Sunday Morning June 14, 2009
Bel Aire Baptist Church
Series: “Moving With God (Exodus)” [#23]
SHOW ME YOUR GLORY
Exodus 33:12-23
Introduction:
What is it that draws us to God?
Romans 10:20 (NIV)
“And Isaiah boldly says, "I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me."
Jesus came to this earth to seek and save that which is lost. As we studied last week, God gave the 10 Commandments as a teacher to us so that we would know what He expects. From Exodus 20:1 to Exodus 23:19 God gave the Israelites many Laws. The Law really falls into 3 categories: The Moral Law, The Ceremonial Law, and the Civil Law.
The people proved very quickly that the Law would not save them. Let me tell you what the Law cannot do.
The Law cannot…
1. Make anything perfect.
2. Justify from sin.
3. Give righteousness.
4. Give you peace of heart.
5. Give you life.
In Exodus 23:20-24:18, we are told that Moses went down to the camp and told the people the Law that he had written down that God had given him. The people offered sacrifices to God, worshipped Him, and then Moses re-read the Law to them. Both times the people heard this, their response was, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey.” After this, Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 of the elders went up on the mountain. From there, Moses was told to go up on the mountain with God so that God could give him the tablets of stone with the 10 Commandments that God had written with His own finger. Aaron and Hur were left in charge to take care of any disputes or problems while Moses was gone.
Exodus 25:1-31:18 tell us about what was happening for the 40 days and 40 nights that Moses was on the mountain with God. God laid out the plan for the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, all of the fixtures and utensils, the garments to be worn by the priest, the types of sacrifices to offer and how to offer them, etc…
As we studied 2 weeks ago in Exodus 32, the people got bored and talked Aaron into making a golden calf for them to worship. God’s solution to this was to destroy all of them and start over with Moses; but Moses pleaded for the people and God relented. Moses went into the camp, melted the golden calf, mixed it into the water, and made everyone drink it.
Exodus 32:25-28
Not a happy story. 3000 people died that day; but the story gets worse.
Exodus 32:30-33:6
Without God going with us, what hope do we have? What would you do today if God told you, “You’re on your own”?
It is no surprise to me that the people started getting their acts together.
Exodus 33:7-11
I don’t know why we have to go through so much hardship before we do it God’s way; but we do. Have you ever hit the point that you have cried out to God and just said, “God if you are there, show me”?
When you need to see God remember…
1. He is with you.
Exodus 33:12a (NIV)
“Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, `Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me.”
Exodus 33:14-16 (NIV)
“The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?"
Exodus 33:17 (NIV)
“And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."
Moses asked God for help and God said My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest. Jesus said the same thing.
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Moses got it right. God if you aren’t going with me, don’t send us. Lord either you go with us or we can’t go. Need rest? Need peace? Need joy? These things are found in God’s Presence.
Our prayer ought to be, “Lord, go with us or don’t send us”.
When you need to see God remember…
2. He knows you by name.
Exodus 33:12b (NIV)
“You have said, `I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’”
Exodus 33:13b (NIV)
Remember that this nation is your people."
Exodus 33:17 (NIV)
“And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."
Why would God do what we ask? We are His children and He knows everything about us. The Word tells us that anything we ask that is in the Father’s will, will be given. God knows you. You matter to Him.
When you need to see God remember…
3. He will teach you His ways.
Exodus 33:13a (NIV)
“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.”
Exodus 33:17 (NIV)
“And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."
Do you fear not knowing what to do to please God? He will teach you. Do you fear messing up? He will teach you.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Conclusion:
This morning, you may just be “fed up”. You may be tired of all that is happening. You need to hear from the Lord.
Remember that He is with you, He knows you by name, and He will teach you. This morning, maybe you need to ask God to do the same thing Moses did- “Show me your glory”.
Exodus 33:18-23
God has shown mercy to you this morning through Jesus. God has shown grace to you this morning through Jesus. God has shown compassion to you this morning through Jesus. Do you want to see the glory of the Lord in your life? Then, ask Him!
