WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?
Ex. 32:1-28
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR: Hearing What You Want to
1. A young man went up to an old man and said in his ear, “Hey, could you lend me $5.00?”
2. The old man said, “I’m deaf in that ear. Come around to the other one. Now what did you say?”
3. The young man plucked up his courage and said, “Hey, could you lend me $20.00?”
4. The old man said, “Lend you what?” “$20.00!”
5. The old man looked incredulous and said, “You better go back to the $5.00 ear!”
B. TEXT
1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, "Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him." 2 Aaron answered them, "Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me." 3 So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt." 6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry. 19 When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. 20 And he took the calf they had made and burned it in the fire; then he ground it to powder, scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it. 25 Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. 26 Then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the LORD’s side—come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him. (Vs. 26 = NKJV) 27 Then he said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.'" 28 The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died.
C. THESIS
1. Israel had arrived at Mount Sinai. Moses climbed to the top to commune with God and on that holy ground, he spent 40 days in the presence of God and in His glorious fellowship.
2. But a scene of different kind was taking place at the foot of the mountain. Without a leader to point them to God, the Israelites set out to establish their own gods – similar to the world religions.
3. They broke off the gold they had gotten by "listening" to God and used that gained from God to make idols. This sounds a lot like America – established in godliness – but awash in idolatry and materialism.
4. Just like that camp, the world is filled with compromise and sin. God calls some to be the voice of separation and purification. Some of you may be called to be a Moses in your generation. His name means "drawn out" -- not just out of water, but out of the world!
I. IT’S OFTEN CONFUSING WHICH SIDE YOU’RE ON
A. MANY PEOPLE THINK THEY’RE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHEN THEY’RE NOT
1. It seems the Israelites confused the worship of the Lord (Jehovah) with the worship of the Calf. Aaron told them, "Tomorrow we will have a festival to the Lord" (Exodus 32:5), meaning, the Calf. In Exodus 32:8 God said that the Israelites ascribed the miracles of Jehovah to the Calf! This is because they didn't know what it meant to serve the Lord, or what God's requirements were.
2. But like Moses, we are called to challenge their views. There are a lot of people today who think they know God and God's will, but they are just as mixed up as the Israelites. That is why the great cry, "Who is on the Lord's side?", is so needed today.
3. There’s tons of people who have all kinds of crazy ideas about who God is. But it’s no worse today than in Bible days. One big difference today is that with the internet, if you want to find the truth, it’s out there for you.
B. BUT THE REAL TRUTH IS UNAVOIDABLE
1. How could the Israelites make an idol? Only a few days before, in that very place, they had heard the voice of the Lord God speaking to them out of the midst of the fire, "You shall not make any graven image." They heard the thunder, they saw the lightning, and they felt the earthquake when God appeared to them! Hadn’t they solemnly entered into a covenant with God and promised that all which he said to them they would do and be obedient?
2. And yet before they even moved on from that very place, and before the cloud had removed from the top of Mt. Sinai, they had made a Golden Calf!
3. But it's no different today. God has put inside all of us the knowledge about God, so that we are without excuse. Paul says, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse" Romans 1:20.
4. Paul also says in Romans 2:14-15, "Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law … since they show the requirements of the law are written on their hearts." Just like the Israelites, we today have no excuse for our compromise, our sin, our idolatry and disobedience.
II. THE TWO GREAT CHOICES
There stands today, before all the world, two choices: the Truth of God from Divine Revelation versus the Golden Calf of Man's Making. We all serve at one of these two altars, although some try to serve at both.
A. NATURE OF THE MAN-MADE GOD
1. THE CALF was a convenient sort of god, the kind many serve today.
2. He is mostly blind and deaf & only sees what you want him to.
3. He doesn’t mind if you ignore him and only think of him once a week.
4. He doesn’t mind you being more devoted to other things than him and he doesn’t really expect you to obey him.
5. With THE CALF, “sin” is only things like killing or robbing. All other bad things like illicit sex, drunkenness, cheating, & hatred are OK.
6. THE CALF says everyone is going to heaven; after all, were all good people. Of course: We made him, so the Calf lives to please us!
B. NATURE OF THE LIVING GOD
1. BUT THE LIVING GOD IS THE GOD WHO...
a. Comes down on the mountains with fire!
b. Whose voice shakes the heavens and earth;
c. Whose eyes are in every place and he knows the very thoughts and motives of our hearts;
2. THIS LIVING GOD WILL HAVE NO RIVALS:
a. He requires us to let go of all greater loves, to forgo illicit pleasures, to surrender our wealth, to serve Him now, so that we can gain a greater place in heaven;
b. His greatest commandment is, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength” and “You shall have no other gods before Me.”
