Austin Chinese Church

Sometimes the path God takes us on isn’t the fastest or the easiest—but it’s always the surest. In Exodus 13, as Israel begins its journey out of Egypt, God leads them the long way around, not through the land of the Philistines, but through the wilderness. Why? Because He knows what’s ahead. From this message we’ll discover the power of divine detours, the beauty of being led by God's presence, and the faith it takes to trust His direction even when the road winds. God's way may not be quick—but it’s always right.

Easter Sunday is the day that we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is one of the foundational building blocks of the Christian faith. Look at what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, in verses 14 and 17: “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain… And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” So, the question we want to ask today is this: was Christ really raised? Did Jesus really come back to life again after being crucified on Good Friday? I believe that when we look at the evidence, we’ll come to the conclusion that Jesus really did rise from the grave - there’s just no other explanation.

Passover is so much more than a ceremony or ritual. It was a necessary means to accomplish everything that God had established in the past, present, and future. Through this incredible picture of grace, it would point us to the ultimate act of grace for all who would believe.

In Exodus 11, we witness the looming final act of God's judgment against Egypt—an act that will forever change the course of history. We’ll explore the tension between God's mercy and justice, his patience with the stubbornness of man, and the powerful reminder that his will, in the end, will prevail.

In Exodus 10, God unleashes His sovereign power through locusts and darkness, revealing His complete supremacy.  Even in judgment, He is revealing His glory and calling His people to trust and worship.

In Exodus 9, we see a powerful moment when God steps into the story in a way that changes everything. As the plagues continue to unfold, God reveals His unmatched power and sovereignty, demonstrating that when He shows up, no force on earth can stand against Him.

God clearly stated His purpose for sending the plagues on Egypt: He wanted both the Israelites AND the Egyptians to “know that I am the LORD (Yahweh).” In fact, this is His desire for all of us. But Pharaoh’s “heart was hardened, and he would not listen.” What can we learn from this passage so that we will not respond to God in the same way?

In Exodus 7, God empowers Moses and Aaron to stand before Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites. While Moses is made "like God" in Pharaoh’s eyes, he is clear to recognize that Moses is not God—he is God’s chosen vessel. This chapter teaches us the balance between divine authority and human humility. God often calls us to represent Him in the world, but it is crucial to remember that while we act in His name, we are still His servants, not the source of power. Join us as we explore how God equips us with His authority to face challenges, yet reminds us to rely on His power, not our own.

As the covenant keeper, God always keeps His word, no matter the obstacles. When we are tempted to lose faith or grow weary, we can rest in the truth that God’s promises are sure, and He will deliver on His word.

In the world's eyes, God's mission is repugnant and repulsive. For God's people, such discouraging moments can actually be part of His bigger purpose, teaching us trust, endurance, and the assurance that God is working even when we can’t see it.