August 28, 2022
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

Exodus 19:7-15
So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord. And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord, 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.” So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments. And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”

God comes to us in mercy and we must not come to Him carelessly

I. God Reveals Himself in Mystery

Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

2 Corinthians 7:1
…cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.

II. We Rely on His Mercy

James 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

III. The Mediator Makes All the Difference

Hebrews 3:12
So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.

Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Romans 5:9
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 9:15
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Next Steps

• I trust Jesus’ blood to cleanse my sin and turn to Him as my King.
• I confess that habits and attitudes have hindered my communion with God.
• I choose to worship God this week in my actions and my words.

Deep Dive

1. How does our attitude in worship impact the effectiveness of our worship?
2. Read 2 Corinthians 7:1 and discuss how and why we should consecrate our hearts in worship.
3. Read James 4:8. How can we approach God without dying? Read Romans 5:9 for a clue.

Springboard

1. Has a teacher or coach ever asked you to do something hard and you resented the task? Why?
2. How do healthy relationships impact our response to hard rules or high expectations? Why?
3. Read and discuss Proverbs 3:7-8.