Lesson 19: Finding The Presence Of God

Pastor’s Bible Class Thomas Road Baptist Church

Series: Getting The Faith Of Moses Dr. Elmer Towns

Lesson 19: Finding The Presence Of God November 6, 2011

A. INTRODUCTION: EXODUS 24:1-18

1. You can enter God’s presence in salvation. “That they may know You, the only true God” (John 17:3).

2. You can grow spiritually in God’s presence. “That I may know Him” (Phil. 3:10).

3. You can know God intimately. “Be still and know that I Am God” (Ps. 46:10).

Ways To Know God

1. Through the Word – John 14:21-24

2. Through prayer – 2 Cor. 3:18

3. Through meditation – Ps. 1: 1-3

4. Through obedience – John 15:14

5. Through service

6. Through yielding yourself – time, talent, treasures

B. MOSES TEACHES US HOW TO ENTER GOD’S PRESENCE – EXODUS 24:1-9

1. God invites us into His presence. “Now He said to Moses, ‘Come up to the LORD’” (Ex. 24:1).

2. God’s invitation is to many. “You and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel” (24:1).

3. Some are saved but never get close to God. “Worship from afar” (v. 1).

4. Some are prohibited from God’s presence. “Nor shall the people go up with him” (v. 2, NLT).

5. Knowing the Word of God is foundational to enter God’s presence. “Moses . . . told the people all the Word of the Lord” (v. 3, NLT).

6. To enter God’s presence, give Him first of the morning and first priority. “Rose early in the morning” (v. 4).

7. Approach God through the blood. “Moses . . . built an altar” (v. 4, NLT). “Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people” (v. 8).

8. Approach God through cleansing, “burnt offering,” and worship, “peace offering.”

9. The way to God is always up. “Moses went up” (v. 9).

More Than One Way To See God

• Through the heart

• Through prayer

• In creation (Ps. 19:1 ff)

• In providence

• Moses saw God

C. MOSES AND THE ELDERS SAW GOD – EXODUS 24:10-18

“And they shall make an ark of acacia wood” (Ex. 25:10ff).

1. What did they see? “They saw the God of Israel” (v. 10). Yet God said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live” (Ex. 33:20). Jesus said, “God is Spirit” (John 4:24). They saw the reflection of God.

2. Does God have feet? “There was under His feet” (v. 10). This is anthropomorphism, i.e., a projection unto God of human features to tell what God does, but He does it without a human body.

3. It is by God’s mercy and grace we approach Him. “But on the nobles . . . He did not lay His hand. So they saw God” (v. 11).

4. We find satisfaction and fullness in God’s presence. “They ate and drank” (v. 11).

5. While some serve in God’s presence, others serve in different tasks. “Moses told the elders, ‘Stay here and wait . . . if anyone has a dispute while I am gone, consult with them’” (v. 14, NLT).

D. HOW TO TOUCH GOD AND BE TOUCHED BY HIM

1. We are not sinless. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves” (1 John 1:8).

2. Realize why God seems far off.

3. We confess our sins (Psalm 51).

4. We walk blamelessly (1 John 1:7).

5. Recognize Christ’s indwelling presence. “Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

6. Search for God’s presence in His Word.

7. Wait for God in prayer.

8. Claim His presence by faith. “Those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).

9. If you worship God, He will come (John 4:24). Atmospheric presence.

10. Christianity is relationship, so keep it warm!