WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.120 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:11.620 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other 00:00:11.620 --> 00:00:15.300 use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.660 --> 00:00:22.660 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:25.660 --> 00:00:26.699 Good morning. 00:00:26.699 --> 00:00:33.700 I am Joan Benson, and I'm part of the North Berkeley Community Group and Women Reading Women. 00:00:34.780 --> 00:00:44.120 Today's scripture reading is from the book of Exodus, chapter 33, verses 15 to 23, and 00:00:44.120 --> 00:00:52.320 from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 18, as printed in the liturgy. 00:00:52.320 --> 00:01:00.980 Exodus 33, 15. 00:01:00.979 --> 00:01:09.640 Then Moses said to him, if your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 00:01:10.679 --> 00:01:16.319 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and your people unless you go with us? 00:01:17.060 --> 00:01:22.239 What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth? 00:01:22.239 --> 00:01:32.500 And the Lord said to Moses, I will do the very thing you have asked because I am pleased with you and I know you by name. 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:37.000 Then Moses said, now show me your glory. 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:51.680 And the Lord said, I will cause, excuse me, all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. 00:01:53.240 --> 00:01:58.840 I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 00:01:58.840 --> 00:02:05.380 But he said, you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live. 00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:14.140 Then the Lord said, there is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 00:02:14.920 --> 00:02:23.420 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 00:02:23.419 --> 00:02:31.839 Then I will remove my hand, and you will see my back, but my face bids not be seen. 00:02:33.259 --> 00:02:39.819 The grass withers, the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever. 00:02:40.939 --> 00:02:44.659 And now a reading from Paul's second epistle to the Corinthians. 00:02:45.299 --> 00:02:48.399 Second Corinthians 3, 18. 00:02:48.400 --> 00:03:01.520 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, 00:03:02.159 --> 00:03:05.379 which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 00:03:06.480 --> 00:03:08.020 This is the word of the Lord. 00:03:08.800 --> 00:03:10.000 Thanks be to God. 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:17.879 Well, thank you for that scripture reading, Joan, and good morning, Christ Church. 00:03:18.080 --> 00:03:19.900 My name is Andrew, and one of the pastors here. 00:03:20.340 --> 00:03:24.439 I was away last weekend on vacation with my family, but we're glad to be back. 00:03:24.580 --> 00:03:26.680 Glad to be back worshiping with our church family. 00:03:27.259 --> 00:03:28.479 Will you join me in prayer? 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:40.519 Lord God, we ask this morning that in the preaching of your word, you would allow us to see what you want us to see. 00:03:41.699 --> 00:03:47.819 That you would allow us to see you, and not just see you, but behold you, oh God. 00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:51.839 One thing have I desired of the Lord. 00:03:52.500 --> 00:03:53.899 That will I seek after. 00:03:54.019 --> 00:03:55.719 That I will dwell in the house of the Lord. 00:03:55.719 --> 00:04:00.859 All the days of my life, and behold the beauty of the Lord. 00:04:01.939 --> 00:04:03.139 And inquire in his temple. 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:05.960 That's what we want to see, oh God. 00:04:06.699 --> 00:04:08.099 We want to behold your glory. 00:04:08.360 --> 00:04:12.259 We thank you that you are the kind of God who has revealed that glory to us. 00:04:12.460 --> 00:04:15.479 Full of grace and truth in your son, Jesus Christ. 00:04:15.620 --> 00:04:21.199 Be honored in the preaching of your word, in the administration of the sacraments, in our fellowship here today, oh God. 00:04:21.680 --> 00:04:23.000 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:04:23.740 --> 00:04:24.019 Amen. 00:04:24.019 --> 00:04:24.099 Amen. 00:04:25.099 --> 00:04:27.319 All right, so we're continuing our series here. 00:04:27.620 --> 00:04:31.439 This mini-series in Exodus chapters 32 to 34, right? 00:04:31.459 --> 00:04:34.120 We're looking at this first great national rebellion. 00:04:34.439 --> 00:04:41.620 The infamous incident of the golden calf turned into the first great national revival in history. 00:04:42.099 --> 00:04:44.859 All right, so now what I want to do is I want to reset where we are in the story. 00:04:44.860 --> 00:04:50.100 Remember, God has delivered his Hebrew people out of 400 years of slavery in Egypt, right? 00:04:50.120 --> 00:04:53.639 And he's brought them through the Red Sea to this holy mountain. 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:56.699 And this mountain is called Mount Horeb, also known as Mount Sinai. 00:04:56.759 --> 00:04:59.100 Now, this is a special mountain, all right? 00:04:59.100 --> 00:05:09.180 This is the same mountain where an 80-year-old refugee and shepherd named Moses first encountered Yahweh, the living God, in an unburning bush. 00:05:09.180 --> 00:05:11.800 You can read about that in Exodus chapter 3. 00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:14.139 So this is holy ground where we are. 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:19.720 God has told Moses all the way back then at the unburning bush that he's heard his people's cries, right? 00:05:19.740 --> 00:05:25.460 And he tells Moses that he wants to use him to deliver his people and to unite them to himself in a covenant bond. 00:05:25.459 --> 00:05:31.159 And here we are now in Exodus chapter 33, and God has done exactly what he said he was going to do. 00:05:31.859 --> 00:05:37.399 He's brought them back to this mountain because he wants to now ratify his covenant union with them. 00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:42.359 He wants to bring them back to this holy site, like a sacred, nostalgic wedding venue. 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:47.919 Only this time, he's not manifesting himself in some little unburning bush. 00:05:48.159 --> 00:05:53.620 The whole mountain is on fire, and there's a dark cloud, and there's rumblings of thunder and lightning, 00:05:53.620 --> 00:05:57.040 and the presence of God here is undeniable. 00:05:57.199 --> 00:06:00.920 It's unmistakable that God is here, and the people dare not approach this mountain. 00:06:01.019 --> 00:06:02.040 So that's the scene, right? 00:06:02.899 --> 00:06:07.519 And the people dare not approach, but God invites Moses up the mountain. 00:06:08.139 --> 00:06:13.480 And so Moses goes up the mountain, and for 40 days, God reveals to Moses his detailed vision 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:17.180 for what he wants their union and their communion to look like as a family. 00:06:17.480 --> 00:06:20.699 He's basically saying to Moses, this is the kind of beautiful home 00:06:20.699 --> 00:06:26.560 and the kind of wonderful life and dwelling place I'm preparing for our family that I want us to enjoy. 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:30.860 But what happens when Moses is on the mountain after 40 days? 00:06:31.659 --> 00:06:32.939 People grow impatient, right? 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:38.839 And at the very moment that God is detailing his plans to be intimately present with them, 00:06:39.379 --> 00:06:44.699 they seek to force his presence and harness his power amongst themselves with the golden calf idol. 00:06:44.699 --> 00:06:52.019 And God's heart breaks, and his anger burns, like with all the jealousy of a husband 00:06:52.019 --> 00:06:55.180 who's only ever had eyes for his bride. 00:06:55.620 --> 00:07:02.740 A husband who's been excitedly making all these plans for a beautiful life together with his precious bride. 00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:09.519 And so God, he now desires to just wipe this people out, to just forsake his plan of union with them. 00:07:09.519 --> 00:07:14.279 Just give them over to their new lover, give them over to their own self-destruction. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:17.819 And he says, I'm just going to make a new nation out of you, Moses. 00:07:18.759 --> 00:07:19.680 But what does Moses do? 00:07:20.259 --> 00:07:21.060 He intercedes. 00:07:21.500 --> 00:07:22.180 He pleads. 00:07:22.259 --> 00:07:25.219 He says, but God, remember your promise. 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:28.479 And the crazy thing is, God relents. 00:07:28.959 --> 00:07:31.579 He hears Moses' prayer, and he relents. 00:07:32.299 --> 00:07:33.699 But still, we have this problem. 00:07:33.859 --> 00:07:37.039 God does not want to dwell with this unfaithful people anymore. 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:39.319 He says, okay, I'm still going to let you live. 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:42.760 I'm still even going to let you go into the land flowing with milk and honey, 00:07:42.860 --> 00:07:45.439 this promised land that I promised to send you into. 00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:47.580 But I'm not going to go with you. 00:07:47.980 --> 00:07:51.540 I'm not going to be present with you, because you are a stiff-necked people. 00:07:51.960 --> 00:07:54.080 And I might destroy you on the way. 00:07:55.020 --> 00:07:55.500 And so what happens? 00:07:55.560 --> 00:07:58.220 The people mourn, and they strip off their ornaments. 00:07:58.220 --> 00:08:02.100 Because of this great conundrum that their greatest need, the presence of God, 00:08:02.300 --> 00:08:05.460 has now become their greatest threat at the same time. 00:08:05.459 --> 00:08:09.959 Because, like, what is the promised land apart from the presence of God? 00:08:11.259 --> 00:08:13.819 So what Moses does is he pitches a tent. 00:08:13.959 --> 00:08:16.620 He pitches a tent far outside the camp. 00:08:16.799 --> 00:08:18.879 Not among the people, but far outside the camp. 00:08:19.819 --> 00:08:25.299 And amazingly, graciously, the presence of God in a cloud descends on that tent. 00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:27.319 And he still meets with Moses. 