Substitute Sacrifices

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This sermon comes from 1 Samuel 15 regarding the story of Saul's battle against the Amalekites in which he spared the best of the animals to bring back and sacrifice to God. Samuel rebukes him by telling him that sacrifices cannot take the place of obedience to God's commands. The message suggests some of the ways people offer God something other than obedience to His Word.

Written Excerpts:

1 Samuel 15:22 ^(NKJV) So Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

Introduction:

Does anyone remember when you were a child or teenager your father/mother either asked you or told you to do something you didn’t really want to do? Rather than do what you were asked to do, you decided to do something else instead. Maybe you reasoned, this other job/task is much more pleasant and they really like that too, so it will be better anyway. I’ll be happier and they will be happy! Or, maybe one of your own children tried that approach a time or two.

So… How did that work out? If your parents were anything like mine, the other job, which I did instead of the one they told me to do, did not accomplish what I had hoped it would! In fact, the only thing my little scheme accomplished was to prolong the amount of time to get the original job done that I was told to do. If I had just done what I was told, I would have been done with it and on my “merry way” long before I was.

Well, that little illustration relates to the story in our Scripture lesson today.

Earlier in the chapter, the prophet Samuel told King Saul that God was ordering the total destruction of the Amalekites. Why? Because they had fought against the people of Israel when they were traveling from Egypt to Canaan. Even after the Israelites settled in Canaan, the people of Amalek repeatedly fought against the Israelites. (Recorded in the book of Judges.)

Exodus 17:14-16 ^(NKJV) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven." ¹⁵ And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner; ¹⁶ for he said, "Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."

Deuteronomy 25:17-19 ^(NKJV) "Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, ¹⁸ how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God. ¹⁹ Therefore it shall be, when the LORD your God has given you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget.

When God says something is going to take place, it doesn’t always mean it will happen immediately. So now this is many years later and God is giving the orders to go to war against the people of Amalek and completely destroy them.

King Saul gets back from the big war campaign and meets up with Samuel. Saul says, “Blessed are you of the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD.” ¹⁴ But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" (1 Samuel 15:13-14)

Saul and the army were supposed to destroy everyone, including the animals. But Samuel can hear animals. Saul also spared the life of the wicked King Agag. Saul didn’t really give any excuse for sparing Agag’s life, but this is what he said concerning the animals:

1 Samuel 15: 21 ^(NKJV) … "But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal."

So you see that Saul is essentially saying, “Well, the people thought that the best of the animals would make really good sacrifices for the Lord. So we just decided to bring those on back home and we’ll present an extra special sacrifice to the Lord!” Samuel’s reply to Saul can be paraphrased like this, “It is far better to obey the command of the Lord than to offer Him all kinds of sacrifices. God doesn’t approve of or even want your sacrifices if you haven’t obeyed Him.” The point of the story seems to be the fact that Saul thought that impressive sacrifices could cover up for the disobedience. Saul isn’t the last person to ever think that!

Today, I want to refer to some other Scriptures to describe the kinds of sacrifices people substitute for obedience to the Lord.

I.      Some people offer sacrifices of religious service as a substitute for obedience.

In Isaiah, after God says to the people of Israel, who has required all these sacrifices and offerings from you? Then He says in vv. 16-17:

Isaiah 1:16-17 ^(NKJV) "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, ¹⁷ Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. 

Matthew 5:23-24 ^(NKJV) Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

In both of these contexts, God is reminding us that religious activity, even the kind that He requires or asks for, is not a substitute for obedience in the other areas of our lives. People who go to church on Sunday mornings to give God “the required two hours for this week” but they completely disregard God’s Word and His will through the other six days are a lot like these Israelites that Isaiah is describing.

II.    Some people offer the sacrifice of a good moral life as a substitute for obedience.

Rich young ruler.

Matthew 19:21 ^(NKJV) Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

Jesus told this young ruler what he needed to do after the man had affirmed that he had obeyed all the commands Jesus quoted to him. Jesus wasn’t just adding one more command to the list for him to live by, but He was touching on the very thing that the young ruler had his heart, his affections and his trust in.

The Bible says that he went away sorrowful. He had been willing to keep doing all the things he already had been doing, but he wasn’t willing to obey the Lord and give up the one thing he trusted in.

III.   Some people offer the sacrifice of a nominal faith as a substitute for obedience.

James 2:17 ^(NKJV) Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

The Apostle James and other writers in the NT distinguish between a belief that is merely intellectual agreement vs. genuine faith that produces a lifestyle that confirms what we say we believe.

