We still worship the God of Mt Sinai and obey the Ten Commandments. God is to be feared. These are on display in today’s reading.
Exodus 19: Israel at Mount Sinai
1 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.
2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain,
3 while Moses went up to God. The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel:
4 You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.
5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;
6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."
7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him.
8 All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." And Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD.
9 And the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever." When Moses told the words of the people to the LORD,
10 the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments
11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
12 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, 'Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death.
13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.' When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain."
14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments.
15 And he said to the people, "Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman."
16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled.
17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain.
18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly.
19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.
20 The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
21 And the LORD said to Moses, "Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the LORD to look and many of them perish.
22 Also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them."
23 And Moses said to the LORD, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, 'Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it.'"
24 And the LORD said to him, "Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest he break out against them."
25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.
Exodus 20: The Ten Commandments
1 And God spoke all these words, saying,
2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,
6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days you shall labour, and do all your work,
10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.
11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 "Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
13 "You shall not murder.
14 "You shall not commit adultery.
15 "You shall not steal.
16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
17 "You shall not covet your neighbour's house; you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbour's."
18 Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off
19 and said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die."
20 Moses said to the people, "Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin."
21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
Laws About Altars
22 And the LORD said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the people of Israel: 'You have seen for yourselves that I have talked with you from heaven.
23 You shall not make gods of silver to be with me, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold.
24 An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you.
25 If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it.
26 And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it.'
Things to think about…
I am amazed when I hear that people try and discern a difference between the God of the OT as opposed to the One described in the NT. The NT also tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever”, Heb 13:8 and that “He is a consuming fire” Heb12:29. Ex 19 gives a pictorial representation of this and other sobering attributes of God. He is awesome, all powerful and yes, One to be feared. Meditate on this chapter and consider the description given, considering that the people had to be separated from the LORD because there was a fundamental spiritual divide between the two parties. As Christians we can come boldly into the presence of this almighty God because of the work of justification completed by Jesus at the cross, but we should never mistake his grace for impotence. He has not changed. Eternal hellfire is reserved for those who reject this God. Fear Him!
Do you know all the Ten Commandments as outlined in Ex 20? It is a good idea to learn them and meditate on them. They can only be perfectly obeyed by being in Christ. He is the fulfilment of the law in us. Remember these commandments are a school teacher to bring us to a knowledge of our sin and our need of forgiveness, Gal 3:24-26. Let’s never assume that we can ever fully obey these commandments outside of Christ and His finished work on the cross. Such a notion is incredibly arrogant because it actually denies and takes away from the influence, power and necessity of the cross.
Vision Point for Cell groups
CBC's Vision "To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission"
Cell group questions from Sunday morning’s sermon “Feb with bread and water” Ex 15 & 16.
1. The Israelites had experienced a mighty deliverance from the Lord by passing through the Red Sea. Can you think of a time when the Lord delivered you from a stressful situation?
2. After the Red Sea passing they were fed miraculously with Bread (manna) and Water. This was not the same diet that they were used to in Egypt. Even though they were slaves they enjoyed a good variety of food. Have you ever gone through lean seasons in your life, but you knew you were being sustained by the Lord’s hand.
3. Moses begins a long journey where the children of Israel begin to complain. Discuss how it was possible that after the Red Sea parting, the miraculous Manna and water and the enemies of the Lord being fearful that they were on their way to inherit the promised land that they quickly forgot and departed from the Lord. Discuss why you believe this occurred. Do we/Can we do the same things? In what ways do we forget the Lord?
4. Christ said in John 6 that He was the Bread and Water that was given to the Israelites in the wilderness. What did he mean? What did he mean when He said eat my body and drink my blood, John 6:54-56.
5. Pray for new folk that have recently joined us that they be joined into the fellowship of the church. Pray for each other, our city and country.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for new people who have been visiting our church.
2. Pray for people returning from holidays and back at work this week.
4. Continue to pray for our government for wisdom and economic management.
6. Sunday’s messages. The message this week – “What’s with the stones” Exod 28, Doug Horne.
7. Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
8. Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times.
Praise Points.
1. New visitors and worship on Sunday. Thank you Dan and Suzanne.
2. Finances continue to be maintained.
3. Wonderful spirit of joy in our church. Thank you Jesus.
4. Blessing Beirut ($1500). Thank you!
5. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
6. Praise God for all those who serve at CBC.
Announcements
1. Prayer meetings back this week. Tuesday and Thursday mornings at church 5:30am – 6:30am.
2. One service at 9:30am Every Sunday morning. This service will also be live streamed on YouTube. No kisses, hand-shakes or hugs are allowed. Hand sanitizer is to be used, tables will be wiped and chairs arranged for appropriate distancing. Families can of course sit together. CBC is allowed up to 50 people inside, then we have an overflow in the cafe.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Kids Church back in the house this week when the message is on.
