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Youth Worship 17th August 2024 : If You will forgive their sin

Text: Exodus 32:25-35
17 August 2024

YOUTH WORSHIP SERVICE 17 AUGUST 2024

Text: Exodus 32:25-35

Title: “If You will forgive their sin” Exodus 32:31

INTRODUCTION

1. A complex sin problem had arisen

2. This was the sin of idolatry
The worship of the golden calf

3. Moses knew the gravity of the sin problem

4. It would not be easily resolved

25 Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies),

26 then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the LORD’s side—come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.

27 And he said to them, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.’ ”

28 So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day.

29 Then Moses said, “Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, that He may bestow on you a blessing this day, for every man has opposed his son and his brother.”

30 Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”

31 Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold!

32 Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.”

33 And the LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.
34 Now therefore, go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their sin.”

35 So the LORD plagued the people because of what they did with the calf which Aaron made.

Exodus 32:25-35

THE SIN PROBLEM IDENTIFIED

“Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies).”

Exodus 32:25

1. The worship of the golden calf

2. God’s assessment of the problem

7 And the LORD said to Moses, “Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves.

8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’ ”

9 And the LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people!

Exodus 32:7-9

a) Corruption
b) Turned aside quickly
c) Worshipped the golden calf
d) A stiff-necked people
e) Unrestrained behaviour (immorality problem)

ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM PHYSICALLY

26 Then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the LORD’s side—come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.

27 And he said to them, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.’ ”

28 So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day.

29 Then Moses said, “Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, that He may bestow on you a blessing this day, for every man has opposed his son and his brother.”

Exodus 32:26-29

1. The idolatrous people were “unrestrained”

a) Some were belligerent
b) Others were violently inclined

2. A call to arms

a) The Levites responded to the call of Moses
b) They had to take up arms
c) A battle ensued
d) 3000 men fell that day

SEEKING GOD IN PRAYER

30 Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”

31 Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold!

32 Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.”

Exodus 32:30-32

1. A great sin had been committed

2. Moses would seek to make atonement for their great sin

3. Moses’ Prayer to God

a) Confession of sin
“Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold!”
Exodus 32:31
b) Moses offered himself for the people
“Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.”
Exodus 32:32

GOD’S RESPONSE TO MOSES

33 And the LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.

34 Now therefore, go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their sin.”

35 So the LORD plagued the people because of what they did with the calf which Aaron made.

Exodus 32:33-35

1. Whoever sinned against the LORD

a) God would deal with him
b) Moses cannot atone for the sin of the people with his life

2. Moses will lead the people still

a) The Angel of the LORD would go with them
b) But God would deal with the sins of the people at a later date
c) The 3000 who fell were not the only ones who sinned grievously against the LORD

MOSES’ FIRST ATTEMPT

1. It was only partially successful

2. He knew that he would have to seek the LORD again

3. He must find the answer to the problem of this grievous sin against the LORD

LESSONS WE MUST LEARN

1. Sin must never be taken lightly

2. Forgiveness must not be taken for granted

3. Greater depth of knowledge is needed

4. Our relationship with God must be prized at a deeper level