02 Delivered for Relationship

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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:

Review:

Last week we saw that God met Moses in the wilderness — that His presence calls us not to chase moments but to respond and walk in mission.

Exodus 4-18 Overview

Promise - God reaffirms his covenant and intent to redeem His people (Ex. 3-6)

Power - Plagues and Delivered across Red Sea (Ex 7-14)

Presence - Pillar of cloud and fire (Ex. 13:21-22)

Provision - Manna and water (Ex. 16-17)

Partnership - Multiply leadership (Ex. 18)

Today we continue the story: God didn’t free Israel just from Egypt; He freed them for Himself — to be a kingdom of priests who represent His presence to the nations.

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

Western Idol: Defining our worth by achievement rather than adoption.

BIG IDEA FOR TODAY: Calling Precedes Commands

Developing Missionaries Lens: Spiritual identity precedes spiritual activity — we serve because we belong.

WHAT IS THE PICTURE OR ILLUSTRATION FOR THIS BIG IDEA?

Israel at Sinai — called to draw near, yet afraid to climb the mountain. God invites us to stand in His presence, not shrink back in fear.

Opening Scripture:

Exodus 19:1–6 “1 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.””

I. GOD DELIVERS US TO BRING US TO HIMSELF

Exodus 19:4 “4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”

A. The Exodus story isn’t just a story of escape — it’s a story of embrace.

God didn’t simply remove His people from Pharaoh; He drew them to Himself.

The language “I brought you to Myself” is covenantal — like a groom bringing home his bride.

B. Salvation is never just from something — it’s always for Someone.

God’s goal isn’t just freedom; it’s fellowship.

He redeems us not to make us performers, but partners in His presence.

Illustration: Like an adoptive parent who doesn’t rescue a child for chores, but for relationship. Obedience comes later — belonging comes first.

II. CALLING PRECEDES COMMANDS

Exodus 19:5–6 “5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.””

A. Before God gives the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20), He gives identity.

Relationship comes before rules.

God’s covenant begins not with what they must do, but with who they are.

B. Notice the sequence:

Rescue — “You have seen what I did.”

Relationship — “I brought you to Myself.”

Responsibility — “Now therefore, obey My voice.”

This order matters. God doesn’t say, “Obey, and then I’ll love you.” He says, “You are Mine — now live like it.”

C. In a performance-driven culture, this is radical.

We often believe our worth is measured by results — success, service, or visible outcomes.

But in God’s kingdom, identity comes before impact.

We are not working for His approval; we’re working from it.

Insecure believers work for God’s approval; secure believers work from God’s acceptance.

Psychologically: 

Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology and Counseling Attachment Theory and Disorders

The process of

Our relationship with God often mirrors early attachment patterns.

Secure attachment → can rest in God’s love.

Insecure attachment → constantly seeks reassurance or fears abandonment.

Pastoral care: Encourage contemplative practices that reinforce secure attachment — prayer that listens, gratitude journaling, meditating on “Abba, Father.”

Illustration: When you know your name is already written on the Book of Life (Jersey), you live (Play) differently. You serve from security, not striving.

III. A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS — OUR SHARED CALLING

OUR IDENTITY: Exodus 19:6 “6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.””

A. Priests in the Old Testament had two main roles:

To represent the people to God — interceding through prayer and sacrifice.

To represent God to the people — declaring His Word and blessing.

B. God’s plan was never to have a few spiritual elites — His whole people were meant to mediate His presence to the world.

Mission and worship/serving are intertwined.

We worship God by serving His world, and we serve His world by worshiping Him faithfully.

C. This is the missionary identity of every believer.

We carry His presence into every space: our homes, our neighborhoods, our workplaces.

As priests, we help others see what God is like.

Developing Missionaries Lens: Spiritual identity precedes spiritual activity — we serve because we belong.

IV. ISRAEL AT SINAI — CALLED NEAR, YET AFRAID

Exodus 19:16–20 “16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. 19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.”

Exodus 20:18–21 “18 Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off 19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” 21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.”

A. The mountain shook, smoke rose, thunder roared — and the people trembled.

B. God invited them near, but fear made them stand back.

They were delivered, but not yet confident in their relationship.

Many believers today live the same way — saved, but still standing at a distance.

C. God doesn’t want a people who shrink back in fear — He wants a people who stand in awe and draw near in love.

His holiness is not meant to terrify us into distance but to transform us into likeness.

Illustration: Think of a child learning to walk — unsure at first, but moving toward a parent’s open arms. God’s invitation is not to perfect steps, but to proximity.

V. SERVING GOD ALONE

As Nahum Sarna notes, the Hebrew word ʿābad means both “to serve” and “to worship.”

“The worship of God is incompatible with servitude to Pharaoh.” (Exodus, JPS Torah Commentary, p.17)

A. Israel’s freedom was not just a political liberation — it was spiritual reorientation.

True freedom means exclusive allegiance to God.

You can’t serve Pharaoh and worship Yahweh at the same time.

B. Worship, then, becomes the mission.

Every act of obedience, compassion, and faith is priestly service — worship to God and witness to the world.

C. Our mission as developing missionaries is not driven by duty but by devotion.

We don’t perform to be accepted — we are accepted, therefore we perform as priests of His presence.

Conclusion/Reflection:

God’s people were not freed to wander aimlessly. They were freed to worship faithfully. They were not called to climb a mountain of merit, but to dwell on a mountain of mercy.

Today, God still says: 1 Peter 2:9 “9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Let that truth shape your worth — not what you achieve, but Whose you are.

COMMUNION!!! - BOUGHT WITH THE PRICE OF HIS BODY AND BLOOD

Reflection Prompt:

Where are you still striving to earn what God has already given?

How would your ministry, work, or relationships change if you fully believed your identity as His treasured possession?

Talk It Over

How does knowing you are part of God’s royal priesthood change how you live and serve others?

What difference does it make to remember that calling comes before commands?

How might your sense of worth shift if you saw your daily work as worship to God rather than performance for others?