Title: The Faith that Overcomes
Text: Exodus 2
Theme: Faith
Key Verse: Exodus 2:23-25
Introduction:
Exodus 1 describes the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt and Pharaoh's attempts to control their population growth through forced labor and the killing of male babies, which the Hebrew midwives defied. Exodus 2 details the birth of Moses, his mother's plan to save him in the Nile, his rescue by Pharaoh's daughter, and his eventual growth to adulthood. It also covers Moses killing an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew slave, fleeing to Midian, and the circumstances that led to his escape.
Exodus 2:23-25 "23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them."
What are stress responses? Stress responses are our natural responses to perceived threats or challenges. You have probably heard of fight or flight, but there are two others: freeze or fawn.
Fight: You confront the threat head-on.
Flight: You run from the threat.
Freeze: You don't move because of the threat.
Fawn: You appease the threat. (Extreme passive, people pleasing, etc)
There are many scenarios we can use, but let's say you are at work and witness a coworker yelling at another coworker, which you perceive as a threat.
Fight: You immediately step in and confront the threat head-on. You may yell back, physically restrain, tackle, or take any other necessary action to stop the threat, regardless of the context. In this scenario, you take the side of the victim.
Flight: You walk away. You turn around and leave the room, or pretend you never saw it. You go and ask for help. Regardless, your response involves you running away.
Freeze: You stand there and do nothing.
Fawn: You appease the aggressor. You give in to their demands and do what you can to calm them down. In this scenario, it could almost appear that you are taking sides with the aggressor.
(Flop= total resignation)
Just like you, I have reacted in all four of these ways at different times in many stories. Scenarios where I stayed and fought, where I ran away, froze, or yielded. Here are some biblical examples:
Fight: Moses sees an Egyptian mistreating an Israelite, so he kills him. Cain killed Abel because God rejected Cain's offering of good works.
Flight: Moses ran because of Pharaoh. Adam and the woman ran because they realized they were naked. Elijah ran to the Juniper tree.
Freeze: Based on what scripture tells us, Moses just stood there and feared when he realized others knew that he had killed the Egyptian. That is a freeze response. Saul, Jonathan, and the rest of the Israelites when Goliath initially challenged them.
Fawn: Prov 29:5"A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his feet." , Proverbs 29: 26 "Many seek the rulers favor; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD"
These are not healthy ways to respond. However, being able to perceive a threat and survive is by design. God gave us defense mechanisms that can sense danger and react to threats. However, it is essential to note that God does not want us to live in a state of constant fear and survival. Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn are all rooted in Fear.
2 Timothy 1:7: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
So what is the alternative response to threats?
(explain the the three enemies)
1 John 5:4: For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
NOTICE the last three words: "Even our Faith"
Faith: David fought Goliath, but this was not a response of fear. This was a response of Bravery and Courage rooted in David's Faith in God.
Faith: Joseph ran from Potiphar's wife. Not because he was afraid of her, but because of His Faith.
Faith: Job was still and sat in dust in ashes. Not because he was frozen in fear, but because of His Faith that God knows best.
Faith: Jesus told us to turn the other cheek, not to keep the peace by fawning out of fear to our oppressor, but to attempt to make peace by loving, praying for, and giving the truth to your oppressor. This is not fawning, but Following God and deeply rooted in Faith.
1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Fight, flight, freeze, fawn, or even flopping are rooted and fear. The other option is FAITH.
Outline:
Exodus 2:23-25 "23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them."
I. Faith in God's Providence (Sovereign Control)
- His Divine and total Governance over all things. He upholds and directs all things to His ultimate Will.
- Children of Israel were in bondage, but had Faith that God was ultimately in control
- Some verses about God's Providence:
- [ ] - Genesis 50:20 "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive"
- [ ] - Psalm 135:6 "Whatsoever the LORD pleased that did he in the heaven, and in the earth, in the seas, and all deep places."
II. Faith in God's Protection
- God protects His Children. Children of Israel cry out to God and He hears them.
- "He that dwellers in the secret place of the most High shall abide under that shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge, and my fortress: my God' in Him will I trust."
- Leah Example
III. Faith in God's Promises
- Proverbs 3:5,6
- Emphasis on the last part "lean not unto thine own understanding"
- Trust is the key to intimacy
- Johnathan example 1 Sam 14
A special thank you to my Friend Michael Barnette for the song "All things new" and to my friend Dave Compton for the opening remarks.
To contact me, please email me at preachtheword@zohomail.com
