Pastor Josh Weisbrod – November 10, 2019

Key Idea: God’s purpose and plans are greater than man’s evil. // Key Passage: Exodus 7-10

SUMMARY: Moses is going to Pharaoh, the most powerful leader, with a message of liberation for the Hebrew slaves that Pharaoh holds. Moses easily could be killed because of his past and because of his message. God will use what is in Moses’ hand—a staff—to demonstrate miraculous signs and wonders. Aaron will be the spokesman for Moses.

TEACHING:

Sign 1 – Aaron’s staff turns into a snake and eats all of the other snakes. This is to display the sovereignty of God.
There are 9 plagues that follow in sets of 3. For every group of 3, there is a morning encounter with Pharaoh, it starts inside the court, and there is an outdoor display.
Every time
- 1. God gives instructions to Moses
- 2. There is a symbolic action
- 3. There is an attempted duplication
- 4. The resulting plague
- 5. Pharaoh hardens his heart
In the first five plagues, Pharaoh chose to harden his heart—in other words, he was committed to the evil in his heart. He thinks he is God. You can look at the same truth and one can be hardened or softened. “The same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay.” But in the remaining four plagues, God hardens Pharaoh’s heart.
Plagues
- Plague 1 – Blood The ultimate victory begins with the humiliation and desecration of the Nile god and wiping out the Egyptian water source. Pharaoh hardens his heart.
- Plague 2 – Frogs Pharaoh hardens his heart.
- Plague 3 – Gnats Pharaoh hardens his heart. Evil will always try to make a counterfeit to the work of God. Evil will always fail.
- Plague 4 – Flies A transition occurs - God is making a distinction between the Egyptians and the Hebrews. The Egyptians are covered in flies and the Hebrews are not. Pharaoh hardens his heart.
- Plague 5 – Livestock Pharaoh hardens his heart
- Plague 6 – Boils God hardens the heart of Pharaoh. Pharaoh is given chance after chance to repent and he rejected God every time.
- Plague 7 – Hail God hardens the heart of pharaoh.
- Plague 8 – Locust God hardens the heart of pharaoh.
- Plague 9 – Darkness God hardens the heart of pharaoh.
God did not create evil, he created a choice. Pharaoh is a symbolic representation of evil. Pharaoh is the epitome of evil and he is experiencing what evil has given birth to in the world.
No matter how heinous the evil of man, God’s purpose and plans are greater than the evil of man. Nor can the evil of man thwart the blessings of God.
Romans 9:14-18; Acts 2:24

Conclusion

God’s purpose and plans are greater than man’s evil. Only God can turn battered and broken remains into redemption and salvation. The character of God does not change. God is still greater than the trauma and pain you have experienced. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus comes to give life to the fullest (John 10:10). Let God heal the hurt and pain you’ve received from others. God is greater!

Reflection:

Throughout the week in your own time with the Lord, you can use these reflection questions as a way to deepen your relationship with God. Reflect on these questions in the presence of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to shine a light into your heart.

1) God did not create evil, He created choice. What do you think about the idea that through the plagues, pharaoh, the symbolic representation of evil itself, was experiencing what evil had given birth to in the world?

2) How easy or difficult is it for you to believe that God’s purpose and plans are greater than any evil of man in the world?

3) In your past or present, describe how you have seen or experienced God’s purpose, plans, and blessings being greater than anything else in the world, including evil? Or where in your life, do you want and need to see God’s purpose, plans, and blessing being greater than anything else in the world?

4) Pastor Josh said, “The same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay.” How does this apply to your life today? Are there times when we knowingly harden or soften when we feel the tug of our conscience or feel the tug of the Holy Spirit?

5) Why is it so important that we keep a soft heart when it comes to the things of God?

FAQs:

I want a relationship with Jesus, but I’m not sure how to do that.

You can pray a simple prayer from your heart, no matter where you are or what you are doing.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.

The next step is to tell someone. Talk to someone at church who is wearing a “How Can I Help You?” badge on Sunday, or share in your small group, that you prayed that prayer. They can make sure you get a Bible and support you in beginning your new life with Jesus.

I want to read the Bible but I’m not sure where to start. I don’t have a Bible.

If you are not familiar with the Bible and you aren’t sure where to start, you can always start reading about the life of Jesus in the book of Matthew in the New Testament. If you don’t have a Bible, let someone who is wearing a “How Can I Help You?” badge on Sunday morning that you don’t have a Bible and would like one.

I would like to get involved and serve in some way, but I don’t know how.

We invite you to attend Discover, which takes place once a month after the 10:45 am service on Sunday morning. It is a great way to hear the vision for the church and discover how you can get more involved and serve.

Full Podcast Episode: https://banner.church/podcast/2019/11/13/exodus-part-five-111019