Exodus II Sermon Week 6 - Approaching the Presence of God
Notes
Transcript
Welcome/Intro
Welcome/Intro
Good morning One Hope!
Great to gather today to Worship the Lord JESUS Christ
My name is Justin, One of the Pastors Here
Welcome those joining on line
So good to gather today to experience God’s glory here.
We are continuing in our Exodus series
Today, God’s people come to Mount Sinai and have an incredible experience
life changing, history altering, one soul penetrating experiences
Let me ask you...
Intro
Intro
What is the most terrified you have ever been?
When I was 8 or 9 my parents took me to a haunted house in Gatlinburg, TN
I was scared out of my wits
I was clinging to my mothers leg so hard
What is the most terrified you have ever been?
What did you do?
Run away?
Cling to your mother for life?
Did you do whatever was required of you?
Today the Israelites are going to be utterly terrified.
They are going to experience God’s Awesome Glorious Presence
The question for us today is what was God’s intention in this?
God wasn’t just interesting in revealing His Holiness in Glory
He had more for his people.
He doesn’t just want fear-stricken obedience,
Fear is not a relationship
God desires a relationship
Proposition:
We need to have a sense of Gods Glory in order to have a sense of Gods grace.
Then leads to a worshipful obedience
Experiencing God’s majesty should lead to worship
Bible
Bible
We’ll in in Exodus 19:1-25, 20:18-21
Go there in your bible.
Grab some free books in the back
Let me Pray
Pray
Pray
pray
God’s Vision/Calling for His People
God’s Vision/Calling for His People
We’ve journeyed with Israel from the Red Sea on their way to the Promised Land
A journey from Freedom to Fulfillment
As they learn what it means to be God’s people.
They’ve seen God deliver them
provide for them
protect him
Now experience his presence
Last week we saw them get organized
If Israel is going to be what God called them to be they need to get organized, they need biblical leadership
So to, if One Hope is going to be what God has called us to be
A church for the City, nations and Generations, we need to be organized, we need to have Biblical Leadership.
Let’s pick it up in Exod 19:1-6
Exodus 19:1–2 CSB 1 In the third month from the very day the Israelites left the land of Egypt, they came to the Sinai Wilderness. 2 They traveled from Rephidim, came to the Sinai Wilderness, and camped in the wilderness. Israel camped there in front of the mountain.
so about 60-90 days since Egypt
here at the base of the mountain.
Exodus 19:3 CSB 3 Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob and explain to the Israelites:
Brief Comment: This is significant
Brief Comment: This is significant
Moses coming back to the mountain is the fulfillment of Exodus 3:12
12 He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I am the one who sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.”
Moses has finally returned, just as God said, with all of God’s people.
What does God have to say to His people?
God’s Acts and Affection for His People
God’s Acts and Affection for His People
Exodus 19:4 CSB ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.
1st things first.
I am the God that delivered you that saved you.
Where did I bring you?
To myself.
He doesn’t lead them out to the wilderness to abandon them
He didn’t bring them out here to die.
He brings them to HIMSELF
APP: So, wherever you are, if you feel abandoned by God, you are not?
Where is God leading you?
To HIMSELF
God is leading you to Himself.
God saved us to bring us to Himself.
We are all on that journey
How do we get there?
It’s about learning to trust and follow me and my purposes.
Exodus 19:5-6 CSB NOW if you will carefully listen to me [to my voice] and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, 6 and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”
Now, that’s important
Since you have been saved, now...
carefully listen = ‘listen listen’ - shma shma (שׁמע שׁמע)
to my voice
just listen to my words, my instruction
‘keep my covenant’
guard, watch over
Which covenant?
Mosaic, yes, but more so the Abrahamic Covenant
Abrahamic that defines God’s people Paul says.
The Mosaic is embedded in the Abrahamic
What was the Abrahamic?
Genesis 12:2–3 CSB I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing....and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
Genesis 15:5 CSB 5 He took him outside and said, “Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “Your offspring will be that numerous.”
Gen 15:13-18 CSB Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know this for certain: Your offspring will be resident aliens for four hundred years in a land that does not belong to them and will be enslaved and oppressed. 14 However, I will judge the nation they serve, and afterward they will go out with many possessions…16 In the fourth generation they will return here...17 When the sun had set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the divided animals…On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I give this land to your offspring
God’s promise to Abraham
Abraham’s response?
Genesis 15:6 CSB Abram believed (trusted) the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
God makes a promise
So what’s was Abraham’s part?
to believe the Lord, to trust Him, to have faith.
This is what it means to ‘keep the covenant of Abraham’
to trust the Lord
In fact, if they could keep the Abrahamic Covenant they would keep the Mosaic Covenant (law)
For if they trusted God they would follow his instruction.
Jesus says the same, if you love me you will obey me.
So if Israel, would just
Listen Listen to the Lord
And trust Him in the way Abraham did
they would be:
Exodus 19:5-6 CSB you will be my own [treasured] possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, 6 and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’
What does this mean?
