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Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’” …Now let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword.” (Exodus 5:1-3)
The Ten Plagues of Egypt are described in Exodus chapters 7—12. These disasters were sent by God upon Egypt to convince Pharaoh to free the Israelite slaves from the bondage and oppression that they had endured in Egypt for 400 years. This may be an interesting Bible story, but you might be tempted to say: “What does this judgment against Egyptian idol gods and the plagues mean to me today?”
Egypt and Pharaoh are symbolic of the power of sin in the world that enslaves us. The plagues are symbolic of God’s judgment upon the things that we idolize. God did not tolerate the idolatry of Egypt and he won’t tolerate it in us either.
How many of us have an idol in our lives right now? What is there in our lives that keeps us from breaking free from the bondage that Satan has placed us under? How many of us let those idols get in the way of worshipping God or serving Him in His kingdom?
How many worship the “Nile god” on Sunday morning, fishing, boating or having a party instead of being in the House of God on the Lord’s Day?
How many are worshipping their “god’s of the sky, earth, or crops” with their activities at the playgrounds, parks, picnics, ball parks, lawn and gardening, instead of worshipping Jesus Christ in the House of the Lord?
How many worship the “sun god”, playing out on the beaches of the world rather than worshipping the true Son of God on Sunday morning?
How many are worshipping the “god of sleep and rest” instead of coming to God and obtaining the spiritual rest that only Jesus can give?
How many are worshipping the “god of family”, placing the wishes of their children or their wife or husband, or significant other, above the commandment of God to “not forsake the assembling of yourselves together” to worship him?
How many are serving their “god of lifestyle, finances, and worldly possessions” by chasing after the wealth of this world rather than chasing after the wealth of God’s glory and the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives?
Are we all that different from the Egyptians and their false god, or idols? Not as much as we would like to think. But thankfully God not only sends a warning, but also a deliverer– a savior! Let’s repent, turn away from our false gods, worship our God. Let's be forgiven and live in the grace and mercy He gives us each and every day through faith in Jesus Christ. See you Sunday morning!
Pastor Dan
Announcements:
· We are featured on a local YouTube Podcast, Star Smiley Music for Easter this year. Podcaster, Star Smiley, is with us this Sunday and sharing special music during communion. Visit her channel on YouTube ( @starsmileymusic3747 ) and look for the interview with Pastor Baker that will be coming out sometime this weekend.
· Order your Easter Lilies! Give them in memory of or in honor of someone special or a special occasion. Help add beauty to our Easter services this year. Cost is $10.00 per plant. Fill out a form at the back of the church and put it by the offering boxes. Due by Palm Sunday, April 13th.
· Come celebrate Holy Week with us, and invite your family, friends, and neighbors! This is a great time to invite people to come to church. We have special music planned for all week!
- Palm Sunday Worship with the Procession of Palms at 10 a.m.on April 13th
- Maundy Thursday Worship with Holy Communion at 6:00 p.m. on April 17th
- Good Friday Tenebrae Service is at noon on April 18th
- Easter Resurrection Worship at 10 a.m. on April 20th, with an Easter Egg Hunt following worship for the kids.
· We are having Vacation Bible School on June 24-25-26 from 6:30-8:00 pm in partnership with the other ministries onsite. We also need volunteers to sign up in the next few weeks - contact Kaitlyn Hallett to sign up. Registration for youth 1st to 5th grade (ages 6-12) will open on a later date.
· Join us this Wednesday for a Soup Supper at 6:00 pm followed by the Exodus series class at 7:00 pm, both in the Fellowship Hall. Read Exodus 15-32 to help be prepared.There will be teaching by the pastors and small group discussions. Free!
