Exodus wk 5 - Sermon - The Worship of God
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INTRO: WHAT DO YOU WORSHIP
INTRO: WHAT DO YOU WORSHIP
on the one hand Yes, on the other factoring in
living in a broken world of abuse, rape, incest becomes very hard to untangle ungodly sexual,behaviors. Sin is not simple. We sin in our self protection and self indulgence…but all of it isself exaltation. The root of all sin is unbelief, is lack of trust. But the reasons for unbelief are often intensly emotional and experiential
INTRO: WHAT DO YOU WORSHIP
INTRO: WHAT DO YOU WORSHIP
What do you find most valuable? (what do you worship)
How does it make you feel?
You spend time on it, think about it, enjoy it
You think about it
You enjoy it
It would be hard to let it go.
Another way of asking…WHAT DO YOU WORSHIP?
Worship is: passionate whole self expression of that which we find value in or ascribe worth to. (in action, belief, emotion, etc.)
Worship is not something we do on Sunday mornings.
the worthiness of God. (in action, belief, emotion, etc.)
It is something we are always doing, we are always worshipping.
The question is not IF we are worshipping, but WHO or WHAT are we worshipping?
Like a hose on full blast it just a matter of where we direct our worship.
Let's try another word: OBEDIENCE
Let's try another word: OBEDIENCE
What happens internally when I say that word?
obedience is a good thing parents kids, employees, playing a game
obedience is a good thing parents kids, employees, playing a gane
What is it in us that bucks at this term?
How are the two connected?
Worship is the fuel for obedience
Worship of God is not just the function it is the FUEL OF THE CHURCH
It’s not hard to do what you love
It’s not hard to eat ice cream, watch your favorite movie, who hang out with friends
The problem is things get in the way of our Worship of God
The problem is things get in the way of our Worship of God
Continuing in Exodus Series today we are going to talk about Worship.
When we worship God we give our stories to him.
When we are worshipping ourself we are still trying to write our own story.
We’ll see what Moses, Pharaoh and the people of God worship and why it matters.
We’ll be in
BIBLES
NAME
PRAY
PRAY
PRAY
PRAY
Kids, healing
For the GLORY OF GOD, the GOOD OF YOUR PEOPLE, the GROWTH OF YOUR KINGDOM.
MOSES’S & OBEDIENCE ()
MOSES’S & OBEDIENCE ()
RECAP
RECAP
Last week we looked at 1 of most Famous Historical Events
God shows up to Moses in a burning bush and calls him back to Egypt
And promises to be with Him.
This week we pick it up on his journey back to Egpyt.
And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.
“21 And the LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power.”
English Standard Version Chapter 4
21 And the LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power.
God is calling for Moses’ OBEDIENCE
“do all the wonders” — Moses just knows about 3 at this point
Means all along the way Moses will have to keep obeying
“you will know when you get there”
walking by the spirit, by faith (trust)
It means: OBEDIENCE MATTERS TO GOD
especially for Moses, for a Leader of God’s People
shows his relationship to God, his worship
This is the greatest place we can be in to serve God.
God doesn’t work through methods, he works through men (and women)
This was the Call on Moses.
Similar TO TABERNACLE
God demands perfect obedience
Moses did pretty good throughout his life.
It’s pretty rough in the beginning in reluctance (as we will see)
God deserves perfect obedience
Moses almost pulls it off.
3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)
In-fact only one time Scriptures records his disobedience
“Water at the rock” ()
Moses strikes the rock on his own power in anger and frustration
And it cost him the promise land.
“That sounds pretty harsh” on mistake (sin) and that’s it?
YES — obedience is important to God
This is why Jesus had to be perfectly obedience.
Moses is a type of Jesus
Where moses failed, Jesus succeeded so that all who have failed and sin can enter the true promise land.
Make the point now:
Make the point now:
Moses’ obedience will be tested here in a moment.
Worship is the fuel for obedience.
Pharaoh — heart is hard
He doesn’t worship God, but SELF
NOTE: HARD HEART
NOTE: HARD HEART
“harden his heart” makes us uncomfortable
So OBEDIENCE matters, but so does the MOTIVATION FOR OBEDIENCE
Only proper motive is “love for God”
Nothing else will last.
21 And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.
If you are struggling to obey? caught in sin?
How is your love for God?
If your love for God is dim, it’s becuase you aren’t really seeing God’s love for you (affection)
Exodus 4:21
10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
We love because God loved us, not the other way around.
