What If I Can't Believe?
Exodus 6:1-12 | Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions
This passage gives us hope for the times when it seems impossible to believe.
I. I Will (Exodus 6:1-8)
Between verses 1-8, God says “I will” seven times. Altogether these declarations convey three promises by God to his people: redemption, possession, and liberation.
A. Redemption
God promises redemption, saying, “I will bring you out” (6); “I will free you” (6); and “I will redeem you” (6).
B. Possession
God promises possession, saying, “I will take you as my own people” (7) and “I will be your God” (7).
C. Liberation
God promises liberation, saying, “I will bring you to the land” (8), and “I will give it to you as a possession” (8).
II. I Can’t (Exodus 6:9-12)
Despite these seven “I will’s” spoken directly by God, the Israelite leaders can’t believe it. We too are unable to believe God unless he gives us the gift of faith.
A. Discouragement
The Israelites could not believe because of the 430 years of slavery they had toiled under and the new pressure to produce their quota of brick without Egyptians supplying them with straw
B. Cruel Bondage
Discouragement was the emotional result of their slavery. Moses adds “cruel bondage” as a compassionate reminder that the Israelites’ slavery had hindered their faith as well.
III. I Did
Jesus personally accomplished the redemption God promised. He makes seven “I am” statements in the Gospel of John that correspond with God’s seven “I will” statements in this passage.
A. Redemption
Jesus accomplished the redemption God promised, saying, “I am the door” (John 10:9); “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12, 9:5); and “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
B. Possession
Jesus accomplished the possession God promised, saying, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11); and “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)
C. Liberation
Jesus accomplished the liberation God promised, saying, “I am the true vine” (John 15:10); and “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35, 48).
Discussion Questions
- Which of God’s promises do you find it most difficult to believe? To help discern this, you might ask yourself what makes you anxious, depressed, hopeless, fearful, etc. most often. (For example, if you find yourself often becoming anxious about money, it may be that you struggle to believe God will provide everything you need).
- What do you typically do when you find it difficult to believe in God’s promises?
- What current circumstances or past experiences might make it hard for you to believe in God’s promises?
- If belief is a gift from God, what is one thing we should always do when we find ourselves struggling to believe?
- The Word of God is called “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17), so when we memorize scripture, we “arm” the Spirit to work in our hearts. What promise from scripture can you memorize to arm the Spirit to help you in times of unbelief?