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Explore four key reasons why God works miracles, including affirming His presence, helping His people, confirming His messenger and message, and bringing people to a saving faith.
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“He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; he led them through the depths as through a desert.” Psalm 106:9
“Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea so that the redeemed might cross over?” Isaiah 51:10
“By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.” Hebrews 11:29
“You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” Psalm 77:14
4 Reasons that God Works Miracles 1. To affirm God’s presence
4 Reasons that God Works Miracles 1. To affirm God’s presence “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.” Exodus 13:21-22
4 Reasons that God Works Miracles 1. To affirm God’s presence “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
4 Reasons that God Works Miracles 2. To help His people Protecting them (14:19-20)
4 Reasons that God Works Miracles 2. To help His people Protecting them (14:19-20) “The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.” Exodus 14:19b-20
4 Reasons that God Works Miracles 2. To help His people Providing the way (14:21-22)
4 Reasons that God Works Miracles 2. To help His people Providing the way (14:21-22) “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.” Exodus 14:21-22
4 Reasons that God Works Miracles 2. To help His people Punishing their enemies (14:23-30)
4 Reasons that God Works Miracles 2. To help His people Punishing their enemies (14:23-30) “During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, ‘Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.’” Exodus 14:23-25
4 Reasons that God Works Miracles 2. To help His people Punishing their enemies (14:23-30) “Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen – the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived... That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians” Exodus 14:27-28,30a
4 Reasons that God Works Miracles 3. To confirm God’s messenger & message
4 Reasons that God Works Miracles 4. To bring people to a saving faith “And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” Exodus 14:31
What This Story Means for You 1. God hears your prayers.
What This Story Means for You 1. God hears your prayers. “The Lord said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue themfrom the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey’” Exodus 3:7-8a
What This Story Means for You 2. God can rescue you from anything.
What This Story Means for You 2. God can rescue you from anything. “Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14
What This Story Means for You 3. You have to be willing to take the next step.
What This Story Means for You 3. You have to be willing to take the next step. “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” Exodus 14:1
What This Story Means for You 3. You have to be willing to take the next step. “And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” Exodus 14:31