Deeper Life Bible Church, Aberdeen Sunday Message 18-01-2009 THE FORWARD MARCH Exodus 14:13

3 Points 1. INDIVIDUAL PROGRESS IN SPITE OF OBSTACLES 2. FAMILY PROGRESS IN SPITE OF OPPOSITION 3. CHURCH’S PROGRESS IN SPITE OF OBSTRUCTIONS

INDIVIDUAL PROGRESS IN SPITE OF OBSTACLES Exodus 14:15; Ruth 1:15,16; Acts 20:22-24; 21:10-13 As Individuals, the command is to go F-O-R-W-A-R-D in; F – Faithfulness, Faith & Fidelity – 1 Timothy 6:11; Titus 2:10 O – Obedience to God’s Word – Exodus 24:7 R – Righteous & Holy Living – 1 Thess.2:10 W – Watchfulness & Winning Souls – Jude 22,23 A – Agonising & Prevailing prayer – Luke 6:12 R – Resisting the Devil & his temptations – James 4:7 D – Diligence & Dependence on God – Psalms 37:5

FAMILY PROGRESS IN SPITE OF OPPOSITION Exodus 14:15; Acts 16:31; Jeremiah 35:6; Genesis 35:1-3 As a family, the command to go forward includes; Go forward in Obedience – Joshua 24:15 Go forward in faith - Matthew 8:10 Go forward without complaint – Num.14:1-3,30 Go forward with firm confidence in God – Mark 5:28 Go forward with earnest and constant prayer – 1 Thess.5:18 Go forward fixing your eyes on Christ and the Promised land – Heb.12:1 Go forward in love – 1 Cor.13:1,14

CHURCH’S PROGRESS IN SPITE OF OBSTRUCTIONS Exodus 14:15; Matthew 16:18 As a Church, the command is to go F-O-R-W-A-R-D; F – Fellowship & Forgiveness – Heb.10:25; Eph.4:32 O – Occupying till He comes – Luke 19:13 R – Right-motive towards one another – Phil.2:1-3 W – Warfare & Spiritual Conquest – Matthew 16:18,19 A – Agreement in Prayer – Matthew 18:19 R – Radiance Christian Living & Readiness for the Rapture – 1 Thess.1:8-10 D – Defense of Biblical Truths – Jude 3

Conclusion When we are in the way of our duty, though we met with difficulties, we must go forward, and not stand in mute astonishment; we must mind present work and then leave the even to God, use means and trust Him with the issue. “Playing safe is probably the most unsafe thing in the world. You cannot stand still. You must go forward.” – Robert Collier Christ, our mighty Captain, leads against the foe, We will never falter when He bids us go; Tho’ His righteous purpose we may never know, Yet we’ll follow all the way. Forward! forward! ’tis the Lord’s command; Forward! forward! to the promised land; Forward! forward! let the chorus ring: We are sure to win with Christ, our King! (Carrie E. Breck – 1900) “And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward” Exodus 14:15