Live Speak / Wrap UpThirst

Week 1

Thirsty?

The PointRely on God to provide for you everything you need.

INTROToday we’re going to be reading the story of Moses and the Israelites wandering the desert. To set up what’s happening, I want to give you a little context:

God tells Moses at the burning bush to go free the Israelites out of slavery from Egypt. After some work, he finally does.

God leads them through the Red Sea (where Moses parts the Red Sea) and into the desert where they’re now free from being slaves.

They’re free now, but now they have another problem, and that’s where we’ll pick up in the fourth book of the Bible. And this story is going to help set up our video for today.

Numbers 20:1-13 NLTIn the first month of the year, the whole community of Israel arrived in the wilderness of Zin and camped at Kadesh. While they were there, Miriam died and was buried.

2 There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers! 4 Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? 5 Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!”

6 Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle,[b] where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them, 7 and the Lord said to Moses, 8 “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”

9 So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. 10 Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.

12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” 13 This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them.

We’re going to pick back up with this story in a little bit, but check out how similar this story is to what we’re about to watch as four teenagers find themselves in a post-apocalyptic world in this first week’s episode of Thirst.

Play week 1 of Thirst.

MESSAGE

Live Speak / Wrap UpThirst

Week 1

Well this week is just setting up what’s going to happen. It’s going to get pretty crazy over the next couple of weeks so you’re not going to want to miss this.

These teens are in search of the thing they need most … water. They’re thirsty and almost out of water. And, the hospital that they’re staying in doesn’t have what they need.

They’re getting this broadcast from this guy who promises them that they have water. But the one girl isn’t buying it. She thinks it’s a setup. But at this point the rest of them don’t care. They’re just so thirsty and just want to get water no matter what the cost.

What’s something that you want so bad in life that you’re willing to do what ever it takes to get it?

Maybe it’s making the team or the part in the play.

Maybe it’s getting that person to like you back.

It could be getting into that school that you want to get into.

OR

Wanting your family situation to be different so bad.

Maybe you need to get your grades up.

OR

Maybe you wish that you could change how you’re feeling about your life and your situations.

What is it for you? What are you thirsting for? What’s something that you want so bad that if you can get it, make it happen you think it’s going to quench that thirst?

Numbers 20:2 There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron.

They were thirsty and wanted water more than anything. If they could just get some water, that would quench their thirst.

Verse 3 The people blamed Moses and said, “If only … ” “IF ONLY!” Turn to the person next to you and say “IF ONLY!”

“If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers!”

These people are freed from slavery and they’re complaining about it because they’re thirsty now. They would rather die in slavery than be thirsty … WHAT!? SERIOUSLY!?

They’re looking at their circumstances and their response was “IF ONLY.”

Have you ever said that about your circumstances? You look at what you think is going to quench your thirst and you say “IF ONLY …”

If only… I was smarter, stronger, more talented, prettier, had a different family situation, different friends … IF ONLY … then I would have what I want.

Have you ever said that or thought that?

Those two words are so powerful. When we throw out that “IF ONLY” what we’re essentially doing is doubting ourselves, our circumstances, our gifts and talents, and ultimately God’s purpose and plan for our lives.

IF ONLY wishes something else instead of accepting the reality and trusting God with it.

And then the Israelites take it even further …

Live Speak / Wrap UpThirst

Week 1

Verse 5 “Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!”

Anybody else getting annoyed with these people? Basically what they’re saying is that they would rather still be in slavery than what they’re missing out on now. They’re basically throwing a little baby temper tantrum.

They feel so entitled to what they have—and don’t have—at this point.

We need to understand that we don’t really deserve anything … that everything we have and everything we are is from God. Once we realize that, then we’ll start to be thankful for all the ways He’s blessed us, and not expect anything else from Him. It forces us to live a life of thankfulness for everything that we have instead of complaining about what we don’t have.

Are you thankful? Are you thankful for the life that you have? The life that God’s given you? The ways He’s gifted you. The friends and family that you have?

Or are you too busy focusing on what you don’t have … trying to quench that thirst in your life?

So Moses goes to God with everyone’s complaint and here’s how God responds…

Verse 7 and the Lord said to Moses, 8 “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”

9 So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. 10 Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted.

Can you hear Aaron’s frustration with the people? “Listen, you rebels!” Basically he’s saying “Ok you little whining babies”

“Must we bring you water from this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.

God gave them what they wanted. But look at what they’re going to miss out on …

12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” 13 This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them.

This is a crazy, mind-blowing few verses. God was leading these people to the promise land … a land that would fulfill their every need and a lot of their wants. This was going to be the perfect place for these people to start a new life. They had no idea what was in store for them.

But they were so worried about their immediate needs that they didn’t trust God was going to provide for them—let alone give them more than they could have ever imagined. But they didn’t trust Him enough.

So what things do you feel like you’re thirsting for? What’s that one area that you want God to show up and provide for you in?

Do you trust Him enough to know that He will provide what you need?

Stop the IF ONLY and know that God has made you who you are, and put you where you are in this life, and will give you everything you need to take you where He wants to take you and do the things He’s called you to.

CLOSE

Live Speak / Wrap UpThirst

Week 1

Close your eyes and bow your heads.

Maybe you realized today that you’ve been focusing on what you don’t have instead of thanking God for what you do have. You’ve maybe thought or said those IF ONLY’s. But if today you’re willing to stop thinking IF ONLY I _________ and start thanking God for what you do have … if you’re going to rely on Him to provide what you need instead of trying to get what you want on your own ... if tonight you’re saying I am going to trust God and rely on Him to give me what I need, then raise your hand right now and let me pray for you … (Pray for the students.)

With your eyes still closed and heads still bowed …

Maybe you’ve realized tonight that you’ve never really trusted God with your life. You’ve always done things your own way and tried to make things happen yourself. But you realized tonight that there is a God who loves you and wants to lead you into a new life, a life that is in relationship with Him, where He is your provider, where you rely on Him to give you everything you need. From now on, He will be the one to quench that thirst in your life, and will use you in ways beyond what you could ever imagine or do on your own. If you want to put all your trust in Him and let Him lead your life for the very first time, then I want you to raise your hand right now and repeat this prayer after me … (Have students repeat a prayer after you.)