God’s Purposes In The Plagues

God’s Purposes In The Plagues Exodus 10.1-2 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of Mine among them 2 that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed My signs among them, and that you may know that I am the LORD.” I love the Revelation of God. He reveals Himself in His Word. Jesus is the Word become flesh. I love Jesus and the Word. He reveals Himself in mighty acts, miracles, signs and wonders as we walk with Him. I love seeing God work. I love it when it is Him, not some gimmick or idea of mine. This past summer with the two BBQs… We want to do it again. He reveals Himself in His Creation, His Handiwork even cloudy mornings. He reveals Himself through others. Christ in you, in me, in us. My friend Jerry saying to the group of pastors 25 years ago in the DR, “I see Christ in each of you.” Group of nurses going to far off village, bring back video. Priceless. Now you are the Body of Christ. I Corinthians 12.27 The Gospel of John seven signs Jesus performed (revealed His Glory) so that we may might believe and by believing you may have life in His Name. John 2. 11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which He revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. revealed= to make visible that which was hidden. He healed the lame man. He healed the nobleman’s son. He healed the man born blind. He fed the 5,000 men, 20-25,000 with women and children. He raised Lazarus from the dead. He rose from the Dead. John 20. 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. God delights in revealing Himself to those who trust in Him. That is what Jesus did while on earth. He revealed His/ God’s glory Jesus sometimes involved the disciples in His wonder working power. He continues to work through the Holy Spirit in this way. The way He has brought healing to people here. The way that the weather cooperates with us at Food Distribution Times (never had to move it inside all winter) The way He provides for us. The wisdom He gives. His Presence here. He involved Moses and Israel in the results of the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. He has purposes in this, both blessings and warnings, for them and us. * Hardening the hearts of Pharaoh and his officials Pharaoh was given many opportunities. God knew what he would choose. Don’t ask me to explain this. It is beyond me. I do not concern myself with great matters     or things too wonderful for me. Psalm 131.1b Pharaoh hardened his heart. He had part in this. He loved riches more than obedience to God. You cannot serve both God and money. He disobeyed because he was greedy and did not truly believe the LORD’s Word to him. It could have been in part a pride/power thing. Wisest thing a ruler can do is humble himself. He did not humble himself in the sight of Almighty God. He was comfortable and God was calling him to an uncomfortable situation. He had come to depend on the benefit of holding Israel in slavery. His people did not have to do heavy labor. This was all ending. How would Egypt react if he did what was right and obeyed the LORD? To obey God is often humiliating. However it is always the right thing. The rich young ruler It is also always best to humble ourselves. Moses fell down at the beginning of Korah’s rebellion. Numbers 16. 16 Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolent 2 and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council. 3 They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD’s assembly?” 4 When Moses heard this, he fell facedown. (Not the act of a man who set himself above) David would not touch Saul. He was God’s Anointed. True the Anointed gone mad but nevertheless still God’s Anointed. He had opportunity. The gifts of God, once given are not withdrawn. Be careful of looking at those who are “anointed”. Better to look at their lives, examining the fruit of the Spirit in their lives, rather than the power that comes. “He’s so anointed!” Emotions can be stirred. Look at how he lives, his words outside the church. Examine his lifestyle. How does he treat people? Does he love money and riches? Pharaoh refused to humble himself under God’s Almighty Hand. I Peter 5. 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. God firmed up the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart. Gives people over to their evil desires. We see that in Romans 1. God’s purpose in the plagues. This would culminate with the Passover. God’s purposes would lead to the LORD’s Supper which Jesus lifted right out of the Passover. In this contest of power, in the finale of these plagues God’s purpose in Christ as the Lamb of God would eventually be revealed. We will remember it during Holy Week and on Good Friday next month. The purposes of God in the plagues… * To Perform Miraculous Signs. God delights is showing us His power. Elijah, the contest of power on Carmel He involved the men getting the water Feeding of the 5,000 I love how involved the disciples in this, beginning with Philip, Andrew and eventually all of them distributing the bread and fish. On Monday Evenings and Friday afternoons food distribution In Haiti regularly same thing. Resurrection, they were witnesses. Acts 1. 3 After His suffering, He presented Himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit Power from on High! Promises: * Luke 24. 49 I am going to send you what My Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” * Acts 1.4 On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” * The Day it happened Peter declared: * Acts 2. 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” It is a gift from the Father for you! The purposes of God in the plagues… * To Tell Your Children and Grandchildren II Timothy 1. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Euniceand, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. Used to love to hear my Nana tell me stories about the faithfulness of God. God providing through George Mueller’s faith, books she read. I have books my great grandfather had in his study, books that were passed on to my Mom from her Mom, my Nana. I remember on a trip to Florida I brought along, George Mueller of Bristol by A. T. Pierson, pastor of a Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn. She remembered who gave it to her. She told me of the time when one of the many orphanages Mueller ran was out of bread. They gathered for prayer, asking God for food for that day. They heard a crackling sound. It ended up being the axel of the bread truck! The driver came to the door of the orphanage, while they were still praying, asking if they could use the bread as he would not be able to deliver it that morning. God provided. Love how my Nana praised the LORD… the azalea bush in the backyard on Mother’s Day Grandparents, we have a place in the lives of our grandchildren. We need to obey the Scriptures here. Tell them. Tell them what God has done in your life. The wonders He performed. Aunts and Uncles too. Let them hear you pray. They are watching… Lily and Tristan How He dealt harshly with the Egyptians… the consequences of sin. Tell them of the Savior. * That You May Know that I am the LORD He wants us to know Him. Personally This was not knowing about Him. This was first hand experience with Him. Intimately Ever growing John 1.16 For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. II Peter 3.18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen. He wants us to know He is the LORD. There are no other gods that can compare to Him He wants us to set apart Jesus Christ as LORD in our hearts. I Peter 3.15 AMP But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect. He desires to prove Himself mighty on your behalf. Got any rivers? Mountains? Are there pressing needs in your life today? Do you feel like there is no way I am going to make it through? God is actively watching and seeking out those whose hearts are devoted to Him, to show Himself strong on their behalf.  II Chronicles 16. 9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him