Embracing the Glory of Jesus and His Holiness

Devotional

Day 1: God's Boundaries for Our Safety

God's commandments are not arbitrary rules but protective measures designed for our well-being. Just as a "Do Not Touch" sign in a factory safeguards workers from harm, God's boundaries are set to keep us safe from spiritual and moral dangers. His holiness demands respect, and we must approach Him with reverence, understanding that His boundaries are for our good. Ignoring these boundaries can lead to spiritual peril, but adhering to them brings us closer to His divine presence. [03:03]

Exodus 19:12-13 (ESV): "And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain."

Reflection: Think of a specific commandment or boundary God has set that you find challenging to follow. How can you better understand and respect this boundary as a measure for your safety and well-being?

Day 2: The Holiness of God

The encounter of Moses with God in the burning bush (Exodus 3) underscores the holiness of God. Moses had to remove his shoes to stand on holy ground, symbolizing the need for purity and reverence when approaching God. This teaches us that we cannot approach God on our own terms but must respect His divine holiness. God's holiness is not just an abstract concept but a reality that demands our utmost respect and reverence. [09:13]

Exodus 3:5 (ESV): "Then he said, ‘Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’"

Reflection: Consider a time when you felt the presence of God in a profound way. How did you respond, and what can you do to cultivate a deeper sense of reverence for His holiness in your daily life?

Day 3: The New Covenant Through Jesus

Unlike the Old Testament, where approaching God was dangerous, the New Covenant through Jesus allows us to come boldly to God. Jesus' sacrifice has made it possible for us to have a direct relationship with God, free from fear and full of grace. This new relationship is a cause for celebration and gratitude, as it transforms our approach to God from one of fear to one of love and confidence. [16:05]

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV): "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Reflection: Reflect on how Jesus' sacrifice has changed your relationship with God. What steps can you take to approach God more confidently and gratefully in your daily prayers and actions?

Day 4: The Glory of Jesus

Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain (Matthew 17) reveals His divine glory. This glory is not just a future hope but a present reality that we can experience. When we encounter Jesus, we are filled with a desire to remain in His presence, reflecting His glory in our lives. This encounter with His glory should inspire us to live in a way that honors and reflects His divine nature. [34:29]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: Think about a recent moment when you felt particularly close to Jesus. How can you carry that sense of His glory into your everyday interactions and decisions?

Day 5: Celebrating the Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper is a celebration of Jesus' sacrifice and His glorious resurrection. It is a reminder that we have been granted access to God through Jesus. As we partake, we are called to reflect on His holiness, honor His sacrifice, and live in a way that glorifies Him. This sacred act is not just a ritual but a profound expression of our faith and gratitude for the grace we have received. [36:02]

1 Corinthians 11:26 (ESV): "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Reflection: As you prepare to partake in the Lord's Supper, take a moment to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice. How can you honor His sacrifice in your daily life, and what changes can you make to live more fully in His grace and glory?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the profound truth that Jesus Christ is glorious. We began by reflecting on a personal anecdote from my time working in a factory, where a "Do Not Touch" sign served as a metaphor for the boundaries God sets for our safety. This led us to Exodus 3, where Moses encounters God in the burning bush. The holiness of God was emphasized, highlighting that we cannot approach Him on our own terms but must respect His divine boundaries.

We then transitioned to the significance of the Lord's Supper, a sacred act that reminds us of Jesus' sacrifice and His glorious resurrection. Through Jesus, we no longer need to fear approaching God. His sacrifice has opened the way for us to confidently come before God, sharing in His grace and love. This is a stark contrast to the Old Testament, where approaching God was fraught with danger due to His holiness.

We explored the concept of glory, which in the Old Testament context means the highest honor, majesty, and splendor, but also carries an undertone of heaviness. This heaviness is a reminder of God's holiness and the reverence we must have when approaching Him. We looked at various scriptures, including Exodus 19 and 34, to understand the gravity of God's holiness and the special access granted to Moses.

The sermon also touched on the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ, which allows us to approach God with confidence. Unlike the Israelites who feared God's presence, we can now come boldly to the throne of grace because of Jesus' sacrifice. This is a cause for celebration, as we remember His death, burial, and resurrection through the Lord's Supper.

