Encountering God*

INTRO

Exodus 19:1–11 ESV

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.” 7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord. 9 And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord, 10 the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments 11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

Exodus 19:16–20 ESV

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 20:18–20 ESV

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.”

AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD...

1) ...IS SERIOUS!

There is a reason that God gave the Israelites time to prepare themselves.

Up to this point, Israel hadn’t taken God seriously.

Lots of complaining and forgetting.

God required consecration and washing of garments for a reason.

It wasn’t about the outside, but the inside.

There was no magic in the water, but God used the effort of washing to help them understand the preparation of getting their hearts in the right place.

Consecration and washing were to help the Israelites understand that there is junk in their lives and hearts.

The true and holy God demands righteousness by His very nature.

When you and I want to encounter God, we must not seek to do so on our own terms.

Hearts in the right place.

He is God, I am not.

2) ...REQUIRES SUBMISSION!

Up to this point, Israel had been treating God like He owed them something.

Constant complaints and demands.

Near-sightedness, what have you done for me lately.

We must realize that just because God loves us, we cannot remain and a “hard to get” mentality.

We must not think that God has to “win us over” and try to manipulate God.

He demands and deserves our full submission to Him.

The fear of the Lord is healthy for our lives and our hearts.

Submission to the Lord is healthy for our souls!

Submission means that we realize that He is God and we are not.

We must mature to the point that we seek after Him, not expect Him to chase after us.

When I was young may parents came looking for me, now as an adult, I go looking for them.

3) …PROMOTES SALVATION! (vs. 20)

All of this is for our good through the sovereignty of God!

We need a healthy encounter with God to keep our lives in the right direction with the right focus.

CLOSING