A Journey of Deliverance: Flourishing in Freedom (Exodus 18:1-27)

When Moses’s father-in-law Jethro comes to visit him, Moses tells him of God’s great rescue of his people, and Jethro’s response is “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you…Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods.” In this sermon, Worship Pastor Blake Bostick explains how Moses gives us a model for evangelism and shows how to respond to wise counsel.

A Journey of Deliverance:
Flourishing in Freedom
Exodus 18:1-27

I. Moses demonstrates a model for evangelism
A. Show love
B. Share the Gospel
C. Respond to the Gospel
II. Moses demonstrates submission to wise counsel

A Journey of Deliverance: Onward Toward Spiritual Growth (Exodus 17:1-16)

Like the Israelites in the wilderness, we are prone to spiritual amnesia, forgetting God’s past faithfulness when things get difficult. Through God providing his people water from a rock then a miraculous military victory, in this sermon, Pastor Brice shows us how we can allow our anxiety to lead us toward spiritual growth.

NOTE: The first several minutes of the sermon audio are cut off.

A Journey of Deliverance:
Onward Toward Spiritual Growth
Exodus 17:1-16

I.   Do not put the Lord God to the test
    A. Let anxiety lead you to prayer
    B. Pray for those that cause you anxiety
    C. Rejoice in the Lord
    D. Be sad, mourn, be desperate, but don’t be angry with God
II.  Trust in a better Moses
III. Do not discount the power and importance of prayer
    A. Prayer is a spiritual discipline for a spiritual battle
    B. Prayer is effectively done as a corporate act
    C. Answered prayer is the banner of the faithfulness of God

A Journey of Deliverance: The Journey to Spiritual Growth--Part 2 (Exodus 16:1-37)

It didn’t take long in the wilderness before God’s people got hungry and grumbled against him; yet despite their discontentment, God provided manna to feed them. In this sermon, Pastor Brice teaches how spiritual immaturity causes us to care more about what we think we need than about the sufficient provision of God.

A Journey of Deliverance:
The Journey to Spiritual Growth—Part 2
Exodus 16:1-37

I. The marks of spiritual immaturity of the people of God as seen in Exodus 16
A. They grumbled so quickly after receiving God’s goodness
1. It overlooks God’s holiness by allowing respectable sin
2. It blames God and others for our immaturity
B. They distorted the past
C. They exaggerated the present
D. They disobeyed God
1. They prioritized excess over contentment
2. They prioritized personal fulfillment over obedience
3. The prioritized the gift over the giver

A Journey of Deliverance: The Journey to Spiritual Growth (Exodus 15:22-27)

Just three days after God’s great Red Sea rescue of his people, they begin to doubt his provision in the wilderness when they cannot find water. In this sermon, Pastor Brice shows us how testing produces spiritual maturity.

A Journey of Deliverance:
The Journey to Spiritual Growth
Exodus 15:22-27

I.   Testing almost always follows triumph
II. Spiritual maturity does not immediately follow salvation
A. They displayed immature behavior
B. They whined to Moses
C. They were self-absorbed
III. God’s grace was insufficient

A Journey of Deliverance: The Song of Moses, Miriam, and God’s People (Exodus 15:1-21)

Immediately after God's rescue of his people through the Red Sea, they cannot help but "sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously!" In this sermon, Pastor Brice explains what we can learn about right worship and praise from the Bible's oldest worship song. 

A Journey of Deliverance:
The Song of Moses, Miriam, and God’s People
Exodus 15:1-21

I.   Right worship and praise is God-centered and not man-centered
II.  Right worship and praise is trusting with confident assurance
III. Right worship and praise is for all Christians and not unbelievers

A Journey of Deliverance: Across the Sea (Exodus 14:15-31)

In the parting of the Red Sea, God's mighty power is on full display. In this sermon, Pastor Brice shows how God's miraculous rescue of his people brings both justice and salvation for the praise of his glorious name.

