Sunday, July 30, 2017

A Look At Paul’s Heart

Temple Baptist Church - 7-30-2017
Romans 1:8-15


Introduction:

A.  In these verses, we find the heart of the great apostle laid bare before us.  Paul was possibly the greatest missionary to ever live.  He had a passion for God, though in ignorance, before his salvation.  When he was saved in Acts, chapter 9, that passion did not cool down.  His love for a people whom he had never met shows up in these verses.  I want to take a short look at them tonight.

B.  Paul’s heart:

1.  Paul had a Thankful Heart – verse 8.  We live in days of jealous hearts of men who preach the gospel.  I am all for separation when the Bible commands it, but we often spend our time “wrestling” with flesh and blood instead of principalities, powers, and wickedness in high places.  We need to thank God for every man of God, every Bible preaching church, every soul winner, and every soul won to Christ.  Many forget who the enemy is, that sinners are dying without Christ, and we are on the same side!

Philippians 1:15-18  Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:  (16)  The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:  (17)  But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.  (18)  What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

2.  Paul had a Prayerful Heart – verse 9.  If we cannot personally reach souls in other lands, we can pray for them.  Our Lord’s prayer request should be ours.  We have a prayer list here at church where we share our prayer time with people on the list that we do not know.  We need to pray for Christ’s request.

Luke 10:2  Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

1 Timothy 2:1-4  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  (2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  (3)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  (4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

3.  Paul had a Willing Heart – verse 10.  Paul did not ask or send others of go, he was more than willing.  Isaiah was willing after his eyes beheld the Lord, high and lifted up.  Paul was willing to go.  Do we have that willingness to just go across town or to the store or in the neighborhood to share the gospel.  If thee is a willingness, then that willingness will find a way.

Isaiah 6:8  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Acts 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.




4.  Paul had a Sharing Heart – verse 11.  Paul’s desire was to establish the Roman believers with sound doctrine.  It is sound, biblical doctrine that will hold both the believer and the local church when the storms come.  So many churches in the south have no doctrinal grounding.  Paul continued to use the phrase “but I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren.”

Psalms 11:3  If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Hosea 4:6  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

5.  Paul had a Caring Heart – verse 12.  Paul understood that we must stand together with out churches of like precious faith.  Though we are an independent Baptist Church, I do care about the spiritual and physical condition of others.  As in Nehemiah’s day, we are spread thinly about the wall with a construction tool in one hand and a sword in the other. When needed, one can call and others respond.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  (4)  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

3 John 3-4  For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.  (4)  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

6.  Paul had a Purposed Heart – verse 13.  The clearest verses concerning Paul’s love for the Lord and the ministry is found in the Book of Philippians.  His earnest expectation and hope was to magnify Christ either by life or death.

Philippians 1:20-21  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  (21)  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

7.  Paul had a Debtor’s Heart – verse 14.  Though the Lord appeared to Paul individually on the Damascus Road, the “pricks” that our Lord spoke of were varied.  Paul had a knowledge of the Lord’s life, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection because he was “in the know.”  He also had the privilege to watch the martyrdom of some of God’s choice servants such as John the Baptist.  Those who died left a witness that brought Paul to Christ and he now owed that same witness to the rest of this lost world.

Acts 9:5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

8.  Paul had a Ready Heart – verse 15.  Paul was ready to try the doors of opportunity and walk through them as they opened. 

Acts 9:20  And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.


2 Timothy 4:1-2  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Job Walked With God In Confusion

Temple Baptist Church - 7-30-2017
Job 1:20-2:10; 23:10-12


Introduction:

A.  What a great series of messages to preach.  The key to walking with God is agreement with God coupled with a wholehearted trust of His will and way.  This morning, I am going to preach one of the toughest messages that I will ever preach but also one of the most important ones.

B.  The Book of Job is said to be the oldest book in the Bible.  Eusebius gave the date of 1800 B.C. as the time of its writing because of the customs or lack of customs mentioned in the book.  Moses wrote the Pentateuch, the first 5 books of the Bible, around 1500 B.C.  I will take their word for that.  The antiquity of the Book of Job shows that suffering has always been present with God’s people.  From the death of Abel coupled with the exile of Cain, in Geneses 4, to the present—life has been hard and sufferings great.

C.  Job is an honest book of the Bible that spells out the often-underserved trials that we face.  Not trials and troubles of our making but sufferings that greatly affect our lives.  Trials that we cannot control or understand. 

