{"id":974,"date":"2024-06-25T15:06:55","date_gmt":"2024-06-25T15:06:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=974"},"modified":"2024-06-25T15:06:57","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T15:06:57","slug":"lifes-highest-aim","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/lifes-highest-aim\/","title":{"rendered":"LIFE’S HIGHEST AIM"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Life\u2019s Highest Aim<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KNOW<\/strong>(ABLE): Getting to know God!<\/em><\/strong>\u2014<\/em> <\/strong>MESSAGE #1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exodus 33:13-23<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good morning! Thanks for being here today. I hope you\u2019ve had a great start to your weekend \u2014 and are ready to study God\u2019s Word together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was 400 years ago<\/strong>, that more than 150<\/strong> church leaders and theologians sought to develop a new tool for teaching new believers about Christianity. What they came up with was a list of questions<\/strong> and answers<\/strong> (that would be given as lectures) to help people learn about God. This tool became known as the Westminster Catechism.<\/strong> Sort of a precursor to Bible classes. Its influence was far reaching \u2014 and life changing. It began by asking questions like:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the soul purpose of man?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To which, it answers: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To Know God\u2026to glorify and enjoy Him forever.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, nothing has really changed in 400 years<\/strong>. In fact, the purpose of knowing God, that we might glorify Him forever dates back to the very beginning of mankind<\/strong>. We exist TO KNOW GOD<\/strong>\u2026to glorify and enjoy Him, forever!\u00a0Even so, from the very beginning, the devil\u2019s<\/strong> primary<\/strong> purpose<\/strong> has been to lead us away from KNOWING GOD. He\u2019s sought (with all of his might) to discredit God<\/strong> and distort our understanding<\/strong> of Him..in order to hinder our interest in living for Him. Because of this, some have come to believe that God<\/strong> is distant<\/strong> and unapproachable<\/strong>. Even disinterested<\/strong> in us. But, the Bible tells a different story! <\/strong>The Bible<\/strong> actually teaches that God<\/strong> wants us to KNOW HIM!\u00a0<\/strong> And He makes Himself known to us (through Scriptures<\/strong>, and through Jesus<\/strong>, through His Spirit<\/strong>, and all of<\/strong> creation<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s so important that we KNOW THIS!<\/strong> It\u2019s critical that we KNOW GOD! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So today, we\u2019re beginning a new series, called: KNOW<\/strong>(ABLE)!\u00a0And over the next several weeks we\u2019re going to discover how KNOWING GOD<\/strong> changes our lives!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TRANSITION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, it was the late, A.W. Tozer,<\/strong> who once said, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat comes into our minds when we think about God <\/p>\n\n\n\n

is the most important thing about us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prophet<\/strong> Jeremiah <\/strong>describes the importance of knowing God<\/strong> in Jeremiah 9:23-24 <\/strong>\u2014 when he writes, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

23 <\/em><\/strong>\u201cThis is what the Lord says: \u201cLet not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,<\/em> 24 <\/em><\/strong>but let the one who boasts boast about this: <\/em>that they have the understanding to know me<\/em>, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,\u201d declares the Lord.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if there\u2019s anything in life that you want to be known<\/strong> for<\/strong> \u2014 let it be for your pursuit of KNOWING GOD! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MESSAGE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moses<\/strong> understood the importance of really KNOWING GOD.<\/strong> And in Exodus 33<\/strong>, we find him in a conversation with God<\/strong> about the future of his nation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than anything else \u2014 more than being<\/strong> successful<\/strong>, or wealthy<\/strong>, or possessing lots of cattle,<\/strong> or owning lots of land<\/strong>, Moses<\/strong> says \u2014 I want to KNOW YOU! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, it would be this pursuit that would define his life. Knowing God. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, if you have your Bible<\/strong> open, turn there with me \u2014 Exodus 33<\/strong>. We\u2019ll pick up his story here. In verse 13<\/strong>, Moses<\/strong> says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.\u201d <\/em>14\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>The Lord replied, \u201cMy Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.\u201d<\/em> 15\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Then Moses said to him, \u201cIf your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. <\/em>16\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?\u201d <\/em>17\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>And the Lord said to Moses, \u201cI will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.\u201d<\/em> 18\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Then Moses said, \u201cNow show me your glory.\u201d <\/em>19\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>And the Lord said, \u201cI will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. <\/em>20\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>But,\u201d he said, \u201cyou cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.