WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.280 Hey, good morning everybody. 00:00:01.940 --> 00:00:02.600 Good morning. 00:00:02.760 --> 00:00:03.560 Good morning, thanks. 00:00:04.360 --> 00:00:08.779 If you are new to Watermark, you don't know me, my name is Kevin, one of the leaders here. 00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:12.040 It's great to be with you this morning. 00:00:12.640 --> 00:00:16.300 I saw a couple of familiar faces, some faces we haven't seen for a while. 00:00:16.500 --> 00:00:19.660 It's great to see friends, old and new. 00:00:20.980 --> 00:00:23.280 We are a couple of weeks out from Easter. 00:00:23.280 --> 00:00:32.020 And so for the next few weeks we are going to be looking at various portions of scripture that help us think about Easter. 00:00:33.060 --> 00:00:40.179 If you are new to church or Christianity, you may think Easter, that's about Easter eggs and chocolate things. 00:00:40.460 --> 00:00:43.040 And that's like a western holiday, I get some public holidays. 00:00:43.719 --> 00:00:46.740 But actually Easter is all about Jesus of Nazareth. 00:00:47.500 --> 00:00:49.880 And about his death on the cross. 00:00:49.880 --> 00:00:56.100 What we are going to do over the next few weeks is we are going to work through some passages of scripture in the Old Testament 00:00:56.100 --> 00:01:01.620 that show us or that shed light on what Easter is all about. 00:01:01.920 --> 00:01:03.920 That help us understand the meaning of Easter. 00:01:04.700 --> 00:01:07.439 I don't know if you have ever played this game, maybe when you were a kid. 00:01:07.900 --> 00:01:11.500 You shine a spotlight and you make shapes out of your hands, right? 00:01:11.500 --> 00:01:17.420 So you are like, oh, it's an elephant and it's a dog and you make these shapes, a shining spotlight 00:01:17.420 --> 00:01:20.879 and the people behind you have to see the shadow and guess what animal it is. 00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:21.939 Do you know what I'm talking about? 00:01:22.379 --> 00:01:22.560 Okay. 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:27.820 In some ways, much of the Old Testament is like that. 00:01:28.240 --> 00:01:32.420 There are these stories and these narratives that shine a light 00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:37.820 and they kind of give the outline of who Jesus is and what the gospel is all about and Christianity and Easter. 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:40.939 But they don't fill it in detail or in color. 00:01:40.939 --> 00:01:47.539 We are going to look at some of these passages of the next few weeks that give a bit of an outline, a shadow 00:01:47.539 --> 00:01:51.060 of what Easter is all about in the Old Testament 00:01:51.060 --> 00:01:54.819 and how the Old Testament foreshadows Jesus on the cross. 00:01:55.340 --> 00:02:00.939 So today we are looking at this very famous passage in the Old Testament, Exodus 32 to 34. 00:02:01.079 --> 00:02:03.500 It's a long reading, so thank you Raymond and Soda. 00:02:04.180 --> 00:02:05.620 Now the context is this. 00:02:06.180 --> 00:02:09.579 Just a few weeks before this event that's taken place, 00:02:09.580 --> 00:02:12.980 God has just rescued his people out of Egypt. 00:02:13.460 --> 00:02:15.820 This amazing, great deliverance. 00:02:16.260 --> 00:02:18.780 By the blood of the Lamb, Passover has happened. 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:20.580 They've been saved and rescued. 00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:24.540 And now they are traveling between Egypt and Canaan. 00:02:24.740 --> 00:02:28.540 Canaan is this land, this area of land that God promised to Abraham. 00:02:28.920 --> 00:02:29.820 He would give his descendants. 00:02:30.320 --> 00:02:33.980 And they're traveling in the wilderness that disappeared between Egypt and Canaan. 00:02:34.420 --> 00:02:37.439 And on this way, God has provided everything for them. 00:02:37.439 --> 00:02:40.879 He's given them food, he's given them water, he's given them clothing. 00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:43.340 Everything they've needed, God has provided. 00:02:44.800 --> 00:02:49.020 And they come to a place called Mount Sinai, about halfway on the journey. 00:02:49.460 --> 00:02:50.439 There's some hills. 00:02:50.879 --> 00:02:54.419 And at this place, God tells Moses, the leader, the representative, 00:02:54.840 --> 00:02:56.199 to go up on the hill. 00:02:56.759 --> 00:02:58.879 And God establishes a covenant, 00:02:59.500 --> 00:03:03.020 which is like a special relationship with his people, via Moses. 00:03:03.020 --> 00:03:05.280 So Moses is on top of Mount Sinai, 00:03:05.820 --> 00:03:09.640 and God establishes this covenant relationship. 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:13.700 And he gives Moses the terms and the conditions of the covenant, 00:03:14.140 --> 00:03:15.900 which are largely the Ten Commandments, 00:03:16.219 --> 00:03:17.660 plus some other instructions. 00:03:18.640 --> 00:03:21.340 And God's people, remember, 00:03:22.060 --> 00:03:25.200 the Israelites are not just religious people or spiritual people, 00:03:25.840 --> 00:03:27.160 they are God's covenant people. 00:03:27.760 --> 00:03:29.400 It means they belong to him. 00:03:29.400 --> 00:03:33.659 They've entered into a special dynamic relationship with God. 00:03:34.439 --> 00:03:35.760 It's kind of like marriage, right? 00:03:35.840 --> 00:03:37.480 Marriage is a form of covenant. 00:03:38.219 --> 00:03:40.300 And when you get married, you say to your spouse, 00:03:40.860 --> 00:03:42.960 all that I am, with all that I have, 00:03:43.020 --> 00:03:44.280 I give myself to you. 00:03:44.379 --> 00:03:47.340 I now forsake all others, and I belong to you. 00:03:47.819 --> 00:03:49.840 You enter into this very special relationship. 00:03:50.640 --> 00:03:51.939 It's like, when I was married to Claire, 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:54.579 my job is to love all people, 00:03:55.180 --> 00:03:57.180 to love all male and female, 00:03:57.800 --> 00:03:59.539 but I have a special love for Claire, 00:03:59.879 --> 00:04:01.219 that is reserved for her, right? 00:04:02.139 --> 00:04:03.439 That's a covenant relationship. 00:04:03.579 --> 00:04:05.620 And so God's people are his covenant people. 00:04:05.719 --> 00:04:07.280 So Moses goes up to Mount Sinai, 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:08.860 receives the Ten Commandments, 00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:10.919 the covenant terms and conditions. 00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:12.979 But while Moses is up there, 00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:15.979 things down below are falling apart. 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:18.560 Because the people of Israel 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:20.120 don't know what's happened to Moses. 00:04:20.120 --> 00:04:21.639 He's up on the mountain, 00:04:21.879 --> 00:04:23.060 and they start to wonder, 00:04:23.180 --> 00:04:24.040 what's happened to the guy? 00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:25.459 He's taking a long time. 00:04:26.240 --> 00:04:27.180 Maybe he's died. 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:28.879 Maybe something's happened to him. 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:30.780 If something's happened to Moses, 00:04:31.240 --> 00:04:32.759 how are we going to follow God? 00:04:32.819 --> 00:04:34.600 How are we going to know God's will for us? 00:04:35.160 --> 00:04:36.840 And so they start to scheme in the plan. 00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:38.160 They come up with a plan. 00:04:38.699 --> 00:04:41.079 They go to Aaron, who's the second in charge, 00:04:41.160 --> 00:04:41.860 and they say, Aaron, 00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:44.340 make a golden idol for us. 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:46.420 It's something that we can bow down and worship. 00:04:47.160 --> 00:04:49.379 It's not so much that they want to replace God, 00:04:49.379 --> 00:04:51.540 they just want a representative of God. 00:04:51.620 --> 00:04:52.819 They want something they can touch, 00:04:52.920 --> 00:04:53.939 something they can feel. 00:04:54.420 --> 00:04:56.300 It's a bit hard following God 00:04:56.300 --> 00:04:59.079 that you don't know where he is or what he's like. 00:04:59.579 --> 00:05:01.980 And so they want something tangible to feel and touch 00:05:01.980 --> 00:05:02.819 and look to and say, 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:04.040 God is in our midst. 00:05:04.839 --> 00:05:06.439 And so they say, Aaron, make us this calf. 00:05:06.519 --> 00:05:07.860 And Aaron does that. 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:11.579 He produces this golden calf-like structure, 00:05:11.980 --> 00:05:13.420 and they bow down, they worship, 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:14.100 and they celebrate, 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:15.759 and they make a feast. 00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:18.800 And what they think is a brilliant idea 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:21.240 soon ends catastrophically. 00:05:21.319 --> 00:05:23.519 Look at chapter 32, verse 7. 00:05:24.039 --> 00:05:25.639 I'm going to have most of the scripture on the screen, 00:05:25.740 --> 00:05:26.800 but you can look at your bulletin. 00:05:27.420 --> 00:05:28.240 God says to Moses, 00:05:28.379 --> 00:05:28.980 Go down, 00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:30.219 for your people, 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:32.180 whom you brought up out of Egypt, 00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:33.659 have corrupted themselves. 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:35.459 They've turned aside quickly, 00:05:35.459 --> 00:05:36.839 out of the way I commanded them. 00:05:37.259 --> 00:05:39.120 They've made themselves a golden calf. 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:40.039 They've worshipped it. 00:05:40.099 --> 00:05:41.339 They're sacrificing to it. 00:05:41.599 --> 00:05:42.019 They've said, 00:05:42.079 --> 00:05:43.079 These are your gods, 00:05:43.079 --> 00:05:43.579 O Israel, 00:05:43.740 --> 00:05:45.060 who brought you up out of Egypt. 00:05:45.560 --> 00:05:46.259 Now therefore, 00:05:46.519 --> 00:05:47.439 leave me alone. 00:05:47.819 --> 00:05:50.560 Let my wrath burn hot against them, 00:05:50.839 --> 00:05:52.319 that I may consume them. 00:05:53.180 --> 00:05:55.139 So it's hardly been one month 00:05:55.139 --> 00:05:56.620 since they've left Egypt. 00:05:57.180 --> 00:05:58.099 They're in the wilderness, 00:05:58.560 --> 00:06:00.899 and already things are falling apart. 00:06:01.740 --> 00:06:03.479 Their covenant relationship 00:06:03.479 --> 00:06:06.680 is in deep jeopardy. 00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:08.039 It's been threatened. 00:06:09.299 --> 00:06:11.360 Because they haven't even, 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:12.620 you know, 00:06:12.699 --> 00:06:13.240 Passover, 00:06:13.960 --> 00:06:14.900 and the Exodus, 00:06:15.060 --> 00:06:16.300 is fresh in their minds. 00:06:17.180 --> 00:06:18.460 It's only a few weeks from there. 00:06:18.580 --> 00:06:19.220 And already, 00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:21.100 this special relationship 00:06:21.100 --> 00:06:22.319 that they've got with God, 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:23.480 is under threat. 00:06:24.160 --> 00:06:24.780 It's falling apart. 00:06:25.139 --> 00:06:26.520 Their covenant vows, 00:06:26.840 --> 00:06:27.860 they've broken them. 