Series Introduction:

Today, as we turn to Exodus 19 and 20, we find the Israelites at the base of Mount Sinai, poised for a divine encounter with God. This moment is the culmination of a dramatic journey—God has delivered His people from slavery in Egypt with powerful plagues, He has parted the Red Sea for their escape, and He has provided manna and water in the wilderness. Now, three months into their journey, they stand before the holy mountain where God will reveal His majesty and give them His law. As we explore this passage, we see how God prepares them for this sacred meeting, emphasizing the importance of holiness, reverence, and a deep commitment to living in His presence.

Scripture Reading:

Exodus 19:10-20:21 (ESV) - The Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments. And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”

On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the Lord to look and many of them perish. Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, lest the Lord break out against them.” And Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, ‘Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it.’” And the Lord said to him, “Go down, and come up bringing 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 told them.

And God spoke all these words, saying,

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

“You shall have no other gods before me.

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

“You shall not murder.

“You shall not commit adultery.

“You shall not steal.

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

“You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.”

Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father, as we gather here today, we come before You with humble hearts, ready to encounter Your holiness and majesty. Just as You instructed the Israelites to prepare themselves at Mount Sinai, help us to consecrate our hearts and minds, setting aside distractions and focusing solely on You. We thank You for Your divine presence and the privilege of approaching You through the grace given to us in Jesus Christ. May Your Spirit move among us, purifying our hearts and guiding us into deeper reverence and obedience. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

I. The Holiness and Majesty of God (Exodus 19:10-25)

Our passage today opens with a command from the Lord: 

“Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people” (Exodus 19:10, ESV).

This call to consecration wasn’t merely about outward cleanliness; it signified an inner need to prepare their hearts for a divine encounter. God’s command to sanctify themselves wasn’t just a ritual; it was an invitation to ready their souls for His holy presence.

Sometimes, I worry that, in our modern lives, there's a risk of becoming casual in our worship, of forgetting the profound majesty and holiness of God. Let’s reflect on this for a moment—how often do we approach our worship of God with such deep reverence and preparation? We must remember that the call to sanctify ourselves is as crucial today as it was for the Israelites. 

Peter echoes this in the New Testament, urging us to live lives that mirror God's holiness: 

“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16, ESV).

Here, Peter reminds us that holiness is a lifelong journey, a transformative process of becoming more like Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and anchored in the holiness of God.

Now let us return back to Mount Sinai, God established clear boundaries to emphasize the seriousness of approaching His presence. He commanded Moses:

“And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death’” (Exodus 19:12-13, ESV).

These boundaries underscored the deep divide between God’s perfect holiness and human sinfulness. It was a vivid reminder of the gravity and danger of approaching God’s holy presence without proper preparation.

Even today, though we have been given unmerited access to God through the merit of Christ, we are called to approach Him with reverence and awe. The author of Hebrews admonishes us:

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29, ESV).

The dramatic scene at Sinai, with God’s presence manifesting in thunder, lightning, and fire, vividly illustrated His absolute sovereignty and holiness. Although we may not witness such dramatic manifestations every day, the need for reverence in our approach to God remains as crucial as ever.

When I think of God’s Holiness, I often think back to a transformative moment in my life shortly after college. I stumbled upon a book with a peculiar title: “Yawning at Tigers: You Can’t Tame God, So Stop Trying” by Drew Dyck. Initially, I didn’t know why I picked it up. But as I delved into its pages, it was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing an aspect of God that had always been there, yet I had somehow missed it. We had sung about God’s holiness in church, but the reality of God’s Holiness had not fully gripped me until then the this author spelled it out in plain words: 

“We need to see this God of Israel both in his wrath and his infinite mercy. We need to learn a holiness that rejects all compromise with evil and a generosity that seeks and saves the lost. We need to learn to know God as he is… We can't truly appreciate God's grace until we glimpse his greatness. We won't be lifted by his love until we're humbled by his holiness.”

In our contemporary Christian practice, the concept of holiness seems to be fading into obscurity, much to our detriment. A quick search for books on the holiness of God reveals a saddening trend: with few exceptions, most of the profound writings on this topic are penned by authors long dead. Is it too bold to suggest that modern Christianity may have become too comfortable with God’s grace, risking a loss of reverence for His immense power and holiness?

