04 The Weight of Gory

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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:

Week 1: The God Who Draws Near — God’s presence calls us from ordinary life into holy purpose.

Week 2: Delivered for Relationship — We are freed for fellowship; calling precedes commands.

Week 3: When Glory Becomes Gold — We must break the spiritual substitutions that distort our serving Him.

Now in Week 4: God restores His people and teaches Moses — and us — that His presence is the true measure of success.

“After breaking their substitutes, God invites them back to the only thing that sets them apart — His presence.”

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

BIG IDEA FOR TODAY:

WHAT IS THE PICTURE OR ILLUSTRATION FOR THIS BIG IDEA?

Opening Scripture:

Exodus 33:12–23 “12 Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” 14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” 17 And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” 21 And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.””

THE COST OF SIN — PRESENCE WITHDRAWN

(Exodus 33:1–6)

Exodus 33:2–3 “2 I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.””

A. God offers Israel the promised land without His presence.

Land, victory, success — but no intimacy.

It’s the most terrifying blessing imaginable: God’s promises without God Himself.

B. The people mourned when they heard these words (v.4).

They realized what many modern believers forget — progress means nothing without Presence.

Illustration: It’s possible to have the platform of ministry but not the presence of God. You can move forward in your plans but be miles away from His heart.

Application: Our greatest danger is not failure — it’s success without intimacy.

THE TENT OF MEETING — A PEOPLE OF PRESENCE

Exodus 33:7–11 “7 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp. 8 Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise up, and each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. 9 When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. 10 And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. 11 Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.”

A. The tent represented intentional pursuit.

The people had broken fellowship, but God provided a place for encounter.

Presence is pursued through proximity.

B. Moses met with God “face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.”

This is the heart of the gospel — relational nearness, not ritual performance.

Israel’s hope was not in rebuilding systems, but in returning to conversation.

C. Notice: Joshua stayed behind in the tent (v.11).

Exodus 33:11 “11 Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.”

The next generation is shaped by those who linger in God’s presence.

We develop missionaries not by sending them quickly, but by forming them deeply.

Application: Every church that values His presence must have a “tent of meeting” — times of prayer, worship through music, and relational waiting where presence becomes the priority.

THE CRY OF A LEADER — “IF YOUR PRESENCE DOES NOT GO WITH US”

(Exodus 33:12–17)

A. Moses prays, “Show me Your ways, that I may know You.”

He doesn’t ask for plans — he asks for presence.

God’s mission begins not with clarity, but with companionship.

B. Moses’ intercession is relational, not transactional.

Exodus 33:16 “16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?””

The distinguishing mark of God’s people is not what we build, but Who goes with us.

C. God’s response:

Exodus 33:14 “14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.””

Presence and rest are inseparable — striving ceases when God is enough.

Illustration: When you carry a candle in the wind, you move carefully. Awareness of His presence changes how we walk, lead, and serve.

Application: We are not merely workers for God — we are walkers with God.

THE REVELATION OF GLORY — GOD’S PRESENCE REVEALED

(Exodus 33:18–23)

Exodus 33:18 “18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.””

A. Moses longs for more — not another miracle, but a deeper revelation of God Himself.

True revival is not new manifestations but renewed intimacy.

B. God’s glory reveals His goodness

Exodus 33:19 “19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”

His glory isn’t just light and fire — it’s His character: mercy, compassion, faithfulness.

The same glory that shakes mountains also restores hearts.

C. God hides Moses in the cleft of the rock.

Presence requires protection — grace covers what holiness would consume.

This moment points forward to Christ, the true Rock, through whom we behold God’s glory safely (John 1:14 “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” ).

Application: The closer we come to His presence, the more we depend on His grace.

LIVING FOR HIS PRESENCE TODAY

A. Presence is our priority.

The Holy Spirit now dwells within us — the same Presence that led Israel leads us.

What sets the Church apart is not style or skill, but the tangible reality of God among His people.

We move when He moves.

Exodus 33:16 “16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?””

B. Practices for Living in His presence.

Cultivate moments of silence before meetings, decisions, or conversations to re-center on the Spirit’s leading.

Pray with God through your work instead of praying after your work. Ask, “Holy Spirit, help me carry You into this task.”

Pause daily to ask, “Did others experience God’s heart through me today?”

The Wi-Fi Connection / Online Presence

We don’t function without connection. When the signal drops, so does everything else.

The device still looks the same on the outside, but nothing works properly.

“Living in God’s presence is staying connected to the source — without the connection, everything else buffers or breaks.”

Presence = connection. Work without presence = spinning wheel of death.

Conclusion/Reflection:

Moses didn’t ask for strategy. He didn’t ask for signs. He asked for presence/connection/communion.

Because he knew — it’s better to be in the wilderness with God than in the Promised Land without Him.

Am I more focused on where I’m going, or on Who is going with me?

PRAYER:

Lord, may Your presence be what defines SVC, our ministry, and our lives. Teach us to prefer Your nearness over our plans.

Talk It Over

How does Exodus 33 illustrate the relationship between God's presence and our identity as His people?

What does Moses' request to see God's glory reveal about our desire for a deeper relationship with God?

In what ways can you prioritize God’s presence over pursuing success in your life?

What is one practical step you can take this week to seek God’s presence in your daily routine?