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:30.100 And so now the relationship 00:06:30.100 --> 00:06:30.860 is under threat. 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:33.780 And it's kind of like, 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:34.180 imagine, 00:06:34.180 --> 00:06:34.680 imagine, 00:06:34.780 --> 00:06:36.080 you're going to get married, 00:06:36.180 --> 00:06:36.340 right? 00:06:36.400 --> 00:06:37.960 So you go to Hong Kong Park, 00:06:38.259 --> 00:06:40.020 you go to the marriage center there, 00:06:40.019 --> 00:06:41.539 and you get dressed up, 00:06:41.599 --> 00:06:43.359 and you're in your very best, 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:45.000 and you go in, 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:45.719 you make your appointment, 00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:46.359 you go in, 00:06:46.839 --> 00:06:48.479 and you're so excited, 00:06:48.579 --> 00:06:49.779 and you've got a photographer there, 00:06:50.259 --> 00:06:51.779 and the marriage officer comes, 00:06:51.859 --> 00:06:53.479 and he leads you in saying your vows, 00:06:53.979 --> 00:06:55.000 and you say your vows, 00:06:55.060 --> 00:06:56.459 and your spouse says their vows, 00:06:57.019 --> 00:06:58.139 and he says, 00:06:58.199 --> 00:06:58.399 right, 00:06:58.500 --> 00:07:00.019 I now legally pronounce you 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:01.439 before the government of Hong Kong, 00:07:01.699 --> 00:07:02.439 you are married, 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:03.279 husband and wife. 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:05.699 And you put your hands over each other, 00:07:05.779 --> 00:07:07.099 and you take photos of the rings, 00:07:07.100 --> 00:07:08.600 and it's also nice, 00:07:08.680 --> 00:07:09.660 and you go outside, 00:07:10.020 --> 00:07:10.980 and you say to your wife, 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:13.060 I'm just going to go get the marriage certificate, 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:13.820 just wait here. 00:07:14.340 --> 00:07:15.320 And you go inside, 00:07:15.400 --> 00:07:16.240 you get the marriage certificate, 00:07:16.379 --> 00:07:17.379 and you come out, 00:07:17.820 --> 00:07:19.680 and your wife is behind the trees, 00:07:19.740 --> 00:07:20.540 with the photographer, 00:07:21.340 --> 00:07:22.560 kissing and cuddling, 00:07:23.460 --> 00:07:26.220 and the ink hasn't even dried on the paper, 00:07:26.900 --> 00:07:28.340 and already the vows are broken. 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:31.060 Or imagine even worse. 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:32.180 I mean, 00:07:32.300 --> 00:07:32.960 it sounds funny, 00:07:33.020 --> 00:07:33.680 but it's not funny, 00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:33.980 right? 00:07:34.480 --> 00:07:35.319 You go on honeymoon, 00:07:36.640 --> 00:07:38.600 and you say to your husband, 00:07:38.740 --> 00:07:40.080 I'll meet you downstairs now, 00:07:40.520 --> 00:07:41.600 and you go downstairs, 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:42.600 you're in the Maldives, 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:43.400 you're on honeymoon, 00:07:44.020 --> 00:07:44.980 and you see your husband 00:07:44.980 --> 00:07:46.200 slipping his phone number 00:07:46.200 --> 00:07:47.360 to somebody across the bar, 00:07:47.420 --> 00:07:47.560 saying, 00:07:47.640 --> 00:07:48.280 call me later. 00:07:49.160 --> 00:07:49.379 It's like, 00:07:49.460 --> 00:07:51.460 you've just made the covenant. 00:07:52.040 --> 00:07:53.040 It's only just begun, 00:07:53.140 --> 00:07:54.600 and already you're breaking it. 00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:57.500 And that's what's happening with Israel here. 00:07:57.780 --> 00:07:59.520 They've only just left Egypt. 00:08:00.140 --> 00:08:01.400 Moses is up the mountain, 00:08:01.800 --> 00:08:03.900 busy getting the terms and conditions, 00:08:04.660 --> 00:08:07.080 and Israel already worshipping other gods. 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:09.500 They're going after other lovers. 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:11.560 And friends, 00:08:11.640 --> 00:08:13.300 the Bible says that actually, 00:08:13.460 --> 00:08:14.240 in some ways, 00:08:14.340 --> 00:08:17.400 this is a picture of what all sin is like. 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:20.520 Sin at a fundamental level, 00:08:20.600 --> 00:08:21.840 at a deep heart level, 00:08:22.379 --> 00:08:24.220 it's actually a form of idolatry. 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:26.100 It's a form of saying, 00:08:26.520 --> 00:08:28.800 there's something else that's going to become, 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:30.920 that's become more important to me than you, 00:08:31.020 --> 00:08:31.160 God. 00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:31.560 I'm going to, 00:08:31.640 --> 00:08:32.800 I'm going to say no to you, 00:08:32.840 --> 00:08:35.180 and I'm going to give myself to something else. 00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:39.000 Something other than the God who's created us to know him, 00:08:39.040 --> 00:08:39.620 and love him, 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:41.320 and be in a relationship with him. 00:08:41.779 --> 00:08:42.000 You know, 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:42.600 Martin Luther, 00:08:42.899 --> 00:08:44.040 a famous pastor, 00:08:44.160 --> 00:08:44.920 500 years ago, 00:08:44.980 --> 00:08:45.220 said, 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:48.360 nobody breaks any of the 10 commandments, 00:08:48.800 --> 00:08:49.920 especially the latter half, 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:50.720 like, 00:08:50.800 --> 00:08:51.540 do not steal, 00:08:51.720 --> 00:08:52.420 do not lie, 00:08:52.759 --> 00:08:53.740 do not commit adultery, 00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:54.680 do not commit murder. 00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:56.519 Nobody breaks any of those, 00:08:56.519 --> 00:08:59.079 unless you first break the very first commandment. 00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:00.500 And the first commandment is, 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:02.100 don't have any other gods before me. 00:09:03.059 --> 00:09:03.860 And he's right, 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:04.240 right? 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:05.039 When you, 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:05.819 when I, 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:07.059 when I do something, 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:08.500 let's say I lie to a colleague, 00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:09.799 to protect my reputation, 00:09:09.960 --> 00:09:10.759 my reputation. 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:12.600 What am I actually doing? 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:15.860 Something's become more important to me than God in that moment. 00:09:16.579 --> 00:09:17.720 What people think of me, 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:19.539 my reputation before others, 00:09:19.600 --> 00:09:21.079 is more important to me than God. 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:22.259 So, 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:22.980 so I do that, 00:09:23.020 --> 00:09:23.800 because actually, 00:09:23.940 --> 00:09:24.879 God is not that important. 00:09:25.460 --> 00:09:26.240 Or let's say I, 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:27.680 lie in my tax return, 00:09:27.740 --> 00:09:27.920 right? 00:09:28.180 --> 00:09:28.900 I tell the government, 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:30.360 this is what I earned this year, 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:32.300 but actually there's a whole lot of other stuff on the side, 00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:33.440 I don't really want to tell them. 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:34.460 What's happened? 00:09:35.160 --> 00:09:38.360 Something else has become more important to me than Jesus Christ, 00:09:38.660 --> 00:09:39.320 than God. 00:09:39.920 --> 00:09:41.320 That's actually become my God. 00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:42.160 I say, 00:09:42.200 --> 00:09:42.340 Lord, 00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:42.940 I'm going to look to you, 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:43.980 I'm going to trust in this, 00:09:43.980 --> 00:09:45.360 this thing will make me happy. 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:47.840 And so Martin Luther was right, 00:09:47.900 --> 00:09:48.180 when he said, 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:48.780 whenever we, 00:09:48.840 --> 00:09:49.560 whenever we sin, 00:09:49.600 --> 00:09:50.740 when we do these things, 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:53.460 we always try to look to some other God, 00:09:53.540 --> 00:09:54.440 whether our reputation, 00:09:54.660 --> 00:09:55.480 whether our face, 00:09:55.940 --> 00:09:56.980 our financial security, 00:09:57.139 --> 00:09:57.700 our pleasure, 00:09:57.879 --> 00:09:58.400 our comfort, 00:09:58.900 --> 00:10:01.060 something else has taken the place of God. 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:02.540 And we're loving, 00:10:02.660 --> 00:10:03.200 and worshipping, 00:10:03.300 --> 00:10:04.120 and looking to that thing, 00:10:04.200 --> 00:10:05.200 to give us security, 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:05.759 and meaning, 00:10:05.900 --> 00:10:06.300 and peace, 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:07.200 and hope. 00:10:08.560 --> 00:10:09.280 And that means, 00:10:09.360 --> 00:10:09.860 in a way, 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:12.960 all sin is a kind of covenant unfaithfulness. 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:16.000 A kind of covenant breaking. 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:17.360 A way of saying, 00:10:17.540 --> 00:10:17.759 God, 00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:19.460 I know I should love you, 00:10:19.560 --> 00:10:20.980 but I'm going to love something else. 00:10:21.080 --> 00:10:21.660 more than you. 00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:24.600 This thing has become more important to me than God. 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:24.879 And so, 00:10:25.259 --> 00:10:26.540 look what happens in our passage, 00:10:26.660 --> 00:10:27.379 chapter 33, 00:10:27.500 --> 00:10:27.980 verse 1. 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:29.280 The Lord says to Moses, 00:10:29.780 --> 00:10:30.080 okay, 00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:30.440 go, 00:10:30.580 --> 00:10:31.360 depart from here, 00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:32.460 you and the people, 00:10:32.660 --> 00:10:34.180 that you brought out of the land of Egypt, 00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:36.379 go to the land that I saw to Abraham, 00:10:36.520 --> 00:10:36.879 to Isaac, 00:10:36.940 --> 00:10:37.280 and Jacob. 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:37.700 In other words, 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:38.720 go to the promised land. 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:41.379 I will send my angel before you, 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:42.940 I will drive out your enemies, 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:43.580 Canaanites, 00:10:43.680 --> 00:10:44.120 Amorites, 00:10:44.180 --> 00:10:44.500 Hittites, 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:44.980 Perizzites, 00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:45.440 et cetera. 