The Israelites leave, but Pharaoh chases them. They soon get between a rock and a hard place. But God did this to make the triumph final. Many people get saved, but soon give up. Many give up because they are not prepared for the enemy to come back for them. We can't see a prayer as the end goal. But making disciples who triumph over their sin and slavery. How do we lead people into their final triumph over sin?
God did battle against Pharaoh. A guy who thought and was worshiped as god. A guy whose job was to balance everything in the kingdom. Moses was the person he used to do battle. We're not doing battle against people. But we are still doing battle against gods. People have functional saviors they are trying to balance. And God has sent us to do battle against the gods to free people from their crummy saviors. So what do we need for this battle?
Moses did exactly what God told him to do. And things got worse. Way worse. Pharaoh rejected him. His own people rejected him. The call appeared to die. Confusion reigned and Moses even asked, "Why did you ever send me?" What do we do when the call dies?
The making of a Super Hero is just a bunch of ingredients. You need a catalyst to actually produce a Super Hero on a mission. The call is the catalyst. "But wait!" You may object. "That's only for those paid by a church." No...a call is for all. What does a calling look like?
God is the One who saves, but he makes people with flesh on to be Super Heroes. How will he make you into a Super Hero? Watch the music video of Savin' Me by Nickelback. It is a powerful visual of what we are like once we are saved. It'll also be referenced in the sermon; so the sermon will make more sense! http://youtu.be/_JQiEs32SqQ
In the most vivid description of the One that was foreshadowed, Isaiah shows us a picture of a Servant who was humbled and exalted on our behalf.
God foreshadowed a Shepherd that would be born in the unlikeliest of places.
God foreshadowed a Leader that would be the King of the Scattered.
Christians say that Jesus is the Messiah. Some people will say that Jesus didn't know his identity. Did Jesus know this? Or are Christians just making stuff up?
While God moved to bring Joseph into a position of power, God hadn't completed the dream yet. We must still wait for him to finish what he started.
God prepared Joseph, but when is enough enough? Joseph was ready to get out of prison. But God wasn't quite ready yet. When God does move, he also makes it real clear.
Joseph wasn't ready for God moving on the dream. He had to go through the plains and valleys before God could move. But at every step, Joseph worked, prepared and sacrificed.
God initiated a dream inside of Joseph. But he horribly mismanaged that dream. What do we do with a dream that is inside of us?
Idols cause slavery and God forms us by redeeming us from that slavery.
Jacob lived up to his name of deceiver. But when God showed up, he transformed Jacob with the Truth.
When we are at our lowest, where does our courage come from? God is courageous and he wants to form our courage.
It is God who forms our righteousness. How exactly does he do that?
Sin causes us to dry up. We need life. Religion won't provide it so where do we find it?
How can God form us when we've blown it?
There are times in life where it is hard to believe. What do we do in those times?
God created and formed Israel into who he wanted her to be. God, as Father, will create and form you into who he wants you to be.
God wants to give us A Greater Gift, and that directly impacts how we treat others.
Everyone receives a treasure. Everyone invests their treasure. Where do you invest your treasure?
Jesus now tells us that there is a way to shine our light that blinds others to God.
Jesus told us to be happy when we are persecuted because we are blessed. How do blessed people respond to others when they are mistreated?
Can people take us at our word? In the Kingdom, the heart of a citizen wants to be trusted, no matter the cost.
Our Greater Righteousness has practical implications. It affects our real life. Jesus gives us 6 examples and A Greater Heart looks at the first 2 and how they impact our relationships.
Our good deeds are supposed to make others cheer God. What good deeds? Where do we get these good deeds? Jesus tells us that A Greater Righteousness is required for us to have others cheer God.
Jesus' next platform is about the impact that our character will have on the people and the culture around us.
Jesus' first platform is A Greater Character. If he were stumping for political office, the character he would promote would be completely different than what we promote today, but it is a character everyone wants as a friend or employee.
