Sermon Notes

[Exodus 34:29-35 NLT] 29 When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the LORD. 30 So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called out to them and asked Aaron and all the leaders of the community to come over, and he talked with them. 32 Then all the people of Israel approached him, and Moses gave them all the instructions the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses finished speaking with them, he covered his face with a veil. 34 But whenever he went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he would remove the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the LORD had given him, 35 and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the veil over his face until he returned to speak with the LORD.

Background

• In between the Tablets
  • Moses brakes the original 10 commandments
  • God wants to destroy the Nation and start over
  • Moses intercedes and God relents
  • Because of concern for the people, God decides to not to travel with them
  • Moses starts to panic and requests an encounter with God to see his Glory
  • “But you have not told me whom you will send with me.”
  • For reassurance Moses asks God to show Moses God’s Glory
  • Moses got to see the only the Glory from behind, after God had already passed by him, and was not allowed to see the Father’s face
• Moses spends 40 Days in God’s presence receiving the ten commandments
• He (Moses) wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant (glowing, shining)
• This caused Aaron and others to be afraid of Moses’s appearance
• Moses decides to wear a veil to cover his face when speaking to the people, but takes it off when speaking to God in the Tent of Meeting.

[2Co 3:7-8 NLT] 7 The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. 8 Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?

[2Co 3:13 NLT] 13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.

Paul shares that the Glory on Moses’ face was temporary, and it was destined to fade.

The GLORY of the New Covenant –

• Glory in OT was Kabad – Weightiness of his honor. His reputation.
• Glory in NT was Doxa in the NT always a good opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honor, and glory 3) splendor, brightness

V 8. – Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?V 9. – The NT Glory give us right standing with God. Where the OT produced death, and fear

1. 10 – The Glory of the New Testament is overwhelming better,
2. 11 – and does not fade away, but remains forever!

v.12 – This new glory produces confidence and boldness in us.

Paul shares that the veil was symbolic of hardening of hearts and not seeing the truth of the Glory of God.

1. 14 – Only Christ can take away the veil when they turn to the Lord
2. 18 – You can’t come to Christ, unless he removes that veil so that you can see the true glory of his Face
3. 18 – This makes us more and more like him, being transformed into the image of Christ.

Why is the Glory needed?

[John 8:12 NLT] 12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

• We are commissioned to walk in the light that leads to life and not in darkness.
• Our very nature begins to change, as we follow Jesus, we become more and more like him.
• The Glory (NT Doxa – Splendor, brightness) of God shines through us.

Jesus called us Children of the Light

[Luke 16:8 NLT] 8 “The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.

There is a transfer of the Glory of God’s splendor that is imparted onto us when Christ removes the veil that hinders us from seeing and being the truth.

Jesus said:

[Mat 5:14-16 NLT] 14 “You are the light of the world–like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

• Our good deeds shine like lights in the midst of Darkness, always drawing attention to our heavenly Father and not to us.
• Your lamp is lit, and God has placed you in a strategic place to Shine for His Glory (his splendor and brightness.

Destined to bring God Glory by producing fruit for His Kingdom and increasing his reputation all over the earth!

[John 15:3-8 NLT] 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

• V3 – We have already been pruned and purified by his Word
  • Pruning (getting rid of the dead parts that will not produce life in you) and
  • Purification (holiness) are both needed to produce fruit.
• V4 – Remaining in HIM will keep your source of your light shining for all to see, maximizing your capacity to produce fruit for him.
• V 7 – If we remain in him and his word remains in us, then we can ask for anything and it will be granted.
• V8 – Producing much fruit is evidence that we are true disciples.
• Doing good works for the Father, increases his Glory here on earth!