00:10:45.880 --> 00:10:46.420 But I, 00:10:46.520 --> 00:10:47.780 I'm not going to go with you, 00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:50.400 lest I consume you along the way, 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:52.160 for you are a stiff-necked people. 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:52.540 In other words, 00:10:52.560 --> 00:10:53.680 you are a stubborn people. 00:10:54.540 --> 00:10:55.180 So God says, 00:10:55.680 --> 00:10:56.020 Moses, 00:10:56.460 --> 00:10:57.680 the marriage is over. 00:10:58.540 --> 00:10:59.920 The covenant is over. 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:01.020 He says, 00:11:01.080 --> 00:11:02.040 you can still go, 00:11:02.340 --> 00:11:02.720 and actually, 00:11:02.820 --> 00:11:03.920 I will send my angel, 00:11:04.040 --> 00:11:04.880 I will help you, 00:11:05.180 --> 00:11:06.920 I will send my blessing ahead of you, 00:11:06.960 --> 00:11:08.020 I'll clear out the way, 00:11:08.360 --> 00:11:10.040 you can go and live in the promised land, 00:11:10.599 --> 00:11:12.019 but I'm not going to be with you. 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:13.179 This relationship, 00:11:13.299 --> 00:11:14.819 I'm no longer going to be your people, 00:11:15.019 --> 00:11:15.559 you're not going to, 00:11:15.639 --> 00:11:16.699 you're not going to be my people, 00:11:16.799 --> 00:11:17.740 I'm not going to be your God. 00:11:18.179 --> 00:11:19.439 This relationship is over. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:21.039 It's kind of like, 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:22.179 in a marriage, 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:22.419 right? 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:23.059 Someone says, 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:25.259 this marriage is over. 00:11:25.339 --> 00:11:26.360 You can keep the house, 00:11:26.439 --> 00:11:27.360 the furniture we bought, 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:28.159 you can keep that, 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:29.500 the engagement ring, 00:11:29.799 --> 00:11:30.659 you can have that, 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:32.539 but I'm not moving in with you. 00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:34.240 Our relationship is, 00:11:34.459 --> 00:11:34.959 is over. 00:11:35.579 --> 00:11:36.539 And the reason is, 00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:36.939 he says, 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:39.159 if we go on this journey together, 00:11:39.159 --> 00:11:40.199 and you Israelites, 00:11:40.339 --> 00:11:41.639 keep on behaving like that, 00:11:42.259 --> 00:11:43.319 my justice, 00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:44.219 my integrity, 00:11:44.339 --> 00:11:45.679 my commitment to my holiness, 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:47.199 is going to destroy you. 00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:49.699 Because the consequences for sin, 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:51.959 is always death and destruction. 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:53.459 Always. 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:54.639 You know, 00:11:54.719 --> 00:11:54.919 friends, 00:11:55.079 --> 00:11:55.740 when we sin, 00:11:55.839 --> 00:11:56.939 when I sin, 00:11:56.959 --> 00:11:58.279 let me use myself as an example, 00:11:59.339 --> 00:12:00.500 somewhere deep in my heart, 00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:02.339 I'm always doing a cost-benefit analysis. 00:12:02.579 --> 00:12:02.740 Okay, 00:12:02.779 --> 00:12:03.480 this is the cost, 00:12:03.579 --> 00:12:04.299 this is the benefit, 00:12:04.579 --> 00:12:04.799 okay, 00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:05.299 it's worth it, 00:12:05.299 --> 00:12:06.019 I'm going to go for it, 00:12:06.039 --> 00:12:06.259 right? 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:09.139 Now that happens at a deep subconscious level. 00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:10.259 Friends, 00:12:10.379 --> 00:12:11.319 sin always, 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:12.079 always, 00:12:12.139 --> 00:12:13.779 costs us more than we expect. 00:12:14.819 --> 00:12:16.819 Always costs more than you bargained for. 00:12:17.559 --> 00:12:19.039 And the consequences are always, 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:19.980 death and destruction. 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:21.480 And so God says, 00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:23.459 this is not going to work. 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:25.639 This relationship needs to come to an end. 00:12:26.719 --> 00:12:27.779 Now here's a quick question, 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:28.779 on the side note, 00:12:29.439 --> 00:12:30.360 question for us. 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:33.059 I wonder how we would feel, 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:34.279 if God said this to us. 00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:36.100 If God said to us, 00:12:36.179 --> 00:12:36.659 this morning, 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:38.759 you can go, 00:12:39.059 --> 00:12:40.799 and have all of my blessings, 00:12:40.939 --> 00:12:42.620 I will send my angel before you, 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:44.539 I will clear the path to you, 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.719 I will open up the way, 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:46.480 I will, 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:47.719 you can have all my blessings, 00:12:47.839 --> 00:12:48.620 you can have heaven, 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.799 and everything you want, 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:51.139 but I'm not going to be there. 00:12:51.819 --> 00:12:52.659 How would we feel? 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:56.139 I think if we're honest, 00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:58.799 we'd be tempted to say, 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:00.159 that sounds like a great deal. 00:13:01.379 --> 00:13:01.639 I mean, 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:03.039 I can get all the good life, 00:13:03.159 --> 00:13:04.699 all the blessings of God's favor, 00:13:04.839 --> 00:13:07.139 and I don't even need to keep this relationship with God. 00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:10.059 That sounds like a good deal. 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.980 But actually friends, 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:13.219 it's a terrible deal. 00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:15.139 And look what happens here, 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:15.879 verse 4. 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:19.059 When the people heard this disastrous word, 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:20.559 they mourned, 00:13:20.679 --> 00:13:21.779 they grieved. 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:24.039 Because this is terrible, 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:24.939 terrible news. 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:25.639 It's traumatic. 00:13:26.439 --> 00:13:27.120 God says, 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:29.059 I am no longer going to be your people. 00:13:29.659 --> 00:13:31.600 You are no longer going to be my God. 00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:33.299 Sorry. 00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:36.240 I think I've got that wrong the whole morning, 00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:36.500 right? 00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:39.940 You are not going to be my people. 00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:42.019 I'm not going to be your God. 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:44.659 Now they are without God. 00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:45.659 They are without hope. 00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:47.439 They are without purpose. 00:13:47.559 --> 00:13:48.480 They are without meaning. 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:50.419 They are without identity. 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:51.699 They are without security. 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:52.740 They are without peace. 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:54.480 In a world, 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:56.079 bobbing along on their own. 00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:58.000 Without God. 00:13:59.259 --> 00:13:59.699 Friends, 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:01.299 if you're not a Christian this morning, 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:03.199 this may sound really strange to you. 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:04.919 But I want you to see that 00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:06.399 the divine being, 00:14:06.519 --> 00:14:08.919 who created everything that exists, 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:09.939 that we call God, 00:14:09.940 --> 00:14:12.160 He created you 00:14:12.160 --> 00:14:13.460 to know Him, 00:14:13.920 --> 00:14:15.000 and love Him, 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:17.080 and be in relationship with Him, 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:18.960 and to experience peace, 00:14:19.380 --> 00:14:20.060 and security, 00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:21.160 and identity, 00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:22.260 and meaning, 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:23.480 and wholeness, 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:24.920 in relationship with Him. 00:14:25.780 --> 00:14:28.340 And just because you don't believe in Him, 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:30.460 doesn't mean that He doesn't believe in you. 00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:32.700 And that He doesn't have a purpose for you. 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:35.360 This is what it means to be a human being. 00:14:35.800 --> 00:14:37.580 To be in relationship with the God 00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:39.020 who made you to know Him. 00:14:39.940 --> 00:14:40.840 And yet the problem is, 00:14:40.900 --> 00:14:41.980 things always get in the way. 00:14:42.880 --> 00:14:44.100 Things always get in the way. 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.060 And so, 00:14:45.260 --> 00:14:46.140 look what Israel do. 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.160 They grieve, 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:48.160 and they mourn. 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:50.160 It's like somebody has died. 00:14:50.900 --> 00:14:51.460 Because actually, 00:14:51.540 --> 00:14:53.520 the most important thing about them has died. 00:14:54.400 --> 00:14:55.920 Their relationship with God has died. 00:14:55.920 --> 00:14:56.280 And so, 00:14:56.880 --> 00:14:57.580 Moses, 00:14:57.680 --> 00:14:58.460 in the rest of the chapter, 00:14:58.640 --> 00:15:00.100 Moses begins to intercede. 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:01.220 Look at verse 12. 