God's New Man pt. 1
Notes
Transcript
Why this series?
Why this series?
God is not only interested in the rescuing aspect of salvation, but the renewal aspect as well.
God desires continuous movement towards a Christ-like character.
Facing challenges like have today, God wants us to be shaped more like Christ. We must always be aware of moments like these to “Give God A Raise”.
God’s Intent to Transform
God’s Intent to Transform
In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.
When they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain.
Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel:
‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.
‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;
and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”
So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the Lord had commanded him.
Background
Background
Three (3) months after exiting Egypt
Exegesis
Exegesis
What God Did (vs.4)
What God Did (vs.4)
Herein lies the encouragement - God wants movement FROM and movement TO
Herein lies the encouragement - God wants movement FROM and movement TO
“You seen what I did to the Egyptians” - a phrase that writers would use 150+ times in the OT. [Ex 29:46 Deut 4:20]
The Egyptians represented oppression and suffering
“bore you on eagles wings” - During the destruction of the Egyptians, God preserved His people. (The FROM)
Think of God lifting Israel over all the plagues He delivered on Egypt [Ex. 8:22; 9:6; 26 flies, livestock, hail].
“brought you to myself” (imp.) - An aspect of this action is wasn’t complete as yet. The word means “movement to a particular place or in a particular direction” (The TO). God removed them from Egypt but wanted to remove Egypt from them.
God is not only moving FROM but moving TO Col 1:13.
God doesn’t only want you to move from but move toward (Appl. time: When dealing with struggles, problems, addictions etc. Do not just move from but move to).
What God Will Do (vs.5-6)
What God Will Do (vs.5-6)
God is not simply satisfied with what was done but wants to do more. He does this not because of who we are but who He is.
God is not simply satisfied with what was done but wants to do more. He does this not because of who we are but who He is.
“you shall be my own possession” (something that the owner values highly). This is in stark contrast to the horrifying treatment at the hands of the more recent Pharaohs.
“He found him in a desert land,
And in the howling waste of a wilderness;
He encircled him, He cared for him,
He guarded him as the pupil of His eye.
2. “you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation”
Kingdom of priests - this further explains the “value” we previously mentioned. Now the people would have access to God in a way they never had before. [Very similar to Heb 4:15-16]
“holy nation” - unique, set apart from anyone else. A nation that will keep in touch with God [This reminds me Romans 8:15]
“The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples,
but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
This reminds me of John 3:16
What God Expects (vs.5-6)
What God Expects (vs.5-6)
Herein lies the challenge. “if you indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant”
The word keep here means to “guard” and “cause something to remain”
Did Israel do this?
The challenge here for the Christian is their ability to be loyal to what Jesus says today
Heb 1:1 “He speaks to us through His Son”
God wants a raise! He is not desirous of a lack growth in His people
God wants a raise! He is not desirous of a lack growth in His people
What are we willing do, change, improve, drop to give God that raise that He desires?