Encountering God's Mercy: The Heart of Faith

 

Summary

In reflecting on the profound encounter between Moses and God on Mount Sinai, we are reminded of the awe-inspiring nature of God's character. Moses, ascending a mountain engulfed in fire and smoke, sought to know God more intimately. His desire was not just to witness God's power but to understand His ways, to be pleasing to Him. This moment is pivotal because Moses did not have the benefit of thousands of years of history or scripture to guide him. He was stepping into the unknown, seeking a revelation of who God truly is.

When God revealed Himself to Moses, He could have chosen to emphasize His wrath or the impossibility of appeasing Him. Instead, God declared Himself as merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. This revelation was not just for Moses but for all the people waiting at the base of the mountain, burdened by their sins and longing for hope. The message that God is merciful and gracious was, and still is, the greatest news for our souls.

This understanding of God's nature is foundational to our faith. It is why we gather, why we worship, and why we are filled with hope. God's mercy and grace are not just attributes; they are His very nature. He delights in forgiving and giving generously, not because we have earned it, but because it is who He is. Ephesians 2:7 speaks of the immeasurable riches of His grace and kindness, a promise that extends into the coming ages. God desires to display His grace through us, showcasing His kindness and love.

As we reflect on this, we are invited to respond with gratitude and awe. We are reminded that our Creator is not distant or wrathful but is intimately involved in our lives, eager to pour out His grace and mercy. This is the good news that Moses brought down from the mountain, and it remains the good news we celebrate today.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Courage of Seeking God: Moses' ascent into the fiery mountain symbolizes the courage required to seek God earnestly. Despite the fearsome display of power, Moses' heart was set on knowing God and His ways. This teaches us that true intimacy with God often requires stepping into the unknown, driven by a desire to understand and please Him. [00:11]

2. God's Self-Revelation: When God revealed Himself to Moses, He chose to emphasize His mercy, grace, and steadfast love. This self-revelation is crucial because it defines God's nature as one who is eager to forgive and bless, rather than condemn. Understanding this aspect of God transforms our relationship with Him, filling us with hope and gratitude. [02:32]

3. The Greatest News for Our Souls: The declaration of God's mercy and grace is the greatest news for humanity. It assures us that despite our sins, God is not angry but is overflowing with love and faithfulness. This message is a source of profound comfort and joy, reminding us of the depth of God's love for us. [03:12]

4. God's Nature of Grace: God's grace is not just an action but His very nature. He loves to give generously, beyond what we deserve. This understanding invites us to approach God with confidence, knowing that His heart is inclined towards blessing and kindness. [04:10]

5. The Immeasurable Riches of Grace: Ephesians 2:7 speaks of God's desire to display the immeasurable riches of His grace in the coming ages. This promise assures us that God's grace is not limited but is abundant and eternal. It encourages us to live with an expectation of God's continued kindness and favor. [04:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Moses' Ascent into the Fiery Mountain
- [00:33] - The Fearsome Display of God's Power
- [00:52] - Moses' Desire to Know God
- [01:26] - The Anticipation of God's Message
- [01:58] - God's Self-Revelation to Moses
- [02:32] - The Declaration of God's Mercy and Grace
- [03:12] - The Greatest News for Humanity
- [03:34] - Understanding God's Nature
- [03:55] - God's Rich Mercy and Love
- [04:10] - The Nature of God's Grace
- [04:26] - Ephesians 2:7 and God's Immeasurable Grace
- [05:01] - God's Desire to Display His Grace
- [05:16] - The Good News We Celebrate
- [05:38] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Exodus 34:6-7
- Ephesians 2:7

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the setting and atmosphere when Moses ascended Mount Sinai to meet with God? How did the environment reflect the seriousness of the encounter? [00:11]

2. How did God choose to describe Himself to Moses, and why is this significant for the people waiting at the base of the mountain? [02:32]

3. What emotions might the Israelites have felt when they heard Moses' report of God's character? [02:53]

4. According to the sermon, what is the nature of God's grace as described in Ephesians 2:7? [04:42]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might God have chosen to reveal His nature as merciful and gracious rather than focusing on His wrath or judgment? How does this shape our understanding of His character? [02:13]

2. How does the revelation of God's character in Exodus 34:6-7 provide hope and comfort to believers today, just as it did for the Israelites? [03:12]

3. In what ways does the concept of God's "immeasurable riches of grace" challenge or affirm your current understanding of His generosity and kindness? [04:42]

4. How does the sermon suggest that God's self-revelation to Moses impacts our relationship with Him and our approach to worship? [03:34]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How can the understanding of His merciful and gracious nature encourage you to seek Him more earnestly? [01:07]

2. Moses showed great courage in seeking to know God more intimately. What steps can you take this week to step into the unknown and deepen your relationship with God? [00:11]

