Another Night with the Frogs - Part 2
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-Introduction
-Last week: introduced Exodus 8:10 – “Tomorrow?” – Why did Pharaoh say “Tomorrow” and
thereby spend another night with the frogs?
-We looked at a variety of purposes/effects of the 10 Plagues; the fact they are to be classified
under “Supernatural”rather than “Natural”; and what they reveal to us about our God. He is a
powerful God, a patient God, a loving God, a protector of His people, etc.
-So, we’ll now return to the plague of frogs and Pharaoh’s curious response to Moses.
-Warnings Against Procrastination
-As I said last week, I don’t think the issue at hand in Exodus 8:10 is procrastination although
we often find that being the application made with this passage.
-And, although I don’t think that is the issue in our passage at hand, it is a very real issue of
which we need to be aware and cautious.
-“Today” –2 Cor. 6:2 (context of closing of 2 Cor. 5); Heb. 3:7ff (v 13; 4:7)
-Agrippa –Acts 26:28-29
-This follows the occasion with Felix and Drusilla – Acts 24:24-25.
-Our spiritual wellbeing is far too important for us to allow procrastination to play a role!
-1 Tim. 2:3-4 – Notice the order – Do what is necessary to be saved (start the process) and then
coinue to grow in knowledge (continue the process).
-Do you realize there’s something you need to do?
-Do you realize what you need to do?
-Is there anything that stands in the way – keeping you from doing it?
-If you know you need to do something; and you understand what that something is;
and there is nothing that stands in the way—then “Why not now?” (Acts 22:16)
-Realize, it’s something that you do now but it is a lasting commitment that you make to God.
-Col 1:23, Rom 6:4, Peter’s warning – 2 Pet 2:20ff.
-Our spiritual duties/responsibilities/opportunities are too important for us to allow
procrastination to play a role!
-Rom 12:1-2
-Why Spend Another Night with the Frogs?
-Ok, so back to Pharaoh and the frogs – Ex 8:1-4, 8-15.
-Why “Tomorrow?” - Of course, commentators offer a variety of suggestions.
-One commentator suggested that the word translated “tomorrow,” as used here, actually
means “quickly” or “without delay.” Yet, this word occurs 52 times in the O.T. and is
never translated as such. It is always “tomorrow” or “in time to come.”
-I can think of a couple of words that would better represent quickly: “tonight,” “now.”
-Another commentator suggested that perhaps Pharaoh hoped the delay might provide
opportunity for the frogs to leave on their own. Considering this, the frogs had arrived
suddenly. Perhaps he hoped for an equal, immediate, unexplained (to him) departure.
-What was his other option? – admit it was the work of God. (See Ex. 7:23.) And,
Pharaoh would be admitting his helplessness in the matter. He would be acknowledging
it was not in his ability, not under his authority, not within his power.
-Another commentator suggested foolishness and stubbornness on the part of Pharaoh.
-Stubbornness, Resistance/Refusal to submit and surrender to God.
-This is a man who absolutely does not want to fully submit. He does not want to surrender.
-But, he (and his people) cannot continue to endure the situation of these frogs.
-Now, look what I’ve done. I’ve left an open door of opportunity for an “Another Night with the
Frogs – Part 3” – not to talk about Pharaoh but to talk about us.
-Closing and Invitation
-Last week we sang the song, “All to Jesus, I Surrender.” Do we really?
-I would like you to truly think about that – to ponder that – this week. Lord willing, I’ll
share some thoughts with you about it next week.
-But, as we bring this lesson to a close, I want you to think about this.
-We have a big, big problem on our hands – the problem of sin. And, it is everywhere. We
are surrounded by it. And, at one point or another – it is a part of our lives. (Rom 3:23)
-And, we are absolutely helpless to it – that is on our own. We can’t get rid of it. We can’t
make it suddenly go away.
-And, it causes us to be lost – spiritually – separated from God now and in eternity to come.
And, of our own doing, that’s the mess we’ve gotten ourselves in. And, through our own
doing, there is nothing we can do. We are helpless.
-But, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15) "…God shows his love for us
in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). “…[W]e also rejoice in God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (Rom.
5:10).
-God gives us the opportunity to respond to his word and receive the grace he offers through
Christ. Quit fighting with sin! Quit struggling with the guilt it brings! Quit fooling yourself
into thinking it will go away and everything will be ok! Quit telling yourself you can handle
it on your own! No you cannot!
-Let God take care of it! Submit to him –surrender to his will!
-“We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God”(2 Cor. 5:10)…now.
