Exodus: February 26

February 26, 2023
Exodus 15-18
Lead Pastor, Nate Levering

What a privilege it always is to worship with you, Sierra Bible Church family. Being with you and around you is pure joy. We do apologize for anyone who attempted to watch the LiveStream on YouTube or Facebook. There were multiple glitches and our Worship Pastor, Bryan, is working on that, but we do apologize and hope to have the recording on the Sierra Bible Church, Sonora YouTube page shortly. 

The invitation is for us to come to Him and find forgiveness in Him. 

Last week, I was asked why there was a specific question in our LifeGroup curriculum for the week. The question was this, "Read Ephesians 2:1-9. Does this challenge or agree with your view of salvation?"

Ephesians 2:1-9 says this:

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Together, as we've wrapped ourselves with the promises in Exodus, the profoundness in what God has done for us since the beginning of time is beautiful. He's always been the God of salvation. Exodus is this extravagant precursor for the greatest moment of deliverance. And then there's humanity. As Pastor Nate taught through Exodus 15-18, this section of scripture is just so like us. One minute, the Israelites are singing praise and the next they're grumbling. Exodus 15 begins with a song of praise to the Lord for His deliverance. By the end of the chapter, they're grumbling because they don't have water. Yet, despite their disobedience or complaining, God provides. When our tendency is towards self-reliance, He reminds us that there is nothing He can't do and that we can have full faith in Him.

Oh, you're hungry? I'll rain delicious manna down from Heaven and bring quail.
You're thirsty? Throw that stick against the rock and see what I do.

I love that God isn't the least bit surprised at the sour hearts of people. He's ready, like the good Father He is, to provide. The bounty and the bitterness both teach us to depend on His provision and sovereignty. So where is our faith? This week, let us walk out the battle of faith with prayer. Let us support one another, leaning on the strength of the Lord. We're in this together, united.