The Song of the Sea

Unless I'm elected. Exodus chapter 15 as we continue the series on the life of Moses Exodus 14 the rates.

The best-known event in all of the Old Testament the glorious deliverance of the children of Israel through the Red Sea in the subsequent judgments by God on the pursuing Egyptians that events we saw last week, provides an illustration of our deliverance from the bondage of Satan and of sin and the victory of our warrior king, our Lord Jesus Christ, who Paul says in Colossians 2, verse 15 design the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in him that is in Christ question I would ask us this evening is what is to be the response of the people of God to such a dramatic and glorious deliverance and redemption are what did the Israelites do to him was already read what they did let me read again. Psalm 106 verse eight yet he the Lord save them Israel for his namesake that he might make known his mighty power.

He rebuked the Red Sea and became dry and he led them through the deep as through a desert, so he saved them from the hand of the full and redeemed them from the power of the enemy and the waters covered that adversaries not one of them was left than others.

Verse 12 then they believed his words they sign his praise.

What are we to do when the Lord supernaturally intervenes in our lives.

We will learn that the people of God. God's ancient people. And I we were followers of Jesus Christ we Charlotte and we saying of the glorious deliverance and of the Lord's mighty victory turn with me than to Exodus chapter 15, which is our passage this evening and it begins with the word then that is it follows from Israel's victory large victory relate as they were delivered through the Red Sea and the impossible situation and all of the Egyptians are over thrown at call this the song of the Sea, and is a very instructive song for us to sing it.

We don't have the music but I'm going to read Exodus chapter 15. I'm going to read the first 21 verses then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord saying, I will sing to the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously the horse and this writer. He is thrown into the sea.

The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. This is my God and I will praise in my father's God and I will exalt him. The Lord is a man of war, the Lord is his name, various charities and this always be cast into the sea and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea, the floods covered them. The went diving into the depths like a stone.

Your right hand, the Lord glorious.

Empower your right-hander Lord shatters the enemy in the greatness of your Majesty, you overthrow your adversaries you send out your fury. It consumes them like stubble at the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up the flood stood up in a heap. The deep congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, I will pursue. I will overtake. I will divide the spoil my desire to have its fill of them. I will draw my sword my hand shall destroy them. Verse 10, you blew with your wind, the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters who is like you Lord among the gods who is like you majestic in holiness are seven glorious deeds doing wonders your sites are your right hand. The earth swallowed the lead in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed you guided them by your strength to your holy abodes. The peoples apparently tremble pangs of sees the inhabitants of felicity that were the chiefs of either him. This made trembling seasons, the leaders of more all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away and dreadful upon them because of the greatness of your arm. There still is a stone till your people will Lord passed by to the people passed by, by whom you have purchased, you will bring them in the plan them on your own mind turned the place the Lord which you have made for your board the sanctuary Lord, which are hands Established verse 18 we just on this the Lord will reign along forever and ever. When the federal when the horses are fiddling with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea. The Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them, the people of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea, then Miriam the prophetess assisted of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing, and Miriam assigned to them sing to the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously the horse and his rider is thrown into the sea.

What a magnificent song a song of joy, celebration of what God has done. Eliza, joy is part of the fruit of the spirit.

Unlike ancient Israel. We the people of God are to praise God for his unique work in our lives and in the lives of the church. Are we a joyful and pleasing people account to think we are weak we joyfully we are people who praise the Lord to remind you that God is not only God of love but God is a God of joy. We celebrated Christmas. The message of the angel to the shepherds that first Christmas was fear not for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

When the wisemen recorded in Matthew chapter 2 saw the star we had come to pass over the child. Matthew because they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy writing to the Philippians, Paul says rejoice in the Lord always again I will say, rejoice.

Jesus said to his disciples in Luke 10 verse 20 that they were to rejoice that your names are written in the habit we saw last week is willing to Nehemiah 8 that the joy of the Lord is our strength joyful people are strong in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

An understanding of all that the Lord has done is doing and will do produces joy which fills our heart and overflows with praise and worship, and this added to the praise of joyful praise. I'm suggesting to you in the authority of Scripture is vital for our spiritual health.

