The Escape Clause

Pastor Cory Herthel

Midland SDA Church

January 14, 2017

Key Texts: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Romans 8:31-39; 2 Timothy 1:8-12

SOP Reference: Counsels for the Church, pg. 79.3

Introduction: Illustration of vehicle stuck in mud rut or snow…the more you spin your wheels the deeper into the rut you get.  You can’t get out yourself, you need a way of escape – a helper.

I. The Escape Clause (1 Corinthians 10:1-13)

  A. Examples are given (v. 1-11)

    1. Avoid Lust

    2. Avoid Idolatry

    3. Avoid Sexual Immorality

    4. Avoid Complaining / Bickering

  B. Method of Avoidance – Escape Clause (v. 12-13)

    1. Self Confidence isn’t sufficient (v. 12)

    2. God is FAITHFUL (v. 13)

      a. His strength is sure

      b. His way of escape is guaranteed

II. Way of Escape Guaranteed (Romans 8:31-39)

  A. No Foe is too great (v. 31-35)

    1. Our enemy has been defeated

    2. No depth is too deep for a rescue

  B. Conquerors in all things (v. 37-39)

  C. Trust our Rescuer fully (2 Timothy 1:12)

    1. Don’t focus on weakness

    2. Focus on Christ’s strength!

SOP: Many fix their eyes upon the terrible wickedness existing around them, the apostasy and weakness on every side, and they talk of these things until their hearts are filled with sadness and doubt. They keep uppermost before the mind the masterly working of the arch-deceiver and dwell upon the discouraging features of their experience, while they seem to lose sight of the heavenly Father’s power and His matchless love. All this is as Satan would have it. It is a mistake to think of the enemy of righteousness as clothed with so great power, when we dwell so little upon the love of God and His might. We must talk of the mightiness of Christ. We are utterly powerless to rescue ourselves from the grasp of Satan; but God has appointed a way of escape. The Son of the Highest has strength to fight the battle for us, and “through Him that loved us” we may come off “more than conquerors.

Closing: Maybe you have found yourself stuck in a rut.  You’ve tried over and over again to maneuver your way out of that rut.  You’ve sought help from books, from friends, colleagues and confidants.  And each step you take to correct your situation only finds you deeper and deeper still in the rut.  I urge you, stop spinning your wheels!  Clearly that is no way to fix the problem.  Anchor yourself to the One who alone has the power, strength, and might to pull you out!  And He guarantees you success, for it has been written into His escape clause.