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Jason Paredes: How Long Will You Doubt? (Exodus 9:1-12)
Jason Paredes, lead pastor of Fielder Church in Arlington, declared, “All the blessings of God are found in obedience … in obeying God.” We experience all the fullness of God’s blessings when we obey God, he continued. “The longer you delay obedience, the harder it gets to obey,” Paredes added.
The greater the distance between God’s command and a person’s obedience, the greater the number of excuses for not obeying. Ultimately, a person can become so calloused as to not be able to hear God anymore, Paredes explained. Pharaoh provides an example.
God sent plagues against Pharaoh and Egypt to bring about the release of the Israelites. Despite the worsening nature of the plagues, Pharaoh continued to harden his heart against God.
Paredes examined the fifth and sixth plagues—death of Egyptian livestock and boils on the Egyptians. He described their economic and spiritual significance. He cautioned his hearers against hardening their hearts, referring to Hebrews 3:7-14, and he concluded by pointing to the work of Jesus interceding before God on our behalf (Hebrews 4:14-16).
This sermon was delivered Aug. 28, 2022, for the morning worship service of Fielder Church in Arlington. It is part of a series on the Book of Exodus.
A sermon script is available here. A Spanish version of this sermon is available here.
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