Subject:  Obedience (# 8)                                                                                   1/25/04 p.m.

 

“Who Is The Lord?”

Exodus 5:2

 

Introduction

1.  Jesus’ searching question is:  “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do no the things

     which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

2.  Everyone wants God as their Savior (cf. Titus 2:10), but few people accept the Lord as

     their Ruler.

3.  The early chapters of the Book of Exodus show various reactions to the Lord’s Will.

 

  I.  Midwives Feared (Exodus 1:17)

       A.  The commandment from the Pharaoh who knew not Joseph (Exodus 1:8) was

             crystal clear (Exodus 1:15, 16).

             a.  Pharaoh feared a revolt (Exodus 1:10).

             b.  He planned to take actions into his own hands to curb the Israelite population.

       B.  The word “fear” has the general meaning of “revere.”

             a.  The Hebrews, no doubt, were afraid of God’s wrath.  In fact, they feared

                  God’s wrath even more than they feared Pharaoh’s wrath.  They put their lives

                  in danger to do what was morally right (see Acts 5:29).

             b.  One wonders if these midwives knew the truth of Genesis 9:6.

       C.  Life is precious.  Consider these anti-abortion Old Testament passages.

             a.  Exodus 21:22

             b.  Jeremiah 1:5

             c.  Isaiah 49:1

 

 II.  Moses Followed (Exodus 4:18-20)

       A.  Moses was not the most willing follower.  Consider his numerous excuses.

             1.  He asked, “Who am I?” (Exodus 3:11).

             2.  He asked, “What shall I say?” (Exodus 3:13).

             3.  He said, “They will not believe me.” (Exodus 4:1).

             4.  He complained, “I am not eloquent.” (Exodus 4:10).

             5.  He begged God to send someone else (Exodus 4:13).

             6.  APPLICATION:  God did not accept Moses’ excuses, and He will accept

                 ours.  Moses must have thought that he had “good” excuses, but God still

                 refused to accept them!

       B.  Consider these consequences of Moses’ following God.

             1.  He had to leave his family (Exodus 4:18).

             2.  Following God forced some adjustments within Moses’ family (Exodus 4:24-

                  26).  Consider the possibility that Zipporah, who was the wife of Moses, may

                  have been unhappy with these adjustments.

             3.  Moses was told to preach a Way that Pharaoh would not accept

                  (Exodus 4:21).

             4.  As a follower of God was put in uncomfortable situations (Exodus 5:1).  As a

                  mere slave, Moses was giving commands to Pharaoh.  Earthly relationships


                  must take a back seat to our responsibility to preach the Gospel.

             5.  Moses’ efforts to follow God would make life harder on him (Exodus 5:6-11).

             6.  The evidence of Moses’ relationship with God would be mocked and

                  questioned (Exodus 7:6-14).  The evidence that our life shows of our

                  relationship with God is under intense criticism today!

             7.  Moses was told to follow God in his advanced age (Exodus 7:7).

             8.  APPLICATION:  There will consequences to our decision to follow God.

 

III.  Masters Forsook (Exodus 5:2)

       A.  As God told Moses (Exodus 4:21), Pharaoh refused to listen to God.

       B.  Pharaoh would later attempt to render partial obedience to God (Exodus 10:26),

             but partial obedience is NO obedience at all.  How are you obeying the Lord?

 

---

 

Counting The Cost

Patrick Morrison

Those who desire to follow Jesus must first consider the cost of walking with him day by day.  This is the point Jesus conveys in Luke 14:28-32.  A wise man would count the cost before endeavoring to build a tower, lest he complete only a portion of the work, being forced to stop for lack of money.  A wise king would first consider the risk of marching to war against a foe with far superior numbers.  This same wisdom must be displayed by those who wish to be disciples of Christ.  We need to ask ourselves, “Am I counting the cost?”

Unfortunately, many attempt to follow Christ who have yet to count the cost.  Many build their dream houses and move in, but they are unwilling to make the payments.  Many see the blessings enjoyed by those who follow Christ, and they desire to enjoy the same blessings, yet they are unwilling to let go of those things which stand between them and God.  God must occupy first place in our lives.  God must come before father, mother, brother, sister, son daughter, husband, wife, houses, lands, yea even our own lives.

Why would Jesus ask his would-be disciples to first count the cost?  He who does not count the cost will live a life of lukewarm service to God, and God despises lukewarmness in those who profess to be His (Rev.3:15-17).  He would rather us count the cost and decide the cost of being a disciple of Christ is too great, than to rush into battle for the Cause, only to realize that the demands on a soldier of the cross are much greater than we ever intended to bear.