At times we are cautioned not to burn any bridges behind us. It is thought to be wisdom to leave a back door option for returning. Dr. John points to Israel at the Red Sea and teaches that the crossing was like a burning bridge. God was closing any option for Israel to return to Egypt. The way of faith is forward. We must not use fear as a reason to return to what was. In His mercy, God may burn our bridges behind us.

Trust is not our default position. There has been much in life to teach us suspicion and cynicism. God calls us to abandon our self-protective ways and trust Him. Dr. John demonstrates the faithfulness of our God. The pattern of His power and provision for our lives becomes the platform on which faith stands. We may waiver and disappoint, but God never does.

"The just shall live by faith!" Faith is not only the gate to redemption, it is the path of redemption as well. Dr. John teaches from Exodus 13 and demonstrates how God both requires and grows trust within Israel. God led them away from battles because they were not ready. God commanded generosity to develop trust along the way. We can all be encouraged that God not only commands faith from us, but nurtures it within us.

A life of faith requires memory. What is and what will be, is shaped by what has been. The Passover meal was commanded with specific instructions. It was to be held in the same way, at the same time, every year. The meal became a means of instruction for families throughout generations. Listen as Dr. John points to our need to remember. Our faith is not novel but rooted in the Word and Ways of God.

There are scenes in life too terrible to imagine. We hear of a tragedy and struggle to conceive of the pain and loss. As Dr. John walks us through Exodus, we come to such a scene. The 10th plague is the death of every firstborn in Egypt. Only those households covered by the passover blood are protected. Can there be any worse death imaginable? Dr. John points us to the sacrifice of Jesus; the Firstborn of God; the Passover lamb for us all. Out of death, God brings redemption and life everlasting.

The Exodus is the central event in Jewish faith and Old Testament narrative. It is the account of judgement, deliverance and shed blood. In this message, Dr. John demonstrates that this 10th plague foreshadows the central event in Christian faith and the Biblical narrative. Jesus Christ is the Passover Lamb for all. His life and death speak of judgement, deliverance and shed blood. Both events prove that we cannot rescue ourselves. We are redeemed by faith in the merciful acts of God.

We have lost the sense of night's darkness. With the flick of a switch we can read in the dark, take a midnight stroll, or work past sunset. But, for generations, the dark of night was to be feared. In this message, Dr. John walks us through the 9th plague - the descent of darkness upon Egypt.The darkness paralyzed Egypt for three days and was a shadow of what was to come: death. Darkness whispers judgement. As "children of the light", let us praise God for glorious rescue of the gospel found in Jesus Christ.

God is God and we are not. That truth is clear, but humanity still resists. Hearts can resist, deny, argue and rebel. The kingdom of self challenges the rule of God. Dr. John points us to the heart of Pharoah, hardned against the ways and will of God. We are reminded that even Christian hearts can be proud. The path of humility finds the grace of God.

The Shorter Westminster Catechism teaches that the chief end of man is "to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever." The glory of God is not only the ultimate purpose of humanity, it is the reason for all things. In this message, Dr. John reminds us that God's glory is the answer to every question of "Why?" Pharoah and all of Egypt were about to learn that through the plagues. It is our lesson as well.

Common sense suggests that when problems get worse, there's motivation to act wisely. An increasing clunk under the hood is reason to see a mechanic. But the human heart may not follow good sense. In this message, Dr. John demonstrates the rigidity of Pharoah's heart, even as the plagues get worse. As the plagues increase in intensity, so does the hardness of Pharoah's heart. Anyone who enters a contest of will against God is going to go from bad to worse.

The word "almost" conveys a vast difference. Almost rescued is not the same as being rescued! When God sends a second plague upon Egypt, Pharaoh almost changes his mind about letting Israel go free. But again, "almost" makes a big difference. In this message, Dr. John poses the question to us all, "Have we obeyed, or almost obeyed? Have we repented, or almost repented? Do we believe, or almost believe?" In matters of faith, almost is not enough.

