Scouting has long been considered the most successful youth movement in the world. In the world today there are 31 million youth from 210 countries involved in scouting. Scouting was founded by an English military officer by the name of Robert Baden-Powell in 1907. The motto of the Boy Scouts is “Be prepared.” "Be prepared for what?" someone once asked Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, "Why, for any old thing." said Baden-Powell. But Baden-Powell wasn't thinking just of being ready for emergencies. His idea was that all Scouts should prepare themselves to become productive citizens and to give happiness to other people. He wanted each Scout to be ready in mind and body for any struggles, and to meet with a strong heart whatever challenges might lie ahead. As we catch up with Moses and the Hebrew people God wants them to be prepared. Be prepared for what? Be prepared to worship. Worship requires preparation because if it is approached in the right manner it will impact every area of our lives. Today, Moses will bring the people face to face with their God and they will learn how God desires to be worshipped. We will discover that at the top of the list worship requires an obedient heart. Today we will discover the guidelines that will enable us to meet God face to face on a regular basis.
I. Preparing to meet your God.
A. God designates the exact meeting place.
1. After three months on the road the Hebrew people arrive in the desert that surrounds Mt. Sinai.
2. Mt. Sinai is the largest of three granite mountains that exist in this barren region.
3. Without a doubt Moses is excited for the people to encounter God on the mountain.
4. The people moved their camp to the front of the mountain and settled in there.
5. Moses now leaves the people and climbs the mountain to meet with God to receive further directions.
B. God outlines the necessary steps for preparing to worship Him.
1. God’s opening words to Moses actually introduce the covenant in the standard treaty format of the ancient near east by affirming three things.
a. You have been witnesses of what I have done in Egypt.
b. You have experienced how I have protected you.
c. You have seen my great patience.
2. To maintain this special covenant relationship the people must do two things.
a. They must be obedient to all the things that God requires of them.
b. They must do everything they can to faithfully keep the covenant with God.
3. The people’s obedience and faithfulness would result in three main blessings.
a. Israel would always be God’s treasured possession.
b. God would set Israel apart to carry out a unique function in the world.
c. They would be a holy nation that was set apart from all other nations of the world.
4. After spending time receiving the message from God, Moses returns to challenge the people and the elders of the people affirmed their commitment to follow the Lord.
5. Moses climbs the mountain once again and reports the people’s willingness to God. God instructs Moses to return and prepare the people to meet Him in a new and spectacular way.
C. Preparing the people to meet their God face to face.
1. They people were to consecrate themselves and this would be shown in three ways.
a. They were to wash their clothes.
b. They were to abstain from sexual relations.
c. They were to restrict their movements.
2. The mountain was off limits to all men and animals. If any person or animal touched the mountain they were to be put to death.
3. When they heard the trumpet sound it would then be safe to approach the mountain.
4. The people would spend the next three days preparing themselves for their meeting with God.
II. A meeting that will forever be etched in the memories of the people.
A. God chooses to reveal Himself to the people in a spectacular way.
1. There were five spectacular signs that accompanied God’s appearance.
a. Thunder and lightning.
b. A thick cloud enveloping the mountain.
c. Unbelievably loud trumpet blasts.
d. Fire and smoke.
e. Earthquake
2. The signs left a deep impression on the people as it literally scared them out of their wits.
3. The people then witnessed Moses speaking to God and actually heard God answering Him.
B. God wanted the people to have complete respect for Him.
1. The people for the first time truly witnessed the glory, power and majesty of their holy God.
2. Moses assured the people that there was nothing to fear, God was testing them.
3. God’s desire was for the people to respect Him completely so that they would not sin against Him.
4. Fear however took its toll on the people as they asked for only Moses to speak to them. They were too scared to hear God’s voice.
5. Nowhere else did God ever speak directly to the whole community of Israel.
C. God desired to provide His people with some written instructions.
1. God gave Moses His Law which is commonly referred to as the Ten Commandments.
2. God had three main purposes for giving His people the law.
a. The Law established man’s sinfulness and the great distance between them and God.
b. The law shows man’s need for a mediator in order to approach God.
c. The Law was to teach man how to live a more abundant life.
3. The other order of business was for God to give Moses the instructions for building the people’s first worship center known as the tabernacle.
4. By following God’s directives the people of Israel would be able to enjoy their special relationship with their God.
III. Guidelines to enable us to experience God in a more personal way.
A. Designate a place where you can meet with God undisturbed on a regular basis.
1. There is no substitute for one on one time with God, it is essential for our spiritual growth.
2. Find a place that is private, quiet and free from distractions that will allow you to fully focus on your time alone with God.
3. Make sure that you are comfortable and able to read His Word and to make notes if desired.
4. Commit to being in this place alone with God on a regular basis.
B. Preparation is essential if you truly want to experience God in a more personal way.
1. We should never come to God with a half-hearted attitude or with our mind clouded with things that will prevent us from focusing totally on Him.
2. There are conditions for us to approach God just as there were for the Israelites.
a. We must have a willingness to obey.
b. We must be open and sensitive so that we will be able to hear what He has to say.
c. We must have a desire to be cleansed of our sin.
d. We must have the respect for Him that He deserves.
3. We need to work to make sure that the time we spend with God is quality time. Quality is always more important than quantity.
4. Spend whatever time you feel you need to be with your Heavenly Father.
C. Spend time daily in God’s Word because He speaks to us through His Word.
1. The Bible is God’s written revelation for mankind and He speaks into each of our lives through it.
2. It is extremely difficult to know God personally if we are not familiar with the Word through which He speaks.
3. God’s Word is perfect, free of mistakes and applicable to the lives of every person in every generation.
4. Make it a priority to read and apply His Word on a daily basis.
D. Consider keeping a journal that details your ongoing walk with God.
1. Journaling allows you to keep track of many things that happen in your spiritual walk.
a. Track your progress in your walk with Him.
b. Record answered prayers.
c. Record new insights gathered from His Word.
d. Record the different burdens that weigh heavy on your heart.
2. Your journal will serve as a source of encouragement as you are able to look back on what God has been doing in your life.
3. Theologian Gordon Mac Donald writes this about journals. “The main value of a journal is as a tool for listening to the quiet Voice that comes out of the garden of the private world. Journal keeping serves as a wonderful tool for withdrawing and communing with the Father.”
4. If you desire to meet God and truly seek Him, He will meet you.
Closing:
The park ranger was leading a group of hikers to a lookout tower in Yellowstone National Park. Along the way he pointed out some of the famous sites in the park. He was so intent on the stories he was telling, that he paid no attention when his two-way radio received a message. He turned it down. Later they stopped to look at some flowers and view some of the birds in nearby trees. Once again his radio distracted the ranger, so this time he turned it off.
As the group neared the lookout tower they were met by a nearly breathless ranger who asked why the guide hadn't responded to the messages on his radio. From their viewpoint, high in the tower, some other rangers had observed a large grizzly bear stalking the group. They had been trying desperately to warn the hikers.
Many times we are so involved in personal activities and pursuits in this life; we don't pay attention to the voice of God trying to get through to us. Sometimes we turn down the volume. Sometimes we don't pay attention. Sometimes we even turn Him off.
If God is trying to get through to us, we can be sure it is for a good reason.