God doesn’t want your obedience, he wants all of you, your whole heart.
When we love God, when we live a life of worship it is not hard to obey him.
ILL: Doing what your spouse loves, or parents or kids.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
This is the vision of a relationship with God
This is the vision of following Jesus
This is the end goal of discipleship — worship of God that looks like obedience to him.
Yes in all of his calling
Yes in how God has called us to live, by His Word.
If we are not, we have a worship problem.
“But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.”
English Standard Version Chapter 4
But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.
“harden his heart” makes us uncomfortable
We will unpack this in a couple weeks.
A COUPLE COMMENTS:
Not the first time this shows up, we saw in in
19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand.
The TRUTH:
We come into the world with not just hard hearts but dead hearts
Outside of God’s grace, none of us will respond to him.
Question is not “IF” God hardened his heart, but “HOW”
R0M 2 4
4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
Suffices to say this: “the same sun that melts the ice hardens the clay”
WE’LL GET THERE IN THE PLAGUES
MOSES, “THUS SAYS THE LORD”
MOSES, “THUS SAYS THE LORD”
“22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD”
English Standard Version Chapter 4
22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD,
“Thus says the Lord”
1st time used in the Bible
Prophet language — Moses — Prophet’s Job — speak God’s words.
Prophet’s Job — speak God’s words.
POINT: This is not Pharaoh vs. Moses but Pharaoh vs. God.
not “thus says Moses” or “here’s what Moses thinks”
Thank God, Pharaoh is most powerful man in the world.
But Pharaoh vs. God.
Thank God, Pharaoh is most powerful man in the world.
Pharaoh who thinks he is God = “self-worship”
= “self-worship”
Bridge: In our culture it’s not “the church says” or “Pastor says” or “christian x says” it’s God’s Word says.
This is not “us” the church against them.
This is between them and God
Power and Authority is in God’s Word
Our Job is to point people to what God has said in HIs word.
They will be accountable for what they do with that.
We are called to proclaim God’s word just as Jesus did:
patiently, passionately, uncompromisingly, compassionately
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Power and Authority is in God’s Word
The POWER IS IN GOD’S WORD
“Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus...16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Not MOSES and Not US
13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
PHAROAH’S DISOBEDIENCE
PHAROAH’S DISOBEDIENCE
22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’ ”
God calls Pharoah to Obedience
The cost of Pharaoh’s disobedience will be that which he most values.
This will be true of all of us
If people continue in disobedience and unbelief it will cost them what they value most, their value lives.
1st BORN SON:
That which is most valued, most precious
signified LEGACE, PRODIGY, ETERNITY
Only the Name will live on.
GOD’S 1ST BORN SON
GOD’S 1ST BORN SON
This will be true of all of us if we continue in disobedience and unbelief
WHY?
Israel - God’s First Born - SIGNIFICANT
That which is most valuable to God, His people.
That which is most valuable to God, His people.
The people of God are precious to Him
Here is PRECISELY where we find our reason for WORSHIP.
Do you see the AFFECTION THAT GOD HAS FOR YOU?
Like that of a firstborn son.
God loves you so much.
ONE THING I WANT YOU TO HEAR TODAY
GOD LOVES YOU MORE THAN YOU EVER DARED BELIEVED.
In fact his love is all the more amazing because you and I don’t deserve it
We have all sought after other Gods = SIN
We have all turned our back on God. = SIN
Yet he comes after us
Like a shepherd going after a lost sheep.
God loves you so much that he would give up what which was most valuable to him — HIS 1ST BORN SON
The Son of God — to get us back, TO BRING US HOME
God demands and deserved PERFECT OBEDIENCE
But none of us have done that = SIN
Not Moses, not Aaron, not you and I
Only one — Jesus Christ
JESUS IS OUR OBEDIENCE.
JESUS IS OUR PATH BACK TO THE FATHER
JESUS IS OUR PROOF OF GOD’S AFFECTION
JESUS IS OUR SECURITY
JESUS IS OUR REASON FOR WORSHIP
When see JESUS — truly — obedience comes easy
That which was most valuable to God, namely himself.
This again, means you are SO LOVED BY GOD
HE DESIRES YOU WITH FEROCITY
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
He will literaly go to all lengths to have you.
Jesus who lived in perfect obedience will provide the way for all who have disobeyed to again be his people, to be in His family.
Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.
You know, family has deep ties.
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
b/c someone is family you will do more for them.
God says there is a deeper relationship than by blood, and it is through the blood of Christ, a spiritual relationship, a spiritual family.