There are a lot of people who say they believe in God; a lot of people who say they believe in Jesus and the fact He died for our sins. They say they believe in His resurrection, but their belief has never had any real impact on the way they live their lives. It hasn’t translated into obedience to His will.

They tend to excuse ungodly behavior by saying such things as, “No one is perfect.” “We all sin.” That kind of “faith” is not a substitute for a genuine faith that produces obedience and devotion to God.

IV.   What kind of sacrifice does God want?

The Psalms tell us that God desires sacrifices that come from a broken, humble and contrite spirit. (Ps. 51:17)

God desires sacrifices of righteousness (Ps. 4:5). That is, sacrifices of right living accompanied with right attitudes; not hypocritical.

God desires sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. Hebrews 13:15 ^(NKJV) Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Conclusion:

Several years ago, I was in my car listening to the radio, and I heard part of a sermon by Dr. Joseph Stowell, who was currently the president of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.

He said, “God’s first commandment is: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, which obviously includes ‘obey Him.’

“We say, ‘Okay, God, I’ll love you and obey you.’

“So God says, ‘My second command is love your neighbor as yourself.’

“Immediately we respond, ‘But Lord, you don’t know what my neighbor is like! I’ll double my tithe. I’ll be a missionary. I’ll even volunteer for nursery duty!’”

Well, I’m afraid it is true of many Christians. We’re too much like King Saul. Rather than obey the word of God when He clearly reveals to us what He desires, we try to “appease” Him by offering bigger and better “sacrifices.”

Look at the NT Saul, who became the Apostle Paul. He, along with most all of the Pharisees and religious leaders, became more and more zealous with their legalism and rule-making, thinking they were doing a great service to God.

I urge every one of us today, to examine our hearts and lives to see if we too have been guilty of trying to avoid what God has told us He wants, and we’ve offered something else to Him instead.

The answer is in the closing hymn: Living for Jesus

God's Love Is so Precious

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This sermon is based on the words of Psalm 36:7 in which the Psalmist declares that God's lovingkindness is precious. The message begins by giving a definition and a description of the word "precious," then presents various reasons why God's love is so precious. 

Written Excerpts:

Psalm 36:7 ^(NKJV) How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

Introduction:

Several weeks ago in a Wednesday night prayer service, I shared several different passages of Scripture that all spoke about God’s love in some way. Each passage highlighted a different aspect of His love as it is revealed and directed toward His creation and His creatures who are made in His image. One of those passages we shared was Psalm 36:7 in which the love (lovingkindness) of God is said to be “precious.”

The first part of the Psalm, King David describes the characteristics of the wicked. Then, in contrast, he describes the love and mercy of the Lord. In verse 7, he used the word “excellent” (KJV) or “precious” (NKJV, et.al.).

“Precious” (Theological Wordbook of the OT) It comes from a Semitic root which conveys the idea of "heavy," "honor," "dignity." An object is considered precious or valuable either because of its intrinsic worth or its rarity.

(The Complete Word Study Dict. – OT) An adjective meaning valuable, rare, precious. It carries the sense of being rare in some contexts (1 Sam. 3:1). It is used to describe precious and costly stones (2 Sam. 12:30; 1 Ki. 10:2, 10, 11); the valuable foundation stones of buildings (1 Ki. 5:17[31]); any expensive building stones or materials (1 Ki. 7:9-11). It is used of the Lord's lovingkindness (ḥesed̠) to His people (Ps. 36:7[8]). Wisdom is asserted to be more valuable than jewels (Prov. 3:15). It is used as an abstract collective term for that which is valuable, noble, moral, ethical, or worthy compared to what is worthless (Jer. 15:19).

(Brown, Driver, & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon) Highly valued /esteemed, costly, rare, weighty…

If I were to ask you, “What is something that you consider to be precious?” What would you say? People think of jewelry as precious because of its cost. Some things are precious because they’re so rare. Sometimes, people don’t even know how precious an item really is. I hope all of us here recognize that the most precious thing we have is life itself. Every material possession we have can be replaced with something equally precious, but nothing can replace a human life.

Here in Ps. 36, King David is proclaiming the value, worth, weightiness of God’s love.