3. How can you remind yourself daily of God's steadfast love and faithfulness, especially during challenging times? What practical steps can you take to keep this truth at the forefront of your mind? [03:12]

4. Consider the ways in which you have experienced God's grace in your life. How can you share this testimony with others to encourage them in their faith journey? [04:10]

5. The sermon emphasizes God's desire to display His grace through us. What specific actions can you take to reflect God's kindness and love in your community this week? [05:01]

6. How can the understanding of God's character as described in Exodus 34:6-7 influence your interactions with others, especially those who may not share your faith? [02:32]

7. In what ways can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and awe in response to God's mercy and grace? Consider setting aside time each day for reflection and thanksgiving. [05:16]

Devotional

Day 1: Courage in Seeking the Divine
Moses' journey up Mount Sinai is a profound example of the courage required to seek God earnestly. Despite the terrifying display of fire and smoke, Moses was driven by a deep desire to know God and understand His ways. This act of courage teaches us that true intimacy with God often requires stepping into the unknown, driven by a desire to understand and please Him. Moses did not have the benefit of scripture or history to guide him; he was stepping into uncharted territory, seeking a revelation of who God truly is. His ascent into the fiery mountain symbolizes the courage required to seek God earnestly, even when it means facing fearsome displays of power. [00:11]

Exodus 24:15-16 (ESV): "Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to step into the unknown? How can you take a step of faith today to seek Him more earnestly?


Day 2: The Revelation of God's Character
When God revealed Himself to Moses, He chose to emphasize His mercy, grace, and steadfast love. This self-revelation is crucial because it defines God's nature as one who is eager to forgive and bless, rather than condemn. Understanding this aspect of God transforms our relationship with Him, filling us with hope and gratitude. God's declaration of His character was not just for Moses but for all the people waiting at the base of the mountain, burdened by their sins and longing for hope. This revelation assures us that God is not distant or wrathful but is intimately involved in our lives, eager to pour out His grace and mercy. [02:32]

Exodus 34:6-7 (ESV): "The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.'"

Reflection: How does understanding God's nature as merciful and gracious change the way you approach Him in prayer and worship today?


Day 3: The Greatest News for Humanity
The declaration of God's mercy and grace is the greatest news for humanity. It assures us that despite our sins, God is not angry but is overflowing with love and faithfulness. This message is a source of profound comfort and joy, reminding us of the depth of God's love for us. The people at the base of the mountain, burdened by their sins, were longing for hope, and the message that God is merciful and gracious was, and still is, the greatest news for our souls. This understanding of God's nature is foundational to our faith and is why we gather, worship, and are filled with hope. [03:12]

Micah 7:18-19 (ESV): "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt burdened by your sins. How can the assurance of God's mercy and grace bring you comfort and joy today?


Day 4: The Nature of God's Grace
God's grace is not just an action but His very nature. He loves to give generously, beyond what we deserve. This understanding invites us to approach God with confidence, knowing that His heart is inclined towards blessing and kindness. Ephesians 2:7 speaks of the immeasurable riches of His grace and kindness, a promise that extends into the coming ages. God desires to display His grace through us, showcasing His kindness and love. This understanding of God's nature encourages us to live with an expectation of His continued kindness and favor. [04:10]

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

Reflection: In what ways can you reflect God's generous grace to those around you today? How can you be a vessel of His kindness and love?


Day 5: The Immeasurable Riches of Grace
Ephesians 2:7 speaks of God's desire to display the immeasurable riches of His grace in the coming ages. This promise assures us that God's grace is not limited but is abundant and eternal. It encourages us to live with an expectation of God's continued kindness and favor. God's grace is not just a one-time gift but an ongoing reality that He desires to display through us. This understanding invites us to live with a sense of anticipation, knowing that God's grace is always at work in our lives, shaping us and drawing us closer to Him. [04:42]

Ephesians 2:6-7 (ESV): "And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of expectation for God's grace in your life today? What steps can you take to be more aware of His ongoing work in and through you?

Quotes


and I mean if I we watched Michael walk up a mountain that was a blaze you would just think it's it's done it's over right you just no seriously any human being walking into something like that not an ordinary fire I mean the whole thing is filled with smoke it's it's shaking you know every time Moses would say something God would respond and thunder and so he's walking up there and and and and you gotta understand then Moses heart right it's like I want to know you Lord I want to I want to see you I want to know your ways so that I can so I can be pleasing to you [00:25:56]

and so you know you see those movies where they're like I don't know what this how to appease our gods or what you know those those types of things and so here's this man walking into a fire it's like what did that God say what did he say because well he put me in this this this this rock this thing and he kind of hit me and then he passed before me and and here's what he could have said anything he could have said God is so so angry at our sin and then there's nothing we can do to appease him I mean this is God what are you gonna you cannot you can't argue [01:04:82]

