TEXT:  Ex. 5:1-2

INTRODUCTION:

A.      WELL KNOWN STORY - MOSES BEFORE PHARAOH.

B.      BUT PHARAOH DEFIED GOD( vs. 2 ).

          1.       At first Pharaoh refused to let them go at all.

          2.       The 10 Plagues - Pharaoh softens.  Offers compromises.

C.      THE DEVIL SEEKS SIMILAR COMPROMISES WITH US.

I.      FIRST COMPROMISE - "GO YE, SACRIFICE TO YOUR GOD

        IN THE LAND."( 8:25 ).

A.      REJECTED BY MOSES( 8:26 ).

          1.       Distasteful to both Jew and Egyptian.

          2.       Would not tolerate each other's religion.

          3.       It would have put idolatry on the same plain as God's will.

B.      GOD'S WILL WAS THAT THEY SEPARATE( vs. 27 ).

C.      SO ARE WE TO BE SEPARATE FROM THE WORLD.

          1.       This separation signified by a crucifixion of self( Gal. 6:14; 20  ).

          2.       No longer a servant of the world's dictates( Rom. 6:17-18 ).

          3.       Complete separation( 2 Cor. 7:1 ).

II.     SECOND COMPROMISE - "ONLY YE SHALL NOT GO VERY

        FAR AWAY."( 8:28 ).

A.      PHARAOH WANTED ISRAEL CLOSE ENOUGH TO GET THEM BACK.

B.      HE WANTED TO MAINTAIN INFLUENCE.

C.      SOME OF US LIKE BEING CLOSE TO THE "OLD MUDHOLE."

          1.       How much like the world can we be without being part of it( Rom. 12:2 ).

          2.       Does consent mean guilt( Rom. 1:32 ).

          3.       Where do we draw the line between sin & almost sin( 1 Thes. 5:22 ).

          4.       1 Pet. 2:9. "God's own possession." How much must we give him?

III.    THIRD COMPROMISE - "GO NOW YE THAT ARE MEN...BUT

        NOT YOUR LITTLE ONES"( 10:8-11 ).

A.      PHARAOH KNEW IF THE CHILDREN REMAINED IN BONDAGE, SO

          WOULD THE PARENTS.

B.      GOD INTENDED THAT ALL SHOULD LEAVE.  THE CHILDREN WERE TO

          BE IMPRESSED WITH THE OPPORTUNITIES OF FREEDOM.

C.      1 Tim. 5:8.  LET THIS BE OUR RULE.

          1.       The greatest need that can be provided by the parent is a knowledge of God's

                             word( 2 Tim. 1:5;  3:14-15 ).

          2.       Eph. 6:4.

D.      HOW MANY PARENTS HAVE COMPROMISED THE TRUTH TO

          ACCOMMODATE DISOBEDIENT CHILDREN( Mat. 10:37;  Prov. 23:23 ).

IV.   FOURTH COMPROMISE - "GO YE, SERVE JEHOVAH, ONLY

        LET YOUR FLOCKS HERDS BE STAYED"(10:24 ).

A.      MOSES' REPLY( 10:26 ).

B.      WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE( Mat. 6:19-21 ).

C.      WE MUST NOT LOOK BACK( Luke 9:62 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      ARE YOU STILL IN BONDAGE?( Rom. 6:17-18 ).

B.      MAYBE YOU LIVE ON THE BORDER?

C.      WHAT HAVE YOU LEFT BACK THERE?