It’s not hard to follow the One who has loved you.
The family of God, God’s own people.
There is no greater joy and honor an privilege.
It’s not hard to follow the One who has loved you.
It’s not hard to do what you love.
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
Worship is the fuel for obedience
God has given everything so you could be included
How’s Moses doing with this?
His love his shown SUPREMELY AT THE CROSS
When we begin to experience this, obedience to God flows freely
God is about to test Moses’ obedience
To see where his affections really lie.
To see what he Worships.
MOSES’S OBDEDIENCE TESTED ()
MOSES’S OBDEDIENCE TESTED ()
24 At a lodging place on the way the Lord met him and sought to put him to death. 25 Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it and said, “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!” 26 So he let him alone. It was then that she said, “A bridegroom of blood,” because of the circumcision.
“What in the world is happening here?!?”
This short story is about Moses’ obedience in connection to his firstborn son.
Translation: This passage is ambiguous
In this section there are no names used — only pronouns
Let’s unpack this section:
“At a lodging place on the way the Lord met GERSHOM [him] and sought to put him to death. 25 Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and touched his genitalia with it and said to him, “Through this bloodshed you are now my circumcised child” 26 So The LORD let GERSHOM alone. It was at that moment that she said, “BLOOD RELATIVE” because of the circumcision.”
My Translation:
This whole section is about Moses’ obedience in not having previously circumcised his first born son Gershom.
This whole section is about Moses’ obedience in not having previously circumcised his first born son Gershom.
Let’s walk through this section:
Just read about 1st Born Sons
We just saw God make a distinction between Moses’ need to obey God and Pharaoh’s disobedience which will lead to the death of his first born.
We just saw God make a distinction between Moses’ need to obey God and Pharaoh’s disobedience which will lead to the death of his first born.
Therefore in the context of First-Born it would make sense that this is talking about Gershom.
GERSHOM was never circumcised by Moses.
Moses probably circumcised — Hebrew or Egyptian
WHY CIRCUMCISION IMPORTANT?
WHY CIRCUMCISION IMPORTANT?
Why was circumcision so important?
Circumcision was the sign of God’s Cov’t with Abraham.
And remember this is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
“10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised...So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
Moses = Leader of God’s People
Needs to follow Cov’t of Circumcision w/ his son
Obedience important
Apparently he was unwilling to do it.
But Zipporah takes matters into her own hands (literally) and circumcises her son.
She then touches not Moses’ feet,
but Gershom’s feet in probably what was some kind of rite.
‘feet’ can be a euphemism for genitalia
“BRIDEGROOM OF BLOOD”
ONE of a few acceptable translations.
Bridegroom can just mean “relative”, even “son”
Bridegroom can just mean relative, even “son”
obviously blood was involved in circumcision.
It could also be translated “Through this bloodshed you are now my circumcised child”
makes sense — to Gershom, NOT MOSES
So all that to say,
Because Moses is about to rescue God’s people it is really important that he follow the Covenant of Circumcision, the sign given to distinguish God’s people, and because he was unwilling, Zipporah takes care of it (notice again another woman saving the day) and Gershom is spared and Moses (and Zipporah) is now in compliance and thus would be credible as the leader of God’s people.
So God was testing Moses’ obedience.
“At a lodging place on the way the Lord met GERSHOM [him] and sought to put him to death. 25 Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and touched his genitalia with it and said to him, “Through this bloodshed you are now my circumcised child” 26 So The LORD let GERSHOM alone. It was at that moment that she said, “BLOOD RELATIVE” because of the circumcision.”
So God was testing Moses’ obedience.
Because obedience matters
WHERE IS GOD CALLING YOU TO OBEDIENCE?
ASIDE: WHY CIRCUMCISION?
ASIDE: WHY CIRCUMCISION?
Spiritual Meaning of Circumcision:
but as in all things…there is a Deeper Spiritual Truth under the physical act.
tells us that true circumcision is a circumcision of the heart.
Or Paul, makes the same point 1000s of years later.
28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
WHY CIRCUMCISION? SEXUAL IDOLATRY
WHY CIRCUMCISION? SEXUAL IDOLATRY
Now, if you think it is weird that we would be talking about circumcision publically and in church....YOU’D BE RIGHT!
But, since we’re here, let’s go a little further.
Ever wondered “Why circumcision?”
I’ve have...I mean couldn’t God have thought of something else?