00:08:27.479 --> 00:08:29.259 He still meets with his people. 00:08:29.599 --> 00:08:33.840 Even says that he speaks to Moses as a friend, face to face, mouth to mouth. 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:38.019 And as the people of God see the presence of God descend upon this tent, 00:08:38.840 --> 00:08:40.399 they are filled with worship. 00:08:40.840 --> 00:08:43.379 Because maybe they are not doomed after all. 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:48.680 Now it is in this tense of meeting that we find ourselves today in this passage. 00:08:49.080 --> 00:08:53.860 Where Moses continues to intercede for his people who are still at odds with God. 00:08:54.820 --> 00:08:58.120 And Moses says, you've told me to lead these people, God. 00:08:58.600 --> 00:08:59.620 But who's going to go with me? 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:01.899 And God says, well, I will go with you. 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:03.360 My presence will go with you, Moses. 00:09:03.539 --> 00:09:06.039 But Moses says, no, but unless you go with us. 00:09:06.620 --> 00:09:07.919 With all of us. 00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:11.820 What will distinguish me and your people amongst all the nations? 00:09:12.620 --> 00:09:14.600 And this is where we left off last week. 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:15.580 In verse 17. 00:09:15.700 --> 00:09:18.240 Where God graciously says to Moses, okay. 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:19.960 Okay, I will. 00:09:20.080 --> 00:09:22.500 He says, I will do the very thing you have asked. 00:09:22.620 --> 00:09:24.180 Because I am pleased with you. 00:09:24.580 --> 00:09:26.379 And I know you by name. 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:30.679 Now if we don't grasp how crazy this is, we need to read this again. 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:32.580 This is crazy if you think about it. 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:36.759 The intercession and pleading of Moses has brought God from going, 00:09:37.059 --> 00:09:37.939 I'm going to wipe them out. 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:40.539 To, oh, I'm going to let them go into the promised land, 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:41.500 but I'm not going to be with them. 00:09:41.799 --> 00:09:46.320 To, now I'm going to be with them in my fullness and not destroy them. 00:09:46.340 --> 00:09:47.139 Isn't that incredible? 00:09:47.720 --> 00:09:52.840 That the prayers and the pleas of Moses would be heard and answered by God. 00:09:52.840 --> 00:09:58.480 When everything that Moses asked for seemed so contrary to what his people deserved, 00:09:59.220 --> 00:10:01.060 God granted his request. 00:10:02.019 --> 00:10:04.940 Here in verse 17, the creator of the universe says to a mere mortal, 00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:07.720 I will do the very thing you have asked. 00:10:08.060 --> 00:10:09.500 Because I am pleased with you. 00:10:09.680 --> 00:10:11.100 And I know you by name. 00:10:11.160 --> 00:10:11.759 Wow, right? 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:15.000 Can you imagine if God said that to you? 00:10:15.379 --> 00:10:17.900 I am so pleased with you. 00:10:17.899 --> 00:10:24.480 And we have so personal a relationship that I will do the very thing you have asked. 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:28.579 It's like a blank check from the almighty God on high. 00:10:29.959 --> 00:10:33.819 Now, if you had this many requests granted to you by God, 00:10:33.919 --> 00:10:37.299 seemingly impossible requests granted to you by this God 00:10:37.299 --> 00:10:41.079 who also just told you that he is pleased with you and he knows you by name, 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:43.360 what would you ask for next? 00:10:44.319 --> 00:10:45.699 What would you ask for next? 00:10:45.700 --> 00:10:50.759 If God wrote you like this blank check and your relationship with him was so deep, 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:53.580 so personal, so full of trust and confidence, 00:10:54.640 --> 00:10:55.540 if God said to you, 00:10:55.660 --> 00:10:58.300 I would do the very thing you ask because I am pleased with you, 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:00.160 what would you ask for next? 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:02.180 Instant retirement? 00:11:04.280 --> 00:11:05.200 Impeccable health? 00:11:05.940 --> 00:11:06.620 Your soulmate? 00:11:07.300 --> 00:11:10.860 The picture of perfect family, eternal life, liberty, and happiness? 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:11.860 What would you ask for? 00:11:11.920 --> 00:11:14.340 It's kind of hard to even imagine, right? 00:11:14.340 --> 00:11:21.019 Like the most awesome thing we could think of probably seems too small a thing to ask for 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:23.560 with such a blank check from God, right? 00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:28.899 But just because this question is hard to answer doesn't mean we should give up on considering 00:11:28.899 --> 00:11:31.100 whether there might be a right answer. 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:36.659 Like what is the ultimate thing we could possibly ask of God, 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:43.220 especially if we knew he was pleased with us and knew us by name and had just promised to be present with us. 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:45.740 What more could we possibly ask for? 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:52.600 This morning, I think God wants us to consider the things that our hearts presently desire. 00:11:52.600 --> 00:11:58.759 And I think God wants to show us what our hearts were made to rightly desire. 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:02.440 And this is so key to our understanding of revival. 00:12:02.620 --> 00:12:08.600 Revival is all about our hearts' desires and returning to the purest and highest of possible desires. 00:12:08.779 --> 00:12:12.540 Far from our culture's insistence that the heart just wants what it wants. 00:12:12.659 --> 00:12:16.920 Revival comes when the heart wants what God wants it to want. 00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:25.299 When we pray fervently, with sincerity, thy kingdom come, thy will be done. 00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:27.819 This is what God wants to show us today. 00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:31.439 The heart of someone with an intimate relationship with God. 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:34.559 The heart of someone who is so convinced that God loves them, 00:12:34.659 --> 00:12:38.539 so convinced that God cares for them and listens to them and is pleased with them 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:40.079 and will answer their prayers. 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:42.419 The heart of someone with a blank check from God. 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:45.079 What we see in our passage today in the person of Moses 00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:50.700 is a man who had for 80 years lived without knowing the one true God of the universe. 00:12:51.420 --> 00:12:55.259 And yet had come to experience the surprising defeat of the greatest empire in the world, 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:59.879 the parting of the Red Sea, manna and quail from heaven, water from a rock, 00:13:00.139 --> 00:13:02.879 affirmative answers to his impossible prayer requests, 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:07.340 and a face-to-face conversational relationship with the living God 00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:08.540 who also says to him, 00:13:08.660 --> 00:13:11.940 I will do the very thing you have asked because I am pleased with you. 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:17.300 So basically here we have in Moses a man with every reason to believe 00:13:17.300 --> 00:13:19.580 that he is loved and cared for by God 00:13:19.580 --> 00:13:23.160 and every reason to believe that he has the very ear of God. 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:25.660 He's a man truly convinced that God is pleased with him 00:13:25.660 --> 00:13:27.120 and will do the very thing he's asked. 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:29.080 So what does he ask for? 00:13:29.900 --> 00:13:30.580 Verse 18. 00:13:31.280 --> 00:13:32.540 Then Moses said, 00:13:33.280 --> 00:13:35.380 Now show me your glory. 00:13:35.379 --> 00:13:37.519 Now show me your glory. 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:38.939 Or more literally in the Hebrew, 00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:40.840 Cause me to see, 00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:42.620 Cause me to see your glory. 00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:44.820 What does this man ask for? 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:48.139 Who's been given deliverance that he and his people don't deserve, 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:49.659 forgiveness that they don't deserve, 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:51.019 sustenance they don't deserve, 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:53.259 prayer requests answered that they don't deserve, 00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:54.500 a promised land they don't deserve, 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:56.439 God's very presence that they don't deserve. 00:13:56.620 --> 00:13:58.139 What do you ask for when you have it all, 00:13:58.240 --> 00:14:01.820 even the affirmation of God and his promise to answer your prayers? 