Sermon Cloud

Living in Awe of God: How to Rely on His Supply

Exodus 16:2-35

Intro: Charlie’s bad burn.  They provide lotion.

Proposition: Sometimes we live in lack by our own choice – other times we do have real lack.  But do we trust God will supply?

1. Never complain. (2-3)

It’s frustrating to me that as soon as God’s people are done praising Him for escaping the Egyptians they complain about wanting to go back to their bondage!

-We complain when we fool ourselves about how good we had it before.

The Hebrews had a false sense of how good things used to be.  They were in bondage!  And anything good you had in the past came from Him anyway!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. James 1:17

Ex. Mark Martin.  I realized the good old days are now.

A hungry desert with God is better than a feast among pagans.

One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. I'd rather scrub floors in the house of my God than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin. Psalm 84:10 (The Message)

-Complaining is all about instant gratification.

The Hebrews were willing to sacrifice a promised land of milk and honey that is coming for slave food right now.  Ex. Remember cold cuts instead of crab legs?

Ex. Varuca Salt was a bad Egg – “I want it now.”  But now: “It’s my money and I want it now.”

Credit card society is blowing up so what do we do – make a bigger credit bubble. 

Stop sacrificing God’s future promises for a pathetic present.

-Complaining about God is sinful and hurts the gospel.

14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. Philippians 2:14-15

Ex. Morocco trip – one guy was ruining our trip.  You are ruining it for others and hurting the good news!

A good attitude will help you greatly. 

Ex. Army Sgt. Patrick lost a leg in Iraq and had to get a prosthetic limb.  When asked how his life will be different he replied: “The only difference is if a dog bites my ankle, it going to hurt me.”

Make the choice not to complain.

1. Realize God tests you with little to see if He can bless you with much. (4-7, 19-20)

God answered the hunger by giving the people Manna.  It literally means: What is it?  He told Moses it would be a test.  Would they be content to live on the little God provided every day?  They would be tested for 40 years on Manna before God knew they were ready for the Promised Land.  And that whole generation missed it – because they failed the test.  How are you doing with the little you have?

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10

Every thing you have is a test.  What will you do with it?  What will you do with your money, your time, your possessions, your children, and your opportunities?  They are all seeds.  If you plant them God’s way then more will come.  If you waste them then that is all you will get.

Ex. Abigail broke a toy.  I took away her new Barbie doll for a day.  She bawled – and got the lesson.  You don’t get more if you don’t use what you have right.  That is a God principle.

Let’s say I hand you a baseball card worth 25cents and tell you to be careful with it – it will be worth more one day.  And you put it in your bike spokes – Wouldn’t I be an idiot to give you a Babe Ruth rookie?  God is not an idiot.

It is easier to rely on His supply of manna now when you know it is a test for a promised land in the future.  What are you doing with your Manna?

1. Never fear – there will always be enough for today. (13-16,21)

God gave the people just enough Manna for that day.  He was proving a point to them – I will always give you enough for this day.  So don’t worry about tomorrow.  Even on the Sabbath He gave them enough for two days the day before.

Sometimes God will bless you with abundance that will last and last.  But He wants you to know that He will always give you at least enough for this day.

31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34

“Overstress will make you sick. Carrying too heavy a stress load is like running your car engine past the red line; or leaving your toaster stuck in the "on" position; or running a nuclear reactor past maximum permissible power. Sooner or later, something will break, burnup, or melt down.” – Dr. Steve Burns M.D.

Turn your fear into faith – faith that God is faithful to take care of you.

“Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!”

“God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.” – Hudson Taylor

Today we have a CPC focus.  Most women have abortions, because they don’t feel like they can handle it.  Not enough money, energy, or what have you.  God supplies.  You can be the manna for them, so they don’t have to fear.

1. Record and remember how He has provided in the past. (31-35)

God’s people were told to keep a portion of the manna for all generations to know of the faithfulness of God.  Anytime God supplies we should record it, so others will increase their faith – and you can remember the next time you doubt God’s supply.

Ex. Money in mailbox at Seminary.  Always remembered that. 

Must also always remember the gospel – for Jesus’ sacrifice is the perfect testimony of God’s faithfulness.  If God would give His own son for us – why would we doubt He would withhold anything else we needed?  Christ is our true Manna.

49 Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." John 6:49-51

Next time you doubt the supply of God – look at the cross.

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Conclusion: Remember in 1 Kings 17 when Elijah visited a widow who was about to die of starvation with her son.  Elijah asked for bread.  She hadn’t cooked.  Saving that last oil and flour for one last meal before death.  He tells her if she’ll cook bread for him then it will never run out until the drought and famine are over.

Many of you are worried about the little you have.  Use it for God’s service.  He will never let your jars go empty.