LET’S CONNECT THIS TO OUR DAY:
1. SPIRITUAL MEANING
1. SPIRITUAL MEANING
tells us that true circumcision is a circumcision of the heart.
as in all things…there is a Deeper Spiritual Truth under the physical act.
tells us that true circumcision is a circumcision of the heart.
16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.
16 And I looked, and behold, you had sinned against the Lord your God. You had made yourselves a golden calf. You had turned aside quickly from the way that the Lord had commanded you.
6 And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Paul, makes the same point 1000s of years later.
28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
In other words, it was never really about the physical act, but about spiritual conversion.
Which results in Worship!
But I think the physical act has some pretty profound significance:
We are all prone to worship false Gods or Idols.
2. SEXUAL IDOLATRY
2. SEXUAL IDOLATRY
What is the most seductive and powerful idol that threatens to lead us away from God?
In the context of obedience, you know what the most powerful idol we have up and against God?
SEX.
Sex.
People for all ages have been tempted to worship sex.
Solomon — Wisdom no match for foreign women
Solomon — Wisdom no match for foreign women
WHY CIRCUMCISION?
Because every you engage you sexual activity you would be visibly reminded of:
“WHOSE YOU ARE” or “who really owns your body”
1 Cor 6
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
For us, reminded of Who has been cut off so that you live.
let’s talk about the Worship of Sex
THE WORSHIP OF SEX
THE WORSHIP OF SEX
Let me start as God did last week.
ACKNOWLEDGE the Pain.
We live in a broken world.
Many of you have experienced sexual brokenness in your life
Sexual abuse, sexual assault, early exposure to sex, pornography addiction and more.
Untangling the web of sexual brokenness is a long hard process b/c sexuality is closely tied with our identity.
God made us Male and Female.
We must always consider the STORY OF BROKENESS
The beauty of the gospel is that our brokenness does not separate us from the love of God it actually connects us.
IDOL OF SEX MOST DANGEROUS
IDOL OF SEX MOST DANGEROUS
the Idolatry (worship) of Sex is perhaps the most dangerous foe to our soul.
This is why God is always talking about sexual immorality
It has the power to drive us away from God.
SEX is GOOD — God wants you to EXPERIENCE ITS FULLNESS
One man, one woman in a marital covenant.
SEX IS GOOD, BUT IT IS NOT GOD
One man, one woman in a marital covenant.
THIS IS A WORSHIP ISSUE
It’s about Worshipping God alone!
That’s why idol worship is referred to as ‘whoring around’ in the Bible.
So too in our culture, sex has become God.
But We need to be reminded of “Who we Belong to”
This is precisely where the book of Exodus can be so powerful.
Many of you have at some point or are currently struggling with SEX
I know many of you in this room have or are struggling with sex outside marriage.
Whether it’s unwanted sexual desires, pornography addiction, sex outside of marriage, or healing from sexual brokenness
At the end of the day, you loving your self more than God.
You are practicing self worship rather than God worship
NOW listen to me.
Even in our coping with brokenness through sex, our act of self protection is an act of self worship.
Everyone is both sinned against and sinner at the same time.
In our hurt we respond in ways that are sinful, self serving, self protecting.
The only one who can heal you, who can protect your soul is Jesus Christ.
One who has also suffered, and risen.
This is a Worship Issue
DON’T TRY HARDER
DON’T TRY HARDER
If you are struggling with porn, or sex outside of marriage
The answer is not TRY HARDER
The issue is your heart.
What has happened in your heart that you are loving self more than God?
For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
You have forgotten “whose you are”
You have forgotten “his affection for you”
And God yearns jealously for you
you are his firstborn child, his prized possession, his most valuable thing.
The expulsive power of a new affection.
The only way out of sin is Worship.
Have you forgotten God’s love for you demonstrated at the Cross?
We love because he first loved us.
Worship is the fuel for obedience.
Some of you made need counseling to work through some of the deep wounds you have experienced.
But grace will fill in the wounds and healing will come.
SO LET ME ASK YOU...
SO LET ME ASK YOU...
What stirs your affection for God?
Whatever that is, why aren’t you doing more of it?
Maybe that’s:
reading the Bible, studying it deeply, maybe it’s in prayer, or a prayer walk, maybe it’s in nature, maybe it’s in worshipping through song.
Whatever it is for you…do more of it.
That you might Worship God
the passionate whole-self expression of his worthiness.
I know many of you in this room have or are struggling with sex outside marriage.