00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:03.540 What do you ask of this kind of a God? 00:14:04.780 --> 00:14:06.920 You ask him for more of him. 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:09.660 You ask for more of him, 00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:10.960 to see more of him, 00:14:11.140 --> 00:14:12.280 to know more of him, 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:14.480 to experience more of him 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:17.600 in all his inexhaustible fullness. 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:19.920 You ask to go deeper 00:14:19.920 --> 00:14:23.280 into the bottomless well of living water 00:14:23.280 --> 00:14:25.780 for fresh experiences of him 00:14:25.780 --> 00:14:27.640 and all his goodness that are new 00:14:27.640 --> 00:14:29.140 every single morning. 00:14:30.040 --> 00:14:31.800 That's what Moses asked for. 00:14:31.820 --> 00:14:35.320 when he asked to see the glory of God. 00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:37.760 And that is the primal plea 00:14:37.760 --> 00:14:39.240 and the burning pursuit 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:42.720 that catalyzes every revival, 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:45.360 a hunger and a thirst 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:48.520 for nothing but God and God alone. 00:14:49.320 --> 00:14:50.820 As King David said in Psalm 27, 00:14:51.020 --> 00:14:53.100 one thing have I desired of the Lord 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:54.780 that will I seek after, 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:56.620 that I may dwell in the house of the Lord 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:58.480 all the days of my life, 00:14:58.480 --> 00:15:00.840 to behold the beauty, 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.720 the beauty of the Lord 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:04.820 and to inquire in his temple. 00:15:05.920 --> 00:15:07.159 So with the rest of our time today, 00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:08.240 we're going to look more closely 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:10.120 at Moses' bold request 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:11.740 and God's balanced response. 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:13.100 And the big idea is this, 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:15.440 to see the glory of God 00:15:15.440 --> 00:15:17.300 is our greatest pursuit, 00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:19.060 our greatest problem, 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:21.059 and our greatest privilege. 00:15:21.059 --> 00:15:23.159 To see the glory of God 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:24.259 is our greatest pursuit, 00:15:24.619 --> 00:15:25.459 our greatest problem, 00:15:25.739 --> 00:15:26.859 and our greatest privilege. 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:27.879 Now maybe you're here 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:28.579 and you're not sure 00:15:28.579 --> 00:15:29.679 you can even believe in God. 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:31.039 Or you're not sure 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:33.219 how to relate to this Old Testament account 00:15:33.219 --> 00:15:34.219 about Moses. 00:15:34.459 --> 00:15:36.299 Or maybe you identify as a Christian, 00:15:36.979 --> 00:15:37.959 but you honestly don't feel 00:15:37.959 --> 00:15:38.639 much of a hunger 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:40.419 or much of a thirst 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:42.959 for more of this God. 00:15:43.979 --> 00:15:44.959 And so Moses' prayer 00:15:44.959 --> 00:15:46.599 caused me to see your glory. 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:48.639 It kind of sounds abstract, irrelevant, 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:50.120 and unrelatable. 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:52.480 But I think that if we give 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:54.580 some attention to Moses' requests here 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:57.460 and consider what glory even is, 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:59.519 I wonder if you might find 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.420 Moses' prayer 00:16:00.420 --> 00:16:01.879 to see the glory of God 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:04.500 more relatable than you might think. 00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:05.580 And not only relatable, 00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:06.879 but essential. 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:10.100 Even our greatest possible pursuit. 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:11.879 So let's start by considering 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:13.040 this word glory, 00:16:13.180 --> 00:16:14.759 which admittedly is a hard word 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:16.540 to define and to describe. 00:16:17.060 --> 00:16:19.120 Because as theologian Richard Gaffin, 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:20.540 one of my professors at Westminster, 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:21.279 he said, 00:16:21.920 --> 00:16:23.000 glory is preeminently 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:24.379 a divine quality. 00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:25.639 Only God has glory. 00:16:26.440 --> 00:16:27.440 And so all other glories 00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:28.620 are only derivatives. 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:29.560 So that makes it hard 00:16:29.560 --> 00:16:30.700 to describe and define. 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:31.820 But still, I think we can arrive 00:16:31.820 --> 00:16:33.120 at an approximate definition. 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:35.100 After all, God himself 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:36.580 has revealed his glory to us 00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:37.560 that we might grasp, 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:38.920 that we might grasp 00:16:38.920 --> 00:16:40.080 what he wants us to grasp 00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:41.259 about who he is, right? 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:42.940 So let's go for it. 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:44.200 All right, in the Hebrew, 00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:45.700 the word for glory 00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:47.379 is this word kavod. 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:48.960 Kavod, which primarily 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:51.020 has this sense of weightiness. 00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:52.080 Weightiness. 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:54.180 Now first, this might sound weird. 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:55.120 The glory of God 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:56.640 as the weightiness of God. 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:58.140 But maybe another helpful word 00:16:58.140 --> 00:16:59.540 is like gravitas. 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:01.340 Or when we talk about 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.540 weighty matters 00:17:02.540 --> 00:17:03.820 or weighty subjects. 00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:04.539 These are subjects 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:05.779 of first importance, right? 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:07.640 Of most ultimate priority. 00:17:07.840 --> 00:17:09.460 Things that matter the most. 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.500 So when we talk about 00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:12.279 the glory of God, 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:12.960 we're talking about 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:15.660 the supreme weightiness of God. 00:17:16.340 --> 00:17:18.259 God as the ultimate anchor 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:20.240 and foundation of all reality. 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.860 The ultimate reference point. 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:23.019 The sovereign creator 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:24.779 apart from whom nothing exists. 00:17:24.900 --> 00:17:25.759 The glory of God 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:27.640 is the gravitas of God. 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:29.299 Now in the Greek, 00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:30.019 the word for glory 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:30.620 is another word. 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:31.240 It's doxa. 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:33.420 Which carries this sense of honor 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:34.500 and recognition 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:36.240 and praiseworthiness. 00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:38.279 So to talk about glory 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:38.859 is to talk about 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:40.279 what is worthy of praise. 00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:41.460 What is worthy of my honor 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.359 and my worship. 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.859 The glory of God then points 00:17:43.859 --> 00:17:46.279 to the supreme worthiness of God. 00:17:46.359 --> 00:17:47.240 Worthy of all our worship 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.299 and honor and praise. 