Moses had went to Pharaoh and demanded that he release the Children of Israel that they might go into the wilderness to worship God. Pharoah's first offer of compromise was:
1. You can worship, but worship in the land (Egypt). Egypt is a representation of the world. Pharaoh was saying: "You can worship God right here in Egypt". Isn't that what the world is telling people today? You don't have to go to church, you can just worship God right here at home. While this is true, it does not release us from gathering together for public worship. The writer of Hebrews tells us: "Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day of the Lord approaching" (Heb 10:25)
2. You can go, but don't go far. Isn't this what the world is telling us? If you must go to church, just go Sunday morning, show face, and get back to your weekend. Don't get too involved. Don't become a holy roller, or Bible thumper. In other words, do just enough to appease the conscience so you can sleep at night.
3. You can go, but you must leave your children. This is one that is extremely subtle. Who wouldn't want a babysitter so we could go enjoy ourselves without the rug-rats? Pharaoh knew that they would have to return to Egypt for their children. They would still be kept under his hand. Also, consider who would be raising the children while the parents were go to worship. It would be Egypt, the world. But isn't this what is happening when parents leave their children at home while they come to church? The children are left to their own imaginations. Imagine that!
- Note: I am not saying that people do not care for their children because most people certainly do. We make sure they are educated, we look after their dental and medical needs. We pay attention to their emotional and social needs as well. We enroll them in sports, dance, karate, drama, etc. For Example...
- Suppose it is Sunday morning and little Johnny wakes up and its raining outside. Mom says, Johnny, we better not go to church today; you might catch a cold. But if the weather persist until Monday morning it's a different story. On Monday she will say, "Johnny, get out of that bed, you have a bus to catch. You have school today."
- What this mom has said sublimely is: "Your education and learning is extremely important, but God and the church is of little importance. I ask you. What good is education and learning if your child stands before God lost? The last compromise offered by Pharaoh was...
4. You can go, but leave your flocks and herds here in Egypt. The flocks and herds represented their livelihood. They were their only means of working to make a living, therefore; Pharaoh knew they would have to return to Egypt. They couldn't worship God too long, because their flocks and herds; their means of exchange and livelihood were still in Egypt. This is exactly what the devil tells us to do today: "Leave your flocks and herds in Egypt", this is your money, your means, and your livelihood. By offering this compromise Satan knows you will return for your possessions.
- The answer is: "It all belongs to God", so when I come to worship Him, I come with all I am. I bring my money. I bring my children. I go as far in worship as I choose to go. I refuse to be bound in Egypt (the world).
- The bottom line; we must reject compromise in any form. You cannot make concessions with the devil and still win.
If you are interested in getting the cd of this message please contact the church at: theharborworshipcenter@yahoo.com
Blessings!
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