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Exodus 6:1-8 HEAVENLY HELP FOR HEAVY HEARTS Intro: Moses arrives in Egypt and confronts Pharaoh. He demands the release of the people of God, Ex. 5:1-5. Pharaoh refuses Moses’ demands and makes the burden on the people even greater than it had been before, Ex. 5:6-23. Israel is burdened to the point of breaking. They turn on Moses and Moses turns to the Lord. When he does, God gives him some words of Heavenly comfort for the people of Israel. It may be that some here are burdened in your own life. Ill. Chutes are not opening and trucks are missing. If you are, I believe these great words to Israel can give you some hope as well. I want to preach on the thought: Heavenly Hope ForHeavy Hearts. I want you to know that God cares about all you face in life. He cares and this passage points out some of theareas of our lives that He cares about. I trust that you will get the help you need today. (Ill. God Cares…) I. v. 6 ABOUT YOUR FRUSTRATIONS A. He Cares About Your Burdens –Israel’s burdens. Burdens are those things that trouble us; our worries, ourconcerns, our problems. We all have burdens. B. He Cares About Your Bondage – Israel’s bondage. Bondage is those things that control us, whether it is people,substances, sins, or attitudes.
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6 ABOUT YOUR FREEDOM B. He Delivers You From Your Slavery – We can be a slave to sin, but other things can enslave us too. We can be enslaved by our burdens. Jesus knows how to deliver you from the things that would hold you captive. Ill. Just as He opened the prison doors for Peter, Acts 12; He can open the bars of worry and affliction and set you free. Ill. Even if He doesn’t let you out, He can make you free in your situation, Ill. 3 Hebrews; Daniel; Heb. 13:5. III. v. 7 ABOUT YOUR FELLOWSHIP A. He Provides Personal Fellowship – God desires intimacy with His people. The trials of life are designed to drive us into His arms. He isn’t trying to hurt you; He is trying to develop you. Great faith is shaped on the anvil of affliction. He is trying to teach you about His presence, His power and His peace. (Ill. How will you ever know that He can unless He has to?) B. He Provides Powerful Fellowship – God would leave no doubt in their minds that He was their God and that He was working on their behalf. The many miracles would remove all doubt about His presence with His people. (Ill. The miracles we have all seen in our lives. Ill. Jack R.) IV. v. 8 ABOUT YOUR FUTURE A. He Has Promised Your Future – His promise to Israel – Deut. 6:23. We have the same promise! He brought us out of death and sin so that we might enter into His Heaven some day, Eph. 2:1-10. B. He Has Prepared Your Future – The Lord promised the land to the Patriarchs. The land was prepared for Israel’s arrival. He has prepared a place for us called Heaven, John 14:1-3; Rev. 21:1-22:5. C. He Has Preserved Your Future – Even While the Canaanite lived in the land it belonged to Israel. When they arrived, they would take possession of all the Lord had prepared for them. There are no Canaanites in Heaven, but that land is being preserved for us just the same, 1 Pet. 1:4; Matt. 6:19-20. Conclusion: God cares about you today. He cares more about you than you do. Just as He moved for ancient Israel, He will move for you. God told Moses that He would Move In Power, v. 1; Reveal His Person, v. 2-3; and Keep His Promises, v. 4-5. He will do the same for you and me! Are there some things that have you burdened down? Cast them on Him! Are there some things that have you bound? Look to the Lord and He will set you free. Church, He cares about you and about all you face in life. If there are needs, get them to Him and get the help you need today |