Some have bought what the culture is selling in that it is ok. You have been deceived by your own desires. You have put your own desires above of God’s desires (which are better) for you
Let me ask you, no shame here, If you are engaging in sex outside marriage, whether it be:
pornography, infidelity, adultery, premarital sex, fooling around, btw sex means sexual contact of any kind.
How is your relationships with God?
You cannot Worship God and Self (or sex) at the same time.
VISION OF WORSHIP
VISION OF WORSHIP
In that moment, you are loving yourself, more than you are loving God
So if you are struggling with Sexual Sin, what is the answer?
Try Harder? Fight more fervently?
No, that will never work.
It’s not primarily a behavior issue, it’s a WORSHIP ISSUE
That is to say, an issue of the heart.
What we need to ask ourselves in sin is?
What is going on in my heart that I am not loving God more than myself?
Why am I not seeing God as infinitely worthy of my worship?
And thus my obedience?
The only remedy to Sin is “the expulsive power of a new affection”
For lasting change you can only worship your way out of Sin,
But it’s a worship of the One who is Most Worthy
The one we Love with all of who we are.
If we are not loving Him it is because we are not seeing his great affection for us
We need to continue to fight this temptation
We need to continue to fight this temptation
but not by trying harder
But by questioning in our heart, what is going on in my heart that I’m not living out of God’s great affection for me?
Obedience come from the lOve of God that was demonstrated for us at the Cross.
10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
But that’s the beauty of grace. God still loves you and still forgives you, that’s what the cross was all about.
God has loved us at the Cross.
And God yearns jealously for you
you are his firstborn child, his prized possession, his most valuable thing.
God’s not after just obedience, but obedience that issues from worship of Him.
Love of God is the only proper motivation for obedience
Worship is the fuel for obedience.
We love because God loved us, not the other way around.
God doesn’t want your obedience, he wants all of you, your whole heart.
When we love God, when we live a life of worship it is not hard to obey him.
ILL: Doing what your spouse loves, or parents or kids.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
This is the vision of following Jesus
This is the vision of following Jesus
This is the end goal of discipleship — Worship that leads to obedience
Yes in all of his calling
Yes in how God has called us to live, by His Word.
If we are not, we have a worship problem.
And he will pursue you until he has you, all of you.
And he will pursue you until he has you.
So turn back now, repent, come back to your father.
Experience what he really has for you.
Even in this we need to submit our story to His story.
God writes the better Story
God wants more for you than you do.
CS Lewis “ Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.
God cares about obedience, but it is an obedience fueled by Worship.
Lewis, C. S.. Weight of Glory (Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis) (p. 27). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.
Phew, ok.
God cares about obedience, but it is an obedience fueled by Worship.
It’s important for Moses to follow God, because it demonstrates his relationship with God.
This is EXACTLY what happens to God’s people.
Spiritual Meaning of Circumcision:
but as in all things…there is a Deeper Spiritual Truth under the physical act.
tells us that true circumcision is a circumcision of the heart.
Or Paul, makes the same point 1000s of years later.
WORSHIP ()
WORSHIP ()
Exodus
27 The Lord said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. 28 And Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord with which he had sent him to speak, and all the signs that he had commanded him to do.
JOYFUL REUNION
English Standard Version Chapter 4
“Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you,
Happy reunion.
Aaron is Moses’s big brother and it’s been 80 years since they’ve seen each other.
Aaron is going to be Moses’ “in” with the Hebrews
Aaron is excited.
Aaron is going to be Moses’ “in” with the Hebrews
Most probably don’t even know who he is.
Aaron speaks fluent Egyptian and Hebrews and is known and respected by the Hebrews
He was an elder and had some power else how was he able to leave Egypt.
Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel. Aaron spoke all the words that the Lord had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people.
Similar to Barnabas taking Saul (Paul) to meet the Elder in Jerusalem ()
Exodus 4:
Exodus 4:29
29 Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel. 30 Aaron spoke all the words that the Lord had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people.
What did they say to the people of God?
“The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to...a land flowing with milk and honey.”
16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”
16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.” ’
Exodus 4:16
God has known you and he’s coming for you.
How do they Respond?
31 And the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.
Belief and Worship
God has known their suffering
God has heard them.
God will rescue them.
God has come to ‘visit them’ in the person of Moses and to rescue bondage.
This is what happens when...
This is what happens when...
THE NAME OF THE LORD REVEALED
THE NAME OF THE LORD REVEALED
What’s happening is the name of the Lord has been revealed to them: Yahweh.
