He Brought Us Out to Bring Us In
God's purpose in delivering us from sin is not just to free us from oppression, but to bring us into a deeper relationship with him, making us totally dependent on his mercy, grace, and love.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross opened the way for all believers to access God's presence, breaking down the barriers that once separated humanity from divine communion. He draws parallels between Israel's deliverance from Egypt and the spiritual freedom believers experience through Christ, highlighting that while many rejoice in their freedom, they often overlook God's greater purpose of bringing them into a deeper relationship with Him. Wilkerson urges believers to recognize that true joy and peace come from understanding God's love and delight in their deliverance, encouraging them to move beyond mere victory into the fullness of life in His presence.
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Before the cross, there was no access to God for the general public; only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies. Now Jesus' cross made a path for us into the Father's presence. By his grace alone, God tore down the wall that blocked us from his presence. Now he could come out to man, to embrace his prodigals and sinners of all sorts.
Consider Israel's miraculous deliverance. As God's people crossed over on dry land, they saw the waves crash down on their enemy behind them. It was a glorious moment, and they held a mighty praise meeting, with dancing, singing and thanksgiving. "We're free! God has delivered us from the hand of oppression."
Israel's story represents our own deliverance from the bondage and guilt of sin. We know that Satan was defeated at the cross, and we were immediately set free from his iron grip. Yet there is more to God's purpose in saving and delivering us. You see, God never meant for Israel to camp there on the victory side of the Red Sea. His greater purpose in bringing them out of Egypt was to take them into Canaan, his land of fullness. In short, he brought them out in order to bring them in: into his heart, into his love. He wanted a people who were totally dependent on his mercy, grace and love. And the same is still true for his people today.
Israel's first test came just a few days later, and they ended up murmuring and complaining, totally dissatisfied. Why? They had known God's deliverance, but they hadn't learned his great love for them.
Here is the key to this teaching: You cannot come into joy and peace--indeed, you cannot know how to serve the Lord--until you see his delight in your deliverance...until you see the joy of his heart over his communion with you...until you see that every wall has been removed at the cross...until you know that everything of your past has been judged and wiped away. God says, "I want you to move on, into fullness that awaits you in my presence!"
Multitudes today rejoice in the wonderful benefits of the cross. They have moved out of Egypt, and they are standing on the "victory side" of their Red Sea trial. They enjoy freedom, and they thank God continually for casting their oppressor into the sea. But many of these same believers miss God's greater purpose and benefit to them. They miss why the Lord has brought them out--which is to bring them in to himself.
Sermon Outline
- I. God's Greater Purpose in Deliverance
- A. Bringing us out to bring us in to his heart and love
- B. Making us totally dependent on his mercy, grace, and love
- II. The Key to Joy and Peace
- A. Seeing God's delight in our deliverance
- B. Understanding the joy of his heart over communion with us
- III. The Benefits of the Cross
- A. Freedom from oppression
- B. Joy and peace in God's presence
Key Quotes
“You cannot come into joy and peace--indeed, you cannot know how to serve the Lord--until you see his delight in your deliverance...until you see the joy of his heart over his communion with you...until you see that every wall has been removed at the cross...until you know that everything of your past has been judged and wiped away.” — David Wilkerson
“God says, 'I want you to move on, into fullness that awaits you in my presence!'” — David Wilkerson
“He brought them out in order to bring them in: into his heart, into his love.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must understand that God's deliverance is not just a one-time event, but a ongoing process that leads us deeper into his love and presence.
- We must see God's delight in our deliverance and understand the joy of his heart over communion with us in order to experience joy and peace.
- We must move beyond our trials and challenges, just like Israel crossed the Red Sea, to experience the fullness that awaits us in God's presence.