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:02.260 He goes, 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:02.600 and he says, 00:15:02.680 --> 00:15:03.000 Lord, 00:15:03.160 --> 00:15:04.360 we need you. 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:05.200 He says, 00:15:05.280 --> 00:15:05.520 God, 00:15:05.800 --> 00:15:07.480 us going into the promised land, 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:09.780 enjoying all of the good life, 00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:11.260 without you being there, 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.240 is meaningless. 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:13.880 There's no point. 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:15.920 We are your people. 00:15:16.060 --> 00:15:16.800 That's our identity. 00:15:16.900 --> 00:15:17.560 That's who we are. 00:15:17.820 --> 00:15:18.800 If we go in, 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:19.920 and you're not with us, 00:15:20.140 --> 00:15:21.960 there's no point in us even going in. 00:15:22.920 --> 00:15:23.220 God, 00:15:23.280 --> 00:15:24.280 this is who we are. 00:15:24.400 --> 00:15:25.980 This is what it means to be your people. 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:26.320 And so, 00:15:26.880 --> 00:15:27.360 eventually, 00:15:27.520 --> 00:15:27.940 God says, 00:15:28.020 --> 00:15:28.240 okay, 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:28.720 fine. 00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:30.180 I will make it work. 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:31.220 Look at verse 17. 00:15:31.660 --> 00:15:32.660 The Lord said to Moses, 00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:35.200 this very thing that you have spoken, 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:36.500 or that you have asked for, 00:15:36.800 --> 00:15:37.899 I will do for you. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:40.279 For you have found favor in my sight. 00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:41.480 God says, 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:42.139 okay, 00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:42.480 Moses, 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:47.500 I will find a way to still keep my covenant relationship with my covenant people. 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:49.300 Now, 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:50.279 the question is this. 00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:52.540 How can this work? 00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:53.920 God says, 00:15:53.920 --> 00:15:57.639 I can't go into the promised land with you because of your sin. 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:58.600 Okay? 00:15:59.080 --> 00:16:00.500 You are stubborn people. 00:16:00.939 --> 00:16:01.899 I can't go in. 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:03.120 The relationship is broken. 00:16:03.319 --> 00:16:05.159 As a commitment to my own holiness, 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:06.460 I will consume you. 00:16:06.939 --> 00:16:07.139 Listen, 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:09.080 your sin and your rejection of me, 00:16:09.559 --> 00:16:12.059 your rejection of your covenant unfaithfulness, 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:14.240 means that I can't go in with you. 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:15.740 But then he says, 00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:17.379 but I will go in with you. 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:18.319 So, 00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:20.240 how do these two things come together? 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:22.379 The other way of saying it is, 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:27.620 how can God both take our sin and covenant breaking seriously, 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:29.819 and yet overlook it at the same time? 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:33.600 There seems to be this paradox involved somehow. 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.039 And friends, 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:36.860 this is still a question for us today. 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:37.759 Because, 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:40.279 this isn't just theoretical or philosophical. 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:41.519 This is deeply practical. 00:16:41.699 --> 00:16:42.720 Because this week, 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:43.580 friends, 00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:45.500 you and I are going to sin. 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:47.279 This week, 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:49.960 you and I are going to do things. 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:52.720 Other things are going to become more important to us than Jesus Christ. 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:53.160 Friends, 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:54.340 friends, 00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:54.840 this week, 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:57.460 we are going to sacrifice our relationship with God 00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:58.759 on the altar of comfort, 00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.899 or financial security, 00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:00.500 or pleasure, 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:02.240 or people pleasing. 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:05.980 You and I are going to break relationship with God 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:07.100 and worship other gods. 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.180 And so, 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:09.819 how do we maintain a relationship with God? 00:17:09.860 --> 00:17:10.759 Why doesn't God just say, 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:11.019 okay, 00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:11.500 fine, 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.480 go your own way, 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:13.259 do your own thing? 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:15.180 How is this, 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.539 how is this going to work? 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:19.700 And it seems to me like Moses himself 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.980 is grappling with this question. 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:21.339 Because, 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:22.579 in verse 17, 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.120 God says, 00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:23.640 fine, 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:24.920 I will go with you. 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:26.559 I will still maintain relationship. 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:27.839 And the next verse, 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:28.620 verse 18, 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.299 Moses says, 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:30.180 God, 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:31.360 show me your glory. 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:33.559 Show me your glory. 00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:34.339 Now, 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.660 the word glory, 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:36.819 sorry if I'm in the way, 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:38.920 the word glory literally means weight. 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:40.220 Weightiness. 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.980 But the idea is substance. 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.160 Okay? 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:45.000 If something has a lot of glory, 00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:46.220 it has substance to it, 00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:46.839 weight to it. 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.519 What Moses is saying is, 00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:48.700 he's saying, 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.000 God, 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:50.960 I want to see the substance of who you are. 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:52.599 I don't want to just see your, 00:17:52.860 --> 00:17:54.799 I don't want to know you superficially. 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:56.640 I don't want to just see the facade, 00:17:56.860 --> 00:17:57.319 the outside. 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:59.640 I want to know the substance of who you are. 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:00.220 God, 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:02.420 I don't see how these things can come together. 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:05.039 You are holy and righteous and perfect, 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:07.759 and yet you are forgiving of your people. 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.160 Show me who you are. 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:11.120 Show me how these things work. 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:13.960 And so God says, 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:15.500 I will show you my glory. 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:16.180 Verse 19, 00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:18.460 I will make all my goodness pass before you. 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:20.480 I will proclaim to you my name. 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:21.460 Chapter 34, 00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:22.079 Verse 5. 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.980 So the Lord descended in the cloud 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:25.200 and stood before him there 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:26.920 and proclaimed his name. 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.600 The Lord, 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:28.240 the Lord, 00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:30.259 a God merciful and gracious, 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:31.319 slow to anger 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:33.039 and abounding in steadfast love 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:33.700 and faithfulness. 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:35.380 Keeping steadfast love 00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:36.759 for a thousand generations. 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:37.880 Forgiving, 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:38.559 iniquity, 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:39.579 and transgressions, 00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:40.039 and sin. 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:41.640 But who will by no means 00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:42.519 clear the guilty. 