Seeking God's Presence

Seeking God’s Presence

Text: Exodus 33:12-23 (NIV)

12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

17 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”        

I.        Introduction:

II.      Seek The Assurance Of God’s Presence: The Answer For Insecurity

A.      Find Direction In God’s Proximity

1.       Being Guided In Mission

2.       Being Escorted In Person

B.      Find Delight In God’s Approval

1.       God’s Special Awareness Recognized

2.       God’s Special Favor Remembered

3.       God’s Special Instruction Received

C.      Find Definition As God’s Possession

1.       The People Of God

2.       The Property Of God

D.      Find Dependence On God’s Resources

1.       The Help Of God’s Presence

2.       The End Of Man’s Struggle

III.   Seek The Distinction Of God’s Presence: The Answer For Identity

A.      Needing God’s Presence

B.      Indicating God’s Partiality

C.      Distinguishing God’s People

D.      Confirming God’s Pleasure

IV.    Seek The Manifestation Of God Presence: The Answer For Intimacy

A.      A Requested Manifestation

B.      A Promised Manifestation

C.      A Dangerous Manifestation

D.      An Accommodating Manifestation

V.      Conclusion: