Exodus 19
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.”
Hebrews 10:22
I. Lessons about Meeting God
Lesson #1 – Meet God in a place where there are no distractions.
Exodus 19:3 – “Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain.”
Point: Sinai freed Moses to focus fully on God.
Lesson #2 – Listen with the purpose of obedience.
Exodus 19:5, 8 – The Lord told Moses to say, “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.” The people all responded together, “We will do everything the LORD has said.”
Point: God looks for a willing attitude, not a reluctant acquiescence when we meet with him.
Lesson #3 – God connects in specific ways.
Exodus 19:9-12 - The LORD said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said. 10 And the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.
Point: Do not pigeon hole God into your mode.
Lesson #4 - God expected, even demanded respect.
Exodus 19:20-24 - The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up 21 and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the LORD and many of them perish. 22 Even the priests, who approach the LORD, must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.” 23 Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’” 24 The LORD replied, “Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the LORD, or he will break out against them.”
The Idea: God sets the parameters of our meetings with him.
Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Point: God is not the Big Guy Upstairs ...he is the Almighty of Heaven who deserves and demands respect.
II. Application: God’s Conditions
Condition 1 – We meet with God ONLY through Jesus.
John 14:6 - Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Condition 2 – Honest Self-examination
1 Corinthians 11:27-28 – “Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A person ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.”
Condition 3 – Genuine Confession
1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Condition 4 – Purposeful Recommitment
Romans 12:1 – “I urge you in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship.”
Condition 5 – Restored relationships
Matthew 5:23-24 – Jesus said, “If you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
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