00:18:43.120 --> 00:18:44.579 Visiting the iniquity of the fathers 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.259 on the children, 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.559 and the children's children, 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:48.619 the third and fourth generation. 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.279 So Moses says, 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:50.500 God, 00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:51.299 I want to know you 00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:52.539 for who you really are. 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:53.000 Show me. 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:53.379 And he says, 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:54.259 this is who I am. 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:56.319 And he doesn't show Moses a picture. 00:18:57.160 --> 00:18:57.579 He doesn't say, 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:57.859 okay, 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:59.619 you'll see me. 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:02.700 He describes his truest attributes. 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:05.319 And how does he describe himself? 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:07.960 Merciful and gracious. 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:10.539 Abounding in steadfast love 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.700 and forgiveness. 00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:13.920 To a thousand generations 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:15.240 forgiving, 00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:16.519 transgression, 00:19:17.159 --> 00:19:17.639 iniquity, 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:18.599 and sin. 00:19:19.139 --> 00:19:19.859 And yet, 00:19:20.680 --> 00:19:21.759 who by no means 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:23.039 will clear the guilty. 00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:25.319 Now in a sense, 00:19:25.399 --> 00:19:26.579 that doesn't really answer our question, 00:19:26.639 --> 00:19:26.920 does it? 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:28.319 The problem still persists. 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:30.339 How is it that God is gracious 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:30.899 and merciful 00:19:30.899 --> 00:19:32.519 and yet doesn't clear the guilty? 00:19:33.059 --> 00:19:34.339 How is it that he forgives sin 00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:36.079 but he doesn't clear the sin? 00:19:36.659 --> 00:19:37.960 How does that work together? 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.259 Next week, 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:42.619 Niels is going to answer the question. 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:46.339 Kind of. 00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:48.579 I'm not going to give us 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:49.639 the full answer today. 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:50.500 Next week, 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.440 we're going to look at half of it 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:52.259 and then the following week, 00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:53.579 Oscar is going to tell us 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.159 the full answer, 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:54.399 okay? 00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:55.839 But, 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:58.279 I want us to feel the tension. 00:19:58.639 --> 00:19:58.859 But, 00:19:58.920 --> 00:19:59.579 in this passage, 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.359 there are two things 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:01.759 that I think to look at 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:02.740 that give us a clue. 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:04.379 Two shadows 00:20:04.379 --> 00:20:05.559 that are going to paint 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.539 the outline of the picture. 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:08.960 What happens between 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.859 chapter 32 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:11.219 when God's judgment comes 00:20:11.219 --> 00:20:12.979 and chapter 34 00:20:12.979 --> 00:20:14.500 where God renews the covenant. 00:20:14.639 --> 00:20:15.379 Because in chapter 34, 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:17.299 God reinstates the Ten Commandments. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.399 Something, 00:20:18.639 --> 00:20:20.000 two dynamic things happen 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.259 in between these two chapters. 00:20:22.219 --> 00:20:23.139 The first one 00:20:23.139 --> 00:20:24.439 is the people do something. 00:20:25.219 --> 00:20:26.399 The people do something. 00:20:26.879 --> 00:20:27.479 The first thing is 00:20:27.479 --> 00:20:28.319 the people repent. 00:20:28.439 --> 00:20:29.519 Look at chapter 33, 00:20:29.639 --> 00:20:30.779 verse 3 to 5 with me. 00:20:31.899 --> 00:20:32.500 God says, 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:33.219 Go to the land 00:20:33.219 --> 00:20:34.099 for the land of milk and honey, 00:20:34.199 --> 00:20:35.519 but I will not go with you 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:37.059 lest I consume you along the way 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:38.379 for you are a stubborn people. 00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:39.480 Verse 4, 00:20:39.520 --> 00:20:40.280 When the people heard 00:20:40.280 --> 00:20:41.560 this disastrous word, 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:42.720 they mourned, 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.520 and no one put on his ornaments. 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:46.460 For the Lord had said to Moses, 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.640 Say to the people of Israel, 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:49.600 you are a stubborn people. 00:20:50.060 --> 00:20:51.160 If for a single moment 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.080 I will go with you, 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:53.300 I will consume you. 00:20:53.540 --> 00:20:54.000 Verse 6, 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:55.620 Therefore the people of Israel 00:20:55.620 --> 00:20:56.760 stripped themselves 00:20:56.760 --> 00:20:57.540 of their ornaments 00:20:57.540 --> 00:20:59.140 from Mount Horeb onward. 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.580 They did that. 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:01.480 Now, 00:21:01.780 --> 00:21:02.560 the ornaments here, 00:21:03.120 --> 00:21:04.240 it's kind of jewelry, 00:21:05.020 --> 00:21:05.780 it's also maybe 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.700 special clothing, 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:09.019 it's special garments 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:09.759 that they're wearing. 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:11.859 Most commentators think 00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:13.299 what this has to do with 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:15.480 is some kind of idol worship. 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.000 There are things 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:18.519 that are like maybe 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:20.519 bracelets or bangles 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.660 or rings or earrings. 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:22.599 There are things 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.960 that they are keeping with them 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:25.440 that help them worship 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:26.180 the various gods 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.240 and the idols around them. 00:21:27.899 --> 00:21:29.379 In Genesis earlier on, 00:21:30.139 --> 00:21:30.579 Jacob, 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.920 who is the grandson of Abraham, 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:32.960 at one point 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.920 he encounters God 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:34.620 and he renews 00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:35.500 the covenant with God. 00:21:35.580 --> 00:21:36.440 And he says to all 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.019 his family, 00:21:37.100 --> 00:21:38.000 his wives and his children 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.500 and his servants, 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:40.140 take off your ornaments. 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:42.140 And they dig a big hole, 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:43.400 they bury them in the ground 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:44.259 and they move on. 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.560 It's kind of their way 00:21:45.560 --> 00:21:46.680 of recommitting themselves 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.180 to God. 00:21:47.800 --> 00:21:48.360 The same thing 00:21:48.360 --> 00:21:48.940 is happening here. 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.440 God says, 00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:50.620 I'm not going to be with you 00:21:50.620 --> 00:21:51.900 and the people mourn, 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.620 they grieve. 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:53.960 And so they take off 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:55.320 their rings to this God 00:21:55.320 --> 00:21:55.640 and that God, 00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:56.700 they throw them down 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:58.380 and God says, 00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:59.039 remove them 00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:00.240 and says they strip 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.180 themselves of them. 00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:02.420 It's kind of like 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.380 they can't get rid of them 00:22:03.380 --> 00:22:04.000 quick enough. 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.600 I don't know if you've ever 00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:06.640 walked in on somebody 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:08.200 who's doing something wrong, 00:22:08.320 --> 00:22:08.580 right? 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:11.200 And they can't get away 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.820 from the situation 00:22:11.820 --> 00:22:12.680 quick enough, right? 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.800 They're on their computer 00:22:13.800 --> 00:22:14.519 looking at something 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.019 they shouldn't be 00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:15.539 and they quickly 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.200 close the computer 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:18.519 or you tell your kid, 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.740 don't eat the cookie 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.960 and you walk in 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.680 they're eating the cookie, 00:22:21.840 --> 00:22:21.980 you know, 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:22.400 and it's like, 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:23.580 they couldn't, 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.720 they can't get rid of it 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:25.240 quick enough. 