Treasured Possession
Treasured Possession
My treasured (prized) possession (“royal property”)
out of all the earth.
I own everything, but you will be my treasured possession.
God chose a people for himself.
[Add slide]
[Add slide]
Deuteronomy 7:7–8 ESV 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love (חשׁק longed for you) on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you (אַהֲבָה 1, has affection for you) and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
The Lord longs for (desires) and has affection for you, for his people
ILL: Like a Bride, a wife has a special place in the husband’s heart that no one else has. This is like God’s relationship to Israel, to his chosen people (to you and I)
Is a bride expected to keep a covenant?
For the relationship to flourish, yes!
This is the relationship God has with his people, like a Bride
not surprising in the New Testament that the Church is called the Bride of Christ
The Lord Longs for and has deep affection for you
Do you long for Him? have affection for him?
Holy Nation
Holy Nation
That is a people under the rule of God set apart for the purpose of God
what purpose?
Kingdom of Priests
Kingdom of Priests
A multitude of priests under the King
What is does a priest do?
Mediates: Brings God near the people and the people near to God
Makes atonement: The sacrificial system God is about to provide
This was God’s purposes for his people
To bring God near to people and to bring people near to God
also known as a “light to the nations” (Isa 49:6)
This was Israel’s purpose.
God saves a people because he loved them and chose them out of all the nations.
He did this so that they would then bring others to be God’s people.
He did then, and he does now.
APP: If you are lacking purpose, calling, vision?
Go to the Source.
God has a plan,
He wants to reveal his love for you
And then you will help reveal his love to others.
Why does God start with this?
Why is this so important?
Because he is about to reveal his utter glory
Without God’s Love, his Holiness & Glory would lead to utter despair.
God’s Glorious Presence
God’s Glorious Presence
So Moses goes and tells the people.
[Add Slide]
[Add Slide]
Exodus 19:7–8 CSB 7 After Moses came back, he summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 Then all the people responded together, “We will do all that the Lord has spoken.” So Moses brought the people’s words back to the Lord.
The people, say yes! That sounds great!
The Pronouncement
The Pronouncement
Exodus 19:9 CSB The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you and will always believe you.”
God is going to reveal his glorious presence to his people
Why?
To validate the words of moses
The authenticate his role, his leadership.
So that they would ‘believe Moses forever’ that his words were from God.
And to this day, we believe that Moses spoke to God.
Possible: NT
Possible: NT
Now this should immediately sound familiar.
In the New Testament something similar happens
Two times in the gospels, God speaks to authenticate who Jesus was.
17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”
34 While he was saying this, a cloud appeared and overshadowed them. They became afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 Then a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, the Chosen One; listen to him!”
Further shows that Moses is a type of Jesus.
We are to listen to Jesus! to trust Jesus!
Preparation
Preparation
To come before the presence of God requires preparation
Exodus 19:9–15 CSB Moses reported the people’s words to the Lord,10 and the Lord told Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes 11 and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
12 Put boundaries for the people all around the mountain and say: Be careful that you don’t go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain must be put to death. 13 No hand may touch him; instead he will be stoned or shot with arrows and not live, whether animal or human. When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they may go up the mountain.”
14 Then Moses came down from the mountain to the people and consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be prepared by the third day. Do not have sexual relations with women.”
“I will come on the third day”
“Prepare yourselves”
Consecration/Washing/Boundaries/Refrain from Sex
Illustration: Preparing for a wedding, for the love of your life
WHY?
They are about to encounter God Almighty
In a similar way why we gather as the church.
It’s like “how could you and I stand on the surface of the sun?
We couldn’t we’d be burned up
Can’t get to close!
God’s Presence Revealed (Exod 19:16-20)
God’s Presence Revealed (Exod 19:16-20)
Exodus 19:16–20 CSB 16 On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud blast from a ram’s horn [trumpet], so that all the people in the camp shuddered.
God shows up magnificently
Ram’s Horn = Call to Worship, or a Call to Arms
Exodus 19:17–20 CSB 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the Lord came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. 19 As the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai at the top of the mountain...
Think California wildfires — fire and billows of smoke
then an earthquake
an utterly terrifying scene
Let’s just imagine this experience
Like a meteor hitting the parking lot here.
The most awesome, majestic, terrifying thing you could imagine
Exodus 19:21–25 CSB 21 The Lord directed Moses, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the Lord; otherwise many of them will die. 22 Even the priests who come near the Lord must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out in anger against them.”
23 Moses responded to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, since you warned us: Put a boundary around the mountain and consecrate it.”
24 And the Lord replied to him, “Go down and come back with Aaron. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out in anger against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.
and then God Speaks
Exodus 20:1–3 CSB “1 Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. 3 Do not have other gods besides me.”
Hearing the voice of God
He speaks the 10 commandments to all the people — next week
The People’s Response
The People’s Response
Exodus 20:18–21 CSB 18 All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the ram’s horn, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it they trembled and stood at a distance. 19 “You speak to us, and we will listen,” they said to Moses, “but don’t let God speak to us, or we will die.”