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:49.400 The only one before whom 00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:51.200 we ought to bow down in worship. 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:52.620 And then when you put 00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:53.660 these two words together, 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.839 kavod and doxa, 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:55.680 what they have in common 00:17:55.680 --> 00:17:56.960 is that they both connotes 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:58.400 a sense of splendor 00:17:58.400 --> 00:17:59.539 and majesty, 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:01.380 abundance and wonder. 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:02.819 And this is why 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.839 when the glory of God 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.880 is beheld 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:06.079 throughout the scriptures, 00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:07.579 it makes people hide. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:08.960 It makes people turn away. 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:10.559 It makes people fall to the ground 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:11.920 and gaze with wonder, 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:13.240 shock and awe. 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:15.920 Now we could dive deeper 00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:17.420 into the many dimensions 00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:18.620 of the glory of God. 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:20.160 But me and Jonathan's 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:20.900 favorite theologian, 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.400 Herman Baving, 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:22.420 he defines the glory of God 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:22.980 like this. 00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:24.579 The glory of the Lord 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:25.920 is the splendor 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:26.759 and brilliance 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:28.940 that is inseparably associated 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:31.220 with all of God's attributes 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:32.779 and his self-revelation 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:33.859 in nature and grace. 00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:34.980 The glorious form 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:36.900 in which he everywhere 00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:38.680 appears to his creatures. 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:40.559 So there can really be 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.980 no end to this discussion 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.240 of the glory of God. 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:43.799 But I bring up 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:45.180 these three aspects, 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:46.759 the weightiness of God, 00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:48.380 the praiseworthiness of God, 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.420 and the splendor of God 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.759 to highlight precisely 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:52.059 why the glory of God 00:18:52.059 --> 00:18:55.200 is our greatest possible pursuit. 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.880 Because don't you see, 00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:58.579 we're all looking 00:18:58.579 --> 00:18:59.519 for something weighty. 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:01.759 that one thing 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:03.200 that matters most, 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.579 the heaviest of anchors, 00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:04.879 right, 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:06.660 that will hold us fast 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:08.139 and keep our ships 00:19:08.139 --> 00:19:08.740 from drifting 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:09.700 and sinking 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.839 under the waves 00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:12.500 of this chaotic world. 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:13.980 We're all looking 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.759 for an ultimate 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.740 weighty foundation 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:17.259 that can hold us secure 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.700 amidst the shifting sentiments 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:19.900 of public opinion, 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:20.519 the shifting values 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:22.440 of each new generation 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:23.559 and every transition 00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:23.980 of power 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.879 from one empire 00:19:24.879 --> 00:19:25.779 to the next. 00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:27.379 And we're also looking 00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:28.180 for something worthy 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:29.100 of our worship, 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:30.520 someone to worship. 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:32.360 As the late essayist 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:33.860 and Pomona College professor 00:19:33.860 --> 00:19:34.640 David Foster Wallace 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.140 once said, 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.240 here's something else 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:37.260 that's weird but true. 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:39.080 In the day-to-day trenches 00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:40.060 of adult life, 00:19:40.140 --> 00:19:40.700 there's actually 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:42.000 no such thing as atheism. 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:43.580 There's no such thing 00:19:43.580 --> 00:19:45.260 as not worshiping. 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:47.560 Everybody worships. 00:19:48.080 --> 00:19:49.480 The only choice we get 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:51.140 is what to worship. 00:19:51.280 --> 00:19:52.880 Wallace was absolutely right. 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:53.920 We're all looking 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.700 for someone 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:56.200 to bow down to as Lord. 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.860 Something or someone 00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:59.460 of the most ultimate, 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:01.180 far surpassing worth 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:02.640 to devote our lives to. 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:04.860 Someone worthy of ordering 00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:05.799 and organizing 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:07.120 and orienting our lives, 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:07.700 our beliefs, 00:20:07.860 --> 00:20:08.340 our values, 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:08.900 our commitments 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:10.160 and our every moment 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:11.019 of existence. 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.460 Someone to rescue us 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.259 from our otherwise 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:14.200 untethered, 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:14.779 arbitrary, 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:15.740 meaningless, 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.539 and ironically 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.740 self-conscious 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:19.180 self-worship. 00:20:20.600 --> 00:20:21.819 And not only are we 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:22.500 looking for that 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.680 which is the weightiest 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:25.420 or the most praiseworthy, 00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:26.080 but we're looking 00:20:26.080 --> 00:20:26.660 for something 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:28.440 with such splendor. 00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:30.700 Something so transcendently 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.420 beautiful 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.660 that it cannot 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:33.920 but take our breaths 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:35.600 away in its presence. 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:36.820 Something that is 00:20:36.820 --> 00:20:38.180 more than just true 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:39.420 but something that is 00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:40.080 so compelling 00:20:40.080 --> 00:20:41.279 and captivating 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.759 that it's astoundingly 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.880 rapturous 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:45.560 beyond words. 