WHO IS ON THE LORD'S SIDE?

EXODUS 32:26

Decisive Sermon Outlines (2. On the Lord’s Side (Exod. 32:26a))

ON THE LORD’S SIDEExod. 32:26a… Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me.In these words we have one of the great challenges of the Bible. There is no finer time to consider it than at the beginning of another year.Ebrard Rees, in his biography of Welsh revivalist Christmas Evans, describes seventeenth-century Wales as in the “sleep of midnight and gross darkness.” Such was Israel’s position prior to these words of challenge by Moses. Having tired of Moses’ absence up the mountain, they were worshiping a golden calf. When he descended and saw what they were doing, he issued his clarion call—one that is much needed today in this twentieth century of ignorance, superstition, and irreligion.I. What it means to be on the Lord’s sideIt means to have done with:A. The world’s side. When we give in to the pressures of the world and modern society’s emphasis upon materialism, we are on the world’s side. The children of Israel wanted a god they could see, so they made a golden calf. Modern man wants gods he can see such as hard cash and status symbols.B. Self. God looked at His people and told Moses He saw them as “a stiff-necked people” (Exod. 32:9) that is, hard-hearted, obstinate, going their own way, self-reliant. So are we today; we believe we can manage ourselves in any and every situation. We have even been able to walk on the moon!C. Sin. Their sin is referred to in Exodus 32:21, 30: “Ye have sinned a great sin.” Today we do not like that word. We blame all our badness and wickedness on environment or something similar. The Bible always emphasizes man’s sin. Man was born a sinner and has continued to practice sinful habits. To be on the Lord’s side means to turn away from sin (repent) and turn toward God, away from self-reliance and from the things of the world.II. What it costs to be on the Lord’s sideJesus always urged would-be disciples to “count the cost” before following Him. The cost of being on the Lord’s side is:A. Confession. “All the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.” They took “one pace forward” like volunteers in an army. They became conspicuous as they stepped over the line, confessing that they were willing to be on the Lord’s side.B. Siding with the minority. The people of God in the Bible are always a remnant. God has always worked through minorities. We must be willing to stand alone if need be; yet not alone, rather, with Him!C. Becoming active. Exodus 32:27 says, “Go in and out from gate to gate.…” You cannot spell gospel without gospel. The cost of being on the Lord’s side is obedience to the Great Commission to “go into all the world.…”III. How to enlist on the Lord’s sideThere are three things to be done:A. Accept the invitation. “Let him come unto me.” Today, Jesus gives that invitation. As Moses was God’s representative, so now Jesus is God’s representative. “No man comes to the Father but by me.”B. Answer the challenge. “Who is?… let him.” How personal Moses was! Although all the sons of Levi accepted the invitation and answered the challenge, each man had to decide for himself after weighing the pros and cons. You alone can answer the challenge at the beginning of another year and decide to completely follow Jesus.C. Receive the Savior. Moses was the Old Testament savior or deliverer of God’s people. He promised to make an atonement for them (Exod. 32:30). Jesus made an atonement (an at-one-ment) between sinful man and a holy God when He died (the Just for the unjust) on Calvary’s cross. Now He says that to as many as receive Him, He will give the right to call themselves sons of God, even to them that believe in His name.Now that you know what it means and what it costs to be on the Lord’s side and now that you see how simple it is to enlist in His army; come at once.

Decisive Sermon Outlines 2. On the Lord’s Side (Exod. 32:26a)

ON THE LORD’S SIDE

Exod. 32:26a

… Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me.

In these words we have one of the great challenges of the Bible. There is no finer time to consider it than at the beginning of another year.

Ebrard Rees, in his biography of Welsh revivalist Christmas Evans, describes seventeenth-century Wales as in the “sleep of midnight and gross darkness.” Such was Israel’s position prior to these words of challenge by Moses. Having tired of Moses’ absence up the mountain, they were worshiping a golden calf. When he descended and saw what they were doing, he issued his clarion call—one that is much needed today in this twentieth century of ignorance, superstition, and irreligion.

I. What it means to be on the Lord’s side

It means to have done with:

A. The world’s side. When we give in to the pressures of the world and modern society’s emphasis upon materialism, we are on the world’s side. The children of Israel wanted a god they could see, so they made a golden calf. Modern man wants gods he can see such as hard cash and status symbols.

B. Self. God looked at His people and told Moses He saw them as “a stiff-necked people” (Exod. 32:9) that is, hard-hearted, obstinate, going their own way, self-reliant. So are we today; we believe we can manage ourselves in any and every situation. We have even been able to walk on the moon!

C. Sin. Their sin is referred to in Exodus 32:21, 30: “Ye have sinned a great sin.” Today we do not like that word. We blame all our badness and wickedness on environment or something similar. The Bible always emphasizes man’s sin. Man was born a sinner and has continued to practice sinful habits. To be on the Lord’s side means to turn away from sin (repent) and turn toward God, away from self-reliance and from the things of the world.

II. What it costs to be on the Lord’s side

Jesus always urged would-be disciples to “count the cost” before following Him. The cost of being on the Lord’s side is:

A. Confession. “All the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.” They took “one pace forward” like volunteers in an army. They became conspicuous as they stepped over the line, confessing that they were willing to be on the Lord’s side.

B. Siding with the minority. The people of God in the Bible are always a remnant. God has always worked through minorities. We must be willing to stand alone if need be; yet not alone, rather, with Him!

C. Becoming active. Exodus 32:27 says, “Go in and out from gate to gate.…” You cannot spell gospel without gospel. The cost of being on the Lord’s side is obedience to the Great Commission to “go into all the world.…”

III. How to enlist on the Lord’s side

There are three things to be done:

A. Accept the invitation. “Let him come unto me.” Today, Jesus gives that invitation. As Moses was God’s representative, so now Jesus is God’s representative. “No man comes to the Father but by me.”

B. Answer the challenge. “Who is?… let him.” How personal Moses was! Although all the sons of Levi accepted the invitation and answered the challenge, each man had to decide for himself after weighing the pros and cons. You alone can answer the challenge at the beginning of another year and decide to completely follow Jesus.

C. Receive the Savior. Moses was the Old Testament savior or deliverer of God’s people. He promised to make an atonement for them (Exod. 32:30). Jesus made an atonement (an at-one-ment) between sinful man and a holy God when He died (the Just for the unjust) on Calvary’s cross. Now He says that to as many as receive Him, He will give the right to call themselves sons of God, even to them that believe in His name.

Now that you know what it means and what it costs to be on the Lord’s side and now that you see how simple it is to enlist in His army; come at once.