Deliverance
Commentary
By Ross Marrs
In one way or another, the theme of deliverance seems to continually surface in the biblical record. Moreover, it is constantly maintained the God of the biblical people is one who is unfailingly interested in their deliverance from anything that interferes with his promise of life.
It is fitting not only to focus attention on the act of deliverance and the God who delivers, but also on that from which his people are delivered.
Bondages inspired by others. Our God is opposed to any and all who would enslave, dominate, subject, exploit others. The Exodus theme makes this clear. Also, check out Hannah's prayer at the birth of Samuel (1 Samuel 2) and the Magnificat in Luke one. Also review the Psalms for other songs of deliverance.
Temptation. There are those who imagine themselves to be victims. They will always be excusing themselves by reason of fate, weaknesses, family, inheritance, etc. The Scriptures constantly remind us we are not victims (see Romans 1 and 2), there is assurance that we will not be tempted beyond our endurance (1 Corinthians 10:13), and there is a promise of strength and guidance when life does test us (John 16:12, 13).
Bondages imposed by sin. Paul speaks clearly of such bondage and its remedy in Romans six. We can yield ourselves to other powers and lose control, but God can work our deliverance. Read Romans seven.
Bondages imposed by ourselves. Try Romans six again.
Paul seems convinced these last two are connected. The answer is given in 7:24, 25.
If the word "Lent" came from roots having to do with spring and new life, then it is an appropriate time to talk of deliverance.
OUTLINE I
The God Who Hides and Then Shows Up
Exodus 3:1-15
Introduction: Surely one cannot properly deal with such a selection of Scripture unless time is taken to paint in the background. How far back you will reach depends upon whether you are doing a series, as well as how much you think your congregation knows about the whole story. Anyway, it is a good opportunity to sketch in the Genesis story which points to what happens here.
1. The God Behind the Scenes: The Pentateuchal theme -- Yahweh is Lord of history and he works in the affairs of men and nations to bring about his will -- is always on the mind of the writer. Already he has been at work in the preparation of the man Moses to be the leader of his people. Trace that story from beginning to end and always let the congregation see God standing in the wings. Whether men cooperate or not he manages to weave their decisions and actions into his plan. He does not determine their actions. They still exercise free will. His sovereignty is shown by the fact that he can still bring his will to pass. Reread Leslie Weatherhead's little book The Will of God; Abingdon, Nashville, 1944.
2. The God on Stage: At the burning bush and on Mount Sinai, Yahweh comes to speak directly to Moses. There are times when his presence and action seem to be more direct and more easily seen and understood. It might be interesting to work on the word-play here. Moses speaks: "Who am I?" Yahweh speaks: "I am who I am."
Conclusion: Most of us are just like the people of the Bible. It is much easier to discern the presence of God in our lives in retrospect. Afterward, we speak more clearly and certainly of our experience. Such experiences ought to make us more alert and more sensitive to watching for those places in life where God chooses to make himself known.
OUTLINE II
The God of the Second Chance
Luke 13:1-9
Introduction: This selection demonstrates well the danger of grabbing short passages out of context and trying to make something of them. In fact, this passage has its beginning at chapter 11:29. In the intervening lines, Jesus speaks for a while to his disciples, then to the crowd, and to the attacking Pharisees. For the last group he has his harshest words. Also, note the story of the fig tree is repeated in Matthew, pretty much as it is here. But take a look at the Marcan usage. Review this context, too.
The Attack: The Pharisees simply could not put up with Jesus' seeming immoral approach to life. Their philosophy of life was summed up in Psalm one. God rewards the good and lays it on the bad. There had been those who questioned this simplistic approach to life. Check out Psalm 73, which is a challenge to this idea. And reread the book of Job for a good review of the Pharisaic point of view, as defended by the so-called friends of Job.
The Response: Jesus is no patsy for his opponents. His answer in our Scripture is in keeping with what Matthew reports as his attitude in Matthew 5:43-48. He had his say about the attitude of the Pharisees in Matthew 23. Better read that again. Verse 4 is especially descriptive. Here the fig tree incident is marshalled to make his point. God is no oriental tyrant who hovers over us ready to pounce and do us in when we fail. No! He is the God of the second chance. He is a gracious God.
Conclusion: Invite the hearers to abandon their anxiety-ridden attempts to deserve God's love, to accept that gift of his love, and begin to live their lives as response to grace, not attempts to deserve.
OUTLINE III
The God Who Makes a Way
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Introduction: You'd better know your Old Testament if you plan to preach on this text. The first five verses are filled with words that come from the wilderness experience of the escaping slaves when they left Egypt. Cloud -- the guide by day, sea -- the chaos threatened by the pursuing Egyptians, supernatural food and drink -- the manna and water from the rock. The rock: note Paul does not say the rock was Jesus, rather the Christ (Messiah); God's presence and assurance of safety.
1. So: In the light of such providential care by God, they ought not take that care for granted. Such care calls for response. That response includes some things to avoid: idolatry, immorality, grumbling. These the residents of Corinth had in common with those who came through the wilderness.
2. So: Everybody has their own wilderness in their own time. Develop this point in ways applicable to your hearers. They have their perils to avoid, their own temptations; these are their wilderness.
3. So: Trust God. Verse thirteen summarizes the key to all wildernesses. God is there and he will make a way through the wilderness.
Conclusion: Call for the kind of trust that looks to God now, as did those in the wilderness, at Corinth, and at (insert the name of your town).