In conclusion, we are reminded that Jesus is glorious, and this glory should inspire us to give Him the highest honor and praise. As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we celebrate the access we have to God through Jesus, and we are encouraged to live in a way that reflects His glory.

###

Key Takeaways

1. God's Boundaries for Our Safety: Just as the "Do Not Touch" sign in the factory was for safety, God's commandments are for our protection. His holiness demands respect, and we must approach Him with reverence, understanding that His boundaries are for our good. [03:03]
2. The Holiness of God: The encounter of Moses with God in the burning bush (Exodus 3) underscores the holiness of God. Moses had to remove his shoes to stand on holy ground, symbolizing the need for purity and reverence when approaching God. This teaches us that we cannot approach God on our own terms but must respect His divine holiness. [09:13]
3. The New Covenant Through Jesus: Unlike the Old Testament, where approaching God was dangerous, the New Covenant through Jesus allows us to come boldly to God. Jesus' sacrifice has made it possible for us to have a direct relationship with God, free from fear and full of grace. [16:05]
4. The Glory of Jesus: Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain (Matthew 17) reveals His divine glory. This glory is not just a future hope but a present reality that we can experience. When we encounter Jesus, we are filled with a desire to remain in His presence, reflecting His glory in our lives. [34:29]
5. Celebrating the Lord's Supper: The Lord's Supper is a celebration of Jesus' sacrifice and His glorious resurrection. It is a reminder that we have been granted access to God through Jesus. As we partake, we are called to reflect on His holiness, honor His sacrifice, and live in a way that glorifies Him. [36:02]
### [36:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:43] - Personal Anecdote: The Factory Sign
[03:03] - The Danger of Ignoring God's Boundaries
[04:22] - Jesus' Glorious Light
[05:49] - The Significance of the Lord's Supper
[07:32] - Defining Glory and Holiness
[09:13] - Moses and the Burning Bush
[11:12] - Special Access to God
[12:48] - God's Awareness of Our Sorrows
[14:24] - The Importance of Obedience
[16:05] - The New Covenant Through Jesus
[17:49] - Preparing to Meet God
[19:28] - The Fear of God's Presence
[21:04] - The Consequences of Disobedience
[22:16] - The Golden Calf Incident
[23:59] - God's Merciful Nature
[25:54] - Reflecting on God's Holiness
[27:32] - The Glory of Jesus' Salvation Plan
[29:13] - Confessing and Repenting
[31:10] - The Importance of the Lord's Supper
[32:52] - The Disappointment of Secular Achievements
[34:29] - Jesus' Transfiguration
[36:02] - Celebrating the Lord's Supper
[37:36] - Jesus is Glorious
[39:05] - Reading from Luke 22
[42:11] - Invitation to the Lord's Supper
[43:02] - Confession and Forgiveness
[47:21] - Closing Prayer and Song

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the significance of Moses removing his shoes when he approached the burning bush? ([09:13])
How does the transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17 reveal His divine glory? ([34:29])
According to Hebrews 4:16, what attitude should we have when approaching God's throne?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God set boundaries for Moses at the burning bush, and what does this teach us about God's holiness? ([09:13])
How does the transfiguration event in Matthew 17 help us understand the present reality of Jesus' glory? ([34:29])
What does it mean to come "boldly unto the throne of grace" as mentioned in Hebrews 4:16, and how does this contrast with the Old Testament approach to God? ([36:02])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt tempted to ignore a boundary set by God. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? ([03:03])
How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence for God's holiness in your daily life? ([09:13])
In what ways can you celebrate and remember Jesus' sacrifice more meaningfully during the Lord's Supper? ([36:02])
How does understanding Jesus' glory impact your daily walk with Him? What practical steps can you take to reflect His glory in your life? ([34:29])
Think about a specific area in your life where you need to approach God with more confidence. What steps can you take this week to boldly come before His throne of grace? ([36:02])
How can you share the message of Jesus' glory and the access we have to God through Him with someone in your life this week? ([37:36])
Reflect on the concept of God's boundaries being for our safety. How can you better align your actions with this understanding in your personal and spiritual life? ([03:03])

