Reverse - Pt. 2 - Setting Up A Reverse Series

Reverse

Part 2 – Setting Up a Reverse

I. Introduction

As I mentioned to you last week I wrestled for several years. Here is the pictorial proof for you entertainment. Tim offered to let me borrow Jake’s singlet to wear while I preach. That didn’t take much thought to turn down!

Wrestling is probably the toughest sport I have ever tried. I can easily agree with one world famous wrestler who once said, “Once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy.”

So once again here is your crash course in wrestling. If you manage to take your opponent down to the ground from a standing position you have scored a “Takedown” and you are awarded 2 points. If you can then turn that opponent onto his back you are awarded back points of either 3 or 5 points depending on how long you can hold them in that position. If you can put both shoulder blades on the mat you have scored a pin and the match is over. There are 2 other main scoring options that take place once a person has been taken down. If a wrestler, after being taken down, gets away from his opponent and regains his feet then he has “Escaped” and gets 1 point. If a wrestler is taken down, but then turns the tables on the opponent and switches positions into a controlling position he has scored a “Reverse” and receives 2 points.

So a reverse is worth more points. You will remember that I encouraged you last week to quit quitting. You will never reverse by quitting. Don’t just lay there, get up and fight back. Don’t just settle for an escape. There are moments when you just get out with your life and thank God that you did. However, if you would just stay in the match you can begin to trust God’s promise found in Is. 54. No weapon formed against you shall prosper so there is going to have to be a turnaround! Anyone testify about God’s reversing power this week?

So today I want us to look at one of the most astounding reverses recorded in Scripture and try to learn some things so that we will know how to position ourselves for the reverse that we need. I give you permission that at any moment I hit something in which you need a reverse or at any moment that you get excited about a reverse that God has already worked in your life then stand up and testify. If someone thinks you are crazy just spin any way!

II. Text

Exodus 1:22

So Pharaoh issued a general order to all his people: "Every boy that is born, drown him in the Nile. But let the girls live."

Exodus 2:1-22

1-3 A man from the family of Levi married a Levite woman. The woman became pregnant and had a son. She saw there was something special about him and hid him. She hid him for three months. When she couldn’t hide him any longer she got a little basket-boat made of papyrus, waterproofed it with tar and pitch, and placed the child in it. Then she set it afloat in the reeds at the edge of the Nile.

4-6 The baby’s older sister found herself a vantage point a little way off and watched to see what would happen to him. Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the Nile to bathe; her maidens strolled on the bank. She saw the basket-boat floating in the reeds and sent her maid to get it. She opened it and saw the child—a baby crying! Her heart went out to him. She said, "This must be one of the Hebrew babies."

7 Then his sister was before her: "Do you want me to go and get a nursing mother from the Hebrews so she can nurse the baby for you?" 8 Pharaoh’s daughter said, "Yes. Go." The girl went and called the child’s mother. 9 Pharaoh’s daughter told her, "Take this baby and nurse him for me. I’ll pay you." The woman took the child and nursed him. 10 After the child was weaned, she presented him to Pharaoh’s daughter who adopted him as her son. She named him Moses (Pulled-Out), saying, "I pulled him out of the water."

Think about this powerful reverse. The Pharaoh has given an order. Every little boy belonging to his slaves (the Israelites) must die. As a side note I just find it interesting that every time the enemy tries to take you down he will typically attack your ability to reproduce! It is all about the seed of destiny that is in you. The seed of the Word that it is you. He knows if he can distract you and debilitate you that you will have no ability to reproduce what is important.