People of joy. I look up to Christ rather than looking down and on the difficult circumstances. So Peter writes rights to people who are persecuted in first Peter one verse eight. Though you have not seen him, you love him, though you do not know see him. That is Jesus Christ you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. So here in next. This 15. After that mighty delivery through the Red Sea that is the strawman song of joy which I just read no mention of Israel singing in Egypt. Remember when they people of God that in Babylonian exile are the right in Psalm 137. How shall we sing the Lord song in a foreign land, but here the people saying a song to the Lord and one of the inevitable characteristics of the people of God done through the centuries, Old Testament and New Testament is joyful singing.

We use the hymnals in the pew in front of you in the forward audit.

There is this quote from Martin Luther.

Martin Luther writes next to the word of God. Music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the word of God through music. We don't have the music of Exodus 15 where it must've been absolutely amazing God's people are people of song of people of praise with another song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32 with the song of Deborah and Barak in Judges 5 when they celebrated the victory over the Canaanites in preparation for the building of the temple member David organize not only the priests and believers in the leaders on the gatekeepers. We also organize in great detail. The musicians first Chronicles 25 Psalm 30 verse four sing praises to the Lord, all you his saints and give thanks to his holy name as a command praise Psalm 95 returned to many scriptures. Psalm 95 verse 10, let us sing to the Lord, let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving. Let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise Psalm 96 verse 10 sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord all the other big news at bring trash as we continue to rejoice in the wonder of salvation sing to the Lord verse to bless his name tell of his salvation from day to day declare his glory among the nations has marvelous works among all the people and then that short magnificent Sam Psalm 100 that we called old 100 Psalm 100 verse one make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness come into his presence with singing. Think of Mary's great song recall of the Magnificat and look chapter 1 as she understands the wonder of salvation and of the coming of the Messiah were about to break branded end of the service we need an institution of the Lord's supper is recorded by Matthew. Matthew because and when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the minds of olives probably would've undoubtedly been one of the Psalms would have liked to been there with the Lord singing with his disciples.

We sang a hymn and they went out to the moments of olives from Paul and Silas are in prison in Philippi. There, full of self-pity, aren't they complaining of the tall Luke records.

They were praying and singing hymns to God.

Yes, even when they were in prison. James writes, is anyone among you suffering. Let them pray.

Is anyone cheerful let him sing praise. James five verse 13 the millennial kingdom. Isaiah says the ransom of the Lord shall turn and come to Zion with singing everlasting joy shall be upon their heads, they shall obtain gladness and joy and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. And of course we know from the wonderful book of Revelation that in heaven itself.

They are singing a song everything to with the music's going to be like in heaven.

Give us this gift of music can imagine what it will be with all of the redeemed, as we are singing worthy is the Lamb must be absolutely magnificent even of those of us who are challenged music lay will be able to sing in praise of the one who loved us and gave himself earth. These are just a few examples of the Lord's people old covenant and new covenant, singing and praising the Lord. Yes, we are commanded to sing were commanded to rejoice. I realize there are some people who only want to sing a friend of mine is, and used to say that there were some Christians would break him books and we Bibles he thought there was too much singing. Sometimes whether others who say well we just come really want to hear the preaching we really don't want to worship how can you say that this is not either or. This is both and that's what Martin Luther saying this is what all of Scripture is a testing.

We are commanded to say Paul tells us the congregation is filled with the Spirit in Ephesians 5, the address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.

Ephesians 519. Colossians 316 let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God in the first century church. There were basically signs hymns.

We note with the Psalms we know what they were hymns all we have some of them reportedly shot hymns probably in the in places like Philippians or two. For example, spiritual songs, different times of music, perhaps with a different feel.

But there singing them in their hearts to the Lord but also in this way, encouraging and admonishing one another. Importance of song and praise in the life of the church and we take that seriously at Calgary.

