THAT THEY MAY BELIEVE THE LORD GOD OF THEIR FATHERS

Text: Exodus 4
20 September 2009

(I) THE LONG ROAD TO A DEEP FAITH IN GOD

1. An illustrious Ancestry

a) Abraham

b) Isaac

c) Jacob/Israel

d) Joseph

2. The lessons of faith in God

a) Struggles

b) Success

3. The Problems of life

a) Hardship

b) Slavery (under cruel Egyptian masters)

c) The cruelty of life can rob a person of deep faith in God

(II) STEPS TOWARDS A RESTORED DEEP FAITH IN GOD

1. Promise of Deliverance

“…I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey…” Exodus 3:8

2. Presence of God

“…’I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.’ ” Exodus 3:12

3. Power of God

“…I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst…” Exodus 3:20

(III) SPECIAL PROVISIONS I- “THAT THEY MAY BELIEVE”

“That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” Exodus 4:5

“…that they may believe the message of the latter sign.” Exodus 4:8

1. A special servant of God in Moses

2. Special signs that would be performed

a) Two initial signs

i) Rod to Snake ( Exodus 4:1-5 )

ii) Leprous hand restored ( Exodus 4:6-7 )

iii) Water into blood ( Exodus 4:9 )

(IV) SPECIAL PROVISIONS II – “THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE”

“And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:30-31

1. The signs performed by Jesus

a) Recorded in the Gospel of John

b) Recorded in the other Gospels

2. The significance of these signs

a) To help people come to faith in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God

b) And through faith in Jesus have eternal life in His name