Covenant People/Faithful People

Curtis Pryor

Covenant For Life • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

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The best response to God's faithfulness is faithfulness to Him.

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INTRODUCTION

I want you to take a little survey with me this morning

How did you get where you are right now?

“Wherever you are is where your at!” In other words, like it or not, for today, you have arrived. But is it all just an accident — with no rhyme or reason?

Did you just stumble into this point in life or did you carefully plan it out so that you are exactly where you planned to be?

Did you just stumble into this point in your life or did you carefully plan it out so that you are exactly where you planned to be?

What about God’s plan?

It’s important to remember this: there is always a bigger picture. God knows where you are and how you arrived there. A lot of it has to do with your own decisions (good or bad) and much of it has to do with the sovereign hand of God at work.

Let’s go back in time to ancient Egypt — when the Pharaohs ruled — during the time when the children of Israel lived as slaves to Pharaoh. How did they get there? That’s a long story but I want to point out one thing: God foretold it to Abraham many years before it actually happened.

Genesis 15:13–14 NIV

Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions.

To make a long story short, the descendants of Abraham suffered under Egyptian slavery for 400 years, until God called Moses to lead them out of bondage. Moses was an unlikely choice, but he was God’s choice (80 year old fugitive). When God spoke to Moses out of that burning bush, Moses could do nothing but listen, in awe and wonder.

God said to Moses “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob (3:6).” Moses was terrified and hid his face. God said that He had heard the cry of His people — to be delivered from their bondage. “I will deliver them and bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey (Canaan).”

Moses responded, “God are you sure you have the right guy?”

Exodus 3:12 NIV

And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

The book of Exodus recounts the story of how God used Moses and Aaron to ultimately lead the Hebrew people out of Egyptian bondage. It wasn’t easy…the Pharaoh was stubborn, but after God caused the Egyptians to suffer through many plagues (frogs, boils, locusts, darkness…all the way to the death of the first born), Pharaoh finally gave in and allowed the people to leave.

Exodus tells how God provided for His people in the wilderness after they left Egypt (parting the Red Sea, manna, water, cloud, fire, etc.). Exodus is all about the Living God interacting with His people in very real, undeniable ways.

Exodus is the book of God’s presence among His people

Passage

Exodus 19:1–8 NIV

On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.

Exodus 19:1-

Prayer

It wasn’t an accident that the Israelites ended up at the foot of Mount Sinai. Remember what God told Moses at the burning bush? And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” (Ex 3:12)

About 500 years earlier, God made a covenant with Abraham, to make a great nation out of him. He believed God. Now, with Moses leading them, that nation is born at the foot of Mount Sinai. And God would make a covenant with them, as His treasured possession.

“Now if you obey me and fully keep my covenant...” (Ex 19:5)

Two Hebrew words commonly used together — “make a covenant.”

berith: covenant

karath: to cut off, cut down

Used together in the context of making a covenant: “to cut a covenant”

(def.) A solemn agreement or promise, sometimes confirmed by sacrifice or by sharing a meal, by which two or more parties commit themselves to the rights and responsibilities demanded by their relationship and their agreed course of action, and accept the serious consequences of breaking faith. — M.H. Manser

As His bride, His Body, His Building, His people, let us pursue a deeper understanding of and commitment to the covenant life to which Jesus has called us.

God is a covenant God. This fact is displayed from Genesis to Revelation. Over the last couple of weeks we have looked at Covenant Community and the importance of loving God heart, soul, mind, and strength. Today let’s zero in on another essential ingredients in any covenant: ACTION (obedience).

The best response to God's covenant faithfulness is faithfulness to Him.

How can imperfect people like you and I live as faithful covenant followers of God?

Remember what God has done()

Exposition: The Israelites made camp at the foot of Sinai — this was not accident or happenstance…or a plan “b”. Sinai was the primary destination of their journey out of Egypt. This place was God’s place for them. God’s people had to be brought to a the place where they could hear and receive His laws

From through the end of the book, Israel was camped out at the foot of Mount Sinai…about 1 year. Moses ascended that mountain 7 times to hear from the Lord.

So…how can imperfect people (like us) live as faithful covenant followers of God? First…we need to remember what God has done.

Remembering brings perspective

Exodus 19:4 NIV

‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

Remembering brings perspective

In chapter 15…the Israelites grumbled because the water was bitter (Pure water is important) — we would have probably grumbled too

God made a decree: If you listen carefully to my voice and obey my instructions, I will not bring on you the diseases I brought upon the Egyptians

At his point, I’m sure they remembered clearly what had happened to the Egyptians because of all the plagues.

Exodus 15:27 NIV

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.

* In chapter 16…they grumbled against Moses again

In chapter 16…they grumbled against Moses again

You have brought us out here to starve to death! At least in Egypt we sat around pots of meat and had all the food we wanted!

