Facing God

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Exodus 33:18-23

 

I.         Moses asked to see God’s full glory, but God told Moses that no mortal man could survive seeing His full glory face-to-face

            A.        Many people have speculated as to why this should be the case

            B.        I suspect that part of it is due to sin - I John 1:5

            C.        Mortal flesh is too weak in the presence of the spiritual - I Timothy 6:13-16

II.        A recurring symbol in Revelation shows the saints approaching God across a crystal sea that separates God from His creation

            A.        Revelation 4:5-6 - We see the separation

            B.        Revelation 15:2 - We see victorious standing on the sea

            C.        Revelation 21:1 - After this world ends, there is no longer a sea to separate us from God

            D.        Revelation 21:3 - God dwells with His people, much like at the beginning when God walked in the Garden of Eden.

            E.        Revelation 22:3-4 - With the removal of sin’s curse, we will be able to see God’s face

            F.        But until that time, there are limits on how well we can know God

            G.        But it also means that the wicked can never truly know God

III.       How well do you know a place?

            A.        I’ve heard about it is different from

            B.        I had a layover in that country, which is different from

            C.        I drove through it, and that is not the same as

            D.        Vacationed there, and that is not the same as

            E.        I lived there.

IV.      How well do you know God?

            A.        Some people claim to know God because they heard of Him

            B.        Others claim to know God because they go to worship services once in a while

            C.        Still others claim to know God because go to worship services often

            D.        But to really know Christ and God, you have to live with them

V.        Jesus alone knows the Father intimately

            A.        None of us have actually seen God, let alone understand God - John 1:18

                        1.         People talk of knowing what God wants, but it is merely speculation

                        2.         Jesus has revealed God to men - John 1:18

            B.        Jesus was the fullness of God in bodily form - Colossians 1:15; 2:9; Hebrews 1:3

            C.        When we come to know Jesus, we then know all of the Godhead - John 14:6-10

VI.      One day it will all change

            A.        We will be changed - I Corinthians 15:51-53

            B.        The issue of surviving in the presence of God will no longer exist - I John 3:2

VII.     But on that day, we will also be judged

            A.        We all must face the judgement - II Corinthians 5:10

            B.        We will give an account of ourselves before our maker - Romans 14:11-12

            C.        If our names are not found in the Book of Life, we will be banished from God’s presence - Revelation 20:11-15

            D.        It is based on how you live your life now - Matthew 25:31-46

            E.        Looking at your life, what will God say about you?

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