“Stand for the Lord” November 6th through 13th

Outline of the Passages Intercede on Behalf of Others (Exodus 32:7-14) Confront the Sin (Exodus 32:15-20) Depend on God’s Power (Exodus 32:25-26)

We too must intercede for unbelievers but not condone their sin. We will see how Moses interceded for the Israelites when they committed idolatry and his passion for the Lord’s holiness. We too must intercede for unbelievers but not condone their sin.

Intercede on Behalf of Others Exodus 32:7-15 7 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.'

9 "I have seen these people," the LORD said to Moses, "and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation." 11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. "O LORD," he said, "why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?

12 Why should the Egyptians say, 'It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth'? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and …

I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.'"14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. 15 Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands.

Intercede on Behalf of Others Setting the scene: Moses had been on Mt. Sinai for 40 days and nights; For the Israelites, Moses was their contact with God. Now that he was “gone” they needed someone or something else. Animal gods were very common in the Near East

Bull or Calf Gods

They learned this in Egypt

Aaron made then a Golden Calf

Bulls are still revered today To worship this animal is just a lot of “Bull.”

Even the Bronze Snake was worshipped by Israel. 2 Kings 18:4 “Hezekiah broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it.”

Broke 1st and 2nd Commands God said to Moses, “Go down for your people you brought up from Egypt acted corruptly.” Israel has sinned in four ways: They “bowed down to it.” They “sacrificed to it.” Declared “This is your God.” This God led us out of Egypt. Worshiped it! It could bless or curse! Broke 1st and 2nd Commands Gave credit to an idol!

and Moses God issued Moses a four-part test: “Leave Me alone” – Like Moses could stop God? “My anger will burn against Israel” – God wanted to burn these people off the face of the earth. “I will destroy them” – Yes, God could! “I will make you [Moses] a great nation” – Moses could join the patriarch Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. and Moses

To go to God on behalf of others What would Moses do? He interceded for Israel. Moses appealed to God’s past action. Moses appealed to God’s consistent character. Moses appealed to God’s promises. Note: God’s willingness to respond to a humble servant who prays. To go to God on behalf of others

Do you intercede for others? Do you intercede on behalf of your family? List what you have prayed for regarding your spouse, children, or family in the last week or so. _______________________ Spiritual Exercise #1 Box on Page 2

Confronting Sin Exodus 32:15, 19-20 15 Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands. …19 When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned…

Confronting Sin 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.

Note Moses’ anger: “Broke the tablets.” This is not a rash, impetuous fit of rage, but rather righteous anger. Breaking the tablets illustrated what Israel had done to the covenant they made with God. The tablets were broke at the same place that Israel had made that covenant with God. Moses burnt the calf, ground the ashes, and scattered them in their drinking water. James 1:20 For man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

We are called to deal with sin in a similar way: We are to have contempt (hate) sin; We are to confront (name) sin; We are to confess (dissolve) sin;

Spiritual Exercise #2 Box on Page 2 Confrontation? Ever been confronted in love for some failing? How did you respond? ___ Anger? ___ Indifference? ___ Gratitude? ___ Repentance? ___ Embarrassment? Spiritual Exercise #2 Box on Page 2

Call for a Return to God Exodus 32:25-26 25 Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughing stock to their enemies. 26 So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, "Whoever is for the LORD, come to me."

Out of control Sexually How serious was Israel’s Moses understood the spiritual and emotional implications of what happened. The people were out of control; The people had become an easy target for their enemies; Moses had to provide some moral restraint; Out of control Sexually How serious was Israel’s fighting machine? Discipline is not bad!

“Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.” This was more than joining a club or some social group; Either you belong to the Lord, or you don’t – which is it? Recommit and rejoin the covenant with God. To make this commitment real, people who joined Moses had to confront those who refused.

How serious did Moses take this? 3,000 people refused to join the Lord and were killed that day!

How serious should we taken people who are NOT in the Word of God? John 15:5, 7-8 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing…. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, …you will show yourselves to be my disciples. Very Serious!

How serious should we take people who DO NOT regularly attend the Lord’s Super? Very Serious! John 6:53 53 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

How serious is Jesus in saying He is the ONLY way to heaven? John 14:6 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Very Serious!

Who is God wanting you to confront? Who are we to confront? No one said it would be easy to lovingly confront others about their sin. How difficult would it be for you to confront these people? ___ Son/Daughter ___ Spouse ___ Fellow Church member ___ Co-worker ___ Close friend Spiritual Exercise #3 Box on Page 3 ___ Sibling ___ Parent Who is God wanting you to confront?