Grace, Holiness, and Our Call to Purpose

Summary

Standing with the Israelites at the foot of Mount Sinai, we are reminded that God’s deliverance is not the end of the story—it is the beginning of a deeper relationship. God rescues his people not simply to set them free, but to invite them into a covenant relationship marked by holiness and purpose. Before giving the law, God first reminds the Israelites of his grace: “I carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself.” This grace is foundational; it precedes any command or expectation. Our obedience and pursuit of holiness are always a response to God’s saving love, never a prerequisite for it.

God’s call to consecration is a call to be set apart, not just from sin, but for his sacred purposes. The Israelites are invited to become a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation,” not for their own privilege, but to be a channel of God’s blessing to the world. This priestly calling is both personal and missional. We are not meant to hoard God’s grace, but to let it flow through us, transforming us and those around us. Like a water mill moved by the river, our lives are meant to be propelled by God’s grace, fueling us for his mission.

Consecration requires intentional preparation—setting aside distractions, creating boundaries, and cultivating a posture of reverence. Just as the Israelites washed and prepared themselves to meet God, we are called to prepare our hearts, minds, and bodies to encounter his presence. This might look like intentional morning routines, acts of worship, or even physical signals that remind us of God’s holiness. It is not about legalism, but about readiness to receive and reflect God’s presence.

The awe-inspiring scene at Sinai—thunder, lightning, trembling earth—reminds us that God is not casual or tame. His holiness is overwhelming, demanding reverence and humility. Yet, through Christ, the veil is torn, and we are invited to draw near with both awe and joy. God’s holiness is not a barrier, but an invitation to transformation. As a church, we are called to live as a consecrated people, reflecting God’s character and justice to the world, standing as a kingdom of priests in our city and beyond.

Key Takeaways

- Grace Always Comes First
God’s relationship with us begins with his grace, not our performance. Before any command is given, God reminds us of his saving love and deliverance. Our obedience and pursuit of holiness are always a grateful response to what God has already done, never a means to earn his favor. This foundational truth reorients our hearts from striving to gratitude. [03:38]

- Holiness Is a Call to Purpose, Not Privilege
Being set apart as God’s people is not about exclusivity or spiritual elitism. God calls us to be a “kingdom of priests,” representing his character and mediating his blessings to the world. Our consecration is for the sake of mission—so that God’s justice, mercy, and love might flow through us to others. [12:17]

- Preparation for God’s Presence Requires Intentionality
Approaching a holy God is not something to be done casually or mindlessly. Like the Israelites, we are called to prepare ourselves—setting aside distractions, creating boundaries, and cultivating reverence. Whether through prayer, worship, or daily routines, intentional acts of consecration help us become ready to encounter and reflect God’s holiness. [18:17]

- Reverent Awe Transforms Our Worship and Life
The awe and wonder of God’s holiness recalibrate our hearts, moving us from casual familiarity to deep reverence. This reverence is not about fear that drives us away, but about wonder that draws us near with humility and joy. When we recover a sense of God’s holiness, our worship becomes real, our prayers weighty, and our lives more aligned with his purposes. [29:04]

- Christ Opens the Way for a New Covenant People
Through Jesus, the ultimate priest and mediator, we are invited to draw near to God’s holy presence with confidence. The call to consecration is now fulfilled in Christ, who transforms us and sends us out as his witnesses. Our lives, set apart by grace, are meant to reflect God’s glory and justice in the world, embodying the mission of a kingdom of priests. [35:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:55] - Delivered from Egypt: Between Rescue and Responsibility
[03:38] - Grace Before Law: God’s Foundational Reminder
[05:08] - Holiness as a Response to Grace
[06:53] - Covenant Relationship Rooted in Gratitude
[08:09] - God’s Mission: Forming a Holy People
[09:37] - The Purpose of Being Set Apart
[10:51] - Israel’s Priestly Calling and Global Mission
[12:17] - The Water Mill: Grace as the Source of Mission
[14:11] - Consecration: Not for Privilege, but for Purpose
[15:41] - Preparing for God’s Presence: Boundaries and Readiness
[18:17] - Acts of Consecration in Daily Life
[22:06] - Consecration as Hospitality for God
[23:35] - Baptism and Generosity as Acts of Consecration
[26:44] - The Awe-Inspiring Encounter at Sinai
[29:04] - Reverent Awe: Responding to God’s Holiness
[35:55] - Living as a Kingdom of Priests Today
[37:48] - Responding to God’s Grace and Call

