God's Holiness and Our Call to Holiness
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we gather to worship our holy God and delve into His Word. We are reminded that the Bible is one cohesive story, authored by God, revealing who He is, who we are, and how we are to relate to one another. Our focus today is on Exodus 19, where God descends on Mount Sinai to speak directly to the Israelites. This event is a pivotal moment in the Exodus story, showcasing God's power, majesty, and holiness.
Three months after leaving Egypt, the Israelites have witnessed numerous miracles, including the parting of the Red Sea and manna from heaven. Now, they stand at the foot of Mount Sinai, where God descends in a dramatic display of thunder, lightning, and trumpet blasts. This awe-inspiring spectacle is meant to instill a lasting fear and reverence for God. The Israelites are instructed to consecrate themselves, but even after two days of purification, they must still stand far off from the mountain, highlighting God's ultimate holiness and their own sinfulness.
God's holiness is so profound that even touching the mountain would result in death. This is not a tyrannical warning but an act of loving kindness, protecting the Israelites from their own sinfulness. Despite their efforts to purify themselves, they remain sinful on the inside, and God's holiness demands separation from sin. Yet, God desires to draw His people near, and this is ultimately fulfilled through Jesus Christ. Jesus, the new and better Moses, bridges the gap between God's holiness and our sinfulness, allowing us to draw near to God without fear.
Through Jesus' atoning sacrifice, we who were once far off are brought near to God. This passage in Exodus is frequently referenced in the New Testament, emphasizing its significance in God's redemptive plan. We are reminded that our salvation is secure in Christ, but we are also called to pursue holiness. Sin is a serious matter, and we must not take it lightly. Our holiness matters to God, and we are called to be a holy nation, spreading His love and gospel to the world.
In conclusion, we are reminded that the loving, gracious Jesus of the New Testament is also the powerful, holy God of the mountain. He calls us to be holy as He is holy, and He promises to lead us in this journey. Let us seek Him with all our hearts, knowing that He is good and He is our King.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Bible as One Cohesive Story: The Bible is not a collection of random stories but a single, cohesive narrative authored by God. It reveals who He is, who we are, and how we are to relate to one another. This understanding should inspire us to seek God in every passage of Scripture, looking for His teachings and guidance. [04:03]
2. God's Holiness and Our Sinfulness: God's descent on Mount Sinai in Exodus 19 is a vivid display of His holiness and power. The Israelites' need to consecrate themselves and still stand far off highlights the profound gap between God's holiness and our sinfulness. This event teaches us the seriousness of sin and the necessity of purification to draw near to God. [09:32]
3. Jesus as the Bridge: Jesus Christ is the new and better Moses who bridges the gap between God's holiness and our sinfulness. Through His atoning sacrifice, we who were once far off are brought near to God. This fulfillment of God's redemptive plan allows us to draw near to Him without fear, emphasizing the significance of Jesus' role in our salvation. [29:28]
4. The Call to Holiness: Our salvation in Christ does not mean we can live as we please. We are called to pursue holiness, reflecting God's own holiness. Sin is a life-destroying cancer, and we must take it seriously, seeking God's guidance to purify our hearts and lives. Our holiness matters to God, and we are called to be a holy nation, spreading His love and gospel. [34:28]
5. God's Dual Nature: The loving, gracious Jesus of the New Testament is also the powerful, holy God of the mountain. This dual nature of God reminds us that He is both approachable and awe-inspiring. We must seek Him with reverence and love, knowing that He is good and He is our King. This understanding should inspire us to live lives of holiness and devotion. [38:42]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[04:03] - The Bible as One Cohesive Story
[05:11] - God's Descent on Mount Sinai
[06:19] - Setting the Stage: Three Months After Egypt
[07:15] - The Main Event: God Speaks to His People
[08:04] - The Importance of This Passage
[08:55] - Encountering the Living God
[09:32] - The Awe-Inspiring Spectacle
[10:10] - Jesus in the Old Testament
[10:49] - God's Power and Majesty
[11:29] - No Comparison to Earthly Power
[12:29] - The People's Fear and Trembling
[13:08] - Personal Story: Experiencing a Storm
[18:22] - The Frightening Power of God
[19:56] - God's Ultimate Holiness
[20:51] - Consecration and Separation
[22:29] - God's Loving Warnings
[23:08] - The Ticklish Feet Analogy
[25:07] - Protecting the Israelites from Themselves
[25:49] - God's Purpose: Purification and Refinement
[27:12] - The Call to Be a Holy Nation
[28:49] - God's Determination to Draw Us Near
[29:28] - Jesus: The New and Better Moses
[30:23] - Drawing Near Through Christ
[31:03] - Confidence in Our High Priest
[32:24] - Remembering God's Salvation
[33:11] - The Call to Holiness
[34:28] - The Seriousness of Sin
[35:55] - The Life-Destroying Nature of Sin
[36:37] - The Consequences of Deliberate Sin
[38:00] - Surrendering to Christ
[38:42] - God's Dual Nature
[39:24] - C.S. Lewis: Aslan and Jesus
[39:59] - Seeking the King
[40:50] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 19:16-25 - "On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. And the Lord said to Moses, 'Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the Lord to look and many of them perish. Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, lest the Lord break out against them.' And Moses said to the Lord, 'The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, "Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it."' And the Lord said to him, 'Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, lest he break out against them.' So Moses went down to the people and told them."
