The Story 2024

There is Purpose In His Presence
February 4, 2024
Jason Duke, Campus Minister, The Branch @ Vista Ridge

The presence of God leads to worship, creates rest, and establishes identity.

Five Quick Observations …

God’s desire is not like that of other gods.(Exodus 20:2)

Exodus 20:2 (ESV)
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”

God distinguishes His chosen people from all other peoples. (Exodus 19:5-6a)

Exodus 19:5-6a (ESV)
“‘Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’”

Commandments and law enhance relationships, they don’t restrict them. (Exodus 20-23)

God commands the Israelites to party. (Exodus 23:14-17)

We often quickly lose conviction when making a commitment to God. (Exodus 19:8, 24:3, 24:7)

The presence of God leads to worship, creates rest, and establishes identity.

Exodus 33:8-11a (ESV)
Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise up, and each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses.

And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The presence of God leads to worship, creates rest, and establishes identity.

Exodus 33:14 (ESV)
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28 (ESV)
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

The presence of God leads to worship, creates rest, and establishes identity.

Exodus 33:16 (CSB)
“How will it be known that I and your people have found favor with you unless you go with us? I and your people will be distinguished by this from all the other people on the face of the earth.”

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

John 16:7 (ESV)
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”

The presence of God leads to worship, creates rest, and establishes identity.