“Lovingkindness” – I have mentioned this word a few times in the past. When I had the privilege to hear Dr. John Oswalt, OT scholar and author, he stated that this is a Hebrew word that has no parallel in other Semitic literature. No single word can adequately translate this word. It is the passionate, undying devotion of a superior to an inferior, especially when undeserved.

So David says that this undying devotion God has toward the creatures made in His image is very precious; highly valuable; & costly.

The Bible has so much to say about the love of God. There are also many passages that talk about the wrath of God. I don’t know about you, but it seems to me that I heard many more sermons about the wrath of God when I was growing up, than I did about the love of God. Believe me, it is important to know that the Bible teaches both. However, if I understand the Bible correctly, the day of God’s wrath is future. The day of His love is now. 

Yes, there is coming a time when God will release His awesome anger and punishment on all those who reject Him. But, the Bible tells me that He is “not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance.” I was so afraid of God in my younger years that every time I stumbled and fell into sin, I figured God was done with me. It was hard for me to believe and accept the fact that God loved me so passionately that He wanted me. 

Now, some people preach the love of God until His wrath and judgment is never mentioned. This is not right either. I fear that there are many people who presume God is always going to condone and smile upon them because He “loves them,” and even in spite of their persistent resistance against God, they expect Him to just welcome them into heaven. 

My message today is about the love of God and why it is so precious or valuable.

I.      God’s love is precious because it’s sacrificial.

The love of God isn’t precious because of what we have to “pay” in order to get it. It is precious because of what He paid in order to give it!

Galatians 2:20 ^(NKJV) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

I know I’ve said this before, but someone once said, God owns everything in the universe, but He only has one Son. Yet, He willingly sacrificed His own Son for our salvation. He sacrificially gave the only Son He had so we could be redeemed, forgiven, and transformed.

II.    God’s love is precious because it is covenantal.

Leviticus 26:45 ^(NKJV) But for their sake I will remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God: I am the LORD.' " 

The word “love” is not included in this verse or the surrounding verses, but if you read the context…

(Review the context in preceding verses. God is telling them that it doesn’t matter where they may be scattered from the judgments of God, if they return to God, He will remember His covenant and will take them back. He will not completely destroy them.)

If you read the history of Israel throughout the OT, you see how often they forsook the Lord and followed pagan gods and pagan practices. God did bring judgment and He did send them into exile, but God is always wooing and calling them back to Himself because His love is linked to His covenant to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Deuteronomy 7:8 ^(NKJV) but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Today, God’s love is linked to the new covenant provided by the blood of a new sacrificial Lamb – Jesus. It doesn’t matter how many times we stumble, or how far we stray, because of the covenant God has made through the blood of Jesus, His love is always faithful and redemptive. 

III.   God’s love is precious because it is beyond understanding. 

The Apostle Paul is describing the content of his prayers for the Ephesian believers, and one of the things he prays for is that they would know the love which passes knowledge.

Ephesians 3:19 ^(NKJV) to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

God’s love is mind-blowing; incomprehensible; and unfathomable.

(Today's Best Illustrations)

Dad Meets the Messy Baby

On a short flight, a woman sat opposite me with a darling baby. They were going home, and Daddy was waiting for them. Every time the baby cried the young mother fed her a little fruit and a little orange juice. The flight was very turbulent. Everything that had gone down came up. The carpet was a mess. The baby was crying and looked awful. Those of us across the aisle couldn't cry but looked awful.

Getting off the plane, we moved very carefully. It was really unpleasant. At the gate was a young man who had to be Daddy: white slacks, white shirt, and flowers. I thought, "He's going to run to that baby, get one look, and keep running!" As he ran to his wife, I wouldn't say she threw the baby at him, but she did leave quickly to go get cleaned up. He said, "Daddy's baby's come home." All the way to the luggage claim area, he never stopped hugging and kissing that baby, stroking her hair, welcoming her back home.

I thought, "Where did I ever get the idea that my Father God is less loving than a young daddy in white slacks and white shirt?" — Jeannette Clift George, Preaching Today, Tape No. 93, quoted in Men of Integrity, Vol. 2, no. 4.

God’s love defies human understanding. When we’re all messed up with our sin and Satan has made a mockery of us, God loves us with a love that no one understands. When the Prodigal Son comes home from the pigpen of life; covered with the filth of the world; the father grabs him and hugs him and throws a party!

Do you understand that? Is that reasonable? No! It defies reason, but that is the kind of love our God has for each one of us.

IV.   God’s love is so precious because it is universal.

John 3:16 God so loved the world…

2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 

Again, the word “love” is not included in this verse, but love is implied as the reason why God delays His judgment. He’s not willing that ANY should perish. That is why He sent His only Son into the world – because of His love for the whole world.

Whoever you are, you are not outside of the scope of God’s love. Wherever you go and whoever you meet, no one is outside of the scope of God’s love. We need to remember that God loves every person; no matter how messy they are (like the story we shared a little while ago about the messy baby). 

Conclusion

With a heart of worship and a voice of praise, let us join together and sing: The Love of God 

Proclaiming the Lord's Death

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This is a sermon that was based on 1 Corinthians 11:26 where Paul declares that we proclaim the Lord's death every time we share the sacrament of communion. This message explores the idea of making a proclamation regarding the death of Jesus Christ by sharing the emblems of communion.

Written Excerpts:

1 Corinthians 11:26 ^(NKJV) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. 

Introduction:

Proclamations are a very familiar activity of mayors, governors and presidents, as well as the leaders of innumerable organizations.

I found a website called the “National Day Calendar” where over 1500 national days/weeks/months and years are listed.

Here is a partial list of national days just for the month of March:

March National Days

March 1

National Dadgum That’s Good Day

National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day

March 2

National Old Stuff Day

National Banana Cream Pie Day

March 3

National Anthem Day

National I Want You to be Happy Day

March 4

National Pound Cake Day

National Hug a G.I. Day

March 5

National Multiple Personality Day

National Cheese Doodle Day

March 6

National Dentist’s Day

National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day

March 7

National Be Heard  Day

National Cereal Day

March 8

National Peanut Cluster Day

National Tartar Sauce Day – Friday After Lent Begins

March 9

National Barbie Day

National Get Over it Day

March 10

National Blueberry Popover Day

National Pack Your Lunch Day

March 11

National Johnny Appleseed Day

National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day

March 12

National Girl Scout Day

National Plant a Flower Day

March 13

National Earmuff Day

National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day

March 14

National Potato Chip Day

National Pi Day

March 15

National Shoe the World Day

National Everything You Think is Wrong Day

March 16

National Everything You Do is Right Day

National Artichoke Hearts Day

March 17

National Corned Beef and Cabbage Day

St. Patrick’s Day

March 18

National Awkward Moments Day

National Sloppy Joe Day

March 19

National Poultry Day

National Chocolate Caramel Day

March 20

National Ravioli Day

National Proposal Day

March 21

National Common Courtesy Day

National Fragrance Day

March 22

National Goof Off Day

National Puppy Day 

March 23

National Chip and Dip Day

National Melba Toast Day

March 24

National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day

March 25

National Lobster Newburg Day

National Medal of Honor Day

March 26

National Spinach Day

Epilepsy Awareness Day – Purple Day

March 27

National Scribble Day

National Joe Day

March 28

National Weed Appreciation Day

National Something on a Stick Day

March 29

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day

National Vietnam War Veterans Day

March 30

National Take a Walk in the Park Day

National I Am in Control Day

March 31

National Crayon Day

National Bunsen Burner Day

The interesting thing to think about is: Every one of these “national days” that have been designated probably got started by a proclamation of some sort. Can you imagine the proclamation that got some of these “national days” started? What about National Sloppy Joe Day (Mar. 18^th)? The website states that in their research, they weren’t able to identify the founder of “National Sloppy Joe Day.” But, if there was a proclamation somewhere, maybe it would be something like this…

Whereas sloppy joe sandwiches are definitely sloppy; 

Whereas sloppy joe sandwiches have become just as common as the name “Joe”;

Whereas sloppy joe sandwiches deserve to be recognized for the role they fill in the diet of millions of Americans, 

Therefore, let it be proclaimed throughout these United States of America that March 18^th shall henceforth be designated as “National Sloppy Joe Day.”

“If you think something is important, then it should have a proclamation making it universally important!” A proclamation lets the world know what we think is so important, and it attempts to recruit others to join the noble recognition.

Our Scripture reference for today, 1 Cor. 11:26 ^(NKJV) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. 

The Apostle is declaring the truth that every time we observe the sacrament of communion, we are proclaiming the Lord’s death.

NKJV – “…you proclaim the Lord’s death…” 

KJV – “… ye do shew the Lord’s death…”

In the KJV, the English word “show” is only used 3 times to translate the particular Greek word that it represents. However, 10 times the same Greek word is translated “preach.”

(Thayer’s Gk.-Eng. Lexicon) …to announce, declare, promulgate, make known; to proclaim publicly, publish…; with the included idea of celebrating, commending, openly praising….

Paul is telling the Corinthian Christians that every time they partake of the communion emblems they are proclaiming, announcing and publicly declaring the death of Jesus. In light of the fact that this Greek word is translated as “preach” 10 different times in the NT, perhaps we could say that every believer who participates in communion is preaching about the death of the Savior.

Listen to these comments from 4 different sources about this phrase:

(Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) – [Quotes two other sources in writing,] The Eucharist is an acted sermon, an acted proclamation of the death which it commemorates’ (Robertson and Plummer).

(Lenski NT Commentary) – In v. 23 Paul introduces the account of the institution of the Sacrament with γάρ, "for," in order to substantiate his rebuke of the disorderly proceedings current among the Corinthians. Now he continues with a second γάρ and draws attention to the point in this account which especially calls attention to the gravity of the Corinthian disorders. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup you are proclaiming the death of the Lord till he shall come.

[In other words] "This is what you must consider when you assemble for the Sacrament."

Essentially, Paul is saying, “Because of the fact that you are preaching the death of Christ every time you partake of communion, you should never act like you’ve been acting when you come together to the Lord’s Table.

(Adam Clarke's Commentary) – As in the Passover they showed forth the bondage they had been in, and the redemption they had received from it; so in the Eucharist they showed forth the sacrificial death of Christ, and the redemption from sin derived from it.

Adam Clarke is drawing a parallel analogy between what the Passover proclaims and what the communion proclaims. One proclaims God’s deliverance from bondage in Egypt. The other proclaims God’s redemption from sin.

(Expositor's Bible Commentary, Revised) – In other words, the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is a visible means of telling the story of Jesus’ passion and death. 

So what do we proclaim when we partake of communion?

We proclaim the death of Jesus.

To proclaim the death of Jesus necessarily raises the following questions:

Why did He die?

For whom did He die?

What resulted from His death?

Every time we eat the bread and drink the juice we are preaching a message about what Jesus has done for us. We preach a message about how we have benefited from His death. And, we tell the world Jesus died for them too.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I would like to offer a modern-day proclamation concerning the death of Jesus Christ.

Whereas Jesus Christ is the sinless, pure and holy Son of God, and;

Whereas every other human being stands condemned before God because of sin, and;

Whereas Jesus Christ willingly became the substitute for every person by accepting their punishment, and;

Whereas Jesus Christ freely submitted himself to the cruel death of crucifixion, and;

Whereas His death is credited against the guilt of everyone who places all their trust in Him;

Therefore, in obedience to His command, let every Christian believer henceforth proclaim these eternal facts by willingly, openly, and repeatedly partaking of the emblems of His suffering. AMEN

Before we share the sacrament of communion I invite you to join me in singing an old hymn about the blood of Jesus.

Covered By the Blood       

The Divine Distinctive

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This is a message based on Exodus 33:16 where Moses asks the Lord, "What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" He asks this question to support his request for God's special divine presence to accompany them as they travel toward Canaan. It is still the distinct presence of the blessed Holy Spirit that distinguishes God's people from all others.

Written Excerpts:

Exodus 33:15-16 ^(NKJV) Then he said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. ¹⁶ For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth."

Exodus 33:15-16 ^(NIV) Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. ¹⁶ How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

In the NKJV the last phrase in provided in the form of a statement, while the NIV provides the same thought in the form of a question.

(NKJV) “If Your presence goes with us, then Your people and I will be separate from all the [other] people on the face of the earth.”

(NIV) “If Your presence doesn’t go with us, then what will distinguish me and Your people from all the other people of the face of the earth?”

Introduction:

How does a company successfully market a product when the same kind of product is offered by the competition? In order to be successful, a business owner has to find a way to distinguish his product/company from the competitor. It might be the customer service following the sale; it might be the exceptionally courteous staff; it might be the durability of the product; etc. There has to be a way to convince the public that your product/service is far better than that which is offered by other companies.

I think that there is a similar kind of point being made by Moses in this conversation with God in Exodus 33. The descendants of Jacob are on their way back to the land that was promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They’ve been miraculously delivered from a 400-year bondage in Egypt and are now traveling through the wilderness/desert. They’ve already exhibited a stubbornness and resistance to the will of God that shows up in worship of the golden calf and in other ways.