I'm so appreciative of the of the term and the worship ministry that puts such time require the band the orchestra. Those of you who are gifted musically and rehearse and practice and lead us to help us express our love and appreciation for this great God and to exult our Savior we are following in this rich rich tradition of Scripture, so no is really particular at some of the particulars very quickly this evening of Exodus chapter 15 in verses one through 12.

We could summarize it and say sing as a command sing praises to the Lord because he delivers us from impossible situations. God's people here sing praises to the Lord. It appears that Mariam and Moses led to groups but possibly and in an unprofessional celebration of the Lord's deliverance from the Egyptians. You'll notice that what Mariam sighing – 21 is identical what Moses and the people are singing in verse one and so rather than seeing these as two separate songs or two separate events. It may be one song sung by these two groups in a particular way in here is Miriam yes, a woman, but participating as a leader in the worship of the Israelites that she led the women out with tambourines and dancing, making this joyful noise to the Lord. Sing to the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously wonderful letter. Praise verse one and verse 19. Notice it is to the Lord that is throughout Exodus 15. The Lord is frequently mentioned by name or by the pronoun that is no question that these people are singing. This is a spiritual exercise and there singing to the Lord, the Lord is the one who is being praised, not Moses, not themselves. The victory is obviously the Lord, and there singing praises to him know this verse to the Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. This is my God and I will praise in my father's God and I will exult in the emphasis throughout Exodus 15 is put on the pollen and the victory being the Lord's, and then verse 19 is a summary is aware of the events. It's clear that it is the Lord. Verse 19 who brought back the waters of the sea upon the listed focus on the destruction of the Egyptians on the judgment of God on their enemies.

What do we sing apart well.

The point is that our redemption is not something that we do. It's all of God's grace is accomplished by the Lord along as we break bread this evening. The Lord said this do in remembrance of me. We did nothing for our salvation. We need salvation. It's all God's grace.

Salvation is of the Lord and that means all of the praise. All of the glories, not on ourselves to exalt ourselves. How could we compared with God. There is none like the Lord.

Verse 11.

It is to the Lord. So Psalm 98 verse one is a regular sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things got done anything marvelous in your life if you been saved by his grace is the greatest marvelous things of all of the things that he does. This is the supreme one is that once we were lost and once we were friends to reflect on the having your life would be if you've never been saved by God's grace sure some of us would not even be alive. But God intervenes and he has saved us from our bondage greater from the bondage of each another celebration.

This joyful praise flows then from an understanding I would trust in the life of the church. A deepening understanding of the Lord's marvelous deeds and their love for him that his attendance isn't there for our praise to focus on ourselves. That's contrary to this joyful praise, which is always directed to the Lord as we rented that that is unmistakable.

You can't argue with that. The praise is not on us praising one another is praising the Lord he has done it the victory through the Red Sea, was 100% of the Lord.

The people did nothing. They were told to stand still, there were told to be quiet told us to watch the salvation of the Lord. This joyful singing and praise the Lord must be central in their worship, not just because of our salvation. Great that breakable that is as marvelous but God is a living God, and God has done marvelous thing in your life and the life of this church in the lives of our families in the life of the nation.

Think of all that God has done for us in this promotes the family when they think about God is help them as a family and individual certainly is a church. This promotes price and hear the praises because God has delivered them from an in possible situation. It was the Lord who delivered them from Egyptian bondage it is God who had defended them. This was a holy war against the enemies of Israel. Moses are told in chapter 14 told the people that the Lord fight for wonderful Lord, Lord, fights for us and so the song describes the seemingly impossible situation as we see set out in verses four and five as sacred as that Pharaoh prompted by Satan himself comes after the people of Israel and God destroys chariots and the horses chosen officers he said were sunk in the red sea. The description – five makes the victory seem very easy and needed was when God is fighting for your with God nothing is impossible. And when God delivers he delivers completely and so the song as Moses and the people saying continue to continues to celebrate God's invincible power in achieving the victory notice verse eight. For example, at the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up the flood stood up in a heap. The deep congealed in the heart of the sea, here is this figure of speech that God is a word just blows there is a parking of the Red Sea is so easy it is for God split-second the might of that Red Sea is parked and Egypt with all of its power is totally destroyed. The victory is total is powerful hand shatters the NMA and all of their weapons. There is no mopping up exercise to be done by the Israelites, God in his invincible power does it all and the Israelites are silent witnesses to the marvelous deeds of the Lord as they stand there and then led by Moses and led by Miriam burst into this incredible song of praise as part of course is unique. God's invincible part is unique.