2. Ephesians 2:13 - "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."
3. Hebrews 12:18-24 - "For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, 'If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.' Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, 'I tremble with fear.' But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel."
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the physical manifestations of God's presence on Mount Sinai as described in Exodus 19:16-19? ([04:03])
2. How did the Israelites react to God's descent on Mount Sinai, and what instructions were they given? ([05:11])
3. According to Ephesians 2:13, what has brought those who were once far off near to God?
4. In Hebrews 12:18-24, how is the experience of approaching God through Jesus contrasted with the experience of the Israelites at Mount Sinai?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the dramatic display of God's power and holiness on Mount Sinai teach us about His nature? ([09:32])
2. How does Jesus' role as the mediator of a new covenant change our relationship with God compared to the Israelites' experience at Mount Sinai? ([29:28])
3. Why is it significant that God repeatedly warned the Israelites to consecrate themselves and not come near the mountain? What does this reveal about His holiness and their sinfulness? ([21:47])
4. How does the call to holiness in Leviticus 19:2 and reiterated in the sermon apply to believers today? ([34:28])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How does understanding Jesus as the bridge between God's holiness and our sinfulness change your perspective on that experience? ([29:28])
2. The Israelites were instructed to consecrate themselves before approaching God. What steps can you take in your daily life to pursue holiness and draw nearer to God? ([21:47])
3. How can you cultivate a deeper reverence for God's holiness in your personal worship and prayer life? ([09:32])
4. In what ways can you remind yourself of the seriousness of sin and its impact on your relationship with God? ([35:12])
5. The sermon emphasized that our salvation in Christ does not give us a license to live as we please. How can you actively seek to live a life that reflects God's holiness? ([34:28])
6. Think of a specific area in your life where you struggle with sin. What practical steps can you take this week to address this struggle and seek God's help in overcoming it? ([35:55])
7. How can you share the message of God's holiness and the redemptive work of Jesus with someone in your life who may not understand or appreciate it? ([38:42])
Devotional
Day 1: The Bible as One Cohesive Story
The Bible is not a collection of random stories but a single, cohesive narrative authored by God. It reveals who He is, who we are, and how we are to relate to one another. This understanding should inspire us to seek God in every passage of Scripture, looking for His teachings and guidance. The Bible's unity and coherence demonstrate God's intentionality and purpose in His revelation to humanity. By seeing the Bible as one story, we can better understand God's redemptive plan and our place within it. [04:03]
"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27, ESV)
Reflection: How can you approach your Bible reading this week with the mindset that every passage is part of a larger, cohesive story? What new insights might this perspective bring?
Day 2: God's Holiness and Our Sinfulness
God's descent on Mount Sinai in Exodus 19 is a vivid display of His holiness and power. The Israelites' need to consecrate themselves and still stand far off highlights the profound gap between God's holiness and our sinfulness. This event teaches us the seriousness of sin and the necessity of purification to draw near to God. The awe-inspiring spectacle of thunder, lightning, and trumpet blasts was meant to instill a lasting fear and reverence for God. Despite their efforts to purify themselves, the Israelites remained sinful on the inside, underscoring the need for a mediator between God and humanity. [09:32]
"Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully." (Psalm 24:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways do you recognize the seriousness of sin in your own life? How can you actively seek purification and holiness in your daily walk with God?
Day 3: Jesus as the Bridge
Jesus Christ is the new and better Moses who bridges the gap between God's holiness and our sinfulness. Through His atoning sacrifice, we who were once far off are brought near to God. This fulfillment of God's redemptive plan allows us to draw near to Him without fear, emphasizing the significance of Jesus' role in our salvation. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross reconciles us to God, making it possible for us to approach Him with confidence and assurance. This profound truth should fill us with gratitude and inspire us to live lives that honor Him. [29:28]
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time." (1 Timothy 2:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as the bridge between God's holiness and our sinfulness impact your relationship with Him? What steps can you take to draw nearer to God through Christ today?
Day 4: The Call to Holiness
Our salvation in Christ does not mean we can live as we please. We are called to pursue holiness, reflecting God's own holiness. Sin is a life-destroying cancer, and we must take it seriously, seeking God's guidance to purify our hearts and lives. Our holiness matters to God, and we are called to be a holy nation, spreading His love and gospel. This call to holiness is a continuous journey of transformation, requiring us to be vigilant and intentional in our spiritual growth. [34:28]
"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:14-16, ESV)
Reflection: What specific areas of your life need to be surrendered to God's call for holiness? How can you actively pursue holiness in your thoughts, actions, and relationships this week?
