Exodus - An Introduction to God

This week we begin a new sermon series exploring who God is through the lens of Exodus. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to see how this ancient story is not just a historical account, but a mirror of our own spiritual journey. The narrative of Israel's enslavement and liberation becomes a lens through which we can understand God's activity in our lives today. We're challenged to recognize that even in moments of apparent absence, God is working behind the scenes, weaving together a story of redemption. The text reminds us that God often chooses to work through the unexpected and the marginalized, teaching us to look for His presence in unlikely places. This message encourages us to resist cynicism and remember that our seemingly small acts of faithfulness can be pivotal in God's grand narrative. As we reflect on the parallels between Exodus and the life of Jesus, we're called to embrace a larger, truer story – one where we're freed not just from external bondage, but from the internal chains that hold us back from fully experiencing God's love and purpose for our lives.

Exodus - An Introduction to God | Active In Human History - Exodus 1:8-2:10 - Clint Leavitt

This week, Daniel Barth leads us in an exploration of Exodus 3 where we delve into the profound moment when God reveals His name to Moses through the burning bush. This pivotal encounter reminds us that God often appears in unexpected places and uses unlikely people for His purposes. Just as He called Moses—a failed, forgotten old man—God can use us in our brokenness and searching. The lesson here is clear: our past doesn't disqualify us from God's calling. Instead, it's when we come to the end of ourselves that we're truly ready for God to work through us. This story challenges us to remain open to God's presence in our lives, even in the 'wastelands,' and to trust His timing, which is often different from our own. As we reflect on God's self-revelation as 'I AM,' we're invited to contemplate His eternal nature and self-sufficiency, finding comfort in the fact that the same God who liberated the Israelites is present and active in our lives today.

Exodus - An Introduction to God | Deliverer - Exodus 3:1-15 - Daniel Barth

This week, Clint brings to the moment of Moses and his encounter with the burning bush. This pivotal moment in Exodus reveals how God breaks into our lives, shattering our paradigms and inviting us into a greater story. We're reminded that God's call isn't about our qualifications, but about His grace and purpose. Just as Moses struggled with insecurity and doubt, we too might question our worthiness. But God doesn't demand perfection; He offers His presence. The burning bush symbolizes how God uses the ordinary to reveal the extraordinary, challenging us to be attentive to His voice in our everyday lives. This message urges us to turn aside from our routines, to create space for God to speak, and to trust that He can use our 'staff' - our skills, experiences, and even our weaknesses - to participate in His work of redemption and justice in the world.

Exodus - An Introduction to God | Chooser - Exodus 4.1-17 - Clint Leavitt

The story of Moses confronting Pharaoh isn't just ancient history - it's a mirror reflecting our own struggles with pride and hardheartedness. We see how God's invitations to change are met with resistance, not just by Pharaoh, but often in our own lives. The plagues aren't random acts of vengeance, but carefully orchestrated 'de-creation' events, showing the consequences of rejecting God's order. This narrative invites us to examine where we might be refusing God's call to center Him in our lives. Are we, like Pharaoh, hardening our hearts? The message reminds us that God's commands aren't arbitrary rules, but wisdom woven into the fabric of reality. When we reject them, we invite collapse into our lives. Yet, even in judgment, God's ultimate goal is salvation - for the oppressed and, remarkably, even for the oppressors. This story challenges us to see beyond our limited perspectives and recognize a God who is both just and merciful, inviting us into a life of true freedom and flourishing.

Exodus - An Introduction to God | Victor - Exodus 5:1-9; 7:14-18; 10:21-28 - Clint Leavitt

This week, Tom Parker invites us into the story of the Israelites in Exodus 17, where we see how God miraculously provides water from a rock in the desert. This narrative challenges us to examine our own reactions when faced with life's difficulties. Are we quick to complain and forget God's past faithfulness, or do we respond with trust and mature faith? The sermon encourages us to cultivate a 'holy memory' - remembering God's goodness in our lives, even amid challenging circumstances. It's a call to move beyond reactivity and develop emotional and spiritual maturity, recognizing that God's grace is abundant, even when we falter. As we reflect on our own 'thirsts' in life, we're reminded of Jesus' invitation to come to Him for living water, addressing both our physical and spiritual needs.

Exodus - An Introduction to God | Provider - Exodus 17:1-7 - Tom Parker

This week, Luke Parker explores God's covenant with His people as we delve into Exodus chapters 19 and 20. The central message reminds us that God is a promise keeper, faithfully fulfilling His word throughout history. We see how God's covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai wasn't just about rules, but about relationship. This covenant foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who became both sides of the covenant - God and man. The imagery of Moses going up and down the mountain serves as a powerful metaphor for our role as 'priests' in the world, bridging the gap between God and others. We're challenged to consider: What promises has God made to us? How are we living as His 'treasured possession'? This message encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness, even when we fail, reminding us that our relationship with Him is not based on our performance, but on His unwavering love and commitment.

Exodus - An Introduction to God | Covenant-Maker - Exodus 19-20 - Luke Parker

This week, we wrap up our exploration of Exodus as we delve into the heart of God's character. As Moses ascends Mount Sinai to rewrite the covenant, God reveals Himself in five profound attributes: merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and faithful. These qualities paint a picture of a God who is deeply compassionate, yet just; patient, yet righteous. The story reminds us of the tension between God's mercy and justice, a theme that echoes throughout Scripture. As we reflect on these attributes, we're challenged to consider how they manifest in our own lives. Are we showing the same compassion, grace, and patience to others that God shows us? This passage invites us to trust in God's unwavering love and faithfulness, even when we falter. It's a call to embrace our role in God's grand narrative of redemption, knowing that His character remains constant through all of life's ups and downs.

Exodus - An Introduction to God | The Lord, The Lord - Exodus 34:1-9 - Daniel Barth

At Midtown Presbyterian Church, we value honest questions and genuine community, working alongside one another as we discover more about what it means to follow Jesus in the modern world, and in Phoenix. You are welcome here.
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