In today's message, Dr. John points out that every culture has a foundation they trust. It may be the economy, technology, bureaucracy or human ingenuity. Egypt trusted the Nile. They believed in a god of the Nile river. In the first plague sent by Jehovah, He usurps the foundation of Egyptian faith by turning the Nile into blood. God does not share His right to rule. Every idol will be cast down.

A ventriloquist pretends to speak through a wooden doll. He can make the doll say whatever he chooses. Don't confuse that parlour trick with the role of Moses. Moses was to say whatever God wanted him to say - but Moses was no dummy! Dr. John shows that the central quality of a prophet is obedience. Moses chose to say the Words of God to Pharaoh. A Prophet is more than a mouthpiece. He is a willing servant of the Lord.

Is faith something that comes in absolute measure? Either we have it all, or we have none? Most would admit to a mixture of faith, "Lord I believe, help my unbelief!" In today's message, Dr. John looks at Moses and the moments of his waivering trust. Moses complains and questions the ways of God. We are reminded of God's patience and faithful promise. Faith is not a quantity to have or not have. It is a virtue to grow in, and nothing grows faith better than troubles!

At times, Christians can act like a football team which strolls onto the field and is shocked that the opposing team showed up! We expect victory without a fight. In this message, Dr. John speaks of Israel's bitterness and despair when Pharaoh increases their labour in light of Moses' demand. We are reminded that deep faith not only sees the promise of victory, but clings to it when the going gets hard.

In this message Dr. John assures us, "It is not how we begin the race but how we finish the race that truly counts." Moses did not have a stellar start. He doubted and even wanted God to send someone else! His shaky beginning was not a prediction of its end. For those who stumble or feel defeated before they begin, Dr. John offers hope. God who began a mission through Moses will complete it for His glory.

It is understandable that Moses questioned his own ability to fulfill the plans of God. Who could measure up to an impossible task? But as Dr. John teaches in this message, the excuses of Moses did not disqualify him from the call of God. God not only knew where Mose fell short; God made him that way. Rather than being discouraged by our weakness, we can trust God's Hand upon us for His purposes.

Even in the glow of a burning bush, Moses had doubts. He questioned the plans of God and his own ability to participate. In this message, Dr. John teaches on the signs that God gave to solidify Moses' faith. These were more than miracles; they were demonstrations of power pointing to deeper truths, truths meant to solidify our own faith.

A "commission" is the transfer of responsibility upon someone. It carries the authority of the one who grants it, along with obligation and accountability. Dr. John speaks of the commission God lays upon Moses and the fourfold description of his task. This was not a recruitment, but a commission. God does not simply look for volunteers, He calls and commissions.

An introduction is an exchange of names. When God met Moses at a burning bush, He called Moses by name. But Moses had yet to learn the Name of God. In this message, Dr. John highlights the significance and centrality of God's Name - "I am." Knowing the Name of God is more than holding information about Him. We are shaped by our understanding of God.

Forty years is a long time to wait. For four decades Moses had built a life in the desert, radically different from the life he had in Egypt. In this message, Dr. John will point to the qualities of Moses that reveal the fruit of his desert wait. They will surface at a burning bush. We will see Moses as He has become, but moreso, we will see God as He is.

Some choices are pivotal. At the age of 40, Moses makes a decision that will re-route his life. Dr. John teaches on the early life of Moses and the critical choice he faced. Ultimately Moses becomes a man without a people. Hunted by Egyptians and rejected by Hebrews, in the desert he is being prepared to meet his God.

Can God be trusted as His people suffer? Why doesn't God do something? Dr. John moves us through the story of Exodus and reveals the saving actions of God. God will redeem His people through the birth of a Hebrew boy. Not only will God rescue this child, but He will shape an ironic twist. Egypian royalty will pay for his keep! God will ensure that the boy receives the best of Egyptian and Hebrew culture. The boy is given the name Moses.

As day shifts to night, the story of Israel takes a dark turn at the beginning of Exodus. The nation moves from a favoured position to a bitter experience. They are enslaved, oppressed and threatened. Where is God as this happens? In this second message from Exodus, Dr. John points us to the involvement of God in every detail. God not only sees the state of His people, He is present and active at every turn.