What I Would Do Differently
Sermon 4: Exodus 32-33
IV. Result of Knowing God’s Holiness
A. 34:29> Moses’ countenance was visibly changed due to view of God’s glory and holiness, and the 40 days he spent receiving the Ten
Commandments Application> We cannot KNOW GOD without spending time with Him (Word)
B. 34:30> Knowing God creates an awe and reverence
C. The dramatic result of Moses encountering just a momentary small portion of God’s glory and holy nature was a complete transformation of Moses’ appearance.
D. 34:33-34> Moses countenance was so intense, he had to put a veil over his face when speaking to the people.
E. Ryken explains what actually appeared: “The Hebrew literally says,
‘The skin of his face sent out horns. . . . But the phrase actually refers to rays of light. As a result of his face -to- face encounter with God, Moses had a halo of glory. Dazzling beams of light were shining out form his face.”30
F. Victor Hamilton provides further explanation differentiating between the Hebrew word qāran and ôr both meaning horns. “Whom will God have to lead his people, the horned calf or bull of chap.32, or the
‘horned’ Moses of chap. 34? Will he go with the bovine of chap. 32 or with the-of-the-beaming-face of chap. 34?”31
V. Conclusion/Application
• God desires for us to know him more intimately, just as Moses did
• Once God has saved us we MUST pursue him with all that is in us James 4:7-8
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
30 Ryken, Exodus, 980.
31 Victor P. Hamilton, Exodus: An Exegetical Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011), 589.
Sermon 5: Matthew 17:1-8
Introduction
• Children attempting to push the boundaries parents have set; parental response varies
• Today: Matthew 17:1-8, demonstrates two truths about God’s holiness being revealed in Jesus: 1.) Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets, and 2.) the eternal glory in Jesus Christ.
I. Context of the Transfiguration
A. Jesus had just foretold his death, resurrection, and the cost of following him
B. The importance of the Law and the prophets
C. Mt. Hermon> outside of Galilee> 9,166 feet above sea level
D. Only Peter, James and John were allowed to witness the transfiguration II. Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets
A. Matt 17:2> Jesus transfigured> face was like the sun and clothes were white as light (Exod. 34:30)
B. 17:3-4> Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus (Mal 4:5) C. 17:5> God acknowledges Jesus’ glory to the disciples, and Moses and
Elijah are gone. Only Christ in his glory is there.(Matt 3:17); ( Matt. 5:17) III. Eternal Glory in Jesus Christ
E. 17:6> When hearing God’s proclamation of Christ’s deity, the disciples fell in fear (Exod 34:30)
F. All of God’s glory and holiness has been manifested in Jesus the Son>
Trinity
G. Application: God’s glory, holiness, righteousness is only possible for us through Jesus Christ. . . the hope of glory (Col 1:27); (Col 3:1-4) IV. Conclusion
• Our sin has separated us from the holiness of God
• Christ’s atonement enables us to share in that holiness
• Justification gives us a positional holiness, Glorification provides complete holiness
• Sanctification is the present struggle we are in to become more holy
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Sermon 6: Hebrews 12:14
Introduction
• Review of Holiness of God series: See & fear, separation, punishment, holiness in Christ
• Today: In Hebrews 12:14 two truths: 1.) the one requirement to see God 2.) how to obtain the requirement
I. Context of Hebrews 12:14
A. Hebrews 11> list of patriarchs of God’s family and their accomplishments through faith. Ultimately is a testimony to God’s grace and faithfulness.
B. 12:1> Reminder that believers share in the faith of those patriarchs C. Hebrews 11> provides us with the moral support and earthly examples of
those who have finished in the faith
D. Hebrews 12> provides the practical instruction to guide one in faithfulness.
E. Hebrews 12:5-13> gives instruction to the believer about God’s discipline, its purpose, and the proper response to God’s discipline II. One Requirement to see God
A. 12:14> “. . . strive for the holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
B. The Holiness> Types of Holiness
• Positional> occurs when we are born again, justified (2 Cor 5:21) Saved from penalty and bondage of sin
• Perfect> occurs when we die physical death; glorification Saved from presence of sin
• Progressive> begins with justified; ends with glorification,
Saved from practice of sin (Rom 6:6-7, 11); (Col 3:1-4); (1 Tim 4:7) III. Obtaining the Requirement> Holiness
A. Heb.12:10> Discipline> contrast of earthly fathers’ discipline & God’s discipline
• Earthly fathers> as seemed right to them; short time
• God> for our good; Share in His Holiness
• Tom Schreiner> “God is disciplining them just as a father disciplines his children. When God disciplines us, we are called upon to endure, to obtain the benefit of the discipline being meted out. Discipline isn’t a sign of God’s disfavor but his love. It is designed to produce holiness and righteousness in God’s children.”32
32 Thomas R. Schreiner, Commentary on Hebrews, Biblical Theology for Christian Proclamation (Nashville: B & H, 2015), 388.
B. If God indeed saves us, he will complete the work of our holiness (Phil 1:6)
C. The transformation in our lives is our pursuit of holiness because of God’s grace (2 Cor. 3:18)
D. James Boice> “This is a great biblical truth, namely, that the grace of God always comes before anything.”33
E. If God dwells in us, we will pursue his holiness. (Rom 8:1-8); (1 John 3:9)