(this message was preached in its entirety on 19th January 2014 at the Greater Grace Santacruz Church, Mumbai-India)
Does GOD have favorites ? Are some people special to GOD ?
GOD wants to be close to everyone...
Many people want to be close to GOD, however not everyone is willing to pay the price. There is a price to pay... Obedience !
I Samuel 15:22 says Obedience is better than sacrifice...
Some people seem to have a closeness with GOD, a powerful prayer-life, a GOD centered thought-life, a peaceful countenance, a joyful heart ! We wonder what makes the difference.... They paid the price. They daily made a choice to draw near to GOD
In Exodus 19:23 The Glory of GOD descended upon Mt Sinai.
However GOD forbids all the people from coming close to the mountain or they would die. They could only watch His presence come down on the mountain but not touch it. They belonged to the outer circle.
Does GOD have favorites ? Are some people special to GOD ?
GOD wants to be close to everyone...
Many people want to be close to GOD, however not everyone is willing to pay the price. There is a price to pay... Obedience !
I Samuel 15:22 says Obedience is better than sacrifice...
In Exodus 19:23 The Glory of GOD descended upon Mt Sinai.
However GOD forbids all the people from coming close to the mountain or they would die. They could only watch His presence come down on the mountain but not touch it. They belonged to the outer circle.
Not because GOD was being biased but because GOD knew their heart. HE knew that they didn't really love HIM. They say with their lips they want to follow GOD but their hearts are far from HIM. They have a golden calf in their life - materialism, pride, jobs, friends or things that are obstacles in growing deep with GOD.
The outer crowd sits in church but they are not worshiping GOD ! Just satisfied observing from a distance...
In Chapter 24:9 GOD calls the elders - Moses, Joshua, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and 70 elders are called to be on the mountain with GOD.
The elders of Israel saw the Glory of GOD. They reach half way. They eat and drink there. They see the pavement as clear as sapphire.
Yet no commitment, no convinction ! When the time came to take a stand for GOD, they agreed with the majority !!!
Yet no commitment, no convinction ! When the time came to take a stand for GOD, they agreed with the majority !!!
Being regularly in church does not mean my relationship with GOD is deep. If I dont let the Word work in my life, then my life hasn't truly change.
When they looked at the Glory of GOD they saw a consuming fire. They didn't choose to draw close to know the loving living GOD.
When they looked at the Glory of GOD they saw a consuming fire. They didn't choose to draw close to know the loving living GOD.
Exodus 24:13-15 is a picture of the believer who is moving closely with GOD. They love to serve GOD when no one is looking...
As the mountain gets higher people are fewer. Only Moses and Joshua are high up on the mountain.
Why was Joshua there with Moses?
We read that in Exodus 33:11, When Moses left the Tent of Meeting, Joshua did not leave. He lingered there.
Joshua had a hunger... A thirsting after the Living GOD. Like Psalm 42:1-2
Joshua had a hunger... A thirsting after the Living GOD. Like Psalm 42:1-2
The church is far away from the camp, and those who sought the LORD would choose to walk that distance to the tent of meeting (verse 7). And then there was also another group that worshiped from their doorposts... from a distance...
If you hunger after GOD you will look for places and opportunities to meet with HIM !
Are you comfortable with the distance ?
Are you comfortable with the distance ?
OR
Do you want to draw close ?
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