D.  Job was a godly man who loved God and eschewed evil!  Job was a godly family man who loved his children!  Job was a priestly man as he faithfully sacrificed and prayed for his children.  Job was a wealthy man in a right way as God blessed his faithfulness! 

E.  Job was a wealthy man who lost all his possession, servants, and children.  The Sabeans came and stole Job’s the oxen and asses while killing his servants with the sword. Fire fell from heaven and devoured Job’s sheep along with those servants who kept them.  A great east wind smote the oldest son’s house in which Job’s 10 children were eating and drinking.  His worst fears realized in a moment of time. 

F.  Job maintained his integrity.  He sat down in sackcloth and ashes and said: “And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.  (22)  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” (Job 1:21-22)

G.  Satan struck Job from head to toe with boils.  Job’s wife told him to curse God and die!  Job again maintains his integrity! 

Job 2:7-10  So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.  (8)  And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.  (9)  Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.  (10)  But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

H.  Job’s three friends came to mourn with him and for seven days sat quiet.  Then, these three friends attacked his integrity and accused him of sinfulness.  Job tried to defend himself and then begins to curse the day of his birth. 

I.  In chapter 13, Job stated his condition of peace of God: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”  Sound familiar?

Luke 22:31-34  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:  (32)  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.  (33)  And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.  (34)  And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

J.  Peter said almost the same thing that Job said 1800 or more years before.  Both Peter and Job set the conditions of peace:  both were ready and willing to die for the Lord!  BUT God chose a different path for both.  There are some things worse than dying.  Remember the saying, “I was so sick that I was afraid that I was going to die.  Later, I was so sick that I was afraid that I wouldn’t die!”

K.  When we get to chapter 23, we find Job confused, helpless and begins to be hopeless! 

L.  As I begin this message, I want everyone to know that memorized verses of the Bible (I am not belittling these verses because they are both important and right) often sound hollow to the child of God when they are in midst of trials and troubles that they do not understand.  Again, I am in no way speaking evil against the precious truths of the Bible but know what I am talking about because I have personally stood with God in confusion.

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Philippians 4:12-13  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  (13)  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

1 Thessalonians 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  (Need I t go on?  Every one of us know these verses and I could quote more.  Yes, every one of them is a promise and is true but, when we allow our circumstance to shroud these precious promises, we begin to walk in confusion!)


M.  As a pastor, I discovered long ago that God must use those verses to speak to hurting hearts.  When someone who is not in trouble quotes them to someone who is in the depths of despair and sorrow, they do not have the same “ring” as when God speaks them to their heart.

N.  Job 23!  What a chapter!  Job has had enough!  He has searched for God and failed to find Him.  God does not speak, neither does He seemingly hear.  Job 23 is an answer to Job 22:25-30.  Eliphaz the Temanite said in so many words, “God will defend you; God will hear you; God will deliver you IF you are righteous and innocent.”

O.  In verses 1-9, Job said that his complaint was bitter.  If he could find God, he would order his cause and argue with the Almighty.  But, everywhere Job looked, he found only silence and emptiness.  God was nowhere to be found in his life and there was no relief for his grief. 

P.  Job 23:10-12 shows a man who was still willing to walk with God in confusion.

Q.  Three times we find the phrase “There was a day!”  (1:6, 13; 2:1) 

R.  As believers, we often set the guidelines of our peace of God.  This message could get extremely long so I will get to the gist of it.  Peace with God is something God does but the peace of God is something that each of us control.  If we suffer in a certain manner or for a certain period, we will trust the Lord.  BUT:

1.  There may come a day in your life when you have no answers.  Nothing makes sense as you search for verse after verse in the Bible but things are all going “south” in your life.  Will you walk with God in your confusion?

2.  There may come a day in your life when you are confused with your circumstances.  Right goes down hard while wrong prevails!  The righter that you try to do the more wrong that happens to you.  Will you walk with God in your confusion?

3.  There may come a day in your life when your friends sit with you while forsaking you at the same time.  They will remind you that God blesses faithfulness and rewards judgment to the sinful.  They may say that your circumstances were created by sin or disbelief in your life.  Will you walk with God in your confusion?

4.  There may be a day in your life when God seemingly does not hear and relief is nowhere in sight.  You pray and seek God but He is silent.  You search your heart but find no cause for such pain and suffering.  Will you walk with God in your confusion?

5.  There may be a day in your life when you just must continue with God despite everything going wrong.  At this point, so many fail of the sufficient grace of God and fall to the wayside.  Will you walk with God in your confusion?

