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Feb 25, 2018

His Transforming Presence

His Transforming Presence

Speaker: Dennis Gallaher

Series: Transformation

Category: Sunday Morning

God gave Moses some amazing promises, yet Moses came to a point at which he wanted more than just the promises. He wanted God's heart. His prayer was that he would see the glory of God's presence. Today, we ought to desire the same thing. We ought to desire the giver more than the gifts.

Opening Scripture:

Read Exodus 33

It was a dark and defining moment in their brief history of deliverance.

  -  Aaron makes the golden calf

  -  Moses begs God to forgive the people; offers himself instead

  -  God’s judgment is withheld but a severe change is made

  -  Instead of God leading the way to the Promised Land, He tells Moses that He will send an angel instead.

  -  Moses continues to intercede for the rebellious nation

  -  Then the promise of His presence is given

Exodus 33:14   And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”

But it’s not enough for Moses even though God has given Moses His protection, power, miracles, authority, and friendship…Now, God promises Moses His continued presence and His rest.

God graciously confirmed His promises to Moses.

vs. 17  The Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.”

It is then that Moses asks for more than a blessing.

vs. 18   Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!”

The glory that Moses was talking about was not about what God could do but was about who God is.

Moses no longer needed for God to prove His word; now, he wanted to know His heart. That is where worship begins

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Do you want to be used by God to transform society? Then the key to transformation is desiring God’s heart and not just His hand.

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Moses asked to see God’s glory. Jesus declares that He will give us that glory.

John 17:22   The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one.

The glory Moses wanted Jesus came to give.

Colossians 1:27   To whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

God wants to demonstrate to the world what is in you and me - “the great hope that is in His glory.”

The word used to describe this event is “Shekinah.” It means to dwell, take up residence, or settle down.

When you see Him and His presence, the promise is that no matter who you are, the glory and the dwelling presence of God will come to stay. That is transformation.

2 Corinthians 3:18   But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

It will not happen unless you want to know Him beyond all else - know His heart and not just His hand.

We are transformed when we worship God.

Moses cried out to God:

  -  I’ve seen your miracles!

  -  I’ve received of your tremendous mercies.

  -  I’ve watched as your hand of protection has settled on me.

But God, I want your glory! I want your Shekinah - your glory that sticks around to settle on me!

Exodus 33:19-20   And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”

The next day the Lord descended in a cloud as Moses worshipped; God dwelt with Him.

Exodus 34:6-7   Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

From that day forward, the Shekinah, the dwelling fo God’s glory remained with Moses.

Exodus 34:30   So when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.

When they saw Moses, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. The glory had settled as Moses worshipped.

The glory was not His hand but His heart.

And as Moses worshipped, the Glory dwelt.
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John 17:22   The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one.

God wants to know you, not just use you.

It begins when we worship Him, not just seeing His hand, but His heart.

The glory of God, the transforming presence is passing by. Let’s worship Him!