\u201d<\/em> 21\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Then the Lord said, \u201cThere is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. <\/em>22\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. <\/em>23\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exodus 33:13-23 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this story, Moses<\/strong> (the leader of his nation), pauses and prays<\/strong> \u2014 asking<\/strong> God<\/strong> to do three things in his life. And as I\u2019ve reviewed this passage again and again, I think we would do well to pray the same three things. Because, if God <\/strong>answers these three prayers\u2014it will forever change our lives. And here they are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first thing we ought to be asking God is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. I want to know you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      <\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      In verse 13<\/strong>, Moses<\/strong> prayed, <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u201c\u2026<\/em>teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you<\/em>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Have you ever thought, \u201cGod, I want to know you?\u201d <\/strong>Well, if so \u2014 know this, THAT\u2019S GOD PLAN FOR YOU!\u00a0It\u2019s actually an invitation He\u2019s given you in the Bible. In Psalm 46:10<\/strong>, God<\/strong> says, \u201cBe still and know that I am God.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      He says, \u201cSlow down \u2014 take a breath, and get to know me!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      But don\u2019t think that\u2019s just an invitation for those who are FAR<\/strong> from<\/strong> God<\/strong>. That\u2019s an invitation to everyone. Those<\/strong> new<\/strong> to<\/strong> faith<\/strong>, and those who have been serving Christ for a long time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      So, no matter where you are on the continuum of faith, and no matter how long you\u2019ve been serving Jesus, you can always know more about God than you do now.<\/strong> You can always grow closer to God than you are today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      God\u2019s not going to limit your access to Him.\u00a0<\/strong>But, KNOWING<\/strong> HIM<\/strong> and KNOWING<\/strong> ABOUT<\/strong> HIM<\/strong> are NOT the same things! There\u2019s a BIG difference between the two. I\u2019d say, one of the tragedies of our generation<\/strong>, is that it\u2019s easy to say we believe IN<\/strong> GOD<\/strong> and maybe even learn ABOUT<\/strong> GOD<\/strong>\u2026but somehow, never really COME TO<\/strong> KNOW<\/strong> GOD.\u00a0And so, it\u2019s easy to gain knowledge ABOUT<\/strong> GOD<\/strong> \u2014 but not really KNOW<\/strong> HIM<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Have you ever met anyone like that? Have you ever encountered someone who was good at quoting information, they could articulate doctrine \u2014 maybe even argue religious views and theological points. But there was a DISCONNECT<\/strong> between their head and their heart?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      They could espouse INFORMATION<\/strong>, but they struggled to REFLECT THE NATURE OF GOD<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Well, that\u2019s because \u2014 knowing in your head, and knowing in your heart are two different things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Author J.I. Packer <\/strong>in His book \u2014 Knowing God<\/em><\/strong>, says, \u201cA little knowledge OF<\/strong> God<\/strong> is worth more than a great deal of knowledge ABOUT<\/strong> him<\/strong>. One can know a great deal ABOUT<\/strong> God<\/strong> without much knowledge OF<\/strong> him<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What he\u2019s saying is that INFORMATION<\/strong> alone will never trump an authentic EXPERIENCE<\/strong> with Jesus<\/strong>. They\u2019re just not the same thing!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Moses<\/strong> knew this. He had experienced God’s presence first hand at the burning bush. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • He had observed God’s power <\/strong>during the ten plagues that came upon Egypt.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • He had led the Israelites<\/strong> through the Red Sea<\/strong> and seen God’s hand destroy the Egyptian<\/strong> army.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • He had even witnessed God<\/strong> provide food and water for his nation in the wilderness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • And so, he \u2014 more than any other understood that information about God would never equate to experiencing God first hand.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        So, when he prayed this prayer \u2014 HE WASN\u2019T ASKING FOR MORE INFO<\/strong>\u2026He was asking for an ENCOUNTER WITH GOD<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Which leads to the second prayer we ought to be praying. And it\u2019s this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        2. I want your presence to be with me.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          <\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          In verse 15, Moses<\/strong> prays the second of his three prayers about knowing God<\/strong>. And here, he says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \u201c<\/em>If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Just prior to this story, is the one where Moses<\/strong> meets with God<\/strong> on the top of Mount<\/strong> Sinai<\/strong>. While there, God<\/strong> gave Him the 10 Commandments.<\/strong> When He came down from the mountain<\/strong>, he discovered that the people of Israel<\/strong> had grown impatient waiting on God\u2026and so they crafted new idols<\/strong> (golden<\/strong> calves<\/strong>) to worship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          But this made God<\/strong> angry!<\/strong> He couldn\u2019t believe their foolishness and impatience. But since He had promised to give them the Land of Canaan<\/strong>, He told Moses,<\/strong> He\u2019d keep His Word<\/strong>. But there was a catch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          While the people could have the land<\/strong>, and the livestock<\/strong>, the fruit<\/strong>, and the wealth<\/strong> that was there. They would even be able to gain<\/strong> victory<\/strong> over<\/strong> their<\/strong> enemies<\/strong> and get<\/strong> everything<\/strong> this world had to offer \u2014 there was one thing they WOULDN\u2019T GET!<\/strong>And that was God<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          God said, \u201cI\u2019ll send you on\u2026but I\u2019m not coming with you.\u201d And so, when we get to this part of the story\u2014Moses<\/strong> wasn\u2019t having it. He couldn\u2019t imagine going forward in life without God\u2019s presence<\/strong> leading the way. While the