3. HE PERMITS NO NEUTRAL GROUND:
a. “You’re either for Me or against Me!”
b. Why? There’s a war in progress between hell and heaven, and we must get on one side or the other!
c. Anything less than full commitment is not sufficient, for God made a full commitment to us when He gave us His Son Jesus!
C. THE TWO CHOICES
1. These two choices stand before all mankind; making a choice between them is unavoidable. Are some of you in that position and you haven't made up your mind yet?
2. It is high time you did, for it is a dreadful thing to be standing midway between God and the devil, between heaven and hell -- when actually, the ground you’re standing on is about to fall into hell!
3. The Lord Jesus said, "He that is not with Me is against Me, and he who gathers not with Me scatters." This decision should be made at once. Every hour makes it more likely that you will make the wrong choice. Delay is dangerous, for it breeds a new disease -- trifling with God.
4. This decision shouldn't even be difficult. How logical is it to oppose the Creator who holds your life in He is hands?
III. FOUR STEPS TO THE LORD’S SIDE
Moses stood in the gate of the camp and cried, "Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come to me." There are four characteristics of those who have gotten on the Lord’s side:
A. THEY’VE ABANDONED THEIR IDOLATRY
1. Moses called for those who had seen enough of the world's Calf and were ready to abandon idolatry. If you've:
a. tried the world and seen how empty it is,
b. attended its superficial parties,
c. awoken the next morning with its hangover,
d. when you've felt its betrayal,
e. when the world’s highest achievements have left you hollow and unfulfilled,
f. when all its glamour and promise turn out to be shams and façades, then you find out that Jesus is the Answer!
2. Jesus is the Fountain of living waters who quenches your thirsty soul. He is the Bread of Heaven to feed your inner man. His words are spirit and life to you! His peace, like a River, will guard your heart and mind by Christ Jesus. And his joy unspeakable makes the joy-bells ring in your life. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes to the Father but by Me." Jesus is your Guide, Savior, Redeemer, Healer, Baptizer, and your soon Coming King!
3. The first step in coming to God is to repent of your sins. An “IDOL” is anything that usurps the place of God in your heart. This includes any sin or questionable actions. If you’re not sure you should do it, then don’t. The IDOLS must go!
4. Broken Hindu god
a. Voice of the Martyrs; Shatter the Silence reports that in a remote village in India several Christians were taken by force by eight fanatic Hindus to the home of a Hindu "mother." They were ordered to heal her of her polio-like illness.
b. The leader of the Christians stated that since the weapons in the hands of their captors indicated they intended to hurt them if they failed, then stated they were not afraid to suffer and die for their beliefs if the Lord chose not to heal this woman.
c. But then he added they were privileged to have the opportunity to pray that God would show His love and healing power to man, even those who mistakenly believe in the Hindu gods.
d. As they prayed the leader felt heat in his hands. Clearly the power and presence of the Lord was there. After the prayer it wasn't long until the woman stood on her feet healed.
e. During the prayer a Hindu god toppled of the "god shelf" and was irreparably damaged. That day the angels and those Christians rejoiced over nine new converts added to The Book Of Life.
B. THEY HAVE TAKEN A STAND
1. A "stand" is taken in front of people. Moses’ cry was a call to decisive action, to make it public that you're a follower of Christ and that you're therefore against all that opposes Christ's teachings. Jesus said, "He who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God." Show your colors; declare your loyalty; cast your vote; be unashamed to declare your position. Unfurl your flag.
2. It's not good enough to avoid sin, we must stand up for Jesus! We need boldness to confront sins! Most people think they're on the Lord's side, but they’re not taking a stand publicly on the evils that affect our society. Those who don't speak out against something are considered as accessories or involved in the plot. The West Point Code: "A cadet does not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate anyone who does."
3. Someone may say, "I HAVE NOT MADE UP MY MIND YET"
a. It is a dreadful thing to be standing midway between God and the devil, heaven and hell. It is really being on the wrong side. Jesus said, "He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathers not with me scatters abroad."
b. If you don't stand up for Jesus, you will be desensitized by sin, every time you laugh it off. You will either stand for Christ or conform to the world.