In one way or another, the theme of deliverance seems to continually surface in the biblical record. Moreover, it is constantly maintained the God of the biblical people is one who is unfailingly interested in their deliverance from anything that interferes with his promise of life.
It is fitting not only to focus attention on the act of deliverance and the God who delivers, but also on that from which his people are delivered.
Bondages inspired by others. Our God is opposed to any and all who would enslave, dominate, subject, exploit others. The Exodus theme makes this clear. Also, check out Hannah's prayer at the birth of Samuel (1 Samuel 2) and the Magnificat in Luke one. Also review the Psalms for other songs of deliverance.
Temptation. There are those who imagine themselves to be victims. They will always be excusing themselves by reason of fate, weaknesses, family, inheritance, etc. The Scriptures constantly remind us we are not victims (see Romans 1 and 2), there is assurance that we will not be tempted beyond our endurance (1 Corinthians 10:13), and there is a promise of strength and guidance when life does test us (John 16:12, 13).
Bondages imposed by sin. Paul speaks clearly of such bondage and its remedy in Romans six. We can yield ourselves to other powers and lose control, but God can work our deliverance. Read Romans seven.
Bondages imposed by ourselves. Try Romans six again.
Paul seems convinced these last two are connected. The answer is given in 7:24, 25.
If the word "Lent" came from roots having to do with spring and new life, then it is an appropriate time to talk of deliverance.
OUTLINE I
The God Who Hides and Then Shows Up
Exodus 3:1-15
Introduction: Surely one cannot properly deal with such a selection of Scripture unless time is taken to paint in the background. How far back you will reach depends upon whether you are doing a series, as well as how much you think your congregation knows about the whole story. Anyway, it is a good opportunity to sketch in the Genesis story which points to what happens here.
1. The God Behind the Scenes: The Pentateuchal theme -- Yahweh is Lord of history and he works in the affairs of men and nations to bring about his will -- is always on the mind of the writer. Already he has been at work in the preparation of the man Moses to be the leader of his people. Trace that story from beginning to end and always let the congregation see God standing in the wings. Whether men cooperate or not he manages to weave their decisions and actions into his plan. He does not determine their actions. They still exercise free will. His sovereignty is shown by the fact that he can still bring his will to pass. Reread Leslie Weatherhead's little book The Will of God; Abingdon, Nashville, 1944.
2. The God on Stage: At the burning bush and on Mount Sinai, Yahweh comes to speak directly to Moses. There are times when his presence and action seem to be more direct and more easily seen and understood. It might be interesting to work on the word-play here. Moses speaks: "Who am I?" Yahweh speaks: "I am who I am."
Conclusion: Most of us are just like the people of the Bible. It is much easier to discern the presence of God in our lives in retrospect. Afterward, we speak more clearly and certainly of our experience. Such experiences ought to make us more alert and more sensitive to watching for those places in life where God chooses to make himself known.
OUTLINE II
The God of the Second Chance
Luke 13:1-9
Introduction: This selection demonstrates well the danger of grabbing short passages out of context and trying to make something of them. In fact, this passage has its beginning at chapter 11:29. In the intervening lines, Jesus speaks for a while to his disciples, then to the crowd, and to the attacking Pharisees. For the last group he has his harshest words. Also, note the story of the fig tree is repeated in Matthew, pretty much as it is here. But take a look at the Marcan usage. Review this context, too.
The Attack: The Pharisees simply could not put up with Jesus' seeming immoral approach to life. Their philosophy of life was summed up in Psalm one. God rewards the good and lays it on the bad. There had been those who questioned this simplistic approach to life. Check out Psalm 73, which is a challenge to this idea. And reread the book of Job for a good review of the Pharisaic point of view, as defended by the so-called friends of Job.
The Response: Jesus is no patsy for his opponents. His answer in our Scripture is in keeping with what Matthew reports as his attitude in Matthew 5:43-48. He had his say about the attitude of the Pharisees in Matthew 23. Better read that again. Verse 4 is especially descriptive. Here the fig tree incident is marshalled to make his point. God is no oriental tyrant who hovers over us ready to pounce and do us in when we fail. No! He is the God of the second chance. He is a gracious God.
Conclusion: Invite the hearers to abandon their anxiety-ridden attempts to deserve God's love, to accept that gift of his love, and begin to live their lives as response to grace, not attempts to deserve.
OUTLINE III
The God Who Makes a Way
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Introduction: You'd better know your Old Testament if you plan to preach on this text. The first five verses are filled with words that come from the wilderness experience of the escaping slaves when they left Egypt. Cloud -- the guide by day, sea -- the chaos threatened by the pursuing Egyptians, supernatural food and drink -- the manna and water from the rock. The rock: note Paul does not say the rock was Jesus, rather the Christ (Messiah); God's presence and assurance of safety.
1. So: In the light of such providential care by God, they ought not take that care for granted. Such care calls for response. That response includes some things to avoid: idolatry, immorality, grumbling. These the residents of Corinth had in common with those who came through the wilderness.
2. So: Everybody has their own wilderness in their own time. Develop this point in ways applicable to your hearers. They have their perils to avoid, their own temptations; these are their wilderness.
3. So: Trust God. Verse thirteen summarizes the key to all wildernesses. God is there and he will make a way through the wilderness.
Conclusion: Call for the kind of trust that looks to God now, as did those in the wilderness, at Corinth, and at (insert the name of your town).