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.500 That's what they're doing here. 00:22:26.580 --> 00:22:27.720 They're stripping themselves, 00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:28.720 they're taking off their chains, 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:29.900 they're getting rid of 00:22:29.900 --> 00:22:30.300 the ornaments. 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.300 They're grieving, 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:32.840 they're mourning, 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:34.120 they're repenting. 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.680 It says, 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.100 verse 6, 00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:37.240 they stripped themselves 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:38.600 from Mount Horeb onwards. 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.019 In other words, 00:22:39.080 --> 00:22:40.460 they left them behind 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:41.200 and they moved on. 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:43.580 And in the Old Testament, 00:22:43.860 --> 00:22:44.140 this, 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:46.380 this passage here 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.100 where God says 00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:47.980 He is gracious 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.580 and merciful, 00:22:48.800 --> 00:22:49.480 slow to anger 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:50.519 and abounding in love, 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:52.039 this verse is 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:53.440 kind of like a creed. 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.960 It becomes a statement 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.940 that in the Old Testament 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:56.660 they say again 00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:57.480 and again and again. 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.620 But often, 00:22:58.800 --> 00:22:59.740 it's used 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:01.440 to call people 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:02.120 to repentance. 00:23:03.120 --> 00:23:03.660 So for instance, 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.640 in Joel chapter 2, 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:06.920 Joel is calling God's people 00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:07.880 back to himself. 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:09.380 And he quotes this passage, 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.259 look at what he says here. 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:10.960 He says, 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:12.480 Yet even now declares the Lord, 00:23:12.580 --> 00:23:14.160 return to me with your heart, 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.200 come back to me. 00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.000 Why? 00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:16.740 Return to the Lord. 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.080 Why? 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.600 For He is gracious 00:23:18.600 --> 00:23:19.480 and merciful, 00:23:20.100 --> 00:23:21.100 slow to anger 00:23:21.100 --> 00:23:21.820 and abounding 00:23:21.820 --> 00:23:22.900 in steadfast love. 00:23:23.420 --> 00:23:24.580 And that's the point here. 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.980 Who are those 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:27.059 that God forgives? 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.319 It's those 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:30.240 who come to Him 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.400 in faith and repentance. 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.000 It's those who 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:33.079 turn to Him. 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:34.660 Friends, 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:35.880 it's not the perfect 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:37.079 because none of us 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:37.599 are perfect. 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.539 It's not those 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.880 who only commit small sins 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:41.779 that God forgives 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:43.279 because all sin 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.380 is deadly serious. 00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:45.380 Friends, 00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:46.480 who does God forgive 00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:47.660 and is gracious towards? 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.700 It's not those 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:50.500 who can pay God back somehow 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.259 because, 00:23:51.360 --> 00:23:51.519 friends, 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.140 none of us 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:53.140 can pay God back. 00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:54.960 So who is it 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:56.460 that God forgives 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:57.040 and is gracious 00:23:57.040 --> 00:23:58.060 and merciful to? 00:23:58.880 --> 00:23:59.620 It's those 00:23:59.620 --> 00:24:00.520 who see Him 00:24:00.520 --> 00:24:01.920 as a gracious 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:03.000 and merciful God. 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:03.980 It's those 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:05.240 who turn to Him 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.820 in faith and repentance. 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.300 It's those 00:24:07.300 --> 00:24:08.500 who see themselves 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:08.940 as sinners 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:10.280 in need of grace 00:24:10.280 --> 00:24:10.600 and say, 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:10.980 God, 00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:12.040 have mercy on me, 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:12.800 a sinner. 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.480 Friends, 00:24:15.580 --> 00:24:15.960 none of us 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.520 are perfect. 00:24:17.800 --> 00:24:18.220 None of us 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:19.520 only commit small sins. 00:24:20.580 --> 00:24:21.140 None of us 00:24:21.140 --> 00:24:22.360 can pay God back. 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:24.460 But all of us, 00:24:25.100 --> 00:24:25.840 all of us 00:24:25.840 --> 00:24:26.640 can get on our knees 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:27.080 and say, 00:24:27.320 --> 00:24:28.020 God, 00:24:28.080 --> 00:24:28.680 I need you. 00:24:30.040 --> 00:24:30.440 Friends, 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.140 have you done that? 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:33.560 Why don't you do that today? 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.880 Don't leave this place. 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:37.620 Why don't you draw near 00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.680 to the living God, 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:40.220 gracious and merciful, 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:41.259 slow to anger 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.060 and abounding 00:24:42.060 --> 00:24:43.120 in steadfast love, 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.000 forgiving iniquity 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:45.480 and sin 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:47.000 to a thousand generations. 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:48.240 This God is so good. 00:24:49.620 --> 00:24:50.340 So the first thing 00:24:50.340 --> 00:24:51.160 is the people repent. 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:52.180 But there's a second thing 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:52.960 that's going on here. 00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:54.480 And that is, 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.720 let me not give it away. 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:59.360 What is the determining factor 00:24:59.360 --> 00:25:01.080 between chapter 32 00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:02.180 and chapter 34? 00:25:02.320 --> 00:25:04.000 There's one determining factor. 00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:05.759 There's something 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.720 that's going on here. 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.759 It's a man, right? 00:25:09.560 --> 00:25:10.640 There's one person 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:11.360 that's involved. 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:12.860 Who is it? 00:25:13.340 --> 00:25:14.120 It's Moses. 00:25:15.060 --> 00:25:16.160 And what does Moses do? 00:25:16.540 --> 00:25:17.780 He mediates 00:25:17.780 --> 00:25:18.600 for the people. 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:21.459 Moses stands in the gap 00:25:21.459 --> 00:25:22.899 and mediates 00:25:22.899 --> 00:25:24.319 on behalf of the people 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:25.259 before God. 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:28.339 The big difference here 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:30.019 is that there is a mediator 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:31.039 who is righteous 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:32.379 and God-fearing, 00:25:32.899 --> 00:25:34.319 who is full of God's favor, 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:36.179 who can intercede for them 00:25:36.179 --> 00:25:37.379 and plead on their behalf. 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:40.240 Listen to Psalm 106. 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:41.559 It describes this passage 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:42.679 and it describes it so well. 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.199 It says this, 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:44.480 The people of Israel 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.980 made a calf at Horeb. 00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:46.980 They worshipped 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.860 the metal image. 