#3 - The Presences

IT IS IN THE TENT THAT HE REVEALS HIMSELF

Revealed in the Tent of Presence

Introduction:

In Exodus 33, we see Moses having a conversation with God, and it is in the Tent of Presence that God reveals Himself to Moses in a powerful way.

In this sermon, we will explore how God reveals Himself to us in the tent of presence and what we can learn from this encounter.

The Cloud of the Glory of the Lord is Manifested

Exodus 33:7–9 NIV

7 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8 And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses.

When Moses went to the Tent of Presence, the cloud of the glory of the Lord was manifested.

This cloud represented God's presence, and it revealed His power and majesty.

When we seek God in prayer and worship, we can experience His presence in a tangible way.

God wants us to know Him intimately, and the tent of presence is where we can encounter Him.

Illustration: Just as the cloud of God's glory led the Israelites through the wilderness, we can trust that God's presence is with us in every step of our journey.

Quote: "The glory of God is a hidden mystery that is revealed to us only in the midst of our journey. We cannot see it from a distance, but we can experience it in the moment" - Timothy Keller

The Lord Reveals His Plans

Exodus 33:12–14 NIV

12 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. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” 14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

In the tent of presence, God revealed His plans to Moses.

V14 - He assured Moses that His presence would go with him and that He would give him rest.

God wants to reveal His plans to us as well, but we must seek Him and listen for His voice.

When we spend time in the tent of presence, we can hear God's voice and receive direction for our lives.

Illustration: Just as Moses asked God to reveal His plans for the Israelites, we can ask God to reveal His plans for our lives and trust that He will guide us.

Quote: "God has a plan for your life, and it's better than anything you could ever imagine" - Rick Warren

God Reveals All His Goodness

Exodus 33:17–19 NIV

17 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.” 18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” 19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Moses asked God to show him His glory, and God responded by revealing all His goodness.

God wants us to know that He is good and that His plans for us are good.

When we spend time in the tent of presence, we can experience God's goodness and be filled with hope and joy.

Illustration: Just as Moses asked to see God's glory, we can ask God to reveal His goodness to us and trust that He will answer.

Quote: "When we focus on the goodness of God, it changes everything. We see the world differently, and we live differently" - Louie Giglio

We are Marked by His Glory

Exodus 34:29–35 NIV

29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. 32 Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord.

When Moses spent time in the tent of presence, his face was transformed by the glory of the Lord.

In the same way, when we spend time in God's presence, we are marked by His glory.

We are changed from the inside out, and we become more like Jesus.

Illustration: Just as Moses' face was radiant after encountering God's glory, we too can be transformed by His presence and reflect His glory to the world.

Quote: "The more we encounter God's glory, the more we are transformed by it. And the more we are transformed, the more we reflect His glory to the world" - Bill Johnson

The Glory of the Lord Makes Us More Like Him

2 Cor 3:7-8 , 13 , 18

2 Corinthians 3:7–8 NIV

7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?

2 Corinthians 3:13 NIV

13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Paul wrote that we are being transformed into the image of Christ with ever-increasing glory.

This transformation happens as we spend time in the tent of presence, beholding the glory of the Lord.

As we gaze upon His beauty, we become more like Him.

Illustration: Just as a mirror reflects the image of the one who looks into it, we can reflect the image of God as we spend time in His presence and are transformed by His glory.

Quote: "As we behold the glory of the Lord, we are transformed into His image. We become more like Him, and we reflect His glory to the world" - John Piper

Sin is Revealed

Exodus 32:7–9 NIV

7 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’ 9 “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people.

When Moses was in the tent of presence, God revealed to him the sin of the people.

In the same way, when we spend time in God's presence, our sin is revealed to us.

This can be painful, but it is necessary for us to repent and turn away from our sin.

Illustration: Just as God revealed the Israelites' sin when they worshiped the golden calf, He also reveals our sin when we turn away from Him and seek after other things.

Quote: "Sin is not just a mistake or a bad decision. It is a rebellion against God, and it separates us from His presence" - Charles Stanley

Mercy is Achieved

Exodus 32:10–14 NIV

10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.” 11 But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God. “Lord,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.’ ” 14 Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

After the sin of the people was revealed, Moses interceded for them, and God showed them mercy.

In the same way, when we confess our sins and repent, God shows us mercy.

When we spend time in the tent of presence, we can experience the mercy and grace of God.

Illustration: Just as God showed mercy to the Israelites when Moses interceded for them, He also shows us mercy when we turn back to Him and seek His forgiveness.

Quote: "God's mercy is not based on our performance or our worthiness. It is based on His character and His love for us" - Max Lucado

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the tent of presence is a powerful symbol of God's revelation to His people.

It is in this place where we can experience the fullness of His glory, goodness, and mercy.

It is also where sin is exposed and transformed by His grace, and where we are transformed into His likeness.

As we reflect on the significance of the tent of presence, let us ask ourselves:

How often do we seek God's presence in our lives?

Are we willing to surrender our sin and allow His mercy to transform us?

How can we draw closer to God and experience more of His glory and goodness?

May we be like Moses, who sought the Lord in the tent of presence and was transformed by His glory.

May we also seek His presence with humility and a willing heart, trusting that He will reveal Himself to us in ways that are beyond our understanding.

Let us draw near to Him, and He will draw near to us. Amen.