While Hebrews 4:16 invites us to approach God with confidence through Jesus, it also calls us to balance this confidence with a profound reverence for God’s holiness. Make no mistake, Jesus’ sacrifice allows us to come before God without fear of being consumed by His holiness, as He has borne our sins and clothed us in His righteousness. Yet, this access should not dull our awareness of God's consuming holiness and majestic awe.

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he encouraged them to begin their prayers like this: 

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” - Matthew 6:9, ESV

God is our Heavenly Father, whom we can approach in confidence, and yet He also remains a God of awe and majesty, deserving our deepest gratitude and a steadfast commitment to live holy lives. 

As believers, we are called to a continuous journey of sanctification—growing in holiness—driven by the Holy Spirit and our intentional pursuit of righteousness. Christian faithfulness is about allowing God’s holiness to transform every part of our lives so we reflect His love and purity in our thoughts, actions, and relationships. It calls for a deliberate and conscious effort to live in a way that honors God’s holy character.

II. The Covenant of Grace and Law (Exodus 20:1-17)

Before the Law is given to Israel, God declares: 

 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Exodus 20:1-2 (ESV)

This powerful declaration reveals God’s nature as a personal and relational deity who intimately connects with His people. He asserts His claim over the Israelites, urging them to live by His commandments and mirror His character in their lives.

In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills and expands upon this covenant. While Israel’s identity as a nation was forged through God’s liberation from physical bondage, our identity in Christ is deeply rooted in His redemptive work that liberates us from spiritual bondage. Jesus’s sacrifice liberates us from the spiritual enslavement of sin and death, inviting us into a life of gratitude and obedience driven by love. Through faith in Christ, we are grafted into God’s family, inheriting both the privileges and responsibilities of being His children.

In light of this great liberation and new identity that we have received, the question arises: how should we live? The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17) answer this question. They outline principles that help us reflect God's character and live in a way that honors Him and promotes flourishing within our communities. While there are over 600 laws in the Old Testament, each one of those laws can be seen as a commentary on how to apply the original ten rightly.

While I could easily do a whole sermon series on each of the commandments, I will try to be brief for the sake of time. However, one day, I would like to circle back and devote more time to God’s Law and we ought to apply it to our lives today. For now, I just want to highlight how each commandment reflects an aspect of God’s character and Exodus 20:1-2 (ESV) our relationship with Him:

1. Exclusive Devotion (v. 3): “You shall have no other gods before me.” This commandment calls for our complete devotion to God, recognizing Him as the only true god and ensuring He occupies the central place in our lives. This commandment teaches us to acknowledge and worship God alone, avoiding any form of idolatry or divided loyalty.
2. Proper Worship (v. 4-6): “You shall not make for yourself a carved image.” This prohibits the creation and worship of idols, preserving the purity of our worship. This commandment directs us to honor God in the way He has revealed Himself, avoiding any misrepresentation or unauthorized forms of worship.
3. Reverence for God’s Name (v. 7): “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.” We are called to use God’s name with reverence and respect, reflecting His holiness in our speech and actions. This commandment warns against any form of profane words or irreverent speech that diminishes the sanctity of God’s name.
4. Sabbath Observance (v. 8-11): “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” God commands a day of rest and worship, allowing us to focus on Him and affirm our worth in His love rather than our labor. This commandment invites us to set aside time for reflection, worship, and rejuvenation.
5. Family Honor (v. 12): “Honor your father and your mother.” This highlights the importance of family, calling us to respect and care for our parents. It extends to all relationships, emphasizing the need for respect, care, and the honoring of our roles within our families and communities.
6. Sanctity of Life (v. 13): “You shall not murder.” This commandment upholds the intrinsic value of human life, promoting respect and protection for all. It calls us to actively preserve and respect life, avoiding actions or attitudes that devalue or unjustly harm others.
7. Marital Faithfulness (v. 14): “You shall not commit adultery.” This commandment protects the sanctity of marriage, urging fidelity and purity in our marriage relationships. It underscores the importance of loyalty and integrity in our most intimate relationships, which should be founded upon trust and honor as a reflection of the gospel.
8. Integrity of Possessions (v. 15): “You shall not steal.” This affirms the right to personal property and calls for honesty and respect for others' possessions. It encourages us to act with integrity and fairness in all our dealings, promoting justice and respect for others' rights.
9. Truthfulness (v. 16): “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” This commandment emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in our communications. It calls us to uphold truth and protect the reputations of others, fostering trust and reliability in our interactions.
10. Contentment (v. 17): “You shall not covet.” This commandment encourages us to cultivate contentment and gratitude, avoiding the destructive forces of envy and greed. It directs us to appreciate and be satisfied with our own circumstances, fostering a spirit of generosity and goodwill towards others.