but to come back down the mountain and he said Yahweh Yahweh a god merciful and gracious slow to anger abounding and steadfast love and faithfulness I mean can you imagine being at the bottom of the hill knowing all of your sins and you're waiting okay what did he say what did he say he goes he's the god that's merciful and he says he's he's gracious and he's slow to anger and he's abounding like overflowing instead fast love and faithfulness can you imagine hearing that just going yes that is the greatest news our Soulful and gracious [02:49:87]

this is who he tells us he is that's why we're in this room he's going do you understand I I am merciful I'm rich in Mercy God being rich in Mercy because of his great love with which he loved us and God says my nature is that I want to forgive oh that's the greatest news he says my nature is that I am gracious that's why we came here tonight because we go oh God you are gracious you are gracious like you just love to give things that we didn't earn like that's that's my character who you are this is your heart is you're a gracious God [03:18:04]

Ephesians 2 7 it says so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable Riches of his grace and kindness toward us so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable think about this immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us this is this God he goes you know what I want to do I want to take someone like Francis and in the coming ages I want to show off I want to display I told Moses I'm a gracious God but in the coming ages I want to display the immeasurable Riches of my grace and kindness toward him in Christ Jesus [04:50:50]

that's who our God is that's who your creator is that was the good news then Moses came down with and so we come here to tell God this is unreal we cannot believe we have it this good that our God is merciful and gracious and slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and kindness [05:20:04]

and I was picturing that scene and I I didn't realize that the song was you know Exodus 33 34 and and I've been looking at that and and and and it always it struck me as as Moses went up into that mountain right and I mean you go back to Exodus 19 and it's on fire and he's walking into a fire [00:00:00]

and then there's nothing we can do to appease him I mean this is God what are you gonna you cannot you can't argue but to come back down the mountain and he said Yahweh Yahweh a god merciful and gracious slow to anger abounding and steadfast love and faithfulness I mean can you imagine being at the bottom of the hill knowing all of your sins and you're waiting okay what did he say what did he say he goes he's the god that's merciful and he says he's he's gracious and he's slow to anger and he's abounding like overflowing instead fast love and faithfulness can you imagine hearing that just going yes that is the greatest news our Soulful and gracious [02:49:87]

this is who he tells us he is that's why we're in this room he's going do you understand I I am merciful I'm rich in Mercy God being rich in Mercy because of his great love with which he loved us and God says my nature is that I want to forgive oh that's the greatest news he says my nature is that I am gracious that's why we came here tonight because we go oh God you are gracious you are gracious like you just love to give things that we didn't earn like that's that's my character who you are this is your heart is you're a gracious God [03:18:04]

Ephesians 2 7 it says so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable Riches of his grace and kindness toward us so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable think about this immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us this is this God he goes you know what I want to do I want to take someone like Francis and in the coming ages I want to show off I want to display I told Moses I'm a gracious God but in the coming ages I want to display the immeasurable Riches of my grace and kindness toward him in Christ Jesus [04:50:50]

that's who our God is that's who your creator is that was the good news then Moses came down with and so we come here to tell God this is unreal we cannot believe we have it this good that our God is merciful and gracious and slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and kindness [05:20:04]

and I was picturing that scene and I I didn't realize that the song was you know Exodus 33 34 and and I've been looking at that and and and and it always it struck me as as Moses went up into that mountain right and I mean you go back to Exodus 19 and it's on fire and he's walking into a fire [00:00:00]

and then there's nothing we can do to appease him I mean this is God what are you gonna you cannot you can't argue but to come back down the mountain and he said Yahweh Yahweh a god merciful and gracious slow to anger abounding and steadfast love and faithfulness I mean can you imagine being at the bottom of the hill knowing all of your sins and you're waiting okay what did he say what did he say he goes he's the god that's merciful and he says he's he's gracious and he's slow to anger and he's abounding like overflowing instead fast love and faithfulness can you imagine hearing that just going yes that is the greatest news our Soulful and gracious [02:49:87]

this is who he tells us he is that's why we're in this room he's going do you understand I I am merciful I'm rich in Mercy God being rich in Mercy because of his great love with which he loved us and God says my nature is that I want to forgive oh that's the greatest news he says my nature is that I am gracious that's why we came here tonight because we go oh God you are gracious you are gracious like you just love to give things that we didn't earn like that's that's my character who you are this is your heart is you're a gracious God [03:18:04]

Ephesians 2 7 it says so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable Riches of his grace and kindness toward us so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable think about this immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us this is this God he goes you know what I want to do I want to take someone like Francis and in the coming ages I want to show off I want to display I told Moses I'm a gracious God but in the coming ages I want to display the immeasurable Riches of my grace and kindness toward him in Christ Jesus [04:50:50]

that's who our God is that's who your creator is that was the good news then Moses came down with and so we come here to tell God this is unreal we cannot believe we have it this good that our God is merciful and gracious and slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and kindness [05:20:04]

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Transcript
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