Embracing God's Holiness and Our Mission
Summary
In the exploration of the divine and its relationship with humanity, the concept of God's holiness, accessibility, and mission for His people is deeply examined. The narrative begins with the acknowledgment of human imperfection and the contrasting perfection of God and His gospel. Despite human shortcomings, individuals are encouraged to boldly approach the throne of grace, thanks to the reconciling work of Jesus. This boldness, however, should not be mistaken for irreverence, as God's throne is still a throne of majesty, and He remains holy and set apart.
The discussion delves into the story of Moses, highlighting his initial reluctance to accept God's mission due to feelings of inadequacy. Moses's hesitations are met with God's assurance of His presence and support, emphasizing that God's mission does not rely on human ability but on His power and presence. The narrative of Moses and the burning bush serves as a metaphor for God's holiness and the paradox of His dangerous goodness due to human imperfection. It is through this story that the nature of God is revealed as personal, holy, and intimately involved in the lives of His people.
The concept of God as "I Am Who I Am" is explored, signifying His self-sufficiency, eternality, and unchanging nature. This unchanging nature is comforting, as it assures believers that God's love, commitment, and mission remain constant despite human variability. The narrative further illustrates that God equips those He calls, as seen in His patient guidance of Moses, shifting Moses's focus from his own inadequacies to God's sufficiency.
The accessibility of God is also a central theme, with Jesus being the ultimate expression of God's desire to be known and experienced by humanity. Jesus, referred to as "The Great I Am," embodies the qualities of holiness, eternality, and unchanging nature, while also being accessible and personal. The miracle of the incarnation, God becoming man in Jesus, is celebrated as the profound truth of God with us.
The narrative concludes with an exhortation to embrace the mission God has for each individual, trusting in His presence and faithfulness. The story of Moses serves as an encouragement that God uses imperfect people to fulfill His perfect will. The transformative power of understanding who God is and His desire to work through humanity is highlighted as the key to living a life aligned with His purposes.
Key Takeaways:
- The holiness of God is not merely about moral perfection but about being set apart and unique. This holiness is both inviting and dangerous, akin to the sun's life-giving yet potentially destructive nature. The paradox of God's holiness invites a deep reverence and awe for His presence, which is both accessible and majestic. [36:06]
- God's self-revelation as "I Am Who I Am" speaks to His self-sufficiency and eternal nature. This name, Yahweh, reassures believers that God is uncreated, unchanging, and forever present. This understanding of God's nature provides stability and confidence in the face of life's changes and challenges. [46:24]
- The story of Moses and the burning bush teaches that God's mission is not dependent on human qualifications but on His presence and power. This truth encourages individuals to step out in faith, knowing that God equips and accompanies those He calls to His purposes. [43:39]
- Jesus Christ, as "The Great I Am," embodies the fullness of God's attributes revealed in the Old Testament. His life, death, and resurrection demonstrate God's holiness, eternality, and unchanging love. This revelation of Jesus invites believers to a deeper understanding and relationship with God. [54:40]
- The Christian life is likened to a "Heavenly bring your kid to work day," where God is the one actively working, and believers are invited to participate joyfully in His mission. This analogy encourages believers to trust in God's sufficiency and to find joy in being part of His redemptive work in the world. [45:03]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Exodus 3:1-15 (The story of Moses and the burning bush)
- Hebrews 4:14-16 (Approaching the throne of grace with confidence)
- John 8:56-58 (Jesus as "The Great I Am")
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Moses doing when he encountered the burning bush, and how did he react to it? ([32:09])
2. How does God introduce Himself to Moses, and what significance does this name carry? ([46:24])
3. What are the two contrasting aspects of God's holiness as described in the sermon? ([36:06])
4. How does God respond to Moses's feelings of inadequacy and reluctance? ([43:39])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the burning bush symbolize about God's nature and His relationship with humanity? ([30:49])
2. How does the concept of God as "I Am Who I Am" provide stability and confidence for believers? ([47:44])
3. In what ways does the story of Moses illustrate that God's mission relies on His power and presence rather than human ability? ([43:39])
4. How does Jesus embody the attributes of God revealed in the Old Testament, and what does this mean for believers today? ([54:40])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate for a task God called you to. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Moses's experience? ([40:54])
2. How can you cultivate a balance between intimacy with God and reverence for His majesty in your daily life? ([38:52])
3. In what ways can you remind yourself of God's unchanging nature during times of personal change or uncertainty? ([47:44])
4. How can you actively participate in God's mission, trusting in His presence and power rather than your own abilities? ([43:39])
5. Think of a specific area in your life where you need to approach God's throne of grace with confidence. What steps can you take to do this boldly yet reverently? ([39:32])
6. Identify one person in your life who might feel unworthy or inadequate. How can you encourage them with the truths from Moses's story and God's assurances? ([42:52])
7. How does understanding Jesus as "The Great I Am" deepen your relationship with Him and influence your daily walk of faith? ([54:40])
Devotional
Day 1: Holiness: Inviting Yet Dangerous
God's holiness is a beacon that draws us in, yet it is a consuming fire that demands our respect. This holy nature is not just about purity but about the distinct otherness of God, which sets Him apart from all creation. It is this very holiness that makes His grace so profound, as it allows us to draw near to Him despite our imperfections. [36:06]
Isaiah 6:1-3 - "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.'"