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Consecrated for God’s Presence and Mission

---

### Bible Reading

- Exodus 19:1–20 (The Israelites at Mount Sinai: God’s grace, the call to be a kingdom of priests, and the preparation for God’s holy presence)
- 1 Peter 2:9 (“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”)
- Exodus 19:4–6 (“You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”)

---

### Observation Questions

1. In Exodus 19:4, what does God remind the Israelites about before giving them any commands? ([03:38])
2. According to Exodus 19:5–6, what is the purpose of God calling Israel to be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation”? ([10:51])
3. What specific preparations did God require of the Israelites before they could approach Mount Sinai? ([15:41])
4. How does 1 Peter 2:9 describe the identity and purpose of God’s people in the New Testament?

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does God emphasize his grace (“I carried you on eagle’s wings”) before giving the law? How does this order shape the way we understand obedience and holiness? ([03:38])
2. What does it mean to be “set apart” not just from sin, but for God’s purposes? How is this different from just avoiding bad behavior? ([09:37])
3. The sermon compared God’s grace to a river that turns a water mill. What does this image teach about the source and purpose of our spiritual life and mission? ([12:17])
4. Why do you think God required such intentional preparation and boundaries before meeting with his people at Sinai? What does this say about God’s holiness and our approach to him? ([18:17])

---

### Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “Grace always comes first.” In your own spiritual life, do you find yourself trying to earn God’s favor, or do you live out of gratitude for what he’s already done? What would it look like to shift from striving to gratitude this week? ([05:08])
2. God calls his people to be a “kingdom of priests” for the sake of others, not just for their own benefit. Who in your life or community might need to experience God’s blessing through you? What is one way you could be a channel of God’s grace this week? ([12:17])
3. The Israelites had to intentionally prepare themselves to meet with God. What are some distractions or routines in your life that keep you from being ready to encounter God’s presence? Is there a specific change you could make to your morning or weekly routine to cultivate more reverence and readiness? ([18:17])
4. The sermon described acts of consecration like baptism, generosity, or physical signals (kneeling, raising hands) to prepare for God’s presence. Is there a new practice you want to try to help you focus on God’s holiness? ([23:35])
5. The awe-inspiring scene at Sinai moved the people to reverence and humility. When was the last time you felt a sense of awe or wonder in worship or prayer? What might help you recover that sense of God’s holiness? ([29:04])
6. Through Christ, the veil is torn and we are invited to draw near to God. Are there any “veils” (fears, shame, habits) in your life that keep you from approaching God with confidence? What step could you take to bring those to Jesus this week? ([35:55])
7. The sermon challenged us to live as a consecrated people, reflecting God’s character and justice in our city. What is one area of your life—work, relationships, neighborhood—where you sense God calling you to stand out as his representative? ([35:55])

---

Close in prayer, asking God to help you live as a consecrated person—set apart by grace, ready for his presence, and sent for his mission.

Devotional

Day 1: Grace Precedes Obedience

Before God gave the Israelites the law, He reminded them of His grace and deliverance, showing that obedience is always a response to His saving love, not a prerequisite for it. Just as a parent nurtures a newborn before ever introducing rules, God’s relationship with His people begins with unconditional love and rescue. Our journey with God is rooted in remembering His faithfulness and responding with gratitude, not obligation or fear. When we truly acknowledge His grace, it propels us into a deeper relationship, shaping our obedience as an act of thankfulness rather than duty. [05:08]

Exodus 19:4 (ESV)
"You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to shift from trying to earn God’s favor to simply receiving His grace with gratitude today?


Day 2: Chosen for a Purpose, Not Privilege

God chose the Israelites not because of their merit, but out of His love and mercy, calling them to be His treasured possession and a kingdom of priests—a people set apart to reflect His character and bless the world. This calling is not about status or privilege, but about being shaped by God’s ways so that others may come to know Him. Like a water mill moved by the river, we are moved by God’s grace to be a channel of His blessing, not to hoard His love but to share it. Our identity as God’s people is always tied to His mission for the world. [12:17]

Exodus 19:5-6 (ESV)
"Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."