Day 5: God's Dual Nature
The loving, gracious Jesus of the New Testament is also the powerful, holy God of the mountain. This dual nature of God reminds us that He is both approachable and awe-inspiring. We must seek Him with reverence and love, knowing that He is good and He is our King. This understanding should inspire us to live lives of holiness and devotion. Recognizing God's dual nature helps us balance our relationship with Him, approaching Him with both confidence and humility. [38:42]
"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe in your worship and daily life? What practical steps can you take to honor both God's love and His holiness?
Quotes
1. "So to set the stage for where we are in this Exodus story, we're roughly three months into their journey after they've left Egypt. And in that short time, they've seen God part the Red Sea so that they can cross in dry land. He's defeated the entire Egyptian army in front of their very eyes with one fell sloop closing the sea on top of them. He's given them water when there was none twice. He's given them bread and meat from heaven to eat. And he's gone before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. Now, I don't know about you, but that sounds like a pretty eventful, 90 days." [07:15] (45 seconds)
2. "But here in chapter 19, we're coming to the main event, the big hurrah of all of the Exodus story. This is when God himself is coming down onto Mount Sinai to speak directly to the people for all to hear. And for the next 21 chapters, the entire rest of the book of Exodus, they are going to be camped at the base of this mountain with God speaking to them and telling them how he expects them to live. In the promised land that he is leading them to. So this is a big deal. God is about to reveal himself and his plans for his people for all eternity." [08:04] (44 seconds)
3. "And it's in this passage that we get one of the most vivid pictures in all of scripture of who God is and how he is and what he is like. Here we have an account of what it is like to encounter the living God in person. And we see on full display his power and his majesty and his authority. And we even get a glimpse of his wrath in this description of him coming. Coming down." [08:55] (32 seconds)
4. "So even in, in light of all of the other miraculous things that we've said that Israel had already seen from God up to this point, this would have been an awe-inspiring, almost unbelievable spectacle that they were witnessing in front of them. And if you remember, as I talked about the last time I was here, in scripture, in the Old Testament, any time we see God referred to as the Lord, most scholars agree that this is referring to Jesus before he came, in flesh, as a man. This is the Son of God, the King of all, the King and Creator of all creation, descending onto this mountain to deliver his law to his people in his own voice and to write it in stone with his own finger." [10:10] (52 seconds)
5. "He is coming down in such a dramatic way, specifically so that the people of Israel will see and hear and feel his power and remember it forever, as he told Moses in verse 9. He is coming to them so that we, today, will still be talking about this event this many thousands of years later. This is God in all the glory, of what he wants to be known as. And when we think of a ruler wanting to arrive in power, we may think of a large military parade going before them and all the regalia and them speaking on a loud PA system so that they can address the people." [10:49] (49 seconds)
6. "So from these verses we learn what it truly means when we say that God is holy in the Bible holy means to be set apart or or separate specifically separate from sin and holy means to be pure and clean from blemish so therefore God's ultimate. Ultimate holiness means that when he came down, he cannot even be in the proximity of sin. Because of his nature being the very definition of holiness, he has no choice but to eradicate anything around him that isn't holy from his presence." [19:56] (38 seconds)
7. "So when God instructs Moses to tell the people to consecrate and clean themselves for two days, just to be able to come stand near the mountain, not on the mountain, not touch the mountain, just to stand near the mountain, he is declaring his holiness and his separateness from them and particularly from their sin. He's so holy that even to touch the mountain that he is standing at the top of from the base for any man, woman, or child, or animal would have been death. But even two full days of ceremonial cleansing and purification are insufficient to allow them to be near his presence." [20:51] (48 seconds)
8. "So God took it upon himself to bear their sin when they could not. And he took on flesh and came to earth as a man, a man named Jesus, and he lived the life that not one of his people could live on their own in order to satisfy his own demand for holiness. His Son came and took their and our sin onto his own flesh to bear the burden of the penalty of that sin. And the Father then poured out all of his wrath for sin onto Jesus in order to make a way to bring his people near to himself." [29:28] (40 seconds)
9. "Because of Jesus' atoning sacrifice for sin, we too, who were once far off, can now draw near to him without fear. Referring to this very passage again in this passage in Exodus, in Hebrews 12, it says, For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire, and a darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given. If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned. Indeed, anything so terrifying was the sight that Moses, indeed so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, I tremble with fear. But you have come to Jesus, the mediator, the priest of a new covenant." [30:23] (53 seconds)
10. "The loving, gracious, approachable Jesus of the New Testament is also still the God of the mountain. Like I said, this is one story. It's not two different gods. He is both one and the same, all at the same time. One of my favorite writings that conveys, you know, I think very clearly, how God relates to us and how we relate to him comes from C.S. Lewis in his book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. And when the children of Narnia are hearing for the first time from Mr. and Mrs. Beaver that Aslan, who, if you're unfamiliar with the story, represents Jesus, is coming and that they're going to meet him." [38:42] (51 seconds)
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