Lessons From The Golden Calf Exodus 32:1-35
Imagine the following… Sermon on instrumental music –All agreed to its sinfulness in worship –Goes away for a month –Returns to hear an organ playing –Worship has been corrupted –Wonders if preaching is worthwhile
Moses Know how he felt –People made a commitment (Exodus 19:8) –What happened to them? –Now they were sinning (Exodus 32) –Faithfulness was short-lived
Lack of Patience (v. 1) Moses’ delay –Asked for another God (1 Samuel 8:5) –Not satisfied w/o an earthly leader (John 6:15)
Lack of Patience (v. 1) Did not endure –Gave up after 40 days (Galatians 1:6; Hebrews 10:36-39) –Be like Moses (Hebrews 11:25, 26) –More important considerations (2 Corinthians 4:18; Colossians 3:2)
Poor Leadership (vv. 2-6) Rare to rise above the leaders –Aaron gave in to the people –Israel scattered for lack of faithful shepherds (Ezekiel 34:3-5)
Poor Leadership (vv. 2-6) God’s leaders today –Elders (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:4) –Some aren’t good leaders (Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Peter 2:1, 2)
God’s Justice (vv. 7-10) Soul that sins dies –Denial of Calvinism (Ezekiel 18:4) –Wages of sin (Romans 6:23)
God’s Justice (vv. 7-10) Be careful –Can happen to us (1 Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 5:4) –Repent like Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:20-23; 1 John 1:7-9)
God’s Mercy (vv ) Spared Israel –Wants all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) –Mercy on us (Romans 5:8, 9; Ephesians 2:8-10)
God’s Mercy (vv ) Turn to Him –3,000 died –His terms (Acts 22:16; Hebrews 4:16)
Righteous Indignation (vv ) Moses’ anger –How do we react? (John 2:12-17) –Effect of TV, movies, etc.
Righteous Indignation (vv ) Must hate sin –God does (Psalm 119:104; Proverbs 6:16-19) –Love the sinner (Jude 23)
Power of Prayer (vv ) Moses interceded –Effective –Jesus intercedes (Hebrews 7:25)
Power of Prayer (vv ) Realize its power –Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 6:12-15; 7:7, 8) –Early Christians (Acts 4:23-31) –Effective (James 1:5-7; 5:16; 1 Peter 3:12)
Conclusion Learn the lessons Have you been forgiven?