New Year 2024
Sermon: Follow God’s Leadership and Enjoy God’s Rest
Bible Passage: Exodus 33:11 & 14
I. Verse 33:11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, the way a person speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his servant, Joshua son of Nun, a young man, did not leave the tent.
1. The LORD had a special relationship with Moses
2. The LORD allowed Moses to approach Him It was not just one time experience, it was habitual/routine
3. The LORD spoke to Moses directly—“face to face,” what an amazing favor!
4. The expression “face to face” points to intimacy and closeness Moses was allowed to have with the LORD—
5. Moses interceded for the people who failed God and him miserably—Moses stood between God and people who failed miserably
a. Moses is a type of Jesus Christ
b. Moses is a type of Christians—Moses interceded for a stiff-necked people
c. This act of Moses averted God’s wrath on his people and secured God’s presence for the journey
6. With God’s displeasure on the people of Israel and His decision to appoint an angel in His role, Moses became fearful and confused about the way-forward
a. If God was not going to be present in the Promised Land, Moses did not want to be there even though it is a land that is flowing with milk and honey
b. Moses had brought the people from Egypt to Sinai; now, he needs to lead them from Sinai to the Promised Land (33:1-2)
c. Moses was afraid of the task ahead of him (v.12)—it was going to be a whole different game
d. Moses knew that he would not be able to accomplish the task by himself (verse 15)
e. Moses’ broad assignment was not just Egypt to Sinai, but Sinai to the Promised Land (33:1-2)
f. While conscious of God’s favor upon him, Moses asks the Lord for continual favor for corporate benefit (verses 12-13)
g. To lead the people effectively, Moses needed to know the very mind of God, the thinking behind God’s plan (verse 13)
7. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his servant, Joshua son of Nun, a young man, did not leave the tent
a. Before a servant of God is qualified to minister unto His people, he must himself first seek the Lord
b. Power for service is obtained only by maintaining intimate fellowship with God
c. Before a servant has any message for people, the Lord must speak “face to face” unto him
II. Verse 33:14 And the LORD said, “My presence will go with you (“I myself shall go with you”), and I will give you rest.”
1. This promise is the LORD’s reconsideration on the basis of Moses’ intercession, people’s repentance, and contrition
2. God hates sin and disapproves sinful behavior, but He is abundantly gracious when people repent
3. Despite the failure of the people, God looks favorably upon them who failed miserably
4. God gives second chance to repentant people
5. God makes Himself available to be approached in times of fear and uncertainty
6. God fulfills His purposes through the repented people—takes them to the Promised Land
7. God who was working hitherto through the agency of the individual Moses (face-to-face) now promises to be their leader directly (verse 14)
a. This is one of the decisive shifts in the Exodus story: MY PRESENCE SHALL GO WITH YOU AND GIVE YOU REST
b. In other words, the Lord would be their leader henceforth and lead the people to the place of their destination
c. God promises two things: leadership to the people and rest to Moses
i. Presence
ii. Rest
III. Theology of the Passage
1. God is gracious, forgiving, and willing to help His people to move on with their life
2. God gives second chance when there is genuine repentance and contrition
3. Personality, strategy, and money of an individual or a group ALONE cannot reach where one/they needs to go
4. What God started, God has to continue, and bring it to final destination
Today
5. Unlike Moses—a time-bound intercessor, Jesus is our High Priest, who intercedes for us continuously (Heb 4:14-16)
6. Just as God was taking the people of Israel on a journey, God is taking us as a church in a journey
a. Matt 28:19-20b: Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 28:20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
b. Matt 28:20c: And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age”
Take Away:
1. Prepare to move from stagnation towards God’s given destination by accepting God’s leadership in Jesus Christ
2. Provide redemptive leadership in all domains of your life 3. Carryout God-given work with His guidance