Reality Series

Sunday Morning March 15, 2009 Bel Aire Baptist Church

Series: “Moving With God (Exodus)” [#11]

REALITY

Exodus 9:16

Introduction:

This week, I sat in my office thinking about the challenges that our Church and I are facing. I looked at the statistics over the last 5 months.

Budget: -$13,000 (-25%)

Worship Attendance: -20 average (-20%)

Unexpected expenses: $10,000

Church Emergency Fund: Almost Gone

Sickness within church: Up

Tharon’s health: Like a rollercoaster.

Personal health: Like a rollercoaster.

As I went through this in my mind, I went through several stages.

I went through stages of:

> Anger.

> Blame.

> Worry.

> Indifference.

> Comparing.

> Reality.

Reality- That doesn’t fit; or does it? After the prodigal son became tired of wallowing in the pig pen, the Bible says, “He came to his senses”; and so did I. I began to ask myself some questions about the church, myself, and God’s purpose for us being here.

Exodus 9:16 (NIV)

“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

Who was God talking to? At first glance you might think that God was talking to Moses, maybe Aaron, or the Israelites; but no, God was talking to Pharaoh- The person who was trying to destroy God’s people and God’s reputation. God was telling Pharaoh the purpose of all that was going on.

So why does this church and all of these people within it exist?

We exist to…

1. Evangelize.

2. Fellowship.

3. Minister.

4. Disciple.

5. Worship.

Why do we go through difficult things- Through storms? There are 2 types of storms:

1. Storms of disobedience. This type of storm is the consequences of sin in your life. God uses these types of storms to get our attention, just as He was doing with Pharaoh.

2. Storms of growth. Contrary to what some people believe, not all storms are because of sin. Sometimes we go through things so that we can grow up.

What do we do to make it through the storm?

We need to…

1. Hang on to the promises of God. If it is because of sin, what does God say He will do if we confess our sins?

2. Rely on the provisions of God.

3. Realize that the price has been paid.

4. Keep your eyes on the prize.

Conclusion:

Exodus 9:16 (NIV)

“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

We need to come to that place of reality in our lives. We need to realize that God uses these things that are going on for His purpose; so that His Name will be proclaimed throughout the earth.

What is the purpose of this Church? It is to spread the name of Jesus throughout the world.

What is the purpose of your life? It is to spread the name of Jesus throughout the world.

So, is this Church fulfilling God’s purpose?

Is your life fulfilling God’s purpose?