From Desert to Destiny | Here, As in Heaven

Anchor Verses

• Matthew 16:24-26

Praises

• Exodus 15:1-3
  • “When we worship God in song, our audience is the LORD Himself and not the people around us.” (Guzik)
  • i. “Notice, the song is all of God; there is not a word about Moses. Read this song through, and neither Moses, nor Aaron, nor Miriam are in it: God is all in all.” (Spurgeon)
  • ii. “Note, the word is not ‘The Lord gives me strength,’ but ‘The Lord is my strength’! How strong is a believer? I say it with reverence, he is as strong as God – ‘The Lord is my strength.’” (Spurgeon)

Manna From Heaven

• Exodus 16:1-3
  • God gave specific instruction for gathering Manna; the people didn’t follow these instructions

God Prepares Us for Cannan in the Wilderness

• • Why didn’t God just give them a straight shot to the promised land?
    • God knew something about us that we forget: 
      • Jeremiah 17:9-10
    • God knew the Hebrews needed the wilderness
      • Wineskins and cloth
        • Luke 5:36-37
  • “Your wilderness does not separate from you merely because you fly several thousand miles to some other spot. Wherever you go, your Egyptian appetite accompanies you. God is in the business of not only putting you through the Red Sea at salvation, but in getting you to Canaan by way of the wilderness. Conversion is often a brief trip to the altar, but maturity is always married to time.” (Swindoll)
    • God wants to change you through the wilderness. Change your habits, appetites, and style, and in the process, change your entire life. 
  • Matthew 16:24-26
• What do we need?
  • Romans 12:2

Sermon Questions

1. In what areas of your life are you seeking immediate comfort rather than allowing God to shape and mature you through a “wilderness” season? How can reflecting on the Israelites’ journey help you trust God’s process?

1. The Israelites praised God after their deliverance yet struggled with trust when facing hardships. In what ways do you find it easy to praise God in moments of victory but struggle to rely on Him in periods of uncertainty?
2. How might embracing God’s transformative work in our spiritual “wilderness” prepare you for the future He has planned? What habits or attitudes might He be inviting you to release so that you can more fully step into the “Promised Land” of His purposes?