One of the things we see in this text is the contrast between Pharaoh who feared a people group and the Hebrew Midwives who feared the Lord.  Pharaoh’s actions were evil, oppressive, and murderous.  The Midwives’ actions were good, and promoted both flourishing and life.  

There are many issues today where the principles communicated in Exodus 1 can apply, but  applicable must first begin in our own hearts.  So let’s ask the Spirit to reveal if there are any people groups for which we have dread in our hearts.  If we dread a people group, we are not far from our actions leaning into evil toward them, oppression on them, and in the extreme case, murder against them.  

But God brought the climactic resolution of The Whole Story by causing human evil to be the very means of its own destruction.  At the Cross, God Himself tabernacled in humanity & willingly subjected Himself to Human evil, oppression, and murder, so that those who confess Jesus as LORD with their mouths and believe in their heart that God raised him from the dead would be Redeemed from their sin.  Set Free!  No More are we subjected to the Historical Humans Pattern, but are empowered to stand up for the Heart of God.

The Movie Trailer to Exodus and a reminder of God's Blessings through common times where God might feel distant.

One of the most prevalent identities of the Church in the Scriptures is that of a Family.  From the Case Law given in Leviticus 20: 4-5, we learn that we are our brothers keeper.  We also see through Redemptive History that health families multiply.  

Jesus Himself is our Peace and has unified His Church in all our differences.  

As steward's of God's Stuff, we are exhorted to faithful through out God's Word.  However, Greed both blinds us and gives us false promises that will disrupt our faithfulness.  Jesus came as the righteous steward for the unrighteous stewards.  Jesus is faithful and there are some hard and vulnerable disciplines to which we can commit in order to participate in His faithfulness.  

If we look at the thread of "Temple" through Redemptive History, we will see that God is still building His Temple one living stone by one living stone.  The Church Temple is a Mission to participate with God to expand His Glory.

We are strangers, exiles, foreigners, and aliens in this land because our origins and allegiances are from another world.  "We don't belong here, but All Belong With Us."  We must remember both of these statements for our conduct and language to be different and honoring to our King.

Priesthood was the identity of mankind from the very beginning, but we failed in our priestly responsibility.  Over and over God was faithful to His People and finally sent Jesus to be the High Priest who restored us to and resourced us for our priestly responsibilities.  

Paul's final words and instructions to the church in Colossae.

What do Christians do with emotions.  This sermon looks to Psalm 27 as David admits his fear, accepts his need for safety, attunes his heart to God, attaches himself to God's faithful love, and aligns with God's mission.