Their perspective was messed up

Exodus 15:27 NIV

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.

So God provided quail and manna —

Exodus 15

Exodus 16:11 NIV

The Lord said to Moses,

Exodus 16:11–12 NIV

The Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’ ”

In chapter 17…they quarrelled with Moses — “give us water to drink”

They grumbled against Moses and tested God — yet in His mercy, He provided another miracle, in spite of their lack of faith and thankfulness

God told Moses to strike a rock with his staff…when he did, water came out

Remembering brings perspective

Remembering brings the truth to light

In , God instructed Moses to remind the people...

Exodus 19:4 NIV

‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

On Eagles’ wings — caring, safeguarding, the constant company of the Lord

They knew from experience what God could do

They were witnesses to what God did to Egypt

They saw God’s deliverance when the death angel passed over their houses

Water, Manna, Quail

They people had personally experienced the loving care of one infinitely stronger and more able than themselves. Now they had been welcomed into His presence and brought into intimacy with Him, not by their own merit or goodness, but because God’s desire was to “bring them to Himself”

Transitional: God is perfect in all of His ways…always keeping His Word. How can we become faithful covenant followers of Him? Remember…and...

Recognize what God Promises (Exodus 5b-6a)

Exodus 19:5–6 NIV

Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

God’s promises are beyond our comprehension — “Be faithful covenant followers and I will cause you to be my...”

Exodus

Treasured possession

Kings in that culture had every luxury one could imagine — so to have something as a treasured possession had to be something above and beyond…something more important to him than anything else…a treasure set aside, protected, and cherished above all else.

This demonstrates God’s great love for them — He was already Lord over all the earth, He created everything, but He chose to make this special covenant with these people.

Kingdom of priests

To be a kingdom of priests

This did not mean they would all be priests, as in those that serve in the Temple, etc.

What kind of privileges and rights would a priest have? Access to the Lord’s altar --- access to His presence — the permission to approach a holy God

This had to be an overwhelming concept to them…God loved them that much

God reminded them, through Moses, where they had come from and how God had brought them out on eagles’ wings.

God had reminded them, through Moses, of where they had come from and how God had brought them out on eagles’ wings.

Now He made promises to them…

Transitional: Faithful covenant followers of God need to remember what He has done, recognize what He will do (His promises), and...

Respond to what God requires

What did God require?

19:5a (The Message) If you will listen obediently to what I say and keep my covenant...

Exodus 19:5 The Message

If you will listen obediently to what I say and keep my covenant, out of all peoples you’ll be my special treasure. The whole Earth is mine to choose from,

If you will listen obediently to what I say and keep my covenant...

This is the “if” that forms a bridge between what the Lord has done and what He promises —

God had made them His treasure possession — not because of anything they had done — but because He loved them and that is what He desired

Respond to what God requires

that is what He desired

God had given them access to His presence as his priests, to be His witnesses to the world — not because of anything they had done — but because He loved them and desired to do this

Our blessed status comes simply because God loves us

Our obedience is our response to what God has already done

“Obey me fully — listen attentively to my voice”

Our God speaks…He communicates His will — How do we respond?

Follow His direction…the path He lays out for us

God’s people possess, listen to, and obey the word of God

God’s people keep His covenant

The people at Sinai had not yet received the Covenant (the law) but they jumped at the chance to say “yes” to God

After all God had done…and after witnessing His mighty hand at work…what other response could they have?

Exodus 19:7–8 NIV

So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.

Exodus 19:7-8

Now…we know that, after God gave them the 10 commandments and the law, the people never kept the law perfectly.

Exodus 19:5

This is why the sacrificial atonement system was there

God knew they would fail, so He made a way for them to come to Him in repentance and receive His mercy and forgiveness

CHALLENGE

Here’s a few important things to notice:

CHALLENGE

God rescued the people from their bondage because He had made a covenant with Abraham

He didn’t rescue them to make them His children — they were already His children

The redemption He provided them fulfilled His covenant promise to Abraham - to make a great nation out of His descendants

The people were not commanded to obey so that they could enter into a covenant — they were already in the middle of God’s covenant with Abraham…the covenant of grace

They were called to obey so they could enjoy the benefits and blessings that come with being God’s people. “if you obey…keep my covenant, then…treasured possession…kingdom of priests”

What was true of the “old” covenant is true of the “new,” and we enter on exactly the same basis of grace and continue in exactly the same obedience of faith — J.A. Motyer

The best response to God's covenant faithfulness is faithfulness to Him.

What has Jesus done?

Luke 19:10 NIV

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

What does Jesus require and promise?

Romans 10:9–13 NIV

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:13 NIV

for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

What does Jesus require and promise?

What are some actions we can take in response to God’s covenant faithfulness?

What

Come to Him in repentance

Come to Him with worship and thanksgiving

Come to Him in total surrender

Live as a faithful covenant child of God by the power of the Holy Spirit living in you