move forward, even in the face of uncertainty and fear.

We've learned that God's promises are our anchor in the storm, our light in the darkness, and our hope in times of despair. They are the assurance that God is with us, that He is for us, and that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

We've learned that God's promises are not just for the past or the future, but they are for the here and now. They are the assurance that God is working in our lives today, that He is guiding us, strengthening us, and equipping us for every good work.

We've learned that God's promises are not just for us, but they are for all who believe in Him. They are the assurance that God's love, grace, and mercy are available to everyone, regardless of who they are or what they've done.

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