00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:49.019 They exchanged 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:50.259 the glory of God 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:51.380 for an image 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:51.960 of an ox 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:52.799 that eats grass. 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.200 I mean, 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.779 that's meant to be humorous, 00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:55.019 right? 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.559 They forgot God, 00:25:56.620 --> 00:25:57.100 their Savior, 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:58.640 who had done great things 00:25:58.640 --> 00:25:59.340 for them in Egypt. 00:25:59.860 --> 00:26:00.180 Therefore, 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:00.779 He said, 00:26:01.080 --> 00:26:02.420 He would destroy them 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:04.460 had not Moses, 00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:05.660 His chosen one, 00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:07.319 stood in the breach, 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.720 that means stood in the gap 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:10.120 before Him 00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:12.139 to turn away God's wrath 00:26:12.139 --> 00:26:12.979 from destroying them. 00:26:14.199 --> 00:26:15.000 God's wrath 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.919 would have destroyed them, 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:17.039 but there was a man 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:18.039 who stood in the gap 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:18.319 who said, 00:26:18.419 --> 00:26:18.599 God, 00:26:18.699 --> 00:26:19.000 please, 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.019 please God, 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:21.519 be merciful and gracious. 00:26:21.699 --> 00:26:23.019 He stood on their behalf 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.979 and interceded 00:26:23.979 --> 00:26:25.000 and prayed for them 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:25.859 and pleaded 00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.819 and petitioned God 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:28.159 on their behalf. 00:26:28.939 --> 00:26:29.879 They had a mediator. 00:26:31.479 --> 00:26:32.379 And you notice 00:26:32.379 --> 00:26:34.279 how many times 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:35.579 the passage spoke about 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:37.959 Moses has found favor with God. 00:26:38.419 --> 00:26:39.699 Let me just read a few of them to you. 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.160 33 verse 12, 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.279 Lord, 00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:43.059 you have said to me, 00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:45.140 you have found favor in my sight. 00:26:45.620 --> 00:26:46.160 Now therefore, 00:26:46.340 --> 00:26:48.180 since I have found favor in your sight, 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:48.440 God, 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:49.819 please show me your ways. 00:26:50.340 --> 00:26:50.980 Verse 17, 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:52.240 the Lord said to Moses, 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:54.500 this very thing that you ask, 00:26:54.580 --> 00:26:55.559 I will do for you. 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:55.960 Why? 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:59.180 For you have found favor in my sight. 00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:02.200 34 verse 9, 00:27:02.340 --> 00:27:02.680 the Lord, 00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:03.779 then Moses said, 00:27:03.880 --> 00:27:04.180 God, 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:06.480 since I have found favor in your sight, 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.380 please, 00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:08.640 go in the midst of us. 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:10.900 the passage again and again and again 00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:11.500 says this, 00:27:12.100 --> 00:27:13.400 the people are stubborn 00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:14.200 and stiff-necked, 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:16.400 but there is one person 00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:18.560 who has found favor in God's sight. 00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:19.440 There is one man 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.620 who is God-fearing 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:21.259 and honorable 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:22.420 and righteous 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:24.120 and wants to do the right thing. 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:27.100 And God looks upon that man 00:27:27.100 --> 00:27:27.680 and says, 00:27:27.780 --> 00:27:30.080 on the basis of your goodness, 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.680 I will treat them well. 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.380 Do you see that? 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:35.760 Friends, 00:27:35.820 --> 00:27:36.420 do you see what God 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.480 is wanting us to see here? 00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:40.260 What you're not meant to see 00:27:40.260 --> 00:27:40.860 is this, 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:42.460 if only we have a good 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.380 and righteous pastor, 00:27:43.580 --> 00:27:44.520 our church will go well. 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:45.860 Friends, 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:47.440 that's not what you're meant to see here. 00:27:48.080 --> 00:27:49.320 What you're meant to see here 00:27:49.320 --> 00:27:49.780 is this, 00:27:50.520 --> 00:27:50.940 that we, 00:27:51.140 --> 00:27:51.960 just like Israel, 00:27:52.060 --> 00:27:52.920 are stiff-necked 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:53.580 and stubborn, 00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.300 prone to sin, 00:27:55.820 --> 00:27:57.180 covenant-breaking idolatry, 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:59.279 and yet we have a mediator. 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:01.320 And his name is not Kevin. 00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:03.160 His name is Jesus. 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.740 There is a mediator, 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:07.360 one who is righteous 00:28:07.360 --> 00:28:09.740 and finds favor in God's sight 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:11.880 and is always God-fearing 00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:13.640 and always does the right thing 00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:15.340 and is just and holy 00:28:15.340 --> 00:28:17.720 and he could stand in the gap, 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:18.799 in the bridge 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:21.019 between a holy and righteous God 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:22.779 and a stubborn and sinful people. 00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:23.779 He could stand in the gap 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.080 and say, 00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:24.560 God, 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:26.920 because I have found favor in your sight, 00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:29.539 treat my people well. 00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:32.860 You could take Psalm 106 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:35.120 and substitute Jesus' name in 00:28:35.120 --> 00:28:36.240 for Moses. 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:37.240 Look at how it reads. 00:28:37.820 --> 00:28:38.460 The people, 00:28:38.580 --> 00:28:40.000 they exchanged the glory of God 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.340 for false gods and idols. 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:42.920 They forgot their God, 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.440 their Savior, 00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:45.640 He who had done great things for them. 00:28:46.620 --> 00:28:47.039 Therefore, 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:48.480 God would have destroyed them 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.680 had not Jesus, 00:28:49.820 --> 00:28:50.880 His chosen one, 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:53.519 stood in the gap before Him 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:55.680 and turned God's wrath away. 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:57.320 Friends, 00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:58.140 this is Jesus, 00:28:58.620 --> 00:28:59.560 our mediator, 00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.740 our advocate, 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:02.360 who petitions God 00:29:02.360 --> 00:29:03.180 on our behalf. 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:04.960 And if you know 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.779 the book of Romans 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.580 in the New Testament, 00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:08.340 Romans is all about 00:29:08.340 --> 00:29:08.960 the good news 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:10.100 of the gospel of Jesus. 00:29:11.060 --> 00:29:12.220 Romans chapter 1 00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:13.299 does that. 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:15.640 Paul quotes Psalm 106 00:29:15.640 --> 00:29:16.360 except he substitutes 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:18.060 Jesus' name in 00:29:18.060 --> 00:29:18.820 for Moses. 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.860 Listen to how he writes it. 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:20.240 He says, 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:21.599 For the wrath of God 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:22.799 is revealed from heaven 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:24.579 against all ungodliness 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:25.599 and unrighteousness 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.279 of mankind. 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:28.160 For though they should have 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:28.740 known God, 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.759 they did not honor Him 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:31.000 as God who gave thanks to Him. 