Message Notes

Introduction

1. Many have been given knowledge of God

a. But they only understand Him theoretically

b. They have never understood Him in reality

2. The LORD came down upon Mount Sinai to visit Israel

a. He manifested Himself to the people

b. The people of Israel had to learn how to worship Him

Understanding true worship

1. The preparation for worship

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.”

Exodus 19:10-11

a) The LORD required that the people of Israel should prepare for worship

b) They were to prepare for the LORD’s visit

i) Cleanse

ii) Consecrate

c) To be ready for worship

2. The presence of God

“Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.”

Exodus 19:16

a) Worship is all about God

b) The LORD came down to visit

c) He revealed who He was to the people

d) God was represented by the physical elements

i) Thundering

ii) Lightning

iii) A thick cloud

e) Alerting the people of God’s coming
“And the sound of the trumpet was very loud,” Exodus 19:16a

i) Trumpets

ii) Blown loudly

f) Reverence for God
“So that all the people who were in the camp trembled.” Exodus 19:16b

i) The people trembled

ii) Fear of the LORD

3. Meeting with God

“And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.”

Exodus 19:17

a) Worship is about meeting with God

i) Learning to relate to God

ii) Rather than just going through the motion

iii) They came before God

b) Moses set the example of meeting and relating with God

i) Moses and God spoke audibly to each other
“Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice.” Exodus 19:19

ii) This was publicly done

iii) The LORD came down to Mount Sinai to demonstrate this
“Then the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain.”
Exodus 19:20a

iv) The LORD called Moses, and he obeyed
“And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain,
and Moses went up.”
Exodus 19:20b

4. Regard for God

a) God visiting Israel

i) Some regard
“So that all the people who were in the camp trembled.” Exodus 19:16

ii) An expanded description
“Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.” Exodus 19:18

iii) Also in Exodus 20:18
“Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off.” Exodus 20:18

b) Lack of regard

i) The sin problem of the people and the priest
“And the LORD said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people, lest they
break through to gaze at the LORD, and many of them perish. Also let the
priests who come near the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break
out against them.” Exodus 19:21-22

ii) The understanding of Moses
“But Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai; for You warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain and consecrate it.’ ” Exodus 19:23

iii) The priest and the people were not heeding God’s word
“Then the LORD said to him, “Away! Get down and then come up, you and Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to
come up to the LORD, lest He break out against them.” So Moses went down
to the people and spoke to them.” Exodus 19:24-25

Conclusion

The challenge to practise true worship

1. Preparation for worship

2. The presence of God

3. Meeting with God

4. Regard for God