<Return to Sermon Outlines>
-Introduction
-Last week: introduced Exodus 8:10 – “Tomorrow?” – Why did Pharaoh say “Tomorrow” and
thereby spend another night with the frogs?
-We looked at a variety of purposes/effects of the 10 Plagues; the fact they are to be classified
under “Supernatural”rather than “Natural”; and what they reveal to us about our God. He is a
powerful God, a patient God, a loving God, a protector of His people, etc.
-So, we’ll now return to the plague of frogs and Pharaoh’s curious response to Moses.
-Warnings Against Procrastination
-As I said last week, I don’t think the issue at hand in Exodus 8:10 is procrastination although
we often find that being the application made with this passage.
-And, although I don’t think that is the issue in our passage at hand, it is a very real issue of
which we need to be aware and cautious.
-“Today” –2 Cor. 6:2 (context of closing of 2 Cor. 5); Heb. 3:7ff (v 13; 4:7)
-Agrippa –Acts 26:28-29
-This follows the occasion with Felix and Drusilla – Acts 24:24-25.
-Our spiritual wellbeing is far too important for us to allow procrastination to play a role!
-1 Tim. 2:3-4 – Notice the order – Do what is necessary to be saved (start the process) and then
coinue to grow in knowledge (continue the process).
-Do you realize there’s something you need to do?
-Do you realize what you need to do?
-Is there anything that stands in the way – keeping you from doing it?
-If you know you need to do something; and you understand what that something is;
and there is nothing that stands in the way—then “Why not now?” (Acts 22:16)
-Realize, it’s something that you do now but it is a lasting commitment that you make to God.
-Col 1:23, Rom 6:4, Peter’s warning – 2 Pet 2:20ff.
-Our spiritual duties/responsibilities/opportunities are too important for us to allow
procrastination to play a role!
-Rom 12:1-2
-Why Spend Another Night with the Frogs?
-Ok, so back to Pharaoh and the frogs – Ex 8:1-4, 8-15.
-Why “Tomorrow?” - Of course, commentators offer a variety of suggestions.
-One commentator suggested that the word translated “tomorrow,” as used here, actually
means “quickly” or “without delay.” Yet, this word occurs 52 times in the O.T. and is
never translated as such. It is always “tomorrow” or “in time to come.”
-I can think of a couple of words that would better represent quickly: “tonight,” “now.”
-Another commentator suggested that perhaps Pharaoh hoped the delay might provide
opportunity for the frogs to leave on their own. Considering this, the frogs had arrived
suddenly. Perhaps he hoped for an equal, immediate, unexplained (to him) departure.
-What was his other option? – admit it was the work of God. (See Ex. 7:23.) And,
Pharaoh would be admitting his helplessness in the matter. He would be acknowledging
it was not in his ability, not under his authority, not within his power.
-Another commentator suggested foolishness and stubbornness on the part of Pharaoh.
-Stubbornness, Resistance/Refusal to submit and surrender to God.
-This is a man who absolutely does not want to fully submit. He does not want to surrender.
-But, he (and his people) cannot continue to endure the situation of these frogs.
-Now, look what I’ve done. I’ve left an open door of opportunity for an “Another Night with the
Frogs – Part 3” – not to talk about Pharaoh but to talk about us.
-Closing and Invitation
-Last week we sang the song, “All to Jesus, I Surrender.” Do we really?
-I would like you to truly think about that – to ponder that – this week. Lord willing, I’ll
share some thoughts with you about it next week.
-But, as we bring this lesson to a close, I want you to think about this.
-We have a big, big problem on our hands – the problem of sin. And, it is everywhere. We
are surrounded by it. And, at one point or another – it is a part of our lives. (Rom 3:23)
-And, we are absolutely helpless to it – that is on our own. We can’t get rid of it. We can’t
make it suddenly go away.
-And, it causes us to be lost – spiritually – separated from God now and in eternity to come.
And, of our own doing, that’s the mess we’ve gotten ourselves in. And, through our own
doing, there is nothing we can do. We are helpless.
-But, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15) "…God shows his love for us
in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). “…[W]e also rejoice in God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (Rom.
5:10).
-God gives us the opportunity to respond to his word and receive the grace he offers through
Christ. Quit fighting with sin! Quit struggling with the guilt it brings! Quit fooling yourself
into thinking it will go away and everything will be ok! Quit telling yourself you can handle
it on your own! No you cannot!
-Let God take care of it! Submit to him –surrender to his will!
-“We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God”(2 Cor. 5:10)…now.
<Return to Sermon Outlines>