God has, in a sense, “backed away” from leading this large group of people any further and He tells Moses that he can lead them from now on. Moses intercedes on behalf of the people and begs God to go with them. 

The verbal exchange between Moses and God was included in the Scripture reading a little earlier in the service. (See Ex. 33:1-17) In this exchange between Moses and God, Moses asks, “If you do not go with us, then how will we be distinguished from all the other people on the earth?”

With the help of the Holy Spirit, I want to speak to you about the divine presence that distinguishes God’s people from the general population.

I.      There already was a sense in which God was with them. (vv. 7-11)

God had been with them and brought them to the present location, but because of their rebellion had separated Himself from them. (see vv. 1-6)

God says in v. 1, “you and the people you have brought out of the land of Egypt.” He essentially says “These are your people, Moses.” Then in verse 13, Moses declares to God, “… this nation is Your people.”

God had ordered the people to remove their ornaments (jewelry). This was a sign of mourning.

In spite of all this, Moses was still in communication with God and experienced the presence of God.

In verse 15, Moses says to God, “If your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from this place.” We are told that there is no Hebrew word for “presence.” The word used here is the same word that is translated as “face” in other places. In this context, the “face of God” is His presence and nearness to His people and the assurance that He is with them.

But, v. 11 tells us that Moses was already talking face to face with God.

(Tyndale OT Commentaries) – [“face to face”] that is to say, not in dreams and visions, but clearly and directly. Moses had the gift of clarity of spiritual insight: he shared the very counsels of God.

 (Keil and Delitzsch Commentary) Out of this cloud Jehovah talked with Moses (vv. 7-10) "face to face, as a man talks with his friend" (v. 11); that is to say, not from the distance of heaven, through any kind of medium whatever, but "mouth to mouth," as it is called in Num. 12:8, as closely and directly as friends talk to one another. …. Although Jehovah showed Himself to Moses in some peculiar form of manifestation, He never appeared in His own essential glory, but only in such a mode as human weakness could bear.

Contrast this description with verse 20, where God tells Moses that no one can see His face and live. It is apparent that Moses had a level of communion and communication with God already, but it was not the same as what can be experienced at a different level.

II.    There apparently is a deeper level of God’s presence available for those who seek it.

There is evidence in the way Moses intercedes for God’s presence (face) that indicates Moses is not satisfied with the current level of intimacy or knowledge, but he wants more. See vv. 12-13

Moses essentially begs God to give more revelation to demonstrate that Moses has truly found grace in God’s sight.

(Keil and Delitzsch Commentary) – "Let me know Thy way (the way which Thou wilt take with me and with this people), that I may know Thee, in order that I may find grace in Thine eyes, and see that this people is Thy people." The meaning is this: If I have found grace in Thy sight, and Thou hast recognized me as Thy servant, and called me to be the leader of this people, do not leave me in uncertainty as to Thine intentions concerning the people, or as to the angel whom Thou wilt give as a guide to me and the nation, that I may know Thee, that is to say, that my finding grace in Thine eyes may become a reality….

Near the end of the chapter, Moses again begs God for a divine revelation of His glory. (See vv. 18-23)

(Tyndale OT Commentaries) – Show me thy glory. God has just granted the petition for his continued presence with Israel. Now Moses’ prayer is to see the kābôd, the manifested glory (literally ‘weight’) of YHWH. This is a prayer to see God as he is: but, in these terms, it is impossible. Mortal man cannot endure to see God (verse 20). In vivid pictorial language, the passage says that man may see only where God has passed by (verses 22, 23) and so know him by his past doings and acts. God as he is, in all his mystery, we cannot know or comprehend.

Moses can’t get enough of the presence of God.

(Dr. Oswalt) We human beings are so made that we can never get the same stimulation again from the same experience. This, of course, is what leads to addiction. 

Look at the contrast between the average people and their leader, Moses. When God first appears to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, there is lightening, smoke and thunder, and the people are fearful. They tell Moses to go talk to God for them and come back to report what God says, then we will do whatever God says.

Those who only have a casual relationship with God are the same ones who usually do not have any passionate desire to know Him better. But, those who have a much more intimate relationship with God, are characterized by their intense passion to know more; to be closer to God. 

