Passing Through The Waters – The God of Judgement & Salvation

Passing Through The Waters – The God of Judgement & Salvation.mp3
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In this message, Pastor Jeremy ‘dove’ back into an examination of the Red Sea crossing. To begin with, he had us try to re-conceive our love for the sea and look at things through the superstitious eyes of the ancients. One has only to skim the pages of Homer’s epic masterpiece, The Odyssey to realize that for the ancients, the sea was the symbol of untameable chaos. It was this widespread relationship with the sea which both the Israelites as well as the Egyptians carried with them to the very shore of the Red Sea. (Exodus 14)

• In this one magnificent display of his power, God demonstrates his complete authority over the untameable depths. He shows the Egyptians that he is in fact the Lord, the one true God.
• Pastor Jeremy mentioned some parallels between this story and some of the events which precede it in Exodus. What were some of these?
  
  • _________________ (hint, babies)
    
  • _________________ (hint, hungry staff)
• Just as these things were pictures, or symbolic demonstrations of God’s power, the passing through the Red Sea was a picture of a much bigger truth. Death behind them, life and freedom in front. How do you understand this, or wrestle through it? Do you feel like we’re trying to read into it too much?
• In 1 Corinthians 10:1, Paul brings up the story of the Red Sea crossing as a way of illustrating the reality of baptism. Read through vs. 1-13 and discuss how Paul explores the imagery. What do you come up with? How does his way of reading the Old Testament make you feel?
• Paul says in vs. 6 Paul says that these very things took place as examples for us. So what does the Red Sea crossing teach us about Baptism?
• Baptism is a picture of salvation. What do you think of this statement? How is it a clear picture of our salvation? Is it more than just a picture to you? Read Colossians 2:13-15 and explore how these verses relate to the act of baptism.
• Baptism is an act of obedience. Is this an import point to you? How did the element of obedience affect your decision to be baptised? If you haven’t been baptised yet, how do you wrestle with this point? What does Jesus say about obedience? Read John 14:15
  • Why do you think we don’t practice infant baptism at Ness? You can check out our statement on this issue here and here.
• Baptism is a public declaration of your faith. It makes visible what is otherwise invisible. Why do you think giving public testimony is important for a believer?
• Baptism is a beginning step. Pastor Jeremy mention that you don’t need to get your life fully in order to be baptized. Why? What steps did you feel you needed to take before being baptized? If you haven’t been baptized yet, why? What steps are you actively taking toward the obedient act of being baptized?​