Exodus: February 12
February 12, 2023
Pastor Nate Levering
Exodus 12-13
(For bulletin, click here)
Hello church and thank you for joining us on Sunday. Whether you attended the 8:45 or 10:30 service on campus, or the 10:30 on live stream, we consider it a joy to worship and learn alongside of you and your family.
As Pastor Nate said when he opened the message, we are calling you to pray. A few of our pastoral team members have been working with a mental health coalition within our county. Their findings between what law enforcement and health care professionals have seen is nothing short of an epidemic amongst middle school girls. Yes, we know that suicide and depression can stir in anyone, but we're currently looking at skyrocketing numbers of middle school girls in Tuolumne County that have made attempts or have highly considered it. Church. Be on your knees in prayer, raging against what Satan is trying to destroy and devour in these precious kids.
May these students, like us, know and believe that they are infinitely loved and redeemed. This is what we celebrate in Exodus 12 and 13- freedom.
On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance. (Exodus 12: 12-14)
We have read the exhausting rotation of God calling Moses and Aaron to confront Pharaoh, asking to let the Israelites go, just to then see Pharaoh's heart hardened and turned away. And yet they continue. Their faith is strengthened. Then, after the final plague of death to all first borns, Pharaoh tells them, "Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me” (Exodus 12: 31-32).
Many of our issues with sin and faithlessness continue because the problems we have on the inside aren't fixed by addressing the problems we have on the outside. The reality of our sin problem when we try to earn our way is this, as Pastor Nate says, all you're really doing is drowning a little bit slower than the rest of us. So what are we invited into? As we see the story of the Israelites unfolding, we see that their deliverance proved the promise of a Savior.
So, what does it look like to be faithful now? If, like what Pastor Nate said, faith is a precondition for liberation, what is God inviting you into today to experience freedom? Goodness. May these kids know our God- the one who sets them free. The one they can have full faith in. The one who can and will deliver them. May we all know that.
Bulletin Notes:
Pastor Nate Levering
Exodus 12-13
(For bulletin, click here)
Hello church and thank you for joining us on Sunday. Whether you attended the 8:45 or 10:30 service on campus, or the 10:30 on live stream, we consider it a joy to worship and learn alongside of you and your family.
As Pastor Nate said when he opened the message, we are calling you to pray. A few of our pastoral team members have been working with a mental health coalition within our county. Their findings between what law enforcement and health care professionals have seen is nothing short of an epidemic amongst middle school girls. Yes, we know that suicide and depression can stir in anyone, but we're currently looking at skyrocketing numbers of middle school girls in Tuolumne County that have made attempts or have highly considered it. Church. Be on your knees in prayer, raging against what Satan is trying to destroy and devour in these precious kids.
May these students, like us, know and believe that they are infinitely loved and redeemed. This is what we celebrate in Exodus 12 and 13- freedom.
On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance. (Exodus 12: 12-14)
We have read the exhausting rotation of God calling Moses and Aaron to confront Pharaoh, asking to let the Israelites go, just to then see Pharaoh's heart hardened and turned away. And yet they continue. Their faith is strengthened. Then, after the final plague of death to all first borns, Pharaoh tells them, "Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me” (Exodus 12: 31-32).
Many of our issues with sin and faithlessness continue because the problems we have on the inside aren't fixed by addressing the problems we have on the outside. The reality of our sin problem when we try to earn our way is this, as Pastor Nate says, all you're really doing is drowning a little bit slower than the rest of us. So what are we invited into? As we see the story of the Israelites unfolding, we see that their deliverance proved the promise of a Savior.
So, what does it look like to be faithful now? If, like what Pastor Nate said, faith is a precondition for liberation, what is God inviting you into today to experience freedom? Goodness. May these kids know our God- the one who sets them free. The one they can have full faith in. The one who can and will deliver them. May we all know that.
Bulletin Notes:
- Trusting Jesus is my Passover lamb means, I take sin seriously.
- I take forgiveness seriously.
- I celebrate Jesus regularly, passionately, intentionally, unreservedly, spontaneously.
LifeGroup Questions:
Look Down: At God's Word
Look Out: God's Word is Relevant in the World
Look In: God's Word Changes Me
Look Down: At God's Word
- Together, read Exodus 12: 1-32. Is there anything new or noteworthy in this text?
- Read Exodus 13: 11-16 and Colossians 1: 13-15. What is the significance of the first born?
Look Out: God's Word is Relevant in the World
- How are cultural religious ceremonies observed and celebrated today?
- How do we see God’s redemption displayed in the world today?
Look In: God's Word Changes Me
- Do you ever view your relationship with God in a contractual way, meaning that if you don’t get what you want or believe you deserve from Him, then you can _____________________?
- How do we remember and celebrate what God has done in our lives?
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