Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, June 20, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
THE CLOUD AND THE PILLAR OF FIRE
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Exodus 13:20-22
Text: Exodus 13:21
Exodus 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
Introduction: I have enjoyed seeing Jesus in the Old Testament, haven’t you? By the way, I enjoy seeing Jesus in our services here at Gospel Light Baptist Church, too! It was JESUS who saved those five people in our church service this morning! Jesus reached down from heaven by His Spirit and His word and rescued those perishing souls!
In these sermons from Genesis and Exodus, I hope that you are seeing that Moses actually DID write of Jesus, even as our Lord said:
John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
Earlier in this chapter, God has recorded the institution of the Passover, which pointed to the Lamb of God, Jesus, who would die on the cross for our sins. The Passover occurred at the last plague upon Egypt before the Jews came out. As the Lord got ready to bring His people across the Red Sea, He told them that He was going to be with them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. After they got out, God continued to lead them thusly.
I want us to examine this manifestation of God’s care over the Israelites and learn some lessons from the Old Testament about JESUS!
I. THE CLOUD AND FIRE SHOW THE PARDON AND FREEDOM JESUS GIVES
Exodus 14:19-21 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
A. There was a separation of sinners
1. Two camps – lost and saved
2. Two camps – perished and shall never PERISH
3. Two camps – family of devil and family of God (John 8:44)
B. There was a separation of the sea
II. THE CLOUD AND FIRE SHOW THE PRESENCE OF JESUS
Exodus 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
A. Above us, below us, behind us
B. Around us and within us!
III. THE CLOUD AND FIRE SHOW THE PERMANENCE OF JESUS
Exodus 13:22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
Exodus 40:38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
A. We are preserved by the seal of the Spirit into Christ
1. See 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:30
B. We are possessors of eternal life now (John 3:36; 5:24)
IV. THE CLOUD AND THE FIRE SHOW THE PRECEPTS OF JESUS
Psalms 99:7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Like rain from a cloud,
A. The word of the Lord cools and refreshes
B. The word of the Lord cleanses and renews
VI. THE CLOUD AND FIRE SHOW THE PROTECTION OF JESUS
Psalms 105:39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.
A. We have everlasting security
B. We have earthly security – Psalm 23
VII. THE CLOUD AND THE FIRE SHOW THE PEACE OF JESUS
Numbers 9:18 At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.
They RESTED …
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
A. The cloud provides rest in the day from the heat
B. The fire provides rest in dark from harm
1. Security of fire in the night
2. Keeps animals away (1 Peter 5:8)
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church |