Verse 11 and 12 who is like you will Lord among the God's rhetorical question who is like you majestic in holiness, awesome, and glories needs doing wonders you stretch that your right hand there is unlike any of the parts God is demonstrating his greatness is power, his holiness, Pharaoh and the armies of Egypt have defined the Lord is not clear that no nation can stand against the Lord is not none like him and I find it very interesting that during the time of the great tribulation, when that is the victory over the beast in this image is celebrated by the redeemed with singing and you know what they saying, according to Revelation 15, verses three and four there singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb that this deliverance from the power of Egypt as a precursor of a greater victory before our Lord returns with power and might, with the focus again is on God's greatness. You think of the part of the antichrist. Think of all that he can do using the power of Satan himself. Think of how they deceive so many people and you think you can stand against such power who can stand against such evil, the answer is God's great unique is holy is impacts is going to be on the whole world as they see his invincible power and might, this is tremendously comforting to us is in the field of the forces of darkness are greater than the forces of light. I do everything that evil seems so strong and you look out in the world and you think of this is bad and and and will is God in all of this, you know, the Israelites were 400 years in Egypt. Initially it was quite good for them.

As long as Moses, as long as Joseph was alive. And then he dies in the Pharaoh arises as we saw early in Exodus. He didn't know Joseph, so God doesn't work with our timetable busy sometimes wonder why God hasn't acted.

Why doesn't God stamp that evil now is not out to timetable, but we do know this, that he who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. So we stand against the enemy. We put on the full armor of God, we put on our Lord Jesus Christ against the forces of darkness of spells is in the rooms that been at the battle of the Lord.

He will be victorious.

Therefore, trust him to verses 1 to 12 sing praises to the Lord because he delivers us from impossible situations and then in verses 13 through 18. Sing praises to the Lord because he always fulfills his promises. What what what are the main subjects of our worship at Calvary were worshiping God.

Yes, for who he is but also for what he's done. I would praising God for his grace and his greatness because this God is greatly created the heavens and the front of the great themes of Scripture and of course we celebrate our salvation, but we also celebrate that God always always fulfills his purposes and all of the nations we see in verses 13 through 16. If you're following the reading all of the nations tremble at God's invincible power sheathing use of this victory over Egypt is going to travel. So think of the nations that mentioned the Philistines in Beresford 15, the Edomites in the Moabites and the Canaanites. They will understand that they cannot stand against God because Egypt is a stronger power than theirs and of God is so powerful that he can destroy the Egyptians and of Israel's God is so strong that he can part the Red Sea. No wonder they're going to tremble and as they hear of this mighty victory over Egypt they will be so afraid, provided Israel continues to put their trust in the Lord example of God's faithfulness, not just in the past, through the redemption, not just in the past redemptions of the Red Sea, but as the Israelites now beginning their journey to the promised land. Fierce pagan nations are going to oppose them. But as long as they remember God as long as they put their trust not in chart answer horses but put their trust in the Lord. They will be victorious. But if they think they can do it on their on if they are lazy if they become like the nations. Then they will experience defeat. But as long as they put their trust in the Lord. They will be over comers as you and I when you and I walk by faith, putting on the armor of God, we will be victorious over our enemy. Jim sends resist the devil and he will flee from you and God will fulfill his covenantal promises. You notice that in verse 17 and 18. You will bring them in and plan them on your own mind. The place all Lord which you have made for your board, the century Lord with your hands of established the thinking ahead, they're going to be in Jerusalem. God is going to build his own sanctuary that are about to make a temporary sanctuary for the Lord, the tenant we call it the tabernacle, the song of the Sea finishes with looking forward to that time when Israel will be in the promised land have their own sanctuary and God will dwell with them and their seat in the Lord will reign forever and ever know the full fulfillment of that is your future. Just think of the future when the Temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem described in the closing chapters of Ezekiel, Lord returns, the Lord reigns for ever and ever. Sadly, the people of Israel will fall into idolatry and will experience the judgment of God. But here is God's promise to them and to us.