C. THEY’VE MADE A DECLARATION OF WAR
1. Moses did not call them together for a praise session, but to take up their swords! To get on God's side is to make a personal declaration of war.
2. God is already involved in the war against sin and Satan, so to get on God's side is to involve yourself in that conflict. Jesus said, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn "a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -- a man's enemies will be the members of his own house hold" Matthew 10:34-36.
3. People that think of Jesus as in the manger or like the song, "Sweet Little Jesus Boy," don't have a real grasp of what Jesus came to do. My point is this, that to be involved on the front lines of real Christianity is not a walk in the park or a sleepy snooze in the sun, but entering into a battle.
4. On the Lord's side we are to serve Him actively and energetically. Moses said to those men, "All of you, put on your swords!" We are not supposed to be wasting our time, God's work is serious business. God's work is to be done regardless of the cost or danger.
D. THEY LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL OTHERS
1. Those men had a very painful duty to perform; they became the executioners of their brothers! They had to kill their own family members and friends who disobeyed God.
2. Jesus said, "Unless you love Me more than mother or father, sister or brother, or even your own life, you cannot be my disciples."
3. REMEMBER THE ALAMO: Similar to Moses’ Cry
a. Col. William Travis faced the embattled defenders of the Alamo. "Men, the Mexican dictator, Gen. Santa Anna, has demanded our surrender. My orders are to hold this fort. There is no help coming to reinforce us. The Mexicans are about 5000 strong."
b. Then as the 232 American soldiers watched, Col. Travis drew a line on the dirt floor with his sword. "Any man who wants to escape is free to go now. All who are determined to stay and die in the defense of the Alamo will cross this line."
c. Strong-muscled Davy Crockett boldly stepped across. Others followed, and finally only James Bowie (who made the Bowie knife famous) was left, too ill to move by his own strength. He asked to be carried across.
d. Col. Travis sent the fateful message: "We refuse to surrender." The Mexicans attacked on March 6, 1838. It took three assaults for them to overpower the Fort by sheer mass of numbers. The Americans fought back grimly, fiercely, but inevitably all lay dead. Up to 600 Mexicans were killed in the encounter.
e. When news of their bravery leaked to the American forces, the defenders were inspired to advance. Gen. Sam Houston gave the battle cry: "Victory is certain is? Remember the Alamo." The motto fired the men on to victory over the Mexican army.
f. Today we can cry, "Victory is certain! Remember the Cross!"
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION: Get Rid Of Things Which Drag You Down
1. Jules Verne's novel The Mysterious Island, he tells of five men who escape a Civil War prison camp by hijacking a hot air balloon. As they rise into the air, they realize the wind is carrying them over the ocean. Watching their homeland disappear on the horizon, they wonder how much longer the balloon can stay aloft.
2. As the hours pass and the surface of the ocean draws closer, the men decide they must cast overboard some of the weight, for they had no way to heat the air in the balloon. Shoes, overcoats, and weapons are reluctantly discarded, and the uncomfortable aviators feel their balloon rise. But only temporarily.
3. Soon they find themselves dangerously close to the waves again, so they toss their food. Better to be high and hungry than drown on a full belly! Unfortunately, this, too, is only a temporary solution, and the craft again threatens to lower the men into the sea.
4. One man has an idea: they can tie the ropes that hold the passenger gondola and sit on those ropes. Then they can cut away the basket beneath them. As they sever the very thing they had been standing on, it drops into the ocean, and the balloon rises.
5. Not a minute too soon, they spot land. Eager to stand on terra firma again, the five jump into the water and swim to the island.
6. Similarly, You will never make it to heaven if you don’t let go of the world. God is calling you to make a decision this morning to accept Jesus as your only salvation. Will you answer God’s call?
B. ALTAR CALL
1. The question comes to you this morning, “Whose Side are YOU on?” Are you serving the god of convenience … the Golden Calf?
2. HAVE YOU TAKEN THE FOUR STEPS TO GOD’S SIDE?
a. Have You Repented of your sins, destroying your Idols?
b. Have You publicly taken a stand for Christ?
c. Have You Declared War on Sin & the devil?
d. Have You Chosen God over all others?
3. Are you still trying to be neutral? There is no neutral ground. It’s all or nothing. God is a Jealous God and won’t allow any rivals in your heart.
4. We already know the truth; all that is left is to respond to it. Now is the accepted time; today is the day of salvation!