A Journey of Deliverance:
Across the Sea
Exodus 14:15-31

I.   God in his divine power rescues his people
     A. The Lord used Moses to accomplish his work
     B. The Lord hardened the hearts of the Egyptians
     C. The Lord protected Israel all night
     D. The Lord brings justice and salvation to the praise of his glorious name

A Journey of Deliverance: Out of Egypt (Exodus 13:17-14:14)

Right after God's people are delivered from bondage in Egypt, as they begin to doubt God when Pharaoh's army pursues them, God's response through Moses is “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD...The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” In this sermon, Pastor Brice shows how God's path to victory is sometimes strange, but always in his control. 

A Journey of Deliverance:
Out of Egypt
Exodus 13:17-14:14

I.   God’s path to victory is a predestined but strange path
II.  God’s path to victory is the promised path
III. God’s path to victory is a path protected by his presence
IV. God’s path to victory is a powerful path

A Journey of Deliverance: The Passover in Our Time (Exodus 12:43-13:16)

The parameters God placed around the Passover celebration parallel those the New Testament places on Communion. In the return of our Exodus series, learn why Communion is so important and how we ought to prepare to participate in it each week.

A Journey of Deliverance:
The Passover in Our Time
Exodus 12:43-13:16

I.   Communion is an Exclusive Occasion
II.  Communion is an Inclusive Occasion
III. Communion is a Responsive Occasion
IV. Communion is a Memorable Occasion
V.  Communion is a Connecting Occasion

How the Psalms Shape the New Testament

The most quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament is the book of Psalms, including well over 100 references and allusions. In this sermon from July 29, Worship Pastor Blake Bostick shows how the doctrine, preaching, praying, and worship of New Testament believers was shaped by the book of Psalms.

How the Psalms Shape the New Testament

I.   The Psalms shape New Testament doctrine
II.  The Psalms shape New Testament preaching
III. The Psalms shape New Testament praying
IV. The Psalms shape New Testament worship

The Kingdom and the King Within the Psalms

While every part of the Bible should be understood in its grammatical and historical context, if we don't also understand it within the grander redemption narrative, we will miss God's greater purpose. In this sermon, guest preacher Josh Kubler from Redeemer Baptist Church shows how the Psalms convey God's great plan of redemption through Christ.

The Kingdom and the King Within the Psalms

I.   The Coming of Christ (Psalm 132:11)
II.  The Kingdom of Christ (Psalm 103:1-14)
III. The Crucifixion of Christ (Psalm 22:1-18)
IV. The Kingship of Christ (Psalm 146:3-10)

Faith and Hope in Difficult Circumstances (Psalm 40)

Often times we believe that life with God is a fluffyunicorn play land. But the reality is we face trials and tribulations. In this sermon, Morgan Putman shows us how David dealt with those rough times and how we can apply those principals to our lives. 

Faith and Hope in Difficult Circumstances
Psalm 40

I.   Remember God’s previous works (1-2) 
     A. David waited for the Lord
     B. The Lord inclined and heard him
II.  Praise God’s previous works (3-10)
     A. God gave David a song
     B. David loudly sang God’s song
III. Pray for God’s future work (11-17)
     A. David acknowledges God
     B. David confesses his sin
     C. David petitions
     D. David acknowledges God

Leaning into Lament

When we're down, so often we're told to smile and "fake it 'til we make it." But the reality of life is that we will inevitably face trials and suffering, and in this sermon, Stephen McNeill shows us how the Psalms allow us to be honest about our pain while pointing us to the God who is good in the midst of it.

Leaning into Lament

I.   Lament over sin (Psalms 51, 38, and 32)
     A. We must acknowledge our sinful tendencies and actions
     B. We must be remorseful
     C. God grants forgiveness
II.  Lament over circumstances (Psalms 88 and 42)
     A. Life is hard
     B. God is sovereign and good
     C. Mourning will turn to dancing

Praying the Psalms

Our prayers can often become repetitive, rambling, and self-absorbed, but when we pray through Scripture, our prayers become an engaging dialogue with God. In this sermon, Pastor Brice teaches how to use the Psalms to shape a more effective prayer life. 

Praying the Psalms

I.   Praying through Scripture gives us timely answers
II.  Praying through Scripture initiates a two-way conversation
III. Praying through Scripture helps our prayers become effective
     A. We don’t ramble
     B. We remember the scripture better than just reading
     C. Through God’s sovereignty we pray in his will
     D. We are more engaged in current sermons or studies

What the Bible Will Do for You (Psalm 19)

For the second installment of our Psalms series, guest preacher Dr. Steve Miller used Psalm 19 to explain how God's teaching through His specially revealed word has the power to revive our souls and guide our lives. 

What the Bible Will Do for You
Psalm 19

I.   The Bible revives the soul
II.  The Bible will make you wise
III. The Bible will give you joy
IV. The Bible helps us discern right and wrong
V.  The Bible provides a foundation for life

Psalms: The Prayerbook of God's People

This past Sunday we began our summer sermon series, "Psalms: The Prayerbook of God's People." In this sermon, listen to Pastor Stephen McNeill lay out the big picture of the Psalms and prepare us for what to anticipate on this journey!

Psalms: The Prayerbook of God's People

I.    About the Psalms
II.   The big picture of the Psalms
      A.  The background (God, man, and life)
      B.  The foreground (main themes)
            1.  Striving to be faithful to the Torah
            2.  Anticipating the Messiah
            3.  Lament and praise
            4.  Faith and hope             
III. The Shaping Power of the Psalms

A Journey of Deliverance: A Night of Watching (Exodus 12:29-42)

Exodus 12 calls the Passover a "night of watching," a time for God's people to be waiting, ready, and on-guard. In this sermon, learn how God uses those times to teach us obedience and bring us peace.

A Journey of Deliverance:
A Night of Watching
Exodus 12:29-42

I.  Watching preserves our lives and enriches our spirit
    A. We are preserved and enriched because we can see what God commands
    B. We are preserved and enriched because we can do what God commands
    C. We are preserved and enriched because obedience offers peace
II. Watching allows us to intercede for others

A Journey of Deliverance: The Institution of the Passover--Part 2 (Exodus 12:14-28)

Dr. Philip Ryken described the Christian life as "a combination of amnesia and deja vu, in which we keep learning what we keep forgetting.” In our second sermon on the Passover, learn how traditions can help us to remember the great things the Lord has done for us.

A Journey of Deliverance:
The Institution of the Passover (2)
Exodus 12:14-28

I.  We remember the work of the Lord by observing traditions
    A. Christ-centered and corporate worship
    B. Redeeming cultural traditions
    C. Creating church traditions
II. We remember the work of the Lord by observing personal testimony
    A. Our past testimony
    B. Our present testimony

A Journey of Deliverance: The Institution of the Passover (Exodus 12:1-13)

The freedom God saves his people to is not freedom to do anything we want, but freedom to worship and serve him. In our first message from Exodus 12, learn how the Passover reveals the purpose of God's salvation.

A Journey of Deliverance:
The Institution of the Passover
Exodus 12:1-13

I.  The Passover reveals a freedom from slavery to those who live by faith
    A. Freedom to be who we were created to be
    B. Freedom to give our best to God instead of our idols
II. The Passover reveals the propitiation of God’s wrath

A Journey of Deliverance: The Plagues and Wonderment in the LORD (Exodus 11:1-10)

In Exodus 11, God promises to multiply his wonders in Egypt. In this sermon, learn how the wonders of God cause us to marvel at his majesty, trust in his salvation, and live for his glory.

A Journey of Deliverance:
The Plagues and Wonderment in the LORD
Exodus 11:1-10

I.   Our life of wonderment causes us to marvel at his majesty
II.  Our life of wonderment causes us to trust in his salvation
III. Our life of wonderment causes us to live for his glory

A Journey of Deliverance: The Plagues and Worship (Exodus 10:1-29)

With the plagues of locusts and darkness, God pours "a darkness to be felt" over Egypt. In this sermon from Exodus 10, learn how God uses these to demonstrate truths about genuine worship.

A Journey of Deliverance:
The Plagues and Worship
Exodus 10:1-29

I.  God is deconstructing creation with the plagues
II. Worship is being demonstrated through the plagues
    A. Worship is an awe-inspiring, life-changing, and lifelong movement
    B. Worship is communal
    C. Worship is all or nothing