00:20:46.360 --> 00:20:47.200 This is what 00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:48.380 the glory of God 00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:49.140 is. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.800 This is what 00:20:50.800 --> 00:20:51.700 Moses is asking 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.140 to see. 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:53.140 the most ultimate 00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:53.840 thing he could 00:20:53.840 --> 00:20:54.460 conceive of. 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:55.140 God, 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:56.380 cause me to see 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:57.040 you. 00:20:57.840 --> 00:20:58.820 In all your radiance, 00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.600 in all your glory, 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.440 in all your fullness, 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:01.440 let me experience 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:02.880 all of who you are, 00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:03.840 your very essence. 00:21:04.020 --> 00:21:04.500 Reveal to me 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.180 your identity 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:06.220 and your character 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.860 in an undeniable way. 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:08.820 Moses wants to 00:21:08.820 --> 00:21:09.660 behold God's glory 00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:10.280 because he wants 00:21:10.280 --> 00:21:11.080 to know God 00:21:11.080 --> 00:21:12.320 even more. 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.180 And Moses wants 00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:15.120 to know and behold God 00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:16.240 because to know God 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:17.420 and to behold 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:18.060 his glory 00:21:18.060 --> 00:21:19.180 is to know 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:19.700 and behold 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.680 the single most 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.380 important thing, 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:21.980 the single most 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.779 profound, 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:23.860 the single most 00:21:23.860 --> 00:21:25.700 foundational reality. 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:28.180 What Moses is after 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:28.960 is what I want to call 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:30.180 that one thing. 00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:31.500 And we all have it. 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:33.120 That one thing, 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.140 that one vision, 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:34.920 that one encounter, 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:35.779 that one experience, 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:37.100 the realest, 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:38.180 the most fundamental, 00:21:38.360 --> 00:21:39.279 most transformative, 00:21:39.600 --> 00:21:40.380 life-altering 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:41.420 and awe-inspiring 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:42.600 sight one could 00:21:42.600 --> 00:21:44.100 possibly behold. 00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:45.580 The glory, 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:47.120 the gravitas, 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:48.240 the awesomeness 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.000 and splendor 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.059 of God. 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:52.259 The one thing 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:52.980 we're all after, 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:55.279 a single orienting reality 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.940 that will anchor 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:57.180 and inspire 00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:58.660 all of us 00:21:58.660 --> 00:21:59.319 in this otherwise 00:21:59.319 --> 00:21:59.839 chaotic, 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:00.559 uncertain, 00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:01.920 arbitrary, 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:03.620 and meaningless world. 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:05.359 The one thing 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:06.799 to which all else 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.779 is subjected. 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:09.859 With a blank check 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.220 from God, 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:11.279 Moses asks 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:12.880 for more of God 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:14.180 because he's been 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:15.599 up the mountaintop 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:16.939 and he knows 00:22:16.939 --> 00:22:17.779 that there's no 00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:18.619 greater pursuit 00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:19.819 than to behold 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:21.500 the glory of God. 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.500 Now based on 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:25.039 Moses' track record 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:26.299 of prayer requests 00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:26.699 so far, 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.219 we might assume 00:22:27.219 --> 00:22:27.699 that God's like, 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:27.980 alright, 00:22:28.459 --> 00:22:28.819 one more, 00:22:28.939 --> 00:22:29.099 Moses? 00:22:29.619 --> 00:22:29.980 Sure, 00:22:30.419 --> 00:22:31.319 I could do one more. 00:22:31.619 --> 00:22:31.839 Sure, 00:22:32.419 --> 00:22:33.419 you can see my glory. 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.779 But what we find here 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:37.319 in verses 19 to 20 00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:38.359 is actually neither 00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:39.179 a full yes 00:22:39.179 --> 00:22:40.459 nor a full no. 00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:41.699 It's more of, 00:22:42.439 --> 00:22:43.059 I'll tell you 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.579 what I'm going to do 00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:44.000 instead. 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:45.079 See, 00:22:45.159 --> 00:22:46.439 because as much 00:22:46.439 --> 00:22:47.500 as God loves Moses, 00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:48.240 as much as God 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.639 is pleased with Moses 00:22:49.639 --> 00:22:50.659 and has graciously 00:22:50.659 --> 00:22:51.639 granted so many 00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.399 of his prayers 00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:53.059 already, 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.839 to see the glory 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:55.279 of God 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:56.279 is not a small 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:57.919 and simple thing. 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.539 To see the glory 00:22:59.539 --> 00:22:59.919 of God 00:22:59.919 --> 00:23:00.500 isn't just 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:01.359 our greatest pursuit 00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:02.000 but it's also 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:03.439 our greatest problem. 00:23:04.359 --> 00:23:05.199 Look at verse 19. 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.279 Here's the partial yes. 00:23:06.919 --> 00:23:08.099 And the Lord said, 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:08.720 I will cause 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.480 all my goodness 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:10.619 to pass in front of you 00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:11.839 and I will proclaim 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:12.539 my name, 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.279 the Lord, 00:23:13.399 --> 00:23:14.099 in your presence. 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.319 I will have mercy 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:16.480 on whom I will have mercy 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.539 and I will have compassion 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:19.359 on whom I will have compassion. 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:19.940 But, 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:20.420 verse 20, 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.359 and here's the partial no, 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.480 but he said, 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.500 you cannot see my face 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:26.539 for no one may see me 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.700 and live. 00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:30.319 Now I imagine that 00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:31.319 for many of us, 00:23:31.399 --> 00:23:32.099 we struggle here 00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:32.839 with verse 20, 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.420 this concept 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.240 that people cannot 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.899 see God's face 00:23:35.899 --> 00:23:36.659 and live. 