10 Amazing Miracles From Scripture (5 of 10)
Crossing of the Red Sea: “What Happens When God’s in the Lead”
Exodus 14.13-31
November 1, 2015 CFBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
A The Israelites had been in Egyptian bondage between 400-430 years. (Millions of Hebrews were born, died, buried there in the sands on the Sinai Peninsula)
a Every Hebrew there had been born into slavery, never tasted freedom, been outside the enemy’s camp.
aa When you grow up a slave freedom is something someone has else has. . . but not you.
bb It’s a dream, a romantic notion, pie in the sky thinking.
b When God speaks through Moses, using words like “freedom, release, relief . . . milk & honey” it got the Hebrew’s attention.
aa Over the course of 4-5 months to up to a year (ancient rabbinical writings state a year.) God sent 10 plaques over Egypt (water into blood, frogs, gnats/lice, flies, livestock died, boils, thunder/hail, locusts, darkness, death of the first born.)
bb Pharaoh finally gave in and released the Hebrew slaves and out the door they went.
c The first thing they did was dedicate their first born to YHWH and started following the Lord of Israel by a cloud by day and a piller of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22 (HCSB) The LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to lead them on their way during the day and in a pillar of fire to give them light at night, so that they could travel day or night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never left its place in front of the people.
aa The Egyptian god-King changed his mind and released his war machine to pursue the Hebrews.
bb Caught up with the Israelites at the shores of the Red Sea. (Map JPEG)
cc The Israelites could see Pharaoh’s Army and vice versa. . . fear suddenly replaced the Israelites faith.
dd Exodus 14:11-12 (HCSB) 11 They said to Moses: “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you took us to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
B Exodus 14.13-31 (On Screen: I’m going to read the odd numbered verses and the congregation will read the even ones. Please put odd numbered verses in italics, please.)
1 In the last several years, underwater explorers have found several ancient artifacts on the floor of the Red Sea that gives testimony of the truthfulness of the Biblical account of this miracle.
a There have been fossilized bones, chariot wheels, axles, chariot cabs found at the bottom of the Red Sea.
(Use JPEGS: bones, chariot cab, chariot wheel, chariot wheel, chariot wheel 2-4, Egyptian Hieroglyphics)
aa Again, the archeology matches up just like it did at Balaam’s house last week.
bb The Bible doesn’t need archeology to prove it’s true, but it awesome when it supports what we believe.
b The Red Sea Crossing is one of the most amazing miracles in Scripture.
aa Moving over 2 million people over a mile on dry land, while the waters on both sides of them tower to their sides. (Use JPEG Red Sea Crossing 6)
bb When the last person crossed, the waters closed up behind them, drowning Pharaoh’s Army, closing a chapter forever of bondage, slavery, past.
cc What a picture of Baptism those Hebrews painted at the Red Sea.
2 What amazing things that can happen when we let God take the lead!
a (ETS) God brought His people out of their chains when they trusted Him by faith.
b (ESS) When we trust the promises of God He proves Himself faithful every time.
T.S.: Let’s look at two promises that we find when God takes the lead in our lives.
I When God is in the lead . . .He protects His Chosen.
A v.19-20, the cloud that had hovered in the front of the Hebrews now went behind them. Why? So Pharaoh’s army couldn’t see the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. (Supernatural Stealth Technology!!)
1 The presence of God (cloud) was not simply a camouflage for Israel, also a protection as a rear guard.
a The presence of God that was light for the Israelites became darkness for the Egyptians.
b What was salvation for the Sons of Israel was judgment for the Pharaoh’s Army.
aa Isn’t it something how the presence of God can bring some deliverance and some judgement?
bb We are seeing a foreshadowing of the cross at the Red Sea!
2 The ancient Jewish historian Josephus gives an interesting bit of information (Antiq. II. 349 [xvi.6]) that upon God destroying the Egyptians in the crushing walls of water, the eastern wind shifted directions.
a The wind that had parted the sea, dried the ground then turned and blew the bodies of the drowned corpses to the shore that Moses & Israel now stood.
aa As the bodies of the soldiers came ashore, the Israelites took the weapons off the Egyptian corpses.
bb These would have been weapons that their oppressor would have used to slay, wound, kill them.
cc Israel took those swords, spears, knives and took them into battles against the Amorites, Amelekites, Og, King Balak, Midianites, Moabites, Jericho . . .