Conclusion:  

a.  Walking with God and circumstances need have nothing to do with each other.  I have heard preachers say that Job was blessed double in the end of his life.  Yes, God did bless Job and he lived a long life with much happiness, BUT, he and his wife suffered the loss of their first 10 children all their life!  Job never understood why he and his wife suffered so but they stayed with God in their confusion. 

b.  There may well come a day in your Christian experience when things happen that can make you bitter.  There may come a time when you will even complain to and argue with God.  There may be a time when the heavens seem to be made of bass, your prayers go unanswered, and God is silent.  These are times when many of God’s people fail of the grace of God and choose not to walk with Him.

c.  As I get toward the end of life, I have found that I have many unanswered questions.  To the unsaved, this would make my serving the Lord a matter of foolishness.  Why serve a God who allows sad things to happen to His children?  At this point, I have no problem saying that serving God is not an option to me, it is a continual way of life.


Job 23:11-12  My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.  (12)  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Called Saints

Temple Baptist Church - 7-23-2017
Romans 1:5-7


Introduction: 

A.  This one of the instances when the italicized words supplied by the translators of clarification cause some confusion.  The phrase “called to be saints” is found only 2 times in the bible, in out text and in Colossians 1:2.

1 Corinthians 1:2  Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to besaints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1.  In both instances, the words “to be” are italicized.  It pays to read verses with and without the italicized words.  The italicized words in your bible were not in the original manuscripts but were supplied by the translators for clarification but often cause some confusion.

2.  Another instance of confusion caused by italicized words is found in 1 Corinthians, chapter 14, where the word “unknown” is used to describe biblical tongues.  The modern day Tongues Movement has used this italicized word to build a false doctrine of present day tongues as unknown.  Biblical tongues were always languages that could be understood by the hearers.

B.  We are not called “to be” saints, we are saints!  The Catholic Church venerates certain people by raising them to the status of saints.  This has nothing to do with the Scripture!  Only God can make a saint and every one of His children ARE saints!

C.  What a blessing to be in such a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ as to be called saints.  I fear that, all to often, we fail realize just who and what we are in Christ.  As God’s children:

1.  We Are Sons – In Relationship

2.  We Are Students – In Education

3.  We Are Soldiers – In Battle

4.  We Are Servants – In Obedience

5.  We Are Saints – In Standing

D.  If you look up the word “saint” in a dictionary, you will get a varied definition which has nothing to do with the biblical definition of the word.

SAINT, n.  [L. sanctus.]  A person sanctified; a holy or godly person; one eminent for piety and virtue.  (This definition has more to do with piety than standing.)

E.  Sainthood is not related to spirituality - Ephesians 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.  (Therefore, we should live a life becoming to our standing, but the standing is secured through the new birth and not works of righteousness!)

F.  I want to look at the sainthood of the believer tonight.

1.  POSITIONAL SAINTHOOD - We Are Saints In Imputation - 2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

a.  In Sainthood, We See Substitution – “sin for us” - 1 John 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

b.  In Sainthood, We See Sinlessness – “knew no sin” - 1 John 3:5  And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

1 John 3:5  And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

John 17:23  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Ephesians 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Colossians 1:22  In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

c.  In Sainthood, We See Sanctification – “in him” - Colossians 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

2.  PRACTICAL SAINTHOOD - We Are Saints In Character Integrity - 2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

            a.  In Sainthood, We See Condition – “if”

            b.  In Sainthood, We See Change – “a new creature”

            c.  In Sainthood, We See Character – “old things … become new”

3.  PRESENTED SAINTHOOD – We Are Saints In Infinity - Jude 24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

a.  In Sainthood, We Find Power – “able … keep you from falling” - 1 Peter 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

b.  In Sainthood, We Find Presentation – “present you faultless” - 2 Timothy 4:18  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

c.  In Sainthood, We find Promise – “presence … exceeding joy” - John 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

1 John 5:11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1 John 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Moses Walked With God In Impossibility

Temple Baptist Church - 7-23-2017
Numbers 12:3


Introduction:

A.  Over the past few weeks, I have been preaching about “Walking with God.”  We need people who are willing to pay the price required to walk with God.  The price begins with going to Him “without the camp.”  My introduction to this message will be short because most of us are familiar with the life of Moses.

B.  Moses was one of the greatest men, spiritually, who ever lived.  Moses would not have been a man of our choosing if we were to pick out a deliverer from the children of Israel.  What makes Moses such a notable example of “walking with God” was the impossibility of his circumstances. 