They thought they knew God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
But did they know HIM PERSONALLY
His personal Name
YAHWEH - “HE IS”
When the Lord becomes KNOWN — WORSHIP FOLLOWS
1000’s of years later God would AGAIN VISIT HIS PEOPLE
PERSONALLY
And his Name would be lifted up and made known
and many would believe
and WORSHIP HIM
THE NAME OF JESUS
THE NAME ABOVE EVERY NAMES
THE LORD OF LORDS
KING OF KINGS
THE GREAT I AM
THE ONE WHO WAS AND IS AND IS TO COME.
The one who is, who was and who is to come.
The one who is, who was and who is to come.
The same thing happens in the book of Acts.
Do you KNOW HIM?
The name of Jesus is revealed and people believe.
Are you worshipping him with your WHOLE SELF
This Jesus “God with us”
Isn’t it amazing that from thh beginning it has been about
Proclaiming the Name of the Lord to the Nations!
The only proper response is WORSHIP!
MADE TO WORSHIP
MADE TO WORSHIP
You and I were made to worship
Not just what we do on Sunday mornings
We are worshipping all the time.
THIS IS STILL WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY!
it’s what we were made for, like a fire hose that is constantly on, the only question is what are we worshipping?
Are we worshipping the God of the Bible? Yahweh, Jesus
Or ourselves? or Sex?
THIS IS STILL WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY!
Making the name of the Lord Known
so that the CITY, NATIONS AND GENERATIONS MIGHT FIND THEIR HOPE
NOT IN THEMSELVES
NOT IN THE THINGS OF THE WORLD
BUT IN JESUS CHRIST
Will there be opposition? YES — next week
Will there be opposition? absolutely
Will there be opposition? aboslutely
We are about to see Pharaoh (satan) and God go to battle
and there’s not contest
God will be victorious, the God who was and is and is to come
In the END…WE ARE GOING TO SEE A VICTORY
in the END… WE CANNOT LOSE
EVEN WHILE IN THIS LIFE
This is the God we worship.
As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
But — “nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord”
ARE YOU WORSHIPPING GOD WITH YOUR LIFE?
ARE YOU WORSHIPPING GOD WITH YOUR LIFE?
So do you worship this God?
Have you known this God?
Have you believed?
Have you given your whole life to him?
we had this,
Or maybe you are like the Israelites and you think you know God but you have not really met him personally?
You know the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob but you have never known him personally?
But the name is now revealed to you in the name of Jesus
That you can’t
Maybe you’re like the ISRAELITES
Or maybe w/ Israelites
Or maybe w/ Israelites
you know the name of God but you’ve never known the personal name of God revealed to you personally in your heart.
You were raised in a Christian home.
You think you know God, but you really don’t
You can’t make any traction against anxiety, depression, sin, sexual sin because you’ve haven’t fully yet known the personal name of God, jesus in your heart.
KNOW HIM, BELIEVE IN HIM
God I thought I knew you, but I didn’t but Now I do and I want to give you my whole life.
and then WORSHIP HIM
and then FOLLOW HIM
Where do you need to repent and obey God?
Not just the first thing we do, but the FIRST TO THE LAST
Where do you need to realize God’s Love for You!
Worship is the fuel of the Church.
Where do you need to REPENT?
Where do you need to HEAL?
Where do you need to WORSHIP?
Where do you need to OBEY?
RESPOND IN WORSHIP
RESPOND IN WORSHIP
We are going to Worship now through Song and Communion
We are going to Worship now through Song and Communion
We worship God here on Sunday.
We worship through God’s Word, through Communion
We worship through Song.
So let’s respond now in Worship
Worship: passionate whole self expression of the worthiness of God. (in action, belief, emotion, etc.)
So OBEDIENCE matters, but so does the MOTIVATION FOR OBEDIENCE
Only proper motive is “love for God”
Nothing else will last.
If you are struggling to obey? caught in sin?
How is your love for God?
If your love for God is dim, it’s becuase you aren’t really seeing God’s love for you (affection)
God doesn’t want your obedience, he wants all of you, your whole heart.
When we love God, when we live a life of worship it is not hard to obey him.
ILL: Doing what your spouse loves, or parents or kids.
This is the vision of a relationship with God
This is the vision of following Jesus
This is the end goal of discipleship — worship of God that looks like obedience to him.
Yes in all of his calling
Yes in how God has called us to live, by His Word.
If we are not, we have a worship problem.
had his name personally reavela
LET’S Pray
LET’S Pray