01 The God Who Draws Near

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DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Series Review: Pursuing His Presence

Exodus traces God’s presence and shows how His redeemed people become a dwelling for His glory.

In a culture driven by experience, emotion, and self-expression, it’s easy to chase spiritual highs rather than PURSUING HIS PRESENCE. But the story of Exodus — from the burning bush, to the mountain, to the tent of meeting —reveals that God calls His people not to a fleeting experience but to a transforming relationship — one that forms them into a missionary people who carry His presence into the world.

WHAT IS THE REASON WHY THIS MESSAGE IS BEING SHARED / WHAT IS THE PROBLEM THIS MESSAGE IS ANSWERING?…

Western Idol Exposed: Individualism — the idea that faith is personal, self-defined, and detached from mission.

Mission Lens: God draws near in the ordinary and in our pain, forming us into a people who carry His presence into His purpose.

BIG IDEA FOR TODAY: God’s presence is a calling to answer

WHAT IS THE PICTURE OR ILLUSTRATION FOR THIS BIG IDEA?

Opening Scripture: Exodus 3

I. GOD SHOWS UP IN THE MUNDANE AND IN OUR MOMENTS OF NEED

Exodus 3:1–2 “1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.”

A. Moses was tending sheep — doing the ordinary.

He wasn’t seeking revival, just managing responsibility.

God’s presence often meets us in the mundane — in work, home, or routine.

B. God meets Moses in the wilderness of disappointment and grief.

BACKGROUND:

Moses fled Egypt after failure (Exodus 2:11–15).

Israel groaned under oppression, but “God heard, God saw, God knew.” (Exodus 2:23–25)

When both leader and people felt forgotten, God appeared.

Application: God’s presence often breaks in when we need Him most, not when we feel most prepared.

Transition: God appears in the ordinary — but the encounter turns ordinary ground into holy ground.

II. APPROACHING THE HOLY GOD

Exodus 3:3–6 “3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.”

A. God invites Moses near but teaches him how to come near

Exodus 3:5 “5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.””

Removing sandals symbolizes humility and reverence — recognizing that we approach a holy God on His terms, not ours.

B. Instructions for how to Approach God

Remove your sandals — humility before holiness 

Exodus 3:5 “5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.””

Acceptable worship — reverent awe 

Hebrews 12:28–29 “28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.”

Bow down  — submission and worship 

Psalm 95:6 “6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!”

Wash or purify — repentance and preparation

Exodus 19:10 “10 the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments”

James 4:8 “8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Enter His gates with thanksgiving — gratitude and joy in relationship 

Psalm 100:4 “4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

Draw near with confidence through grace — faith in Christ’s mediation 

Hebrews 4:16 “16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

C. The bush burned but was not consumed — a symbol of presence that refines.

Holiness does not distance us; it transforms us.

Illustration: Like fire contained in a hearth — it warms, shapes, and sustains when approached rightly.

III. GOD’S PRESENCE REVEALS HIS HEART AND HIS PURPOSE

Exodus 3:7–12 “7 Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.””

A. God says, “I have seen, I have heard, I know, I have come down.”

He is not distant — He is personally involved in the suffering of His people.

His presence moves toward pain and injustice.

B. God’s deliverance is not just from bondage, but for worship.

Throughout Exodus, God’s repeated message to Pharaoh is: Exodus 8:1 “1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” (cf. Exodus 9:1; 10:3)

As JPS Torah Commentary notes, the Hebrew word ʿābad means both “to serve” and “to worship.”

True worship is exclusive devotion; we cannot serve Pharaoh and serve God.

Exodus is not just political liberation — it is spiritual reorientation.

The people are freed from bondage to Pharaoh to become servants of Yahweh.

C. The presence of God redefines freedom.

Freedom is not doing whatever we want — it is living in relationship with the One who created us.

Worship is the ultimate goal of deliverance.

Application:

The missionary life begins here — God redeems us for worship, then sends us to invite others into that same freedom.

Spiritual ministry flows from the Presence of a God who hears and delivers.

IV. GOD’S NAME REVEALS HIS NATURE

Exodus 3:13–15 “13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.”

A. Moses asks, “What is Your Name?” — seeking identity and assurance.

Exodus 3:14 “14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ””

B. The Hebrew Ehyeh aser ehyeh means “I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE.”

God is self-existent — He depends on no one.

God is constant — He remains faithful in every generation.

God is present — He will be all His people need, wherever they go.

God defines Himself not by human categories but by His covenant faithfulness.

C. His Name is a promise of Presence.

Exodus 3:15 “15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.”

The JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus Moses’ Dialogue with God (3:11–4:17)

In the course of the Second Temple period the Tetragrammaton came to be regarded as charged with metaphysical potency and therefore ceased to be pronounced. It was replaced in speech by

The unchanging God guarantees His ongoing presence with His people.

Application: Our confidence is not in “who I am,” but in “who He will be.”

Conclusion/Reflection:

RESPOND: TAKE OFF YOUR SANDALS

A. Before sending us out, God calls us in.

To approach Him with humility (remove your sandals), gratitude (enter His gates with thanksgiving), and confidence (draw near through grace).

Worship is not a warm-up for mission; it is the heart of mission.

Our mission is to lead others from false masters into true worship.

B. Reflective Prayer:

“Lord, You are ‘I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE.’ Meet me in my ordinary and in my pain. Free me from the Pharaohs that enslave me. Teach me to serve and worship You alone — and to carry Your presence wherever You send me.”

Talk It Over

How does Exodus 3 show that God meets us in both ordinary life and deep need?

What does it mean that God freed the Jews for worship, not just from slavery?

How does the Name “I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE” shape your trust in uncertain seasons?

What “Pharaohs” compete for your worship — and how might God be calling you to exclusive devotion to Him this week?