Reflection: How does the holiness of God challenge the way you live your daily life, and how might it change your approach to worship?
Day 2: The Eternal Self-Sufficiency of God
The name "I Am Who I Am" reveals God's self-existence and eternal nature, offering a foundation of stability in an ever-changing world. This unchanging character of God is a source of comfort and assurance, as it means His promises and love are as steadfast today as they have always been. [46:24]
Psalm 102:25-27 - "In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."
Reflection: In what ways can the eternal nature of God influence your trust in His promises during times of personal change or uncertainty?
Day 3: God's Mission Transcends Human Ability
The story of Moses and the burning bush teaches us that God's calling does not depend on our abilities or qualifications but on His presence and power. When God calls us to a task, He ensures that we are not alone; He is with us, equipping and empowering us to accomplish His will. [43:39]
Exodus 4:11-12 - "The Lord said to him, 'Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.'"
Reflection: What is one task or mission you feel inadequate to undertake, and how can you rely on God's presence and power to step forward in faith?
Day 4: Jesus: The Great I Am
Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God's holiness, eternality, and unchanging nature, making the divine accessible and personal to us. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus demonstrates the fullness of God's attributes and invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. [54:40]
Hebrews 1:1-3 - "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word."
Reflection: How does the understanding of Jesus as "The Great I Am" affect your relationship with Him and your perception of His work in your life?
Day 5: Participating in God's Redemptive Work
As believers, we are invited to join in the joyous mission of God's redemptive work, akin to a "Heavenly bring your kid to work day." This perspective reminds us that it is God who is actively working, and we are privileged to be part of His plan, relying on His sufficiency rather than our own. [45:03]
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's redemptive work today, and what might be the first step in embracing this mission with joy and trust in His sufficiency?
Quotes
1) "God's power and God's presence that he would send him out with. Like Moses, we often think that being able to be used by God is all based on our abilities... but being faithful to God... it's about our availability. Are we willing to be used by God?" [44:21] (Download)
2) "The accessibility that we can experience because of the costly reconciling work of Jesus... we could approach the throne of grace with confidence or boldly... but let's be careful not to confuse intimacy with irreverence." [39:32] (Download)
3) "God does not call the qualified; he qualifies the called. What God did to Moses was patiently and lovingly shift his focus off of himself onto God. God spoke to his insecurities... and he highlighted his sufficiency." [59:32] (Download)
4) "The Christian life is like a Heavenly bring your kid to work day... it's the parent doing all the work, the kid is just happy to be there with their parent. That's like what it is for us." [45:03] (Download)
5) "I am who I am... teaches us about who God is... he is self-sufficient, he is eternal, and he is uncreated... his name is forever." [47:44] (Download)
6) "God is Holy... the word holy actually means to be set apart, to be unique... the sun is a metaphor for God's holiness... his presence is dangerous because he is so good and we are bad." [36:47] (Download)
7) "The God Who revealed himself to Moses here is the same God who revealed himself as Jesus... he is unchanging in his power, love, patience, and purposes for us." [48:28] (Download)
8) "Jesus is Holy, he is utterly unique... Jesus alone perfectly fulfilled the law of God that we all fall short of. Unique, holy, Jesus is the Holy One who conquered death." [56:09] (Download)
9) "Like The Great I Am of Exodus 3, Jesus is eternal... for in Jesus all things were created... he is before all things and in him all things hold together." [56:44] (Download)
10) "The miracle of God becoming man and walking among us is so amazing... Jesus is Emanuel, God with us... the last thing he says is I am with you to the very end of the age." [58:07] (Download)
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