If these ten commandments seem too numerous or detailed to remember, you are in luck. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus distills the essence of the Law: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.” These commands encapsulate the Ten Commandments, guiding us to love God and others with our whole being. If all we did were done out of pure love for God and love for our neighbor, then we wouldn’t need the Ten Commandments, but because we are prone to sin and prone to selfishness, we need laws and commandments to guide our path and to teach us what love looks like in action. 

III. The Purpose and Fulfillment of the Law

As Christians, it’s essential to approach the Old Testament laws with a nuanced understanding. Jesus declared that He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it: 

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18, ESV)

It would be wrong for us to throw out so much of the Old Testament as if God’s Word has nothing to teach us. Yet, simultaneously, we must view the law from a perspective of fulfillment in light of Christ. Just as it would be wrong for us to ignore the Law, it would also be wrong for us to act as if we were not living under the new covenant of grace enacted by Christ’s life, death, burial, and resurrection. 

So what purpose now does the law serve: 

1. Revelation of Sin - The Law acts as a mirror, reflecting our sinfulness and our need for redemption. Romans 3:20 articulates this clearly: "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20, ESV). By exposing our sins, the Law highlights our need for a Savior, much like a diagnosis prompts us to seek medical treatment.
2. Leading Us to Christ - Recognizing our sinfulness under the Law drives us to seek grace and salvation in Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:24 explains this role: "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith." (Galatians 3:24). The Law shows us our inability to achieve righteousness on our own, thereby pointing us towards the faith and grace available through Jesus. 
3. Inward Transformation - The Law also underscores our need for an internal change—a heart transformation. God promises in Jeremiah 31:33: "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”  Through Jesus’ sacrifice and the new covenant, believers are freed from the Law’s condemnation. Romans 8:1-2 proclaims this freedom: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2, ESV)

In essence, while Jesus does not nullify the law as if the law of God were flawed and imperfect, he fulfills the Law on our behalf. He does not lessen God’s holy standard, and yet he still pardons sinners and makes them Holy. He transforms our understanding and application of the Law, guiding us towards a life marked by grace, inward transformation, and a reverent relationship with God. Through Christ, we are invited to approach God with joy and reverence. 

IV. Living in Reverence and Holiness

At Mount Sinai, the Israelites trembled at the terrifying display of God’s holiness—fire, darkness, a storm, and a trumpet blast—highlighting His unapproachable standards without a mediator. Today, we don't come to Mount Sinai but to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem. Through Jesus, we approach God with confidence and grace. Hebrews 12:22-24 speaks of a joyful assembly made possible by Jesus, our mediator, whose sacrifice brings us into God's presence not with fear but with joy.

"But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:22-24, ESV)

This shift from Sinai to Zion marks the transition from the law, which rightly condemns, to grace, which rightly saves. In Christ, we are welcomed as God’s children, no longer bound by fear of judgment. Our approach to God is based on Jesus’ fulfillment of the law, inviting us into a divine celebration. Imagine the most joyous event you've experienced and multiply that joy infinitely—that's the welcome we receive in God's presence.

Our worship should reflect the reverence due to God's holiness. Jesus said in John 14:23, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word." Obedience flows naturally from love and grace, not obligation. Jesus teaches in John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit." Our connection to Jesus empowers us to live righteously and bear fruit.

As we embrace the grace and joy of approaching God through Christ, our lives should be marked by joyful obedience and worship. We are called to reflect God's transforming grace and live in the light of His love. May our hearts be filled with gratitude, our worship with reverence, and our lives with the fruit of the Spirit, testifying to His glorious grace.

Closing Prayer: 

Lord God, we thank You for the time spent in Your Word, reflecting on Your holiness and grace. As we leave this place, may we carry with us the awe and reverence for Your Majesty that we have encountered today. Empower us through Your Spirit to live lives of holiness and obedience, reflecting Your character in all we do. Help us to worship You not only with our words but through our actions and attitudes, continually drawing near to You with grateful hearts. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.