This is the way with Moses. Moses already had a much more intimate connection and communication with God, but he’s not satisfied. He wants to know more. And, God’s response to his request to see God’s glory is, “I will cause my goodness to pass before you and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you.”

Rather than a fabulous display of glory, God wants Moses to see His character/nature more deeply than ever before.

III.   The intimate presence of God is the Divine Distinctive for the people of God.

vv. 15-16

Moses tells God, “If your presence isn’t going with us, then do not take us up from here.”

(John Oswalt, Cornerstone Biblical Commentary) – He realized that without Yahweh, the Promised Land was worthless. In fact, the Sinai desert with the face of Yahweh was infinitely more desirable than Canaan without his face (33:15-16)… Moses and Israel did not need what God could do for them nearly as much as they needed God Himself.

Then, he tells the Lord, “Your presence is the only thing that will distinguish us from all the other peoples of the earth.” Or, if we put it in the form of a question… “Lord, if your presence is not with us, what else will distinguish us as your people on the face of the earth?”

This is the verse that captured my attention when I read this passage a couple of weeks ago.

I believe that this truth is still valid today – God’s intimate presence is the only thing that will clearly distinguish between the people who truly belong to God and those who don’t. What is it that will distinguish us as God’s people from all other people (churches) in Grove City? IT IS ONLY THE MANIFEST PRESENCE OF GOD THROUGH HIS HOLY SPIRIT.

You’ve heard me say this numerous times: People who attend our services need to leave having experienced the presence of God. They need to know more than anything else that they have been in God’s presence.

What is it that will distinguish me individually as a person of God? It is only the manifest presence of God’s Spirit in my life.

Conclusion:

Have you ever been around a group of people that you could just feel the presence of the Lord in them? You knew just by being with them a short time that they were different, and you longed to be like them?

Have you ever known someone who made you hungry to know God better?

Have you ever known someone who made you think, “I want to be that kind of Christian?”

I have been in church services where the Spirit of the Lord was so real my soul and spirit ached to know God more; to have Him as real in my life as I could feel He was in the lives of the people in that service.

I am so thankful that I can say my own parents were individuals who often made me think as a child, “I want to know God like they do as I get older.” Hear Dad get blessed in the Spirit as he was praying in our time of family devotions.

What are we passing on to our kids and grandkids? There are a lot of things our kids need to learn and we need to teach them… how to work; how to think; how to have a good time and enjoy life; etc. etc. But above everything else we must teach them, we absolutely need to teach them to passionately desire God and insist on having His presence in their lives.

There’s only one way we can do that. We can’t teach what we do not have ourselves. And… we can’t have it ourselves if we do not take the time to seek the most intimate presence of the Holy Spirit in our own lives. Yes, it is possible to devote every aspect of life, family life, work, recreation, etc. to be all for the glory of God. We can do everything with the goal of exalting God. But, those activities will not provide the intimate presence of God that Moses is talking about. That can only be experienced in intimate times of devotion, worship and seeking Him in prayer. 

(Not prayers that are asking for God to solve my problems and provide my desires, but prayer for God to cleanse me from everything that hinders His true presence from being more real; and prayers for Him to fill me afresh.)

Closing Song: Fill Me Now 

Oh Taste and See

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This sermon is based on Psalm 34. It speaks about the praise that King David gives to the Lord in the times of dark trials and his review of the benefits God has provided. Then David issues an invitation for others to discover God's wonderful benefits like he has found.

Written excerpts:

Psalm 34:8 ^(NKJV) Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Introduction:

Kris’ “homemade” cinnamon buns.

Andy in 5^th Grade – Mom’s Apple pie.

“Just wait until you taste it!”

We all have probably had those moments when we ate something that makes us think, “wow!” One of my favorites is, country style pork ribs cooked for hours in barbeque sauce. M-mmmm!

King David undoubtedly had some of those moments too; especially with him being the king of Israel. As king, he could have the best of anything. The food prepared for a king we might say, “Is to die for.” Therefore, it is quite interesting that the king uses this “culinary metaphor” as a way of encouraging others to “sample God’s wonderful blessings.”

There are three primary thoughts that I want to share with you today from Psalm 34. We won’t try to cover the entire psalm, just verses 1-10, which were read earlier in the service.

I.      Give Praise to the Lord. (vv. 1-3)

The inscription at the beginning of this Psalm attributes its time of writing to the time when King David was running from King Saul. He came to the king of the Philistines who was warned about accepting him lest he turn and fight against the Philistines in the heat of the battle. David then started acting insane so that the king sent him away. (He could have had him executed.) So, in the midst of all these circumstances (fleeing from Saul, and narrowly escaping from an “enemy” king), David breaks out in praise to the Lord.

