Beyond the Weekend: EPIC
Stories of Trust, Failure and Faith That Point to Jesus
What does it look like to believe God, not just believe in God? This fall, we're diving into the raw, unfiltered stories of biblical heroes who wrestled with doubt, took dangerous detours, and discovered that trusting God means following him even when you can't see the outcome. Their epic journeys of trust, failure and faith all point to the ultimate hero—Jesus.
Key Messaging Points:
- There's a difference between believing in God and believing God
- God speaks in life's detours and disruptions
- Wrestling with God transforms us
- Trusting God means obeying before you see the outcome
- Every story of human struggle points to Jesus
Moses and the Law
Read: Exodus 20:1-17 Listen: Exodus 20
“You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:5-6
God sends Moses back to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of slavery. Moses repeats the Lord’s command to Pharaoh: “Let my people go, so that they may worship me” (Exodus 6). In response, Pharaoh hardens his heart, and Egypt is overwhelmed by plagues. Only when Pharaoh loses his own son through the final plague does he yield. As the Israelites leave, Pharaoh regrets losing his slaves and sends an army after them. Blockaded by the Red Sea, God parts the waters for the Israelites to cross safely. God sends the waters crashing back to their place, destroying the army of Egyptians. Free from Egypt’s grip, God shares how he desires his people to live.
God used the law to reveal who he is and who he wanted the Israelites to be. Four hundred years of slavery and exposure to Egyptian culture left the Israelites with distorted views of God. We can find ourselves in a similar position. Hurt from Christian people, traumatic life experiences and misrepresentations of God’s Word may leave us confused about God’s character. We must come to Scripture and allow truth to transform our thoughts and beliefs.
TODAY: Ask God to reveal his character as you read the Bible. Allow him to reshape any distorted views you have of him. Pray: “Father, I know my sin and the brokenness of the world have disfigured my understanding of who you are. Please reveal your true character to me through your Word, Amen.”