C.  I want to look at 4 instances of such impossibility found in this man’s life that made his faithfulness in walking with God such a great measure of faith and resolve.  What will stand out in this message is that the impossible places in the life of Moses set an example for us to follow in the impossible places of our lives.

1.  The impossibility of God’s Choice.  Numbers 12:3  (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)  (Humble, lowly, poor in spirit.  I have known some extremely shy, what we would call backward people, but not the meekest man in the earth!)

a.  God chose Moses.  Hebrews 11:23  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.  (If God choses you to serve Him, it is He that will equip you.)

b.  God sent Moses.  Exodus 3:10-12  Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.  (11)  And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?  (12)  And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.  (If God sends you, He will go with you.)

c.  God used Moses.  Deuteronomy 34:10  And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,  (IF God uses you, He will be glorified through you.)

d.  Who am I?  Moses felt inadequate to deliver the people of God but he was the man of God’s choosing.  God would give him the ability that he lacked.  The meekest man in all the earth would lead the millions of Jews out of bondage and to the Promised Land.  When it is impossible with us, it is possible with God.

e.  What you are not, God is!

2.  The Impossibility of Moses Choice.  Hebrews 11:24-27  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;  (25)  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;  (26)  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.  (27)  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.  (It is unimaginable to us!  He left the riches, comfort, and power of Egypt—the most powerful nation on earth to suffer the reproach of Christ with a nation of slaves.  We give up so little to gain so much and this man gave up to, in the eyes of the world, to gain so little.)

a.  The meekest man in the earth had the spiritual fortitude to turn his back on all that the world had to offer while suffering the wrath of the most powerful man in the world to bear the reproach of Christ.

b.  If there was ever a good example of going without the camp, it was a man named Moses. 

c.  Saved from death by his parents when he was born, he became the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and heir to the throne of Egypt. 

d.  Nursed and raised by his mother, he put his faith in the coming of the Messiah.  He gave up all that a man could ever dream of for the love of Christ and the privilege to bear His shame and reproach.  It is impossible to walk with God while holding hands with the world! 

e.  On the backside of Sinai, he met Jehovah God in the Person of a Burning Bush that was not consumed.  There, God showed Moses the purpose for which he was born.

3.  The impossibility of Moses’ Foe.  Exodus 3:10-11  Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.  (11)  And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?  (God sent a man who could and would get the job done!  The task was already done in God’s eyes before He ever sent Moses.) 

a.  God raised Pharaoh up.  Romans 9:17  For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh (Exodus 9:16), Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.  (God placed him upon the throne of Egypt because he was a God hater and a cruel taskmaster.)

b.  God hardened his heart.  Exodus 10:27-28  But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.  (28)  And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.  (Pharaoh had already hardened his own heart and God finished the job!)

c.  What you can’t do, God can!

4.  The impossibility of Moses’ Journey.  Exodus 3:12  And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. (God had already promised complete deliverance before He ever sent Moses!)

a.  The impossibility of the Red Sea!  The Gulf of Aqaba.  With mountains on either side, Pharaoh’s army bearing down upon them, and the Red Sea before the—God said, “Go forward?”  The impossibility of impossibilities!  (The mountains on either side of the Gulf of Aqaba are up to 2,000 feet high.  The Gulf of Aqaba varies from 12-17 miles wide with depths up to 1,850 meters or app. 6,000 feet.  A man standing on the shore can only see app. 3 miles because of the curvature of the earth so all that Israel saw was water.  They may as well have been standing on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean as far as their view was concerned.)

b.  The impossibility of the Command!  “Go forward.” Exodus 14:14-16  The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.  (15)  And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:  (16)  But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. (Can you imagine?  Nothing but water ahead with no visible path to cross and God commanded Moses to tell Israel to “go forward.”  There will be times in your life that you will see only the impossible lying before you but God gives you no option but to move ahead.)

c.  The impossibility of the Crossing!  “Dry ground!”  Exodus 15:8  And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.  (If you have ever stood on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, you understand what 6,000 feet looks like!  It is 6,000 feet straight down to the bottom of the canyon.  God divided that great body of water with the blast of His nostrils.  They went through a path of dry ground with over a mile of water standing on either side.)

Matthew 19:26  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

5.  Moses was a chosen man for a chosen purpose and, where God guides, God always provides.  God chose an impossible man for an impossible task to glorify a God of Impossibility!