Saved, Sanctified, and Led by God
Saved and Sanctified by blood at God’s Command
Led in Safety by God
DBF Sunday Sermon, 10/13/02, Exodus 13
I have often said that I had no personal desire to come to Dillingham but for God’s call.
I had no ideas about whether Dillingham was a good place or a bad place to be. I did not know the people, culture, economics, or politics of the communities, villages, and region.
All I know is that in April and May of 1997, God kept placing me in places that Dillingham was being brought up in.
I remember vividly telling people that asked if I was interested in coming to Dillingham “Absolutely not…I don’t even know where Dillingham is”.
But once I understood that it was God leading me here, then a peace came over me and Gloria in pursuing God’s plan for us.
My dearest brother and friend, Harley Shields went to be with the Lord last weekend. I have been looking through his book again this week and I am still amazed at the faithfulness of Harley and of his beautiful bride Martha.
The many challenges they faced in their sanctification process and the amazing way they sought only the leadership of God in their lives through many situations that we today might feel unachievable. Yet, by complete faith in God and HIS ability they persevered in the walk that Christ laid before them with Harley’s graduation and homecoming last week.
Our hearts go out to Martha, Lou Ann and Lance, and the rest of the immediate family and Churches that have been touched by the messages delivered and the life of Harley Dixon Shield.
If this is the completion of the sanctification process, most of us should gladly proclaim…bring it on.
This is what Christ is doing on a daily bases “Bringing it on.” Christ is working to make you resemble HIM more and more, day by day. Praise the Lord.
HE is the beginning, guide, and ending of our lives once we accept HIM and HE is able to accomplish all good things with those who submit themselves to HIS good and perfect will.
We will walk with Israel this week as they head towards the Red Sea. God will call them to set aside the firstborn of the nation to be consecrated to God, redeemed by their fathers. God will also call them to consecrate the firstborn of the flocks as an offering and give them directions for doing so. Let us begin our walk with Israel this week.
Saved and Sanctified by blood at God’s Command
Exodus 13
1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine. 3And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. 4This day came ye out in the month Abib. 5And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month. 6Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD. 7Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters. 8And thou shalt show thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. 9And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD’S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. 10Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.
11And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee, 12That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD’S. 13And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem. 14And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: 15And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem. 16And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.
2Sanctify unto me all the firstborn…Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we as the nation of Israel are called to sanctification.
This is a process by which we die to the urging needs manifested in our sinful flesh and daily become more Christ like in our character and motives.
Where are you in this process today?
If someone looks at you closely, will they see Christ like characteristics in you today?
What if they bump into you? Will you bless them or…
We all become the sanctified first born, spiritual birthed of Christ through the work of God’s word and the Holy Spirit of God. As the firstborn we are called to sanctification and continually becoming more like Christ. You may not always see the progress, but as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus Christ and seek HIS ways, we will through HIS strength continue to make progress towards the prize.
Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt…God calls the nation of Israel to remember where they came from.
They came from slaves and wanderers, they were guided by the powerful hand of God in the nations infancy and they were brought out of captivity a rich and powerful nation or…
Do you today remember where you came from?
You see this can be a problem in our churches and in our lives if we forget where we came from. If I forget that I was once, chief amongst sinners, then my heart will not be as compassionate and forgiving of another that is still in sins dread sway.
Just as God commanded the nation of Israel not to forget the great and mighty acts that HE did do to bring them out of Egypt, the mighty act Jesus Christ did on Calvary to save you and I must be remembered.
Remember the day that you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, what it meant from that point on in your life. The changes that the Holy Spirit of God which then resided in you brought about, to the glory of God.
Oh blessed Day, that I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, counselor, and friend. One so unworthy, one so sin stained that I do not like to look back to remember the horror that was once my life and the love by which Christ took me, so undeserved, to walk with HIM.
4This day came ye out in the month Abib…Oh blessed day, that Christ obediently came as the innocent Lamb of God to be the Passover Lamb. We are able to come out of sin because Jesus Christ was obedient, even unto death.
Oh what a price God paid giving HIMSELF in my place and your place.
Who would have believed? Oh what love is this?
This truly is the “Agape” unconditional love of God for HIS creation and HIS beloved.
8And thou shalt show thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. 9And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD’S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. 10Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year…What are you showing your son and daughter of God’s word and ways today?
We are commanded from the very beginning of God’s word to teach our children daily, in all that we do the things of God, so that they will have a good base to go from once they depart from us.
We have a bible to take the place of the sign upon our hand or a scripture tied between our eyes. We have the very word of God that we are to study daily, meditate on, memorize and take into our hearts.
Has God’s command’s to keep his ordinances changed?
NO.
1 Peter 3
1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives
James 1
22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed
Psalm 119
129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
TZADDI
137 Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
139 My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
141 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
God’s word calls us to obedience and guidance in HIS word. They are righteousness, wisdom to the simple, provide guidance to seekers, they are wonderful in every way.
What is your status in your walk with Christ today?
Are you a listener only? Or have you come to the point that you are called to be more than just a hearer but a doer of God’s work. I pray that you have come to the point where you are willing to humble yourself and to be led by God. Now let us look at God’s perfect leading of the nation at this critical time in their walk.
Led in Safety by God
17And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: 18But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. 19And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. 20And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
17And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt…God knows all things the beginning from the end. We see the wisdom of God in not taking them directly into the land of the Philistines because they would have wearied of what the Lord had called them to do.
Are you feeling wearied by what the Lord has called you to do?
We must not rely on ourselves or our feelings because we would often be defeated. We are called to turn to Jesus when we are weak, HE is our strength, He is our Rock, He makes a way where we can see no way.
Philippians 4
13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
You see we are called to set our eyes upon Jesus, that away the other things happening in our peripheral vision HE is more than able to take care of. You and I are to easily led astray by the simplest things that have nothing to do with the work of God and waste our strength on things that do not have eternal significance. Let us stay focused on Christ and do the will of God the Father.
21And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people…You see our forefathers had a daily and nightly visual reminder that God was with them and leading them and yet they still sinned and fell short of the glory of God.
God can only lead where a heart is fully given. One heart fully given can accomplish the work of many, many who are conditionally given. God wants us to be fully given.
Where is your heart today?
God does seek to light your way today, tomorrow and throughout eternity, will you let HIM?
Of course, if you have not first recognized that you are a sinner. God’s word tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.
That means everyone, every nation, every race, every color, everyone but for Christ. Do you admit today that you are a sinner, if so ask Jesus in repentance to forgive you your sins and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness? Jesus is waiting to do so today.
If this is the prayer of your heart today and you would like to acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, we would love to pray with you.
You see, for all the guidance and leading that God offered to the Nation of Israel, this generation except for Joshua and Caleb would die in the desert because they were unwilling to completely give themselves to the will of God.
When God calls, HE will be faithful to equip you for that which HE has called you.
Will you be faithful to God as HE is always faithful to you.
We would love to pray for you and your loved ones. Let us know of any prayer needs or concerns. Continue to lift up the Shield’s family for God’s peace and strength in this most difficult time.