Reflection: Who in your life or community can you intentionally bless or serve today as an expression of being part of God’s kingdom of priests?


Day 3: Consecration: Preparing to Meet a Holy God

To encounter God’s presence, the Israelites had to consecrate themselves—setting aside ordinary routines, washing, and preparing both body and spirit. Consecration means intentionally dedicating ourselves to God, creating space in our lives to welcome Him fully. Just as we prepare our homes for honored guests, we are called to prepare our hearts, minds, and even our daily routines to meet with God. This preparation is not about legalism, but about honoring God’s holiness and being ready for His transformative presence. [18:17]

Exodus 19:10-13 (ESV)
"The LORD said to Moses, 'Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 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: What is one practical way you can intentionally prepare your heart and mind to encounter God’s presence today?


Day 4: Reverent Awe in God’s Presence

The dramatic scene at Mount Sinai—thunder, lightning, smoke, and the voice of God—reveals the awe-inspiring holiness of the Lord and the seriousness with which we must approach Him. Reverent awe is not about terror, but about deep respect, wonder, and humility before God’s majesty. In a culture that treats everything as casual, recovering a sense of God’s holiness transforms our worship, prayer, and daily living. God’s holiness is not meant to push us away, but to invite us into transformation, drawing us near with both joy and reverence. [29:04]

Exodus 19:16-19 (ESV)
"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."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of awe and reverence for God in your worship or prayer today?


Day 5: Transformed to Reflect God’s Holiness to the World

God’s covenant is not just about personal relationship, but about being transformed by His holiness and sent out as a movement of grace and love to the world. Through Christ, we have access to God’s holy presence, and we are called to live as a royal priesthood—reflecting His glory, justice, and goodness in our city and beyond. Our consecration is for the sake of God’s mission, to intercede for others, pursue justice, and declare His praises. The invitation is to lay down whatever hinders us, receive God’s grace, and be set apart for His purposes, so that the world may see His character through us. [35:55]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: What is one area of your life you need to surrender or set apart today so that you can more fully reflect God’s holiness and love to those around you?

Quotes

Obedience to the Lord, it grows out of gratitude, not fear. Grace precedes holiness and obedience. Before God gives any commands, he reminds the Israelites that he brought them out on eagle's wings. So holiness and obedience is always a response to God's saving grace, never a requirement to earn it. [00:05:01] (00:00:27 seconds) Edit Clip

God wanted to remind the Israelites that they were rescued for a relationship with him, not just for for the sake of being free to now go live their independence or autonomous lives, doing whatever they feel like doing. The same message is true for us today. God's grace is given freely to you. You are saved from the penalty of death because of God's unconditional love. And this is not because of anything that you have done to earn it. It's simply because of God's grace, period. [00:06:08] (00:00:38 seconds) Edit Clip

God knew that no nation on earth was good enough to deserve to be called his people, his special treasure. He chose the Israelites not because of anything that they had done, but in his love and mercy, he chose them in spite of anything that they had done, in spite of the wrong that they would do or continue to do. [00:09:37] (00:00:25 seconds) Edit Clip

God's covenant is not just personal, it's missional. God's covenant with his people, it isn't just a personal relationship with the Lord. That must be where things begin, but God's covenant is ultimately about being on mission with God, being a movement for God's kingdom purpose and his values. That's what being a kingdom of priests is all about. [00:12:11] (00:00:29 seconds) Edit Clip

In the same way, God's grace is the source. Just like the river, it flows first. We don't make the water come. We don't earn it. But when we are rooted in the flow of that river of grace, when we allow God's grace to pour out over us, it begins to turn something inside of us. It moves us. It sets us in motion, not for ourselves, but for the world. [00:13:28] (00:00:32 seconds) Edit Clip

The awe and the wonder of God at Mount Sinai, it teaches us that our God is not casual. He's not safe or tame. He's holy. Holiness demands boundaries. Not to exclude, but to protect. God's holiness, it isn't a threat. It's an invitation to transformation. We are invited to be close to the Lord, but not without preparation. [00:30:22] (00:00:30 seconds) Edit Clip