We Must Go Forward

 

Exodus 14:13-15

13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

15 And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

The children of Israel went to Egypt and resided there for 430 years. When they first came, there were only about 70 Israelites. That number grew to approximately two million people in the matter of time they spent there.

Exodus 1:11-14

11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.

12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.

13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:

14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.

With all the adversity the Israelites had against them, it was very hard for them to move forward. I can’t imagine the bondage and affliction they had to endure. Even living on the outskirts of Egypt would have been miserable, because the Pharaoh appointed taskmaster over the Israelites; they were all slaves!

That’s a long period of slavery! Israel lived with that slave mentality for over 400 years. They forgot what liberty was like. They had no foreseeable future, but it was time for Israel to move on! They lived in bondage long enough!

Is there anyone here today that needs to be delivered from a slave mentality?

If I am a slave to anything, make me a slave to my Lord! I don’t want to have a slave mentality!

I don’t want to sin anymore! Why? Because I am a slave to Him!

I choose to be a Christian! I no longer have that slave mentality!

I choose this life of grace! No one is forcing me; I choose this life!

I serve Him because I love Him!

Somebody needs to leave behind their slave mentality!

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

In these texts, Paul, discussing God’s grace and mercy, is telling them how God rescued him and made him a prisoner of Christ.

He calls himself a prisoner of God; a slave for the kingdom that must walk forward.

Israel forgot what liberty was like. It was hard for them to believe that God was there; to trust God.

John 8:31-32

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Freedom is right in front of us all and we must go forward! Freedom that will save our families and all of our loved ones! A freedom that will give us the ability to move forward.

The truth shall set you free! We don’t need the things of our old life; the things that hold us back! Allow the blood of Jesus to cleanse you from all unrighteousness and sin!

God wants to move His church forward! Like He did for Israel, He wants to give you His blessings, but He won’t if you just sit around. We must go forward!

Hebrews 11:8-10

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Abraham went forward and allowed God to be his builder!

Look at Hebrews 11:7:

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Noah allowed God to make the blueprints and it saved his family.

God is telling someone to go forward! He is the master builder of your life!

Just like how God created the blueprints for the Ark, God has created a blueprint for each and every one of our lives for us to follow. He just wants us to move forward!

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

You would never trust a carpenter to build a house without blueprints! A good builder doesn’t wing it; he begins with a clean and straightforward blueprint!

Ask yourself this question: Am I closer to God than I have ever been before?

If not, you need to move forward! God gave us a blueprint for our lives, called the bible! We must pray, study the word, fast, and practice Godly disciplines!

It’s time to cover your past in the blood of spotless lamb! Let His blood wash over all your shortcomings!

Let the Lord turn your complacency into conviction!

Don’t let the devil hold you back from God’s blessings! Don’t let anything in this world hold you back!

You must go forward; allow God to speak to you!

I believe God is trying to speak to us today. What’s holding you back?

We must respond to the Lord’s call! Go forward!

Matthew 28:19-20

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We Must Go Forward!