Reminds me of something I mentioned a few weeks ago regarding Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail.

(Read verses 1-3)

I have been reminding you several times lately that God is deserving of all our praise, even when we find ourselves in the middle of trying circumstances and adversity.

God Wants to Hear You Sing by Greater Vision

Their chains were fastened tight
Down at the jail that night
Still Paul and Silas would not be dismayed
They said, "It's time to lift our voice,
Sing praises to the Lord
Let's prove that we will trust Him, come what may."

God wants to hear you sing
When the waves are crashing round you
When the fiery darts surround you
When despair is all you see
God wants to hear your voice
When the wisest man has spoken
And says your circumstance is as hopeless as can be
That's when God wants to hear you sing

He loves to hear our praise
On our cheerful days
When the pleasant times outweigh the bad, by far
But when suffering comes along
And we still sing Him song
That is when we bless the Father's heart

God wants to hear you sing
When the waves are crashing round you
When the fiery darts surround you
When despair is all you see
God wants to hear your voice
When the wisest man has spoken
And says you circumstance is as hopeless as can be
That's when God wants to hear you sing

II.    Review His blessings and benefits. (vv. 4-7)

“I sought the Lord, and he delivered me from all my fears.” In the precarious situation he finds himself in with the Philistines (he could have been executed if they had perceived he would be a threat to them), he discovers the reality of God’s divine protection.

“faces were not ashamed”

(Keil and Delitzsch Commentary) – It never comes to pass that their countenances must be covered with shame on account of disappointed hope: 

“This poor man cried…” (reinforce what was said in v. 4)

“The angel of the Lord…”

(Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) – The angel of the Lord sometimes stands for the Lord himself and at other times for his spiritual agent. In any case, the psalmist understands that God is the ultimate source of his rescue. The fact that the angel encamps around those who fear him points to God as the Divine Warrior who fights on behalf of his people (Josh. 5:14).

Compare Joshua 5:13-14 (NKJV) And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?" ¹⁴ So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, "What does my Lord say to His servant?"

III.   Invitation to share the blessings. (vv. 8-10)

Some think it is significant that David says, “taste and see” rather than “look and see.”

(Keil and Delitzsch Commentary) Tasting (γεύσαστηαι, Hebr. 6:4f., 1 Peter 2:3) stands before seeing; for spiritual experience leads to spiritual perception or knowledge, and not vice versa. (Compare 1 Peter 2:1-3 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, ² as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.)

 David is desirous that others also should experience what he has experienced in order that they may come to know what he has come to know, viz., the goodness of God.

 (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) – The psalmist uses a culinary metaphor to urge his listeners into a relationship with God (Taste and see that the Lord is good). Like a cook who urges a reluctant eater just to give it a taste, so the psalmist encourages them to sample God and his protection, confident that they will thus recognize his benefits.

He encourages them to fear God. In the previous stanza, he testified that he feared God and was thus rescued from his other fears. While the wicked (the lions; see Job 4:7-11) languish, those who fear God will lack nothing/no good thing. This is not a naïve belief that God’s people will prosper, but rather that those who fear God recognize fundamentally that their relationship with God will satisfy them completely.

The king, even though he is “running for his life,” invites others to come and discover the blessings of knowing God as he has found.

“Young lions lack and suffer hunger…”

Even though lions may hunger from lack of prey, those who trust in the Lord will find that He provides and He satisfies.

This is not a promise that God will rescue us and deliver us from everything that is unpleasant or distasteful. But God will watch over his children and deliver them from the enemy that has the potential to destroy them.

Conclusion:

As I was reading this Psalm several days ago in my daily Bible reading, I was stirred once again by these words of testimony and exhortation. Just like the king, I have discovered many times that God is faithful and that He can be counted on in troubling situations. It is especially true when it seems like the darkness of evil and the pressure of my spiritual enemy is so real, God is always there to rescue and bring peace in the midst of trouble.

My greatest desire, like King David, is to spread the word and let others know that God can be that near and precious to them too. It is up to us to spread the word and encourage others to find their hope in God. 

I’m glad that God can give us a song, even when our circumstances are painful and dark.

Let us stand to sing our closing hymn: In My Heart There Rings a Melody