Encountering God

Exodus 33:7–11 NKJV

Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of meeting. And it came to pass that everyone who sought the Lord went out to the tabernacle of meeting which was outside the camp. So it was, whenever Moses went out to the tabernacle, that all the people rose, and each man stood at his tent door and watched Moses until he had gone into the tabernacle. And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door. So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

Main Idea: God desires intimacy with His people.

Motivating Idea: Jesus desires intimacy with you.

Ephesians 2:18 NKJV

For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Key Question: When is the last time you personally met with God?

1. Encountering God demands intentionality. (v. 7)

Encountering God demands intentionality. (v. 7)

Exodus 33:7 NKJV

Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of meeting. And it came to pass that everyone who sought the Lord went out to the tabernacle of meeting which was outside the camp.

A. You must have an intentional place. (v. 7)

Exodus 33:7 NKJV

Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of meeting. And it came to pass that everyone who sought the Lord went out to the tabernacle of meeting which was outside the camp.

Mark 6:46 NKJV

And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.

Luke 5:16 NKJV

So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

B. You must have an intentional purpose. (v. 7)

Exodus 33:7 NKJV

Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of meeting. And it came to pass that everyone who sought the Lord went out to the tabernacle of meeting which was outside the camp.

Mark 1:35 NKJV

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

2. Encountering God delivers intimacy. (v. 8-9, 11)

Exodus 33:8–9 NKJV

So it was, whenever Moses went out to the tabernacle, that all the people rose, and each man stood at his tent door and watched Moses until he had gone into the tabernacle. And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses.

Exodus 33:11 NKJV

So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

Ephesians 2:18 NKJV

For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

A. Intimacy comes when you are steady. (v. 8)

Exodus 33:8 NKJV

So it was, whenever Moses went out to the tabernacle, that all the people rose, and each man stood at his tent door and watched Moses until he had gone into the tabernacle.

exod

Luke 5:16 NKJV

So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

Psalm 55:17 NKJV

Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.

B. Intimacy comes when you are still. (v. 8-9, 11)

Exodus 33:8–9 NKJV

So it was, whenever Moses went out to the tabernacle, that all the people rose, and each man stood at his tent door and watched Moses until he had gone into the tabernacle. And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses.

Exodus 33:11 NKJV

So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

Psalm 37:7 ESV

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

3. Encountering God determines impact. (v. 10-11)

Exodus 33:10–11 NKJV

All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door. So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

A. You will impact people. (v. 10)

Exodus 33:10 NKJV

All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door.

2 Corinthians 2:15 NKJV

For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

B. You will impact the prodigy. (v. 11)

Exodus 33:11 NKJV

So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

Luke 11:1 NKJV

Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

Luke 9:28 NKJV

Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.