FORCING OURSELVES ON GOD (3 OF 5)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: Exodus 19:16-25
This content is part of a series.
Forcing Ourselves On God (3 of 5)
Series: Meeting God On The Mountain
Jeff Strite
Exodus 19:16-25
OPEN: A school teacher injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. It fit under his shirt and was not noticeable at all. On the first day of the term, still with the cast under his shirt, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in school.
Walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, he opened the window as wide as possible and then busied himself with desk work. When a strong breeze made his tie flap, he took the desk stapler and stapled the tie to his chest.
He had no trouble with discipline that term.
APPLY: There's something about a teacher that's able and willing to staple his tie to his chest that can get the attention of a class. And this teacher got that attention because in that simple act he proved that no matter how tough they thought they were - he was tougher!
Now, at the foot of Mount Sinai, God has essentially stapled His tie to His chest. He's come down on the mountain with fire and He has made it to smoke like a furnace. His presence has caused the earth to tremble so violently that it shakes the ground where the Israelites stand. And then there's the sound of the trumpet grew louder and Louder and LOUDER in their ears.
Hebrews 12:21 tells us that
''The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ''I am trembling with fear.''
No matter how tough these Israelites may have thought they were up to this point God just proved He was tougher.
Now why would God do that? Why go thru this big ''light and sound display'' at this point in His relationship with Israel?
Well, God is about to give them His rule book. His Law.
And people are funny about rules.
There's just something about rules and regulations that makes people itchy.
Many people don't like rules. They prefer ''guidelines''.
They prefer items that are ''flexible'' and malleable.
ILLUS: Several years ago, the State of ...
Series: Meeting God On The Mountain
Jeff Strite
Exodus 19:16-25
OPEN: A school teacher injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. It fit under his shirt and was not noticeable at all. On the first day of the term, still with the cast under his shirt, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in school.
Walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, he opened the window as wide as possible and then busied himself with desk work. When a strong breeze made his tie flap, he took the desk stapler and stapled the tie to his chest.
He had no trouble with discipline that term.
APPLY: There's something about a teacher that's able and willing to staple his tie to his chest that can get the attention of a class. And this teacher got that attention because in that simple act he proved that no matter how tough they thought they were - he was tougher!
Now, at the foot of Mount Sinai, God has essentially stapled His tie to His chest. He's come down on the mountain with fire and He has made it to smoke like a furnace. His presence has caused the earth to tremble so violently that it shakes the ground where the Israelites stand. And then there's the sound of the trumpet grew louder and Louder and LOUDER in their ears.
Hebrews 12:21 tells us that
''The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ''I am trembling with fear.''
No matter how tough these Israelites may have thought they were up to this point God just proved He was tougher.
Now why would God do that? Why go thru this big ''light and sound display'' at this point in His relationship with Israel?
Well, God is about to give them His rule book. His Law.
And people are funny about rules.
There's just something about rules and regulations that makes people itchy.
Many people don't like rules. They prefer ''guidelines''.
They prefer items that are ''flexible'' and malleable.
ILLUS: Several years ago, the State of ...
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