This exposition of Exodus 19:16-25 by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, February 3, 2019.
Intro:
They were terrified. The ground beneath their feet shook violently. The air was heavy as a thick cloud descended. Lightening flashed. Thunder boomed. The mountain quaked as it glowed with fire. Children wept, women screamed, men’s hearts grew faint. All the while a trumpet blared louder and louder. This was no ordinary gathering. God had come to meet with his people! Years ago, when Bob Yowell served as our minister of music, he and I would meet early in the week to plan Sunday’s worship. One day Bob asked, “Is there anything special this week?” I said, “No Bob, just the worship of the living God other than that, nothing special.” To this day, 25 years later, Bob often greets me with, “Anything special this week?”
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How do you approach this time? What is your attitude when you come to worship? I said last week an over-emphasis on God’s immanence leads to a “casual” approach to worship. I was not talking about style of worship or dress but attitude or demeanor. Do you approach this as a casual visit with a friend or entering the presence of the Sovereign of the Universe? There is a loss of the “holy.” We don’t often think of God as transcendent, other, different, mysterious and majestic and that is a tragedy. This gathering is unlike anything else you experience during the week. The corporate gathering of the people of God for worship ought not be like a night at the theater or a concert, let alone a circus. When we gather for worship, whether formal or informal, it is a sacred moment. We are in the presence of a holy God. He is not our buddy or “the man upstairs” he is the true and living God. The God who spoke the world into being. The God who put the stars in place and set the planets in their orbit. He is the God who holds all things together by the power of his might. He is the God who controls all things. There is not a maverick molecule in all the universe, he is sovereign over all things - how can we be casual in his presence? How do you “buddy up” to him? Yet, he is loving, kind and gracious. He is immanent. He is near to us, he interacts with us, he relates to us on a personal basis. Thus worship, true, genuine worship in not “comfortable.” It is awkward as we seek to strike the proper balance between his transcendence and his immanence. Our text this morning is found in Exodus chapter 19 beginning with verse 16.
Text: Exodus 19:16-25
Three months after leaving Egypt the children of Israel make it to Mt. Sinai.
God has brought them here - cloud by day a pillar of fire by night.
He brought them out of Egypt, raised them up on eagle’s wings and brought them to himself.
He has told them that they are his treasured possession.
He has called them to assemble before him.
They have spent the last three days preparing.
The mountain has been marked off, limits have been placed, “do not cross this line.”
The penalty for “breaking through” is death - man or beast.
They’ve lived, the last 3 days with one eye on the mountain, wondering, “What will it be like?”
That day has come. Look with me beginning with verse 16.
Israel’s first encounter with God as Mt. Sinai serves to remind us that…
Thesis: When we gather for worship, it is imperative that we understand who God is, so that we approach Him appropriately.
Contrary to popular opinion, God is not safe! He hasn’t grown soft with age. He doesn’t age, he is eternal and thus he is the same yesterday, today and forever. You do not rush into his presence on your own terms and make demands of him. He is the sovereign, the one in charge. And you enter as he prescribes. You enter on his terms.
As we work through this text I want to point out three foundational truths and then surprising revelation in light of those truths.
- Our God is a God of incomparable glory. (19:16-18)
- Our God speaks with clarity and purpose. (19:19-20)
- Our God is a God to be feared. (19:21-25)
Conclusion:
God gave Israel a unique privilege - Deuteronomy 4:32-35.
Yet we, the church, have an even greater privilege.
Here is that startling revelation I spoke of in the beginning…
This majestic, glorious, terrifying God has made a way for sinful folks like us to be at home in His holy presence.
Hebrews 12:18-21 - that’s Israel, Mt. Sinai.
The law, dark & stormy, a place of fear/danger, designed to keep people away.
Hebrews 12:22-24 - this is the Church, Mt. Zion.
gospel, city of bright, shining joy, place of peace & safety, designed to draw people close.
What makes the difference? It is the same God. It is the mediator, the Lord Jesus and his shed blood (24).
Where will you meet God - on Mt. Sinai - in judgment or Mt. Zion as a beloved child, cleansed by the blood of Christ?
The only safe way to enter the presence of God is through the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 12:25-26).
Reject the Lord Jesus now and you will not escape.
You will be lost forever.
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