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:37.759 Maybe you're still 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.700 caught up back 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.920 a couple verses earlier 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:41.119 with this notion 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:42.279 of God's fiery anger 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.139 burning against 00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:45.159 idol-worshiping Israelites 00:23:45.159 --> 00:23:46.339 and God wanting 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:47.839 to even wipe them out 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:49.439 as a whole entire nation 00:23:49.439 --> 00:23:50.759 for worshiping 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.659 this golden calf. 00:23:52.439 --> 00:23:53.479 And I can understand 00:23:53.479 --> 00:23:54.500 how this irritates 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.179 our modern 00:23:55.179 --> 00:23:56.779 Western sensibilities 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.899 that have so elevated 00:23:57.899 --> 00:23:59.079 each one of us 00:23:59.079 --> 00:24:00.199 human beings. 00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:02.539 I can see 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.559 how this might trigger 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.459 even some of us 00:24:04.459 --> 00:24:05.319 who have this 00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:06.399 conception of God 00:24:06.399 --> 00:24:07.139 that he's primarily 00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:08.219 a wrathful God, 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.139 an angry God, 00:24:09.219 --> 00:24:10.159 mostly to be feared. 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:11.040 And you know, 00:24:11.080 --> 00:24:11.920 I would love to have 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:12.880 an extended conversation 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:13.420 with you, 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.740 our elders would as well, 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:15.860 but for the sake of time, 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.540 I want to share with you 00:24:16.540 --> 00:24:17.380 some words from a book 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:18.500 I highly recommend. 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:20.120 It's by hip-hop artist 00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:21.240 Jackie Hill Perry. 00:24:21.860 --> 00:24:22.800 This book is titled 00:24:22.800 --> 00:24:24.600 Holier Than Thou, 00:24:25.060 --> 00:24:26.259 How God's Holiness 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:28.300 Helps Us Trust Him. 00:24:29.080 --> 00:24:29.740 Because I think she 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:31.200 hits it right on the head 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:31.820 in her commitment 00:24:31.820 --> 00:24:33.080 to the holiness of God 00:24:33.080 --> 00:24:34.400 and in her explanation 00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:36.040 of this interface 00:24:36.040 --> 00:24:36.860 between this God 00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:37.740 who is holy, 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.300 holy, 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:38.919 holy, 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:41.339 and his sin-stained 00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:41.980 creatures, 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.680 including you and me. 00:24:44.399 --> 00:24:45.240 Listen to what she writes. 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:45.740 She writes, 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:46.879 The holy, 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:47.339 holy, 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.259 holy God 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.819 should never be treated 00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:51.039 as so familiar 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:52.220 to the degree 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:53.119 that he becomes 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:54.220 approachable 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:55.559 on our own terms. 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.079 I'm going to read that again. 00:24:57.159 --> 00:24:57.559 The holy, 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:57.859 holy, 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.579 holy God 00:24:58.579 --> 00:25:00.159 should never be treated 00:25:00.159 --> 00:25:01.159 as so familiar 00:25:01.159 --> 00:25:02.039 to the degree 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:02.879 that he becomes 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:03.559 approachable 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:05.379 on our own terms. 00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:06.600 See, 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.240 the glory, 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.780 the gravitas of God 00:25:08.780 --> 00:25:10.140 demands that we acknowledge 00:25:10.140 --> 00:25:10.940 that he is God 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:12.000 and that we are not. 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.300 That he's the creator 00:25:13.300 --> 00:25:14.460 and we're his creatures. 00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:15.360 And therefore, 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.740 we must not approach him 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:19.060 on our own artificial terms, 00:25:19.540 --> 00:25:21.840 but on his authoritative terms. 00:25:22.840 --> 00:25:23.900 And according to God's terms, 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.620 his holy presence 00:25:24.620 --> 00:25:25.720 cannot abide 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:27.480 that which is not holy. 00:25:28.540 --> 00:25:29.140 Jackie Hill Perry, 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:29.600 she writes, 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.519 God's wrath 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:32.179 is nothing like the anger 00:25:32.179 --> 00:25:33.659 we know of by experience. 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:35.339 Wrath isn't a response 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:36.859 to God's ego being bruised, 00:25:36.939 --> 00:25:38.439 nor is it that he's a sadist 00:25:38.439 --> 00:25:39.799 taking pleasure in our pain. 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.500 It is quite the opposite. 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.559 The wrath of God 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.859 is the holy revulsion 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:46.819 of God's being against 00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:48.259 that which is a contradiction 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:49.259 to his holiness. 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:51.599 God cannot be indifferent 00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:52.219 towards sin 00:25:52.219 --> 00:25:53.240 because he is too 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:53.959 holy, 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:54.599 holy, 00:25:54.899 --> 00:25:56.000 holy to do so. 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.740 The reason we, 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:58.259 she writes, 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.680 the reason we eventually 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:01.000 find the confidence 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:02.299 to accuse God 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.079 of injustice 00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:04.599 whenever his gavel 00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:05.500 falls too hard 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.460 for our liking 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.960 is because we have 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:09.960 a ridiculously low view 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:10.640 of sin 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:12.720 and an equally mediocre 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.680 grasp 00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:15.420 of the holiness of God. 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.740 And that is why, 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:18.319 she writes, 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:20.480 we can ask to see his glory, 00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:22.400 but it's either death 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:23.720 or a cleft 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:25.319 available to us 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:26.619 if God allows himself 00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:27.759 to be seen. 00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:29.900 And so when Moses 00:26:29.900 --> 00:26:30.779 asks to see 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:31.759 the glory of God, 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.759 he's not only asking 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.720 for the deepest longing 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.720 of his heart 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:36.059 and for the very thing 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:37.259 he was meant to gaze upon 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:38.140 forever and ever 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:39.279 into eternity, 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.160 but he's also 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:41.900 making a death wish. 