They are Terrified!
This is like Isaiah 6:5
Isaiah 6:5 CSB 5 Then I said: Woe is me for I am ruined because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, and because my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Armies.
Deut actually gives us even more insight into what happened that day
Their Response:
No more please
Moses you speak with us, but don’t let God
We cannot stand it.
Moses’s Response
Moses’s Response
Exodus 20:20 CSB Moses responded to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you will fear him and will not sin.”
Don’t be afraid? — yea right
Why? so that you would fear him
Revere Him
And not sin — not break this relationship
Experiencing God
One commentator said that a better translation is not ‘test them’
But to experience His glory
was more so that this experience of God would lead to worship
And worship would lead to ‘listening and obeying’
keeping the covenant.
This is the pattern.
It is not out intellectual knowledge of God that transforms us that leads to obedience
It is our experience of God’s Glory and Grace
Right Worship leads to Right living
Why we gather here every week.
to be reminded of God’s love
To experience God’s Glory and Grace
God’s mighty acts in History applied to your life.
But the people cannot bear it
Glory & Grace
Glory & Grace
Deut gives us a commentary on what was happening:
Deuteronomy 5:22–26 CSB 22 “The Lord spoke these commands in a loud voice to your entire assembly from the fire, cloud, and total darkness on the mountain; he added nothing more. He wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me.
23 All of you approached me with your tribal leaders and elders when you heard the voice from the darkness and while the mountain was blazing with fire. 24 You said, ‘Look, the Lord our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that God speaks with a person, yet he still lives.
25 But now, why should we die? This great fire will consume us and we will die if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any longer. 26 For who out of all humanity has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the fire, as we have, and lived? 27 Go near and listen to everything the Lord our God says. Then you can tell us everything the Lord our God tells you; we will listen and obey.’
They know they will perish
They are aware of their sin, their impurity
They are a people of unclean lips
They want a mediator, an intercessor
They were right in this
29 If only they had such a heart to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that they and their children would prosper forever.
They needed to see that God is serious about Sin
You know what’s wrong with the world today?
There is no fear of God before their eyes
If people feared and revered God and simply followed his ways
all of the world’s problems would disappear
there would be no more sadness, suffering and sin.
We need to know that God is serious about sin.
It’s like a person standing on tracks who is blind and deaf and doesn’t know a freight train bearing down them
Final Judgment
Final Judgment
The Truth is That one day, he will appear again
And it will be infinitely more terrifying than this day.
26 His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.
God is serious about Sin
Justice will come.
On earth “Justice delayed is Justice denied”
But with God, Justice will come.
They said we cant’ bear it, you mediate for us
Deut 5 says, that they were right in this.
The Tension
The Tension
So then how can an imperfect people be in the presence of perfection?
How could you and I stand on the surface of the Sun?
How could you and I experience God’s awesome love?
The people were right, they said we need a mediator.
God was not just satisfied with fear stricken obedience, he desired their hearts.
he desired true worship.
and so...
Exodus 20:21 CSB And the people remained standing at a distance as Moses approached the total darkness where God was.
Moses goes in to intercede and to mediate.
Jesus, Mediator
Jesus, Mediator
Thousands of years later Jesus would also enter the darkness
He would go as the true mediator
the true intercessor
the true priest-king
the true atonement for sin
Jesus who is both God and Man
He would make a way for sinful men and women to be with God forever.
He would take our sin and imperfection
Give us his sinless life and perfection
So that we could be clothed with Christ’s righteousness
this is how we can stand on the sun
God’s Awesome Glory is not just exhibited in his Holiness, but in his Grace towards us
Jesus is the only way
This is why Christianity is the true way, it is the only one that both acknowledges God’s perfect holiness
and provides a way into holy presence.
Clothed with Christ’s righteousness.
Everything that follows is pointing towards Christ.
The Law, The tabernacle, the Priest, The sacrificial system.
This is how we can become God’s people
what do we do?
6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
23 Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone, 24 but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
Jesus is the fulfillment of Exodus 19:4-6
Through Jesus we become:
God’s treasured possession, A kingdom of Priest, A Holy Nation.
Peter picks up on this and says this about the Church.
1 Peter 2:9a CSB But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession,
This is amazing
This language is not used anywhere else in the OT “kingdom of priests”
Yet here it is, in Christ.
and why?
1 Peter 2:9b CSB so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
out of the darkness and into the light
to proclaim Him to the Nations!
Christ who has the light went int the darkness. so that we who were in the dark could come into the light
Church — what a story! what glory!
Application
Application
You are his treasured possession through Jesus Christ
If you don’t know Jesus, you are in terrible danger.
Place your life in his hands, put your trust in Him
If you do know Him, remember who He is
what he has done
he is with you now
We don’t have to go into God’s presence, God’s presence has come into us through the Holy Spirit made possible by Christ
We are called to experience God’s Glory just as they did
and proclaim his glorious praise to all peoples
Rebecca Go testimony
Let’s Pray
Let’s Pray