20, August 2006
Dakota Community Church
Between Risk and Reward
Introduction:
We get a little older and risk taking becomes more difficult!
When we do get out of the boat it doesn’t always go well. We take the big risk, but reward is not immediate, trouble arises…
Your back is against the wall, there is no hope, it’s desperate, you know you can’t go back but there seems to be no way to go ahead. It’s impossible!
Or is it?
Read Exodus 14:1 – 15:10
1. Identify the problem.
Exodus 14:1
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon.
Notice that the Lord lead them to this place.
What is standing between you and the reward you went after?
What is it that keeps you frustrated?
- Money trouble?
- Health issues?
- Lust?
- Pride?
- Fear of man?
- Emotional troubles?
- Self-pity?
- Relational problems?
2. Stop crying!
Exodus 14: 15-16
15 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
How much time have you wasted crying?
- Notice God’s view.
Only two things caused Jesus to marvel: 1. Faith 2. Unbelief
How impressed are they in heaven with your attempts to overcome your obstacle?
3. Get moving – the Lord has your back.
Exodus 14: 19-20
19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.
Faith is always key to moving forward.
You are unlikely to receive Gods plan until you are moving. – You can’t steer a parked car.
4. Our obstacles become tools that destroy the enemy.
Exodus 14:27-29
27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. 28 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen-the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.
29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
Money trouble becomes a ministry of giving.
Lust problems become solid marriage and family examples.
Health problems become healing testimonies.
Self-pitied becomes responsible and empowered.
5. A celebration awaits you on the other side.
Exodus 15: 1-4
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD:
"I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.
Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea.
You have a song to write!
Get moving.
PowerPoint Available on Request - dcormie@mts.net
