MAY 2025
May 1 Honoring Our Workers
May 6 JR is Back from Sabbatical
May 7 Praying for The ELECTIONS at the BGC // NGC 5am
May ___________________________
Vision Casting for BS BS
LW Introduction
YX CAMP Preparations
Preparing for LTM System // MTM
Staff Development Training
Manila Center Transfer
Cebu preparing for RE-LAUNCH
FINDING GOD IN DIFFICULT TRANSITION
His Life Ministries May 2025
Sermon Series
Main Verse:
Exodus 15:13 GW “Lovingly, you will lead the people you have saved.
Powerfully, you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
Series Overview:
Meeting God in our lives is nothing new.
Most of us have learned to expect to find God in our daily routines, predictable activities, and special occasions. What we do not always remember is that God is with us in the messy stuff, too, like career changes, household moves, shifting patterns in family life and relationships, or future planning. It takes a lot of physical, emotional, and psychological work just to keep up with the demands that transitions can make on us; being spiritually present at the same time can be almost impossible.
The truth is everyone has been through transitions in their lives.
During the transition, we meet various difficulties that can challenge our perspective, faith in God, and character as individuals.
So, the essence of our May series is to deepen our trust in the Lord’s goodness and hope in His unfailing faithfulness as we welcome the reality of life’s transition.
A note on Exodus 15
Exodus 15 is a pivotal chapter in the book of Exodus and the whole Bible, as it marks the transition from the deliverance from Egypt to the journey to the promised land.
It reveals God’s character and purpose for His people, as well as their response and responsibility.
It shows that God is not only a God of liberation but also a God of formation.
He rescues His people from bondage and teaches them to trust and obey Him in the wilderness.
He displays not only His power and justice but also His grace and compassion.
He not only defeats His enemies but also prepares His people for their inheritance.
Exodus 15 is a chapter that invites us to join in God's praise and worship and to learn from God's testing and provision.
Chronological Journey of Israelites in the Wilderness
1. Departure from Egypt and the Journey to Mount Sinai:
• Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, crossing the Red Sea and entering the Sinai Peninsula.
• They camped at Elim, a place with 12 springs.
• In the Wilderness of Sin, God provided manna and quail to sustain them.
• At Rephidim, they fought against Amalek, and Moses struck a rock to provide water.
• The journey culminated at Mount Sinai (also known as Mount Horeb), where God gave the Ten Commandments.
• The people spent a year at Mount Sinai, constructing the Tabernacle.
2. The Time at Mount Sinai:
• The Israelites received the Ten Commandments and established a covenant with God.
• They built the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary where God would dwell among them.
• Both obedience and rebellion marked this period, as the people sometimes struggled to follow God's commands.
3. The Wanderings towards the Promised Land:
• After leaving Mount Sinai, the Israelites continued their journey, facing various challenges and tests of faith.
• They camped at Kadesh-barnea, where Moses sent spies into the Promised Land, but the people rebelled against entering the land.
• Due to their disobedience, they were forced to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, with only Joshua and Caleb from the original generation surviving to enter the Promised Land.
• The journey also involved avoiding conflicts with Edom and Moab and eventually crossing the Arnon River.
• Finally, they reached the Plains of Moab, where Moses viewed the Promised Land from Mount Nebo before his death.
WEEKLY TOPICS | EMPHASIS | SYNOPSIS
MAY 4 | Birthday Sunday
Kick-Off Topic:
Finding God in Difficult Transition
Verse: Exodus 15:13
The main verse for this series is considered by some of the Bible scholars as the oldest oldest song in the world. After having been delivered from great danger, the Israelites sang with joy! The people God has redeemed have confidence for the future. In light of what the Lord had done in rescuing Israel from his enemies, there was no question that he would be able to carry through on his promise to take them safely into the Promised Land. And it gives us essential lesson that can strengthen and motivate us to face life’s transition, no matter how difficult it is.
Two things we can learn from the main verse that will enable us to find and trust God when difficult transition hits us: His love will lead us, and His power will guide us.
When God’s unfailing love and his might are combined, there is no reason to doubt that He will be able to keep his promises. If God had such a character but did not have the might to carry out his good intentions toward his people, his character would be of little value to us. The good news is that He has both a loving character and all power.