Looking back at the redemption through the Red Sea will strengthen their faith in God. That's why that are countless references in Scripture to that climactic events of God's deliverance through the Red Sea. This is why brothers and sisters, we are never ever ever to forget the day of our salvation is not in part what communion is this do in remembrance of me. When you think back to that Daisy take Brad in the cup when you first placed your trust in Jesus Christ when you came as a center. In my case is a little boy of 12 or asked price to commented save me and as we follow Christ, we grow in our understanding of the gospel.

The understanding of our own sinfulness. The understanding of the wonder of God's salvation that he reached nine and saved us. And this strengthens our faith. This is what's involved in growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Because God is always true to his promises when he says I will give you eternal life.

He will give us eternal life, and the need to dilute our brother sister is no need to wonder what will happen when you die you have received as a gift of God's grace, eternal life, you will never perish great is God's invincible power. Great is his steadfast faithfulness.

I don't to remind you that we face a very strong enemy. The gates of Hades continue to attack the church of Jesus Christ. Do you think during 2020.

Satan's not going to harass you discourage you temperature nothing is going to attack Calvary church yes given the enemy is going to attack that's why were told to be vigilant is why were told to remember our salvation to remember the power of God that God has given us this magnificent victory through the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and of God is on their side is God on our side is he of course is God's honor cited of God before us who can stand against us, whether we to do with the trust that God, one of the ways we demonstrate our trust in God and one of the ways that we have our faith strengthened is by praising present recently, you become Sunday evening Sunday morning and may not particularly feel like praising God because you've had such a terrible week because your heart is hardened because you're just coming out of routine.

I think all of us about that experience subway was something wonderful happens when reminded of God's greatness and when reminded of his grace, and when reminded about deliverance, our hard hearts are softened in this we begin to praise God and we get our focus on this great also.

God we have a different perspective on our difficult circumstances as we praise the Lord with joy and continue to thank him for his power, which means that he is able to help you in every every circumstance of your life are circumstance.

Yes, I'm sure if I asked all of you to write something difficult in your life. There would be many, many thoughts is not greater than your problem of course is in the promises of God as we have in the song of the sea as they anticipate the future as well as looking back, means that God will help us in 2020 as he helped us in 2019. As he helped us in 2018, the God will be by her side that God will not go back on his promises that he will be with us. He's promised his grace and his strength are sufficient for every day we get tired.

We get discouraged we get done we get week. God never ever ever gets week as I write so beautifully, reminding us of God's greatness says as we wait on the Lord. We will be renewed in strength remind up with wings like eagles, we will run and not be weary. We will walk and not faint. Yes, we look at our circumstances would look at ourselves, perhaps even when you look at others.

We get week we get discouraged, but some but this Psalm really contained in Exodus 15.

The song, the sound of praise is reminding us in all of the circumstances, praise with joy and to give thanks that is God who is so good be steadfast in prayer, strong in your faith. God is the one who's on the site.

God will fight for us. God will lead us into triumph. All of the forces of darkness in Charlotte North Carolina in the world, arrayed against you arrayed against Calvary church will never ever succeed because his pilot's invincible. His promises are faithful. His sovereignty is triumphant.

So let us keep singing praises to the Lord with joy and the joy of the Lord is our strength fathers.

We prepare our hearts to break bread. Underlying these truths, your God, who has redeemed us. We love to sing, but Christ is our Redeemer move us father some of our hearts may be hardened. We may be weary, some perhaps very anxious about their personal circumstances in their life and the lives of their loved ones graciously father strengthen us restored that joy and help us to sing to the Lord is done such marvelous things for us as individuals, as families and certainly here at Calvary we give you thanks and his wonderful name