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:44.180 And that's the conundrum 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.299 for all of us. 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.379 How can we dwell 00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:49.000 with a holy God? 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.779 How can we dwell 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.619 with a holy God? 00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:53.220 But thankfully, 00:26:53.379 --> 00:26:54.059 this isn't the end 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:55.119 of Moses' story, 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.099 nor is it the end of ours. 00:26:56.099 --> 00:26:56.500 And that's where 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:57.899 this cleft comes in. 00:26:58.099 --> 00:26:58.879 For to see the glory 00:26:58.879 --> 00:26:59.679 of God is not only 00:26:59.679 --> 00:27:00.559 our greatest pursuit 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:01.899 and our greatest problem, 00:27:02.139 --> 00:27:02.839 but it's also 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:04.339 our greatest privilege. 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.679 Look with me 00:27:05.679 --> 00:27:06.359 at verse 21. 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:08.339 Just as soon as God 00:27:08.339 --> 00:27:09.779 introduces this tension 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.039 of, 00:27:10.419 --> 00:27:11.759 I will cause all of me 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.819 to pass in front of you, 00:27:12.899 --> 00:27:13.839 but you cannot see my face 00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:14.519 or you will die, 00:27:15.179 --> 00:27:15.939 God also says 00:27:15.939 --> 00:27:16.559 in verse 21, 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.919 there is a place 00:27:17.919 --> 00:27:18.679 near me 00:27:18.679 --> 00:27:19.899 where you may stand 00:27:19.899 --> 00:27:20.440 on a rock. 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.759 When my glory 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:22.500 passes by, 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:23.200 I will put you 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:24.460 in a cleft in the rock 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:26.079 and cover you 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:26.700 with my hand 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.859 until I have passed by. 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:29.220 Then I will remove 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.799 my hand 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.539 and you will see 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.599 my back, 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.059 but my face 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:34.440 must not be seen. 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:35.859 And do you know 00:27:35.859 --> 00:27:36.519 what this is? 00:27:37.419 --> 00:27:39.059 This is a foreshadowing 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:40.379 of the gospel. 00:27:41.419 --> 00:27:42.419 The good news. 00:27:42.879 --> 00:27:43.579 The good news 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:44.460 that when we couldn't 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:45.039 come nearer, 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:45.779 even behold, 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:47.079 the glory of God, 00:27:47.139 --> 00:27:47.839 the glory of God 00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:48.839 shining from the face 00:27:48.839 --> 00:27:49.899 of Jesus Christ 00:27:49.899 --> 00:27:50.579 has come near 00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:51.639 and revealed himself 00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:52.480 to us. 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:55.339 That when all we had 00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:56.519 was a tent 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.980 far outside the camp, 00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.399 the eternal word, 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.359 as the gospel of John 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:00.720 puts it, 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.539 the eternal word 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:02.359 became flesh 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:03.779 and dwelt among us, 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:05.759 tabernacled among us, 00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:07.099 and we beheld his glory 00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:08.799 full of grace 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.720 and truth. 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:11.019 You see, 00:28:11.099 --> 00:28:12.519 because of Christ, 00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:14.639 when even mighty Moses 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:15.520 with whom God 00:28:15.520 --> 00:28:16.240 was pleased to answer 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:17.240 so many of his 00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:18.200 prayer requests, 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:20.220 what mighty Moses 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:20.980 could only see 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.640 in part 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:23.060 in Christ, 00:28:23.560 --> 00:28:24.520 God's own son, 00:28:24.780 --> 00:28:25.480 we can see 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.500 in full 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:28.360 through his son 00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:28.860 with whom 00:28:28.860 --> 00:28:30.780 he is well pleased. 00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:32.740 And what Moses 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:34.180 needed to shield him 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:35.600 from the unapproachable 00:28:35.600 --> 00:28:36.720 glory of God, 00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:38.220 his greatest need 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:39.360 and yet his greatest threat, 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:40.960 we have 00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:42.000 in Christ. 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:43.799 a better rock, 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:45.000 a permanent rock, 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:46.000 a rock who will go 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.740 with us, 00:28:46.799 --> 00:28:47.859 the ultimate cleft 00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:48.579 to Haydn, 00:28:48.839 --> 00:28:50.480 with no need to fear 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:52.319 the awesome glory 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:52.900 of God. 00:28:53.900 --> 00:28:55.319 And this is the good news, 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.539 that at the cross, 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.859 the conundrum 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:59.079 of our greatest pursuit 00:28:59.079 --> 00:29:00.420 being our greatest problem 00:29:00.420 --> 00:29:01.420 because of sin, 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:03.160 at the cross, 00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:04.599 it's resolved. 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.220 In Christ, 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:07.079 Jesus has put 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:07.700 the problem, 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.700 he's put our sin 00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:09.460 to death 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:10.799 in his own body 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:12.059 and if we will trust him, 00:29:12.860 --> 00:29:14.160 if we will hide ourselves 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:14.700 in him 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:15.920 as the ultimate cleft, 00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:17.420 we can be called 00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:18.840 the very righteousness 00:29:18.840 --> 00:29:19.819 of God, 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:20.920 the very holiness 00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:21.759 of God, 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:23.319 partakers in the glory 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:24.140 that once threatened 00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:24.880 our existence 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.799 as people who once 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:26.660 so foolishly 00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:27.759 ascribed all weightiness 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.759 and worthiness 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.279 and wonder 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:30.319 to created things 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:31.240 rather than 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:32.019 our creator. 