B Our enemy, Satan/Demonic Army, will release powers of hell against us.
1 What was intended to harm, hurt, wound, destroy us by the enemy will the very things that give us our testimonies of triumph.
a He tried to steal my joy, health, family, marriage, sanity, sobriety, peace, finances . . .
b We unsheathe the sword of Scripture with our testimonies:
aa *Joy! Psalm 30:5 (NASB) “. . . Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
bb *Health! (Psalms 147:3 NKJV) He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. . .by His wounds I am healded (Isa. 53.3).
cc *Family & Finances! Jere. 29.11" For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
2 Isaiah 54:17 (NASB) "No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD.
a What the devil uses against you, intended for your destruction, will be a weapon in your hand to fight back!
b Romans 8:31 (NASB) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
c When God is in the lead He brings His protection to His Chosen.
II When God is in the lead . . .He provides His Compassion.
A God saw the affliction of the Israelites in Egypt (Exodus 3:7-8, The LORD said, "I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings. 8 "So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land . . .”and He was hurt too (Is. 63.9, In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the angel of His presence saved them; . . .”
1 When God saw His people in suffering, servitude, bondage, oppression He didn’t leave them there.
a “Exodus 3:20 (HCSB) I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My miracles that I will perform in it. After that, he will let you go.”
b The eyes of God where on His people, in their darkest times of despair, brokeness, pain . . . He never took His eyes of them.
2 However, in their despair/fear their faith waned, grew weak.
a They started doubting God’s promises to set them free, establish them as a nation.
aa Unbelief complains, whines, fears.
bb Faith and fear can’t live together because one will always destroy the other.
b It looked like their world was collapsing (homeless, chased by the enemy, driven from where we grew up and now we’re at the Red Sea about to be slaughtered.)
aa When in reality, their world wasn’t falling a part, it was falling into place.
bb God was the throne and all they had to do was trust & obey Him to show his care & compassion.
B When our Lord walked upon the sandy soil of the Judean hills He had the same compassion, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd” (Matt. 9.36.)
1 The Jews hated Him because He threatened their religion, tradition . . . The Gentiles hated Him because He threatened their lifestyle/condemned sin.
a But it was compassion for all those who would come unto Him . . .that led Jesus all the way to the cross to deliver us from our bondage, oppression, brokeness.
b It’s that cross that . . . saves us and condemns the world; holds great affection for us and great offense to the world; brings ours salvation and brings judgement to the lost!
aa 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NASB) 18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
bb Even from the banks of the Red Sea we see the blessing of Calvary!
2 God saw we were in the bondage of sin, hole of damnation...
a A man fell into a hole and couldn't get himself out.
aa A Christian Scientist told him, "You think you've fallen into a hole."
bb A Pharisee told him, "Only bad people fall into holes."
cc A Fundamentalist told him, "You deserve to have fallen into that hole."
dd A Charismatic told him, "Just positively profess that you are no longer in that hole."
ee A Methodist told him, "I've brought you some food and water since you're down in a hole."
ff A Presbyterian told him, "You were destined to fall into that hole."
gg An Optimist told him, "Worse things could happen than falling into a hole."
hh A Pessimist told him, "You think that hole is bad? Just wait till you see what else might happen!"
ii An empathetic person said, "I really feel for you down there in that hole."
jj A self-esteem therapist told him, "Believe in yourself and you can get out of that hole."
kk Jesus, seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit.
b When God is in the lead He provides His compassion.
Closing:
A (ETS)God brought His people out of their chains when they trusted Him by faith.
1 (ESS) When we trust the promises of God He proves Himself faithful every time.
a We’ve looked at two promises that we find when God takes the lead in our lives.
aa He protects His Chosen.
bb He provides His Compassion.
b P.Q.: Where do you think God is leading from in your life?
2 I hope you’ll put Him in the lead by putting your faith in Him. (Obj.)
B Closing IL.
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Mike Fogerson