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:32.880 They exchanged the glory 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:33.880 of the immortal, 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.299 eternal God 00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:36.279 for images 00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:37.640 and other gods. 00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:39.660 For there is no distinction 00:29:39.660 --> 00:29:41.579 for all people have sinned 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.380 and fall short 00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:43.200 of the glory of God. 00:29:43.620 --> 00:29:44.200 And yet, 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:46.460 all people are able 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.500 to be justified, 00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:48.779 that means forgiven, 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:50.079 declared not guilty 00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:51.680 through the redemption 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:53.379 that is in Jesus Christ, 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:55.079 the eternal sacrifice 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:56.399 for our sins. 00:29:57.379 --> 00:29:57.799 Friends, 00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:58.420 do you see what's 00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:59.000 happening here? 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:01.220 In Exodus 32 and 34, 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.859 we have a picture, 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:04.940 a shadow of the gospel. 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:07.079 This is Christianity. 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:09.420 This is our hope this week. 00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:11.279 That in Jesus Christ, 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:13.059 we have a mediator, 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:14.160 an advocate, 00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:16.639 one who stood in the gap 00:30:16.639 --> 00:30:17.660 for us, 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:19.040 one who didn't just go 00:30:19.040 --> 00:30:20.259 into the tent of meeting 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.540 and petition God, 00:30:21.600 --> 00:30:22.360 one who went into 00:30:22.360 --> 00:30:24.160 the very throne room of God, 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.580 Jesus Christ, 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.800 the Son of God Himself, 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:29.220 who could intercede 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:30.960 and plead for us. 00:30:31.840 --> 00:30:32.100 Friends, 00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:33.180 Jesus went to the cross, 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:33.640 He died, 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.500 He shed His blood, 00:30:35.080 --> 00:30:36.060 He paid the price, 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.740 so that now God's wrath 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.820 was poured out on Him 00:30:38.820 --> 00:30:40.259 and not on us. 00:30:41.300 --> 00:30:41.640 Friends, 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.680 no one can be saved 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:44.080 or forgiven 00:30:44.080 --> 00:30:45.040 based on what they do. 00:30:45.040 --> 00:30:46.040 We are all too sinful. 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:48.720 Maybe it's your first time 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:50.119 you've ever stepped in a church. 00:30:51.159 --> 00:30:52.159 Maybe you've been here 00:30:52.159 --> 00:30:53.259 a thousand times 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.639 with you either 00:30:54.639 --> 00:30:55.639 passed in the front 00:30:55.639 --> 00:30:57.259 or you're hung over 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:57.899 at the back. 00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:58.759 Friends, 00:30:58.859 --> 00:31:00.460 none of us can save ourselves. 00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:02.879 But we have a Savior, 00:31:03.180 --> 00:31:03.940 a mediator, 00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:05.899 an advocate, 00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:06.599 Jesus, 00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:08.220 the Son of God, 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.779 who goes before us. 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:10.759 And so here's the question, 00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:11.720 is He your mediator? 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.700 Is He your Savior? 00:31:13.700 --> 00:31:15.960 Have you come to Him 00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:16.779 in faith and repentance 00:31:16.779 --> 00:31:18.019 or are you still trying 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:18.900 to save yourself? 00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:20.600 Friends, 00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:21.360 where are you looking 00:31:21.360 --> 00:31:21.920 for hope, 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.259 for redemption, 00:31:23.860 --> 00:31:24.799 for meaning, 00:31:25.380 --> 00:31:26.360 for purpose, 00:31:26.819 --> 00:31:27.640 for joy, 00:31:28.360 --> 00:31:29.059 for peace, 00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:30.440 for security 00:31:30.440 --> 00:31:31.519 this week? 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:33.680 The things of this world 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.559 will fail you. 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:36.420 They will let you down 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:38.120 and they will cut you off 00:31:38.120 --> 00:31:39.120 from the living God, 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:40.080 the God who made you 00:31:40.080 --> 00:31:41.559 to know Him 00:31:41.559 --> 00:31:42.940 and find those things 00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:43.319 in Him. 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:44.980 Friends, 00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:45.639 turn to Jesus. 00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:47.579 He is the one 00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:48.259 that we need. 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.480 He is the one 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.059 that I need. 00:31:50.679 --> 00:31:51.099 He is the one 00:31:51.099 --> 00:31:51.859 that we all need. 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.759 In a few minutes time, 00:31:53.819 --> 00:31:54.639 we're going to sing this song 00:31:54.639 --> 00:31:55.619 and I want to leave you 00:31:55.619 --> 00:31:56.240 with these words. 00:31:56.359 --> 00:31:56.559 Jeremy, 00:31:56.679 --> 00:31:57.579 you want to come on up. 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:59.019 Listen to these words 00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.759 as we close. 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:01.000 When Satan tends me 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.700 to despair 00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:03.200 and tells me 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:04.119 of the guilt within, 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:05.720 I put out look 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.779 and see Him there 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:08.179 who made an end 00:32:08.179 --> 00:32:08.940 to all my sin. 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:10.720 Because the sinless 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:11.660 Savior died, 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:13.420 my sinful soul 00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:14.340 is counted free. 00:32:15.080 --> 00:32:15.720 For God, 00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:16.420 the just, 00:32:16.600 --> 00:32:17.059 the holy, 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:17.680 the righteous, 00:32:17.840 --> 00:32:18.220 the pure, 00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:19.580 is satisfied 00:32:19.580 --> 00:32:20.880 to look on Him 00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:22.600 and pardon me. 00:32:23.320 --> 00:32:24.279 Let's pray together. 00:32:25.880 --> 00:32:26.580 Oh Lord Jesus, 00:32:26.900 --> 00:32:27.980 the gospel, 00:32:28.120 --> 00:32:28.500 the Bible 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.880 is so full of the good news, 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.640 of the wonder 00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:31.299 of what you did 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:31.840 on the cross. 00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:32.980 Jesus, 00:32:33.100 --> 00:32:33.980 thank you so much 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.519 that you are 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:35.660 our perfect mediator, 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:37.759 our perfect interceder, 00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:39.819 the one who stood 00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.339 in the gap 00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:41.240 on our behalf. 00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:42.299 Jesus, 00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:43.200 thank you for coming 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:43.980 and not only coming, 00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:44.660 for dying 00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:45.599 and in our place 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:46.900 that we can 00:32:46.900 --> 00:32:47.879 know you, 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:49.460 that we can be reconciled, 00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:50.180 that our current 00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:50.779 relationship 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:51.640 can be restored. 00:32:53.119 --> 00:32:53.339 God, 00:32:53.400 --> 00:32:54.579 I pray for each one of us 00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:55.180 to pray that we will 00:32:55.180 --> 00:32:55.940 go from this place 00:32:55.940 --> 00:32:56.319 this week 00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:57.299 deeply secure, 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:58.079 satisfied, 00:32:58.700 --> 00:32:59.460 full of you, 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:01.240 our eyes fixed on you. 00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:02.200 And God, 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:02.740 for those of us 00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:03.700 who don't know you, 00:33:03.879 --> 00:33:04.680 oh Spirit of God, 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.200 won't you 00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:06.759 draw us near to you, 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.980 give us faith in our hearts 00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:08.759 that we can 00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:09.759 come to you. 00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:11.180 I pray these things 00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:11.759 in your good 00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:13.160 and your gracious name. 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:14.559 Amen. 00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:15.500 Amen.