Top 5 Favorite Sermons from the Pulpit in 2012: #5

Overcoming the Odds

Exodus 3:1-10; 4:10-12

There are two ways odds are given:

1)         By others – Consider David prior to his battle with Goliath 

           Then Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth. – I Samuel 17:33)

2)         By self- Consider Moses did that in the texts we just read – (Exodus 3:11; 4:10

God proved to Moses four things available in facing all odds in life, we just need to remember   them as we press ahead in fulfilling God’s purpose in our life.

I.     Remember the Plan of God (Exodus 3:10)

*God has a plan for every Christian and a purpose for every church. God plan for you is not for you to fail but to succeed.  God made you, He knows what you can’t and can do. 

*God makes no mistakes in choosing who He uses. 

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; (I Corinthians 1:26, 27)

God used

A rod – Exodus 4:2

A jawbone – Judges 15:15

5 smooth stones – I Samuel 17:40

A handful of flour and a little oil – I Kings 17:12

A cloud the size of a man’s hands - I Kings 18:44

Small things - Zechariah 4:10

Mustard seed - Matthew 13:22

Five barley loaves and 2 fishes – John 6:9

 

II.     Remember the Presence of God (Exodus 3:12; 4:12)

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. (Isaiah 43:2)

III.     Remember the Power of God (Exodus 4:2-10)

*Don’t tell me what I can’t do, because God will show you what I can.

*“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

*The power to accomplish things in life, especially in our spiritual life is ordained and comes from God.

*Once God has spoken; Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God; (Psalm 62:11)

*O God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary. The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people. Blessed be God! (Psalm 68:35)

*It is through God that the insignificant becomes significant, the impossible, becomes possible, and the ordinary accomplishes the extraordinary.

IV.     Remember the Provision of God (Exodus 4:12)

How can we accomplish and overcome?  Simply God provides the necessities we need to do so.  He told Moses “teach you what you are to say”.  Paul recognized this great truth in his letter to the Philippians. - And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)