Holy Ground

Exodus 3:1–6 NLT

One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.

Introduction:

It was early on Monday morning that the Lord reminded me of an old song from Geron Davis, one many of you might recognize. At 19, Geron was called on to write a song for the opening of the new sanctuary where his dad was the pastor. Time quickly faded away with no words on paper to present to his dad for the opening day. Listen what Geron Davis says as he recounts the moment.

“It was almost midnight. Geron went into the new sanctuary, dimmed the lights, and sat down at the new piano. He asked himself: What do we want to say when we come into this building tomorrow for our first worship service? The words came to him pretty quickly after that – in 15 minutes he had written the song his father had been waiting on… this song.” https://thescottspot.wordpress.com/2016/11/18/holy-ground-written-in-1983/

As I walked through the door, I sensed His presence, and I knew this was a place where love abounds. For this is the temple; Jehovah God abides here. We are standing in His presence on holy ground.

CHORUS We are standing on holy ground, and I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now! We are standing in His presence on holy ground.

In His presence there is joy beyond all measure, and at His feet peace of mind can still be found. And if you have a need, I know He has the answer; reach out and claim it for we are standing on holy ground. (CHORUS)

God called Moses to come and stand on Holy Ground.

Does Holy Ground still exist? Does God still call people to come and stand on it? Where is it? And how do we get there?

Let’s look at Moses and see if we can answer those questions this morning.

A Place Called “Holy Ground”

Moses’ story

Not a short or easy journey

You have to lose sight of self

Realize you are not sufficient

Your abilities can never find holy ground

Moses slew and Egyptian, but his abilities failed

Where Is Holy Ground?

It is a Place Farther than You’ve Been

Moses had gone 40 years into the desert - Acts 7:30 ““Forty years later, in the desert near Mount Sinai, an angel appeared to Moses in the flame of a burning bush.”

Moses had been all over but not this far - Exodus 3:1 “One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God.”

What is Holy Ground?

Holy Ground is a place we can see - Acts 7:31 “When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight. As he went to take a closer look, the voice of the Lord called out to him,”

Holy Ground is a place you can approach - Acts 7:31 “When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight. As he went to take a closer look, the voice of the Lord called out to him,”

Holy Ground is a place where you can stand - Acts 7:33 ““Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.”

Holy Ground is a Sacred Place

Its a place for God’s Presence

Exodus 3:11–14 “But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.” But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.””

Its a place for Miracles

Exodus 4:1–9 “But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?” Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied. “Throw it down on the ground,” the Lord told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back. Then the Lord told him, “Reach out and grab its tail.” So Moses reached out and grabbed it, and it turned back into a shepherd’s staff in his hand. “Perform this sign,” the Lord told him. “Then they will believe that the Lord, the God of their ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—really has appeared to you.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out again, his hand was white as snow with a severe skin disease. “Now put your hand back into your cloak,” the Lord said. So Moses put his hand back in, and when he took it out…”

Its a place for Brotherly Agreement

Exodus 4:27–28 “Now the Lord had said to Aaron, “Go out into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So Aaron went and met Moses at the mountain of God, and he embraced him. Moses then told Aaron everything the Lord had commanded him to say. And he told him about the miraculous signs the Lord had commanded him to perform.”

When you are on Holy Ground you do not stand alone!

Its a place for Refreshing

Exodus 17:1–7 NLT

At the Lord’s command, the whole community of Israel left the wilderness of Sin and moved from place to place. Eventually they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water there for the people to drink. So once more the people complained against Moses. “Give us water to drink!” they demanded. “Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord?” But tormented by thirst, they continued to argue with Moses. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Are you trying to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!” The Lord said to Moses, “Walk out in front of the people. Take your staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and call some of the elders of Israel to join you. I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.” So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on. Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord here with us or not?”

Its a place for Family Reconciliation

Moses reconciled with Jethro, wife and children

Exodus 18:1–12 “Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He heard especially about how the Lord had rescued them from Egypt. Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in. (Moses’ first son was named Gershom, for Moses had said when the boy was born, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.” His second son was named Eliezer, for Moses had said, “The God of my ancestors was my helper; he rescued me from the sword of Pharaoh.”) Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, now came to visit Moses in the wilderness. He brought Moses’ wife and two sons with him, and they arrived while Moses and the people were camped near the mountain of God. Jethro had sent a message to Moses, saying, “I, Jethro, your father-in-law, am coming to see you with your wife and your two sons.” So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed low and kissed him. They asked about each other’s…”

Its a place for God’s Word

God gives Moses the Instruction on Mt Sinai

Exodus 19:1–6 “Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai. After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai. Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.””

Its a place for Renewed Calling

God speaks to Elijah after Jezebel threatens him

1 Kings 19:1–18 “When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the…”

Its a place for God’s Glory

God’s glory fell on the mountain

Exodus 24:15–18 “Then Moses climbed up the mountain, and the cloud covered it. And the glory of the Lord settled down on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from inside the cloud. To the Israelites at the foot of the mountain, the glory of the Lord appeared at the summit like a consuming fire. Then Moses disappeared into the cloud as he climbed higher up the mountain. He remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” Its a place where God’s Glory is Revealed

God hides Moses in the cleft of the rock - Exodus 33:1–23 (NLT)

Solomon’s Temple

2 Chronicles 5:11–14 “Then the priests left the Holy Place. All the priests who were present had purified themselves, whether or not they were on duty that day. And the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and all their sons and brothers—were dressed in fine linen robes and stood at the east side of the altar playing cymbals, lyres, and harps. They were joined by 120 priests who were playing trumpets. The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.”

Completed Glory

Jesus has been revealed to us - He is our Holy Ground

John 1:1–18 NLT

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ ” From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

CONCLUSION

I am reminded that the place where we are right now is Holy Ground and we need to be treat it as a very special place.

We need to treat this sanctuary as a holy place

As a child of God and a disciple of Jesus Christ, everywhere we go should be holy ground

Lets start with this place, lets treat this place as holy and then we can treat ever place we step foot as holy too!

If we fail to treat this place as holy, we won’t treat anywhere else holy.