Sermon Notes

The Great Escape

Scholars have disagreed fiercely about countless issues related to the Book of Exodus, the second book of the Torah. Who wrote it? When was it written? Did the things reported really happen, or are they simply literary constructions? The list of disputed matters could go on and on.

Scholars have disagreed fiercely about countless issues related to the Book of Exodus, the second book of the Torah. Who wrote it? When was it written? Did the things reported really happen, or are they simply literary constructions? The list of disputed matters could go on and on.

However, there is one issue that almost all agree on--ancient rabbis, contemporary Jewish scholars, literary critics, liberal protestant theologians, Roman Catholic Old Testament teachers, conservative students of the Bible...and LAC's Senior Pastor. We all know this: The central theme of the great Book of Exodus is the presence of God at every time in history, in every place people live, and in every situation of life. This is the theme that has made Exodus the most-loved book of his people who were in slavery early in our own country's history. Many of the "Spirituals" that we still love to sing are rooted in this book. Indeed, Exodus has almost always been the main book people turn to when they are going through times of trouble. In those times, we read the story again and remember that God is always present, that he is powerful and loving and forgiving, that he rescues people who turn to him, that he expects us to live the way he's made us to live, and that he will always be who he is. In the Book of Exodus, we will find God declare at the most telling moments, "I am who I am!"

Years ago, a man named Brother Lawrence wrote a devotional book that God has used to sustain many people facing challenges. He called it The Practice of the Presence of God. Exodus teaches us what that "practice" looks like on life's journey. It tells of the great escape of God's people from slavery to freedom, from oppression to the promised land, and from the rule of a hard-hearted Pharaoh to the rule of a gracious and wonder-working God. If you want to learn how to escape from where you are in your life so that you might walk in the joy of salvation, this summer's series at LAC is for you.

To His Glory,

Dr. Greg Waybright
Senior Pastor

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