Our Sunday morning message was brought to us by our assistant pastor, Bro. Ryan Crawford, "If Thy Presence Go Not With Me, I Don't Want To Go."
The scripture reading was taken from Exodus 33:12-23, with primary emphasis on Exodus 33:14 and 15. And as always, we stood for the reading of God's word. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
God had chosen Israel to be the nation that would be a light to all the world and to proclaim, prove, and preach that there is but one God. God promised Abraham that his seed would one day possess a land flowing with milk and honey. God later then freed the Israeli people from the Egyptians, with Moses as His spokesman. Moses led the people to and across dry ground of the split Red Sea. And Moses, via God, saw they were provided with water from a rock, bitter water made sweet, manna every day, and quail. So much quail even, that some of the quail came out of their noses! God was so good to them in the wilderness, yet always they found something to complain about. Sound familiar, church?
In Chapter 19, still reviewing on past weeks' lessons, Bro. Crawford continued. God called Moses to the top of Mount Sinai and gave him the Law. And the people were told to stay away, don't touch the mountain. So here was Moses, with God, on the top of the mountain, when all of a sudden, God tells Moses to "get down off the mountain," as by Chapter 32 they had made a golden calf. So Moses comes down off the mountain and says, "Who is on the Lord's side? Move over here!" So because of their sin, God said He would no longer go in the midst of the people, therefore they must put the Tabernacle, outside of the camp. God's no longer playing softball. You want me? You move. You come to me. Leave your comfort zone, embarrass your flesh, but make the move. Once the Tabernacle was constructed, Moses goes in to talk with God. As all the people watch, they see a pillar of cloud descend, and they begin to worship. In verse 11, Moses talks with God. And in verses 12-15 he tells God, "I need your presence. I want your presence. So much so that if I don't have it, I'm not moving."
"And church, no decision should ever be made other than in the presence of God. So how can you tell if you are in the presence of God?"
Verses 12-13 explains how you can get the Attainment of His Presence. First, by Salvation. "When you are saved, you know who God is, and you know who Jesus is, but more importantly, at least to you, Jesus knows your name. Isn't it good that Jesus knows my name; that He knows your name? Saved people have the right, and can have at any time, the presence of God. And though Jesus will never leave nor forsake you; He will be present, but are you in His presence?"
Let me share with you a few verses about Salvation: Ephesians 2:8-9; John 6:37; John 3:16; II Timothy 1:9; Acts: 4:12; Romans 1:16; Romans 6:23; and Isaiah 53:5-6.
"The pain and the agony Christ went through was so He could know your name. He created you, but you sinned. But by His Grace He bought you back. But you can't get the presence of God if you are lost."
"The Attainment of Presence, is though His word. God no longer speaks audibly to man as he did in the days of Moses, but we have the more sure word of prophesy, the Holy Bible." His presence is directly related to His word. If we hide its words in our heart, it will be a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path; that we might not sin against God. Human nature being what it is... "You are less apt to sin, if you are in the presence of God."
Asking of His Presence, as verse 16 says, "God's presence invokes significance. I've been chosen. I've been set apart for a purpose. If you are genuinely saved, so are you. So ask Him. Chosen for what, set apart for? But there is a down side to this presence of God. It separates you. It causes a rift between siblings, between parents and children. How will the world know that you are mine, that I am yours, without you with me?" There ought to be this noticeable change when you have been in His presence, as the Bible is very clear what is good and what is evil. "The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword, severing soul and spirit. Your soul is just your mind, your will and your emotions. Your spirit was made alive when you were born again. And this Word right here [The Bible] divides between what you think, and what God thinks." And sometimes this knowledge estranges you from loved ones. But what an opportunity... to pray for them!
Next there is: Affirmation of His Presence. In verses 19-23 God proved that He would be present. When God says: "I will." He will. Bank on it. Then in verse 19 when you are in God's presence you will come to quickly know that He is good, He has always been good, and He will always be good. "And the goodness of God should show you that He is near to you."
Verse 21 points out that you will be guided by Him, if you are one of His. He will direct all your paths if you stay in the Light of His presence. "There is a place, for you, right beside me."
Verse 22 teaches: God is guarding us. He protects and hides us in the clef of His rock. Our soul, our family, our church will be protected if we get into His presence. "That's proof that His presence is near."
And lastly, verse 23 reveals God's Glory. "All the Glory belongs to Jesus. His power, His Grace, His Truth, His Knowledge, His Wisdom, all the attributes of God, is all of His Glory. Jesus never fails. We can trust God because He is trustworthy. We can believe in God because He is believable. We can live through God because He lived for us."
"If the presence of God goes not with you today, what are you going to do? If the presence of God does not go with you today, what are you going to do? We have to have God. And you can't have Him, you can't have His presence, if you don't know Him...personally."
Twice a day, Charles Spurgeon's words of encouragement and admonishment can be read on our church website at http://www.firstbatistchurchpineville.com.
Our church pantry is accepting food and sundry items every third Sunday. See Kenny and Bobbi Bowers if you have any questions.
We offer infant care, nursery and children's church through the third grade on Sunday mornings; Sunday evenings and Wednesday, a nursery. We also offer transportation for all church services, as needed, for all ages. Please call 417-223-4433 or 417-223-1070 to get on one of our four bus routes.
Our church library is available to all, during all church services. We have books, videos and music CDs to check out for all age groups. New to the library are biographies on Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong and Bible tracts to pass out when witnessing. See Mrs. Pat Anders for help.
Please tune in Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 100.3 FM KURM for a message of love, inspiration, support, and duty, by one of our shepherds, Dr. Larry Crawford, or his son, Bro. Ryan Crawford.
All verses quoted above are from the King James Bible.
Maranatha!
Religion on 01/22/2015