WANTS AND NEEDS

EXODUS 8

Pastor Rick Jackson

There is a big difference between wants and needs. A child may want to eat candy and cake for every meal but their bodies need a more balanced diet. Some people want to win the lottery but more than one family has found that winning the lottery ruined their lives. What the world the flesh and the Devil wants for Christians is certainly NOT what Christians need!

I. WHAT THE WORLD WANTS OUT OF CHRISTIANS

1. CORRUPTION [8:20-28]

The world wants to corrupt your worship, your witness, your Christianity. "Keep it acceptable to everybody. Don't offend us by praying in Jesus' name, or saying "Merry Christmas" or having a cross on a water tower. Don't get too far from the world. Be ecumenical. Don't preach against sin. Don't go to church too much, once a week is more than enough."

2. CONTAINMENT [10:8-11]

The world doesn't want children to learn the faith. "Let us teach them evolution. Let us teach them our viewpoints. Wait until they're older before you teach them Christianity."
Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

3. COMPROMISE [10:21-27]

The world says, "You can be religious, just don't go overboard! Don't spend too much. Don't tithe. Keep your religion separate from the rest of your life. Don't waste your money on religious stuff."

II. WHAT THE CHRISTIAN NEEDS TO HOLD FAST

1. THE BLOOD [EX. 12:3-5 "a Lamb...the Lamb...your Lamb", v. 7, 12-13]

Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Revelation 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith,...

2. THE BOOK [12:14]

Proverbs 4:13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

3. THE BLESSED HOPE [12:25]

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.