Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, June 27, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
THE TREE THAT MADE THE BITTER WATERS SWEET
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Exodus 15:22-27
Text: Exodus 15:25
Exodus 15:25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
Introduction: Having escaped from Egypt through the plagues God put upon Egypt and the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, Israel went into the wilderness three days without finding drinking water. Finally, at a place called Marah, they found water, but like the meaning of the name, they could not drink of the water because the waters were bitter.
I’m warning you tonight, that although I believe in the literal historical account of our text, I’m looking for Jesus in our scripture reading tonight. You see, Jesus said:
John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
If you’re wondering where Jesus is in Ex. 15, let me say first that man without God has a thirst that cannot be fulfilled by the joys and pleasures of this world. He keeps going back, demanding more of them, but is never satisfied.
John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Jesus provides the water of life, but to lost people it seems bitter. They can only see what appears to them to be the restrictions of the life of the Christian. They can’t get themselves to desire a life that exhibits complete sacrifice:
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
All they see is the second part of the verse, “that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice.” They miss the first part: “by the MERCIES OF GOD.”
What has that to do with our scripture reading? Well, the waters were bitter until Moses prayed, and
Exodus 15:25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
The Lord showed Moses a tree, and I want to show you another tree tonight that will make bitter waters taste sweet. It’s the tree of Calvary, that can turn the curse into a blessing!
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
The Lord told the Israelites in the next verse in Exodus that he would not give them the diseases the Egyptians had. Notice what the Bible says right after it says Jesus died on the tree for our sins:
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
I. THE CROSS SWEETENS THE BITTER WATERS OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Because of Calvary, even when I’m deserted I have:
A. A FATHER who will not forsake me
B. A FRIEND that sticketh closer than a brother
C. A FAMILY that is always expanding!
II. THE CROSS SWEETENS THE BITTER WATERS OF DEFEAT
Romans 8:35-37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Because of Calvary,
A. Our defeats are short and temporary
B. Our defeats are a school and training
C. Our defeats are stepping stones to triumph
III. THE CROSS SWEETENS THE BITTER WATERS OF DEATH
1 Corinthians 15:51-55 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Because of Calvary,
A. Death is a removal of pain (The stinger is gone!)
B. Death is a reception in paradise
C. Death is a reminder of the prospect (sleeping implies an awakening of the body)
IV. THE CROSS SWEETENS THE BITTER WATERS OF DAMNATION
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Because of Calvary,
A. My sins are gone
B. My salvation is by grace
C. My security is guaranteed!
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church |