Preparing To Follow God Lesson 9 Series

A. INTRODUCTION

1. God usually gives us a leader/mentor. “By faith (Moses) . . . endured as seeing him who is invisible” (Heb. 11:27). Follow those who follow God.

Follow their steps – example

Follow their explanations – instruction

Follow their heart – attitudes

Follow their results – God’s presence

2. The day your history was born. “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you” (Ex. 12:2).

a. Israel’s future Passovers.

b. Your spiritual birthday begins everything.

c. Everything now matters.

B. THE FOUNDATION FOR LIFE’S JOURNEY

1. The lamb represented Jesus. “Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:24).

2. The sacrifice represented Christ’s perfection. “Your lamb shall be without blemish” (12:5).

3. The blood represented cleansing. “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Ex. 12:13). “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us” (1 Cor. 5:7).

4. The lamb must die and face the fire of suffering. “Each family . . . must slaughter its lamb” (12:6). “The meat must never be eaten raw” (12:9). “Roast lamb with bitter herbs” (12:8).

5. The sacrifice represented enough for all. “Each family must slaughter a lamb . . . for a sacrifice. If a family is too small to eat an entire lamb, let them share . . . with another family” (Ex. 12:3-4, LB).

6. Obedience led to deliverance. “The plague of death will not touch you” (Ex. 12:13).

C. GOD’S PRESCRIPTION FOR A NEW WALK

1. Application. It was not enough the lamb was killed; its blood had to be applied. “Take the blood and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post” (12:7).

2. Dressed in garments of righteousness. “Wear your traveling clothes as you eat this meal” (12:11, LB).

3. Know the source of your spiritual strength. “Took with them their bread dough made without yeast” (12:34, LB). Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:37).

4. Be prepared to follow the Lord. “Wear your sandals” (12:11, LB).

5. Be ready to work. “Carry your staff in your hands” (12:11).

6. Fellowship with others in the family. “That evening everyone must eat roast lamb” (12:8).

7. Don’t waste God’s time. “Eat the food quickly” (12:11).

8. Wait for the trumpet signal.

9. Leave your bondage and servitude to sin. “That night the people of Israel left Rameses” (12:37, LB).

10. Launch out by faith in obedience to God’s promise. There was no precedent, no previous deliverance, no outward reason God would deliver them except; (1) his word to Moses, (2) God’s judgment on Egypt, (3) the signs to Moses.

11. A horde of slaves became followers of God. “So the people of Israel followed all the Lord’s instructions to Moses and Aaron. That very day the Lord began to lead the people out of Egypt” (12:50-51, LB).

12. Walk in holiness. Our prayer, “To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life” (Luke 1:74-75).

D. WHAT ABOUT THE UNSAVED AROUND THEM

1. The unsaved suffered present turmoil and future judgment. “Never in all the history of Egypt had there been a storm like that . . . it left all of Egypt in ruins . . . the only spot in all Egypt without hail was the land of Goshen” (Ex. 9:24, 26, LB).

2. Some recognized God’s providence. “This is the finger of God” (8:19).

3. God speaks to all through natural revelation. “That you might see My power” (9:16).

4. God rejects the idols that people substitute in His place. “I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the LORD” (12:12).

5. Pharaoh surrendered. “Leave us,” he cried, “go away, all of you” (12:31, LB).

6. Israel got all they requested. “Go and serve the LORD as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds and be gone” (12:31-32, LB).

7. The unsaved need our blessing. “But give me a blessing before you leave” (12:32).

E. ATTITUDES FOR YOUR WALK

1. Show people you can walk in God’s victory. “The Israelites left Egypt like a marching army” (13:18, LB).

2. Trust God to take care of your immediate and future needs. Collect unpaid wages. “The children of Israel . . . asked from the Egyptians articles of silver . . . gold and clothing” (12:36).

3. Follow God’s presence and guidance. “The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud . . . by night in a pillar of fire” (13:21).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: