Did You Forget The Frogs? | Stephen Chandler | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Did You Forget The Frogs?

Stephen Chandler

Union Church • Oct 21, 2024 • 50 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

When facing new obstacles and giant-sized challenges, believers are often tempted to return to old bondages or comfort zones simply because they forget how painful their past truly was. God does not merely seek to comfort us in our bondage; He actively works behind the scenes to deliver us completely and transform us into a new creation. By surrendering fully to God and remembering His past faithfulness, we can stand firm through temporary resistance and step boldly into the promises He has prepared.

Themes

God's DeliveranceHoliness and SanctificationSurrender vs. Self-ReliancePerseverance in TrialsRemembering God's Faithfulness

Pastor's Points

1.

You have to forget about the frogs to want to go back to Egypt.

2.

You've got to get a picture of the new you.

3.

Remember this: resistance is always temporary.

Key Points

1.
God distinguishes between complaints born of self-pity or frustration and genuine cries of supplication rooted in complete surrender.
2.
God's apparent silence during difficult seasons does not mean He is ignoring us, but that He is actively preparing our complete deliverance behind the scenes.
3.
In transitional seasons between past bondage and future promises, facing new obstacles can tempt believers to idealize the very things God saved them from.
4.
We only entertain returning to old sins or unhealthy patterns when we forget how miserable, bound, and overwhelmed we truly were before Christ set us free.
5.
True holiness is not about self-effort or human willpower to become a better person, but surrendering fully to God so He can make us a brand new creation.
6.
Spiritual maturity includes recognizing seasons of diminishing returns as God's call to step up to a higher level of faith and devotion.
7.
Temptation to retreat to past bondages is strongest when facing temporary resistance, fatigue, or a lack of immediate vision for breakthrough.
8.

Sermon Moments

“There is a difference between a cry of frustration and a cry of supplication—between 'I can't take much more of this' and 'God, get me out of this.'”

“God says, 'I'm not interested in comforting you in the situation; I want to deliver you from the situation.'”

“The only reason we would ever cry out to God to take us back to what He brought us out of is because we've forgotten how bad it was.”

“I never asked you to change you in the first place. I asked you to give you to me and let me do in you what only I can do in you.”

“The human has the ability to make themselves better; you do not have the ability to make yourself new. Only God has the ability to make you new.”

“Seasons of diminishing spiritual returns are God calling you up to a higher level of intensity and intimacy.”

“Resistance is always temporary. Satan tempts you according to your weakness, especially when you face new giants.”

This Week

Shift from frustrated complaining to humble, sincere supplication when facing overwhelming circumstances.

Trust God's active work behind the scenes during seasons when He feels silent or delayed in answering prayer.

Guard your heart against romanticizing past sinful habits or unhealthy relationships when encountering present pressure.

Meditate on your identity as a new creation in Christ rather than trying to reform yourself through self-reliance.

Recognize spiritual dry spells as a divine invitation to press deeper into prayer, scripture, and worship.

Identify your personal areas of vulnerability so you can stay on guard against temptation during seasons of stress.

Reframe present obstacles as temporary resistance, trusting God's past faithfulness to deliver you once again.

Remember This

Never let present pressure trick you into idealizing past bondage; the same God who delivered you then will carry you into His promises now.

A Challenge for You

In that moment when you're tempted to go back to those frogs, just remind yourself: The God who delivered me from that will deliver me from this. The God that brought me out of that will keep moving me forward.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.