Stand Still and Keep Silent

Text: Exodus 14:5-31

 

I.         Israel has been freed from the bondage of slavery by a series of miracles from God.

            A.        But even as they were moving out of the Egyptian lands, Pharaoh changed his heart and came after his former slaves with an army.

            B.        The people of Israel found themselves trapped between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea. They cried out in alarm - Exodus 14:10-12

            C.        Moses response was for the people to stand still and watch - Exodus 14:13-14

II.        Therein is a problem many people have

            A.        When things are going really bad, we panic. We have to do something – anything.

            B.        Think about it, if the people chose the next move, they would have been lost!

                        1.         They would have tried to flee on either side, dividing the people and making them easier to capture or killed.

                        2.         Some might have decided to make a last stand against the Egyptians

                        3.         Most probably would have fell on their faces before the Egyptians asking to be taken back and forgiven.

            C.        I doubt anyone thought of God’s next move. He opened the Red Sea and the people simply walked away from the Egyptian army while God prevented the Egyptians from following immediately - Exodus 14:15-16

            D.        We need not panic, no matter what is thrown our way - Psalms 46:1-3

                        1.         Problems are temporary - II Corinthians 4:17

                        2.         One woman said that her favorite verse in the Bible is actually a phrase: “And so it came to pass ...”. It didn’t come to stay. It came to pass - I Thessalonians 3:4

            E.        One of the downfalls of Israel was that they weren’t willing to wait for God. They had not faith in Him - Isaiah 30:15-17

III.       Too often we approach religion the same way

            A.        We see our lost state and we understand we have to do something – anything.

            B.        Yet the ways men pick to remove the guilt of sin does not lead to salvation

                        1.         You have to punish yourself - Colossians 2:20-23

                        2.         You just have to believe. But belief alone doesn’t save - James 2:22-26

                        3.         You just have to accept Jesus as your personal savior

                        4.         You just have to pray the sinner’s prayer

            C.        These are answers of a quick-fix solution to a major problem. They are answers that do not prove a solution.

IV.      God sent Jesus to die on our behalf. The major work has been done - Ephesians 1:7-12

            A.        Just as the Israelites did not save themselves. God opened the path - Ephesians 2:1-9

            B.        There is no need to fear - Isaiah 41:10-14

                        1.         In God I put my trust - Psalms 56

            C.        God has opened the path to our salvation through the shed blood of His dear Son - I Peter 1:17-21

V.        Yet God expects us to obey His directions - I Peter 1:22-25

            A.        The Israelites still had to walk across the sea.

            B.        We must trust our God too. We need belief. We need to change our lives, repenting of our sins. We must be bold in confessing our Lord

                        1.         We listen, believe, and obey - Ephesians 1:13-14

                        2.         God has prepared works for us to walk in - Ephesians 2:10

                        3.         Learning to be content instead of seeking safety in money - Hebrews 13:5-6

            C.        And we must humbly wash away our sins in baptism, signifying in our deeds the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ - Romans 6:3-7

            D.        Will you put your trust in God?