A. WHAT CAUSES PEOPLE TO LOSE THE PRESENCE OF GOD?
1. When people were not led by a man of God (shepherd). “Moses delayed coming down” (v. 1).
2. When people look with eyes of sight, not eyes of faith. “The people saw” (v. 1).
3. When people sought comfort and guidance from other sources not from God. “The people gathered together” (v. 1).
4. When people relied on their current thoughts, not what they knew and pledged. “Then all the people answered together and said, ‘All that the LORD has spoken we will do’” (Ex. 19:8).
5. When people relied on logic, not obedience. “We do not know what has become of him (Moses)” (v. 1).
6. When people listened to bad advice. “Break off your earrings . . . and bring them to me” (v. 2).
a. Not because earrings were sinful, or else Aaron would have said to destroy them.
b. Not to be holy or nearer to God.
c. Not as an attitude of seeking heart.
Why People Lose God’s Presence
? Unanswered prayer.
? Disastrous turn of events.
? A Christian disappoints them.
? Past sin returns/besetting sin.
? Lazy or no discipline.
? Corrupt influence of a friend/others.
? Availability and/or ease of sin/temptation
? Not growing in Christ.
7. When people contributed to direct disobedience. “Aaron fashioned it . . . a molded calf” (v. 4). “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image” (Ex. 20:4, NLT).
8. When people were quick to pursue the sin of idolatry. They got the Ten Commandments about 40 days ago (Ex. 24:18). This is called backsliding.
9. When people look for something to substitute for the place God had in their life. “This is your God, oh Israel” (Ex. 32:4).
10. When people gave their heart to their substitute “god.” “So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it” (v. 5).
11. When people thought their substitute “god” could do what God had done for them. “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” (v. 4).
12. When people tied their salvation to their substitute “god.” “They offered burnt offerings . . . peace offering” (v. 6).
13. When people got “religious,” happiness out of their substitute “god.” “The people sat down to eat . . . rose up to play” (v. 6).
14. When people lost their guilt and shame. “Naked to their shame” (v. 25).
B. HOW GOD REACTED
1. God saw their hearts. “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people” (v. 9).
2. God brushed aside their excuses. “Corrupted themselves” (v. 7).
3. God was concerned with His broken law. “They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them” (v. 8).
4. They made God jealous. “And worshiped it” (v. 8).
5. God’s first thought is to judge sin. “That My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them” (v. 10).
C. THE TWO-FOLD ACTION OF GOD’S SERVANT
1. ANGER:
a. “Moses saw the calf and the dancing” (v. 19), i.e., seeing the object of sin and the sinner in sin.
b. Violent attitude. “Moses’ anger became hot” (v. 19).
c. Violent reaction. “He cast . . . and broke them” (v. 19).
2. INTERCESSION:
a. An intercessor stands between God and the destruction of people. “Moses pleaded with the Lord” (v. 11).
b. Pleads God’s work. “Thou hast brought forth out of . . . Egypt” (v. 11, KJV).
c. Pleads God’s character. “By thine own self” (v. 13, KJV).
d. Pleads God’s promise. “I will multiply your seed” (v. 13, KJV).
D. DEALING WITH RESULTS
1. God changed His mind. “The Lord repented” (v. 14).
2. Sin is its own punishment. “Then he took the calf . . . ground it to powder . . . and made the children of Israel drink it” (v. 20).
3. Some sinners are not honest about their sin. Aaron claimed the calf came out of the fire.
4. Separate from sinners who tempt and make you fall. “All the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him (Moses)” (v. 26).
E. 10 WAYS TO KEEP FROM LOSING GOD’S PRESENCE
1. Believe and apply Christ’s command. “Abide in Me, and I in you” (John 14:20).
2. Obey standing orders. Until God changes His command to you.
3. If it’s doubtful, don’t do it.
4. Keep your eyes on Christ, and don’t listen to contrary voices.
5. Yield daily to “Christ in you.”
6. Obey what you know about God.
7. Don’t listen to voices that pull you away.
8. Claim victory (1 Cor. 10:13).
9. Daily confess sin and claim forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
10. Walk in the cleansing blood of Christ (I John 1:7).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com.
