No Longer Slaves

Welcome to Southwest!

• Last Week: God revealed his plan of redemption to Abraham: Form a nation that would bring forth the savior who would rescue the world from sin and death.
• Today: It wasn’t exactly a straightforward journey from point A (Abraham) to point B (Jesus). Many unexpected obstacles and hardships — like slavery in Egypt. 

The Book of Exodus

God is faithful, and God continues to drive the narrative forward despite everything Israel does wrong — and the wrong things that are done to them.

• Exodus 1:8-11 — Israel is enslaved by the Egyptians after initially being welcomed as heroes.
• This was Pharaoh’s preemptive strike to ensure that Israel would not rise up against them in battle.
• Exodus 1:14 uses the Hebrew word for slavery (Abad / Abodah) four times in a single verse to emphasize how harsh their lives were.

Imagine you are an Israelite who knows all about the promises God gave to your ancestor, Abraham.

• You might be wondering how your people can fulfill God’s purpose if you’re stuck in slavery in Egypt.
• Today, we might wonder how to respond when Gods plan and promises seem to clash with the circumstances of our lives.

Today’s Message: No Longer Slaves.

God rescues the people of Israel from their slavery in Egypt so they can be free to pursue his plan for their lives.

Scripture: Exodus 2:23-25

• Israel calls out to God for deliverance.
• God hears their cries and knows it is time to act.

Scripture: Exodus 3:7-10

• God announces his intention to rescue the people from their slavery and then commissions Moses to confront Pharaoh.
• God has a plan, but he chooses human beings (like Moses) to turn his divine plan into a tangible reality.
• God is waiting for the right people to step up to join him in his plan to rescue the world and lead people to Jesus. Are you willing to answer the call?

Why Did God Want to Rescue Israel?

• Obvious answer: Because of his love, compassion, and mercy.

Exodus 4:22-23 reveals an additional reason: So that Israel would be free to serve and worship God.

• The Bible uses the same word Abad / Abodah (for slavery) to describe worshipping or serving God.

Key Point: Israel was chosen by God to be his servants, but they couldn’t serve God faithfully while they were being forced to serve Pharaoh as his slaves.

• Christopher J.H. Wright: “[God and Moses] do not talk merely of finding freedom in the modern sense of independence or self-determination. Rather, the purpose of the exodus was to bring Israel out of slavery to Pharaoh so that they could properly enter the service/worship of YHWH. Israel’s problem was not just that they were slaves and ought to be free. It was that they were slaves to the wrong master and needed to be reclaimed and restored to their proper Lord.” –The Mission of God, p. 284.

Biblical Freedom

• When the Bible talks about a Christian’s freedom… it’s not telling us that we get to be in charge of everything. It’s more about being released from everything that might be holding us captive so that we are free to willingly submit to God. 
• 1 Peter 2:16 — “Live as free people… live as God’s slaves”

Key Principle: Israel wouldn’t be able to fulfill God’s plan for their lives as long as they were enslaved in Egypt. They needed to be set free before they could be sent forth.

Israel is Freed From their Slavery and Called into Service.

Scripture: Exodus 14, esp. v. 29-31.

• This turning point caused Israel to put their trust in God.

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-8.

• God reveals the truth about Israel’s identity and purpose in the world. He calls them into service, and they agree to pursue his will.

The Defining Narrative

The Exodus Story (celebrated during Passover) became the master story of Israel, the story that became their fundamental narrative. 

• Their story is our story too — a journey from slavery (to sin) to freedom (in Christ) because of a powerful act of God’s deliverance.

Application

1. Turn to Jesus for lasting freedom from everything holding you captive.

2. Use your freedom to serve the right master.

3. Be willing to answer God’s call to action.

Study & Reflection

“In the Red Sea of His own blood, our Redeemer has drowned the Pharaoh of our sins!” -Charles Spurgeon

Today’s sermon was about being released from slavery so we can be free to pursue God’s will. With that in mind, read Romans 6:1-23.

1. According to this passage, what does the concept of slavery have to do with our walk with God?
2. What does the image of slavery teach us about the nature of sin and Satan?
3. How do verses 17-18 connect with the main ideas from today’s sermon?
4. Based on verses 1-7, what role does baptism play in a person’s journey from slavery to freedom?
5. What does it mean to be “dead to sin” and “alive to God in Christ Jesus”?
6. What connections can you make between the story of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and a Christian’s journey to salvation?
7. In Exodus 14, the people of Israel were ready to turn around and go back to their slavery in Egypt because they were afraid of how costly the road to freedom would become. How would Romans 6 help a Christian who feels tempted to return to their old life of sin?
8. What are some important things we learn about God and his plan for our lives from this passage?
9. What do we learn about human beings?
10. What do you feel called to do from Romans 6?