Coming Closer to God

How Can Israel Come Close to God?

Exodus 19:4–6 ESV

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.”

treasured possession — exclusive ownership of the kingdom

holy nation . set-apart nation — to be a blessing to the other ethnicities.

kingdom of priest — people who bring God to the world.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

But they can’t just come any kind of way. They still smell like Egypt. They still love what it has to offer. Althought they need what God’s power?

Electricity is good. We’re warm because of electricity. We cook because of electricity. We free food because of electricity. Lights come on because of electricity. Electricity is good thing. However, I would not advise you to take a screwdriver and stick it in a n outlet! You don’t want to do that because the same electricity that can help you can also fry you. The hurt won’t be intentional. It will happens because you are not handing right. God wants to show you your destiny. He wants to be guide and govern your life, but He’s got to be handled the right way.

“How CAN WE COME CLOSE TO GOD. HOW CAN SINNERS WERE ORIGINAL MADE TO FLOURISH IN HIS PRESENCE COME CLOSE TO A GOD THAT IS HOLY.

— I’m jacked up I’ve got issues.

— I’m not always what I should be.

— I feel a sense that althought God loves me — I’m not quite ready to be in his presnece. Not quite ready to be used.

God Makes a Way for Israel to Be in His Presence.

through consecration

Exodus 19:10 ESV

10 the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments

— wash your clothes

— abstain from sex

through mediation

Exodus 19:17–20 ESV

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.

— Moses goes and talks to God face-to-face,

— Moses tells them to obey the covenant

--- moses tells them to how to follow God.

God Makes a Way for Us To be In His Presence.

consecration— “the preparation” and mediation --- “the link” through Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:18–24 ESV

18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

No longer fear, I can walk in faith working itself out in love.

We can be his:

treasured possession and feel his love and joy for holding us.

Matthew 13:44 ESV

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Transformed to be set apart as his holy nation.

— Obeying him and showing our love back to him for what he has done for us.

Empowered to be his kingdom of priests.

— what does it mean to be a priest at home and at work.

Illustration:

Maya Moore using her celebrity to work on behalf of those who are less fortunate. Using her talent and skill to help folk who have been locked way unjustly. I love this story bevause she is using her talent to serve.

But I am reminded of the words of Dr. King:

"If you want to be important, wonderful. If you want to be recognized, wonderful. If you want to be great, wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness.

“And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.

“You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity to serve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant."

Because God brings you closer, seals you with his love and fills you with that Grace.

Come Closer and Let Jesus Help You Come Correct.

!. Commit to hearing his voice about how he wants you to express your love and appreciation by doing what he pleases?

2. Get rid of unnecessary fear. You can Come closer because Jesus has come correct.