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First, remember the God who gave the commandments is holy and merciful. Second, what do the commandments teach us today?

Israel is trapped with the Egyptians behind them and the Red Sea in front of them.  What do we learn from them? God doesn't always take us by way of the quickest or easiest route. But we can trust God and God keeps His promises. We can also be assured God is present. Remember, "The Battle Belongs to the Lord."

This message attempts to provide some explanation for the death of the firstborn Egyptians.  We struggle with this. But God does not inflict anything on us that God has not endured It was a battle between God and Egypt's deities of death. There was justice and judgment. There was also mercy.   This message also looks at the connections between the Passover and The Lord's Supper. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! The blood of Jesus saves us for Jesus is "the lamb without blemish or spot" (1 Peter 1:19).

As Pastor John Piper has reminded us many times all of redemptive history from creation to consummation gives glory to God. The plagues in Exodus are no exception.  The occur so that the people, Egyptians and Israelites alike will know that Yahweh is Lord! We too are called to give God glory.  Using David Mathis' categories of Audible words, visible actions, and invisible heart, this sermon explores what "Giving God Glory" might look like.

Overview of the Plagues Themes. One over-arching theme:  The Glory of God Four Recurring Themes: Obedience Superior Power of God Counterfeits Perpetual Hardening of Pharaoh's Hearts  (Adapted from "Christ Centered Exposition Commentary: Exalting Jesus in Exodus," Tony Merida, pp. 50-65)

We all face discouragement.  Moses and the Israelites did and we find in their struggles some encouragement for ours. Namely: God is in control. God keeps His promises. God saves: God liberates, redeems, adopts, and give us an inheritance.

We learn from this story about the "waiting years" before Moses is called to lead the Exodus at least three things: We can trust God even in the most desperate situations. But do not get ahead of God; wait for Him. And in the waiting, remember God is preparing you for what is ahead.

The new Pharaoh had forgotten Joseph and his family and the previous Pharaoh's policies regarding Joseph's families. But God had not forgotten. This opening chapter sets up the battle not so much between Pharaoh and Moses, but between Pharaoh and God! Pharaoh dealt shrewdly with the Israelites; he ordered slavery; and finally state sponsored genocide.  But through all this darkness; God was keeping his promises! The text begs us to ask, Whom do we fear most? It reminds us again that God's promises prevail, God remembers us, and God often grows us under pressure.

This message is an introductory message to a sermon series on the book of Exodus. The message highlights some of the major themes of Exodus like: Liberation and Redemption, God's Sovereignty, God's Glory, Law, Covenant, and God's Presence. The message also looks at Exodus 1:1-7 where we begin to see that God is keeping the promises he made to Jacob in Genesis 46:2-4.

This is the final message in the "Summer of Joy" series and in this message we find Paul suggesting that Joy is found in "Thinking Right" and "Being Content in Jesus."

Paul urges us to find joy in unity. And it is humble unity for he urges us verse 3-4 to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant. Humility is a virtue and clearly Jesus humbled himself (vv. 5-8); but how can we find joy in humility?  This message explores a few possibilities.

What is Joy?   It is often confused with happiness. Joy is found in Christ.  The apostle Paul makes it clear that Christ is his joy; Christ is his delight. What do we learn from Paul regarding increasing out joy: Nurture your relationship with Christ. Celebrate! Surround yourself with joyful believers.

This message is a wrap-up for Stuart Presbyterian's Vacation Bible School (June 24-26), "Snowball Mountain Challenge" The message provides a synopsis of what was learned over the three days, namely: When we face challenges: We can use our gifts (Joseph the dream interpreter, Genesis 40-41). We can pray (Jesus - Matthew 36:36-46). We can have hope (Peter and John heal lame man - Acts 3:1-10).

John believers are called to overcome the world; but what does he mean by "world"?  And what does he mean by "overcoming"? John warns of three primary paths to worldliness: desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and pride of life (1 Jn. 2:16) But John offers hope of how we can overcome in 1 John 5:1-5.

In this message we consider what is sometimes referred to as John's "Test of Affection."  We know true believers if they love God and love one another. This "test" is based on Jesus' answer regarding the greatest commandment (Mk. 12:28-31). The message will attempt to provide a definition of love as well as some ways in which we can love God and love one another.