At times, transition creates excitement and at times it evokes fear. Most of the time it is challenging and other times, it can be difficult. But be assured in His unfailing love - He will lead you every step of the way. Be confident in His might - He will guide you through the journey.
MAY 11 | Communion Sunday & Mother’s Day Special
Week One Topic: Trusting God when Transition Becomes Distressing
Verse: Exodus 15:22-26
One of the problems they encountered as the wilderness journey started was the lack of water. With the large number of people and livestock coming out of Egypt (see 12:37–38), the inability to find drinkable water is a significant problem (15:22–23). Also, how their response was a demonstration that they don’t trust God enough, even they have witnessed and experienced His power.
And the same can be true to us all. How easy it is to grumble and complain too quickly, specially when transition becomes distressing. Distressing in a sense that in that transition, extreme worry, sadness, pain, exhaustion, or weakness with strain or trouble, are more obvious that peace, joy, wellness, rest, and strength. When this happens, not only we complain immediately, but we also long for instant gratification and relief.
In contrast to their unbelief, Moses cried to the LORD to deliver the people from their distress. the LORD showed him a log. In response to Moses’ cry for help, the Lord intervenes by causing the
water to become sweet. And this teaches us one important lesson when transition happens: God wants us to run to Him for guidance, comfort, purpose, and understanding.
MAY 18 | Lifegroup and Divinity Sunday
Week Two Topic: Believing God when Transition Becomes Displeasing
Verse: Exodus 17:1-6
This time the people, reacting to Moses’ leading them to a waterless site, quarreled with him or laid a charge against him. So intense was their reaction that Moses thought he was about to be stoned. They doubted that God was really with them or cared for them, and they demanded that he prove his presence and care. Again, the people complained about their problem. The trouble with the Israelites was that they had hard hearts that would not submit to the Lord, so they rebelled against His will.
This shows that normally, when are exposed to problems and transition becomes displeasing, and worst are not believing God enough, tthey usually want to do unreasonable things that could only make the situation worse. One should not forget that God uses difficulties to stregnthen our faith and mature our character.
Our verse today suggests two reasons as to why, at times, transition becomes displeasing; our heart is hard toward God, and we would not submit to His guidance and leading. Therefore, believing God when transition becomes displeasing is to understand His heart for us -everything He does is for our good no matter how painful situaton is.
Be encouraged that in this account, despite the people’s extremely negative response to their circumstances, once again the Lord responds graciously for that is who He is.
MAY 25 | Facility Sunday | Week Three
Topic: Relying on God when Transition Becomes Demanding
Verse: Numbers 11:10-17
The whole people and their most senior figures complain about the difficulties of the journey to Canaan; by implication they are also complaining about Moses’ leadership and God’s promises. This pattern matches the problems of the journey from the Red Sea to Sinai.
The Israelites complained, and then Moses complained. But God responded positively to Moses and negatively to the rest of the people. Why? The people complained to one another, and nothing was done. Moses took his complaint to God, who can solve any problem.
Many of us are good at complaining to each other. However, do not make life miserable for others just because things are not going the way you would like. All of us go through trying times and uncomfortable circumstances. Remember that how you choose to respond will affect more people than only yourself. Choose to model a great attitude. Be compassionate, and work to encourage others rather than weighing them down.
More importantly, jutst like Moses, we need to learn to take our problems to the One who can do something about them - and this is what it means to rely on God when transition becomes demanding.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. https://medium.com/@coulter.daniel/bible-study-exodus-15-
a56d8a880d8a#:~:text=Exodus%2015%20is%20a%20pivotal,His%20people%20for%20their%20inheritance.
2. https://ministry127.com/christian-living/overwhelmed-a-moses-moment
3. The Land Between by Jeff Manion
4. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/st-anthony-messenger/finding-god-in-lifes-transitions/
5. The Swindoll Study Bible
6. Wiersbe Study Bible
7. NLT Study Bible
8. Life Application Study Bible
Finding God in Difficult Transition May 2025 series prepared by Pastor Baughart Sison
