Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, August 18, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
STAY AWAY FROM EGYPT’S BORDER
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Exodus 8:25-32
Text: Exodus 8:28
Exodus 8:28 And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me.
Introduction: In the Bible, Egypt is a picture (or TYPE) of the world, and Pharaoh is a picture of the devil. That is, God has recorded certain true characteristics of the lives and events of Egypt and Pharaoh that are similar to the world and the devil today. You see, Pharaoh didn’t want the Israelites to go “very far” away. Likewise, the devil doesn’t want God’s people to be free from the entanglements of the world. If they DO get free, he pleads with them “only ye shall not go very FAR away.” In other words, Satan says, “If you’re going to be religious, okay then, but don’t be a FANATIC!”
GOD WANTS HIS PEOPLE TO COME OUT! However, many Christian people want to see how close they can stay to the world. They want to be near the edge or border.
I. STAY AWAY FROM EGYPT’S BORDER IN REGARD TO SALVATION
Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
Some lost people stay at the border. They don’t run completely away from the gospel witness but they are still on the Egypt side.
A. Some people recognize their need but won’t react
B. Some people even receive the message but won’t respond to it
Some saved people stay at the border. They are saved, but they haven’t come out-and-out for God.
A. They possess salvation but won’t profess it
B. They possess salvation but won’t portray it in baptism
C. They possess salvation but won’t produce fruit as a church member
II. STAY AWAY FROM EGYPT’S BORDER IN REGARD TO THE SCRIPTURES
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
A. Some people look at the scriptures
B. Some people lean toward the scriptures
- Some schools today want to be “identified” with the King James Bible, even if they don’t truly BELIEVE it.
C. Some people look IN the scriptures
D. Some people learn the scriptures
E. Some people love the scriptures
F. Some people live BY the scriptures – Luke 4:4
III. STAY AWAY FROM EGYPT’S BORDER IN REGARD TO SEPARATION
Proverbs 5:8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
A. Go FAR away in appearance
B. Go FAR away in associates
C. Go FAR away in activities
IV. STAY AWAY FROM EGYPT’S BORDER IN REGARD TO SERVICE
Exodus 10:24-26 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you. 25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. 26 Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.