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:34.340 And this is the gospel. 00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:36.420 This is the gospel, 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.220 this is the heartbeat 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:38.819 of every revival 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.860 when people have caught 00:29:39.860 --> 00:29:40.759 such a glimpse 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:41.799 of the glory of God 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.880 in Jesus Christ 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:43.680 that they humbly 00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:44.920 yet boldly 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:47.079 seek more of him 00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:49.059 and pray along with Moses, 00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.120 oh God, 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:52.019 show me your glory. 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:54.360 And that's what we celebrate 00:29:54.360 --> 00:29:54.940 today, 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:56.180 this Reformation Sunday 00:29:56.180 --> 00:29:57.880 when we remember 00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:59.600 Solus Christus. 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:01.600 There is only one mediator 00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:02.920 between God and man 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:03.819 and it is his son, 00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:05.500 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:06.940 We don't need a priest, 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:07.960 we don't need to 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:09.279 fulfill any rituals, 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.759 we don't need to pay anything 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.740 out of our own pockets, 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:13.519 but solely through Christ. 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:15.500 We can come before 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.819 the throne of God's grace 00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:18.220 with confidence. 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:21.200 Now perhaps you're here today 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:22.779 and you've been sitting 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:24.640 through this revival series, 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.000 right? 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.440 And we're, what, 00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:27.960 nine sermons in now 00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:29.500 to this revival series 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.480 and you're like, 00:30:30.620 --> 00:30:31.680 ah, shoot. 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:33.339 I still don't feel anything. 00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:38.199 I haven't made it 00:30:38.199 --> 00:30:39.039 to the top of the mountain. 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:41.980 I haven't had that experience. 00:30:42.759 --> 00:30:43.439 Come on, Jonathan. 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.379 Light us up, man. 00:30:48.419 --> 00:30:49.339 Bring the fire. 00:30:49.459 --> 00:30:50.939 Lead us up the mountain. 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.419 And I'm trying, man. 00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:58.180 But you know, 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:59.340 this reminds me of a story 00:30:59.340 --> 00:31:00.320 that one of my favorite 00:31:00.320 --> 00:31:00.860 preachers, 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:01.519 Francis Chan, 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:02.759 loves to tell. 00:31:03.600 --> 00:31:04.380 He tells the story 00:31:04.380 --> 00:31:05.820 of this Indian pastor 00:31:05.820 --> 00:31:07.640 who is his mentor. 00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:10.019 And he's an incredibly 00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:11.820 fruitful pastor in India. 00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.740 He's planted like 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:13.700 thousands of churches. 00:31:14.300 --> 00:31:14.680 But one day, 00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:15.940 Francis Chan receives this call 00:31:15.940 --> 00:31:16.860 from this pastor 00:31:16.860 --> 00:31:17.900 and the pastor 00:31:17.900 --> 00:31:18.920 is just weeping. 00:31:19.840 --> 00:31:20.740 He's weeping 00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:22.300 because he's just found out 00:31:22.299 --> 00:31:23.720 that yet another 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.899 high-profile pastor 00:31:24.899 --> 00:31:25.819 in America 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:27.299 has fallen, 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:28.579 has fallen, 00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:29.460 has had another 00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:30.839 moral failure. 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:32.799 And he's weeping 00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:34.119 because he knows 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:34.919 what kind of effect 00:31:34.919 --> 00:31:35.819 this is going to have 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.799 on the church in America. 00:31:36.940 --> 00:31:37.819 We who so love 00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:39.720 our celebrity pastors, 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.960 we who are so dependent 00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:42.639 on these fiery guys 00:31:42.639 --> 00:31:43.839 on YouTube and Instagram 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:46.440 just inspiring us 00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:48.419 and carrying us 00:31:48.419 --> 00:31:49.180 on their backs 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:50.279 up the mountain. 00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:52.399 And what he says 00:31:52.399 --> 00:31:53.359 to Francis Chan is, 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.039 Francis, 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:56.720 what's wrong 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:57.379 with you guys? 00:31:59.039 --> 00:31:59.859 Don't you know 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:01.700 you can go up 00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:02.680 the mountain yourselves? 00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:04.740 Don't you know 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.440 that you can go up 00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:06.940 the mountain yourselves 00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:08.680 and behold a glory 00:32:08.680 --> 00:32:09.700 far beyond 00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:10.660 what Moses ever 00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:11.680 could have dreamed of 00:32:11.680 --> 00:32:12.579 until he saw 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:14.480 the transfigured Christ? 00:32:15.819 --> 00:32:16.720 Well, that's who 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.480 we have now. 00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:19.900 we have the Christ. 00:32:20.400 --> 00:32:21.120 He has come. 00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:22.380 He has come. 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.339 He has given himself 00:32:23.339 --> 00:32:24.019 to us 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:24.920 to behold 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:26.319 the good news 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:26.920 of God's word 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:27.299 to us today, 00:32:27.380 --> 00:32:27.900 the good news 00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:28.960 of Reformation Sunday 00:32:28.960 --> 00:32:30.079 is that in Christ 00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:31.299 and through Christ 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:32.120 we can go up 00:32:32.120 --> 00:32:32.599 the mountain. 00:32:33.599 --> 00:32:34.700 We can behold 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.660 his glory. 00:32:37.440 --> 00:32:38.400 Will you come? 00:32:39.400 --> 00:32:39.980 Will you come 00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:40.400 and see? 00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:42.319 Will you come 00:32:42.319 --> 00:32:42.900 to Jesus? 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:43.940 Come to this table 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:45.600 and behold 00:32:45.600 --> 00:32:46.220 his glory 00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:47.779 and find it 00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:49.220 full of grace 00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:50.340 and truth. 00:32:51.380 --> 00:32:52.320 Will you pray with me? 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:53.419 and be damned 00:32:53.419 --> 00:32:53.460 in theừng 00:32:53.460 --> 00:33:12.980 and sab 00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:13.700 and 00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.939 who