Sermon Clips

1. "And really in the scriptures, we find out that we can't do whatever we want. And the Lord makes it very clear over and over again in the scriptures, there are certain things that we just should not touch for our own safety. There's a famous one with the, the, the arc of the covenant when Uzziah stretched out his hands and he lost his life. But the Lord does that for our safety. And it's because God is holy and we are not." [03:03] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And whenever sin or sinners are in it, meet the holy, the sinner is destroyed until Jesus, until Jesus walked this earth, until Jesus came, until he was lifted up on the cross. And the thing I want us to go away with this morning is to understand that the Lord Jesus Christ is glorious. He is glorious." [04:22] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Through Jesus you and I if we're a believer in Christ here this morning we no longer need to fear approaching God we no longer need to fear approaching God like the Israelites did we are now in communion with him we we now can remember the sacrifice of Christ he has now opened the way for you and I as believers in Christ to confidently go to God we can go there boldly it says we can go there and share his grace and share his love and that the Lord's Supper just reminds us of that." [05:49] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So the Lord Jesus is glorious just before we open up the scriptures just before we open up the the words of life those beautiful words of life just I'm just going to quickly define the word glory you know in the English glory comes from the Latin but in this Old Testament setting the word here means the sense here is the highest honor the Majesty the splendor but also it has this undertone of heaviness and that's where the Holy comes in so the reminder that Jesus Christ is glorious." [07:32] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So even this morning when we think that I cannot approach the holy God he's saying yes you can I know all your sorrows I know the tough week that you've had I know everything I know all about it and I'm trying to allow you to come and be with me it says I hear the cry of my people that's an encouragement this morning to know that he hears our cry he says I see that you're being persecuted I see that you're being treated differently I see that you'll be treated unfairly unrighteously and he says I'm going to do something about it I'm going to come down the mountain and I will set you free." [12:48] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "But thanks be to God as a believer in Christ we know that we have the armor of God we have the robes of righteousness that God has given us that has covered us in Ephesians 6 the armor of God one of the one of them is your feet shod or fitted your that your feet are fitted with a perfect size for the preparation of the gospel of peace that's the shoes that you now wear as a believer in Christ that's the shoes that you make it possible for you to approach God." [16:05] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Because of Jesus we can go up the mountain now that's the difference because of Jesus we no more have to have fear or dread because of Jesus we can go up the mountain we have full access we need sandals we need we don't need mountain boots we need Jesus because of the cross because of the victory of Christ's resurrection you and I can now saunter up the mountain we can go up the mountain we can walk up there without any issue but not without Jesus we must receive Jesus." [27:32] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "The Lord's supper this morning reminds us it reminds us that you and I without Christ we have no access to eternal life have no access to the Lord's grace and the scripture is very clear we are saved by grace we're not saved by the Lord's supper what happens if we don't confess what happens if we don't repent what happens if we don't believe again God's word is very clear do not touch this mountain very clear because there's going to come a time when the Lord Jesus is going to descend to this earth and his feet are going to touch a mountain the mount of olives and by this time it's going to be too late he says very clearly there will be judgment but today is the day of salvation." [31:10] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "When you go up the mountain and you find Jesus at the top of the mountain you say let's stay here forever he says let's make three tabernacles peter he says I want to stay here forever I want to stay here and I want to be with you because you're glorious and that's the that's the hunger that should be inside all of us when we encounter Jesus he says I want to be with Jesus and he actually told them on the way down he said don't tell anyone but don't tell anyone what happened up here the reason that is because he hadn't had his time at the cross he hadn't rose again he wanted that to be in the perfect order." [34:29] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "So let's learn from that this morning the first thing was really God is holy the Lord is holy but the second thing was is the Lord is glorious he is worthy of all the highest honor and all the highest praise third thing he told them not to go and tell them but for you and I let's go tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere let's go and tell everybody that Jesus Christ is glorious let's do that when Jesus was born the augustus caesar was on the throne the emperor but we've just started the first month of september we just left august the word august means glorious the real augustus was not on the throne in rome it was in the manger augustus Jesus Jesus is the glorious one let that be a reminder to us this morning Jesus is the glorious only Jesus saves." [37:36] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?