John Harvey opened services by reading from the first chapter of the letter of Philippians and encouraging us to seek and walk in the fellowship of Christ, both with one another and with God.

Text: Phil 1:3-5
Scriptural References: Eph 3:8-7; Matt 11:3-5:  1 Cor 1:9; Rev 5:9; Acts 2:41-42; 2 Cor 8:2-3

Randy McCarthy followed up by discussing what he termed, “the biblical pattern for trusting God.”  Randy read from Exodus 14 regarding the deliverance of the nation of Israel by allowing them to pass through the Red Sea on the dry sea bed.  While this is a notable miracle, it is attested by several archeological and historical sources.  As the nation camped on the beach next to the sea, they discovered themselves hemmed in by the pursing army of Pharoah.  They naturally cried out in fear, wondering why God had led them to this place where they would be destroyed.  God told Moses to tell the people, “Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.”  Exod 14:13.  From this Randy pointed out a sequence that often takes place in the lives of people blessed by God in the Bible (e.g., Abraham, Job, Joshua, David, Paul, etc.), as well as a sequence that we often experience ourselves.  Initially, God gives us a promise that, after perhaps us being unwilling to believe, we come to the place where we do believe God.  We feel great relief and go forward confidently, trusting that God will bless us.  It is often at this point when very serious troubles begin; we may be faced with a terrible, fearful situation, such as here with Pharoah’s army behind the nation and the impassable Red Sea in front.  What usually happens to us in our lives is exactly what happened to the nation of Israel – we cry out in fear and unbelief.  God nevertheless calls on us to not be afraid, stand up, stand still, and watch as He delivers us in a spectacular and wondrous way.  We should therefore not faint when our faith is tested, but instead understand that as we travel in this world as followers of Christ, we should expect both what appear to be impossible problems and amazing, miraculous deliverances from God.

Text: Exodus 14: 13-14 (Reading beginning at verse 1)
Scriptural Reference: 1 Thes 5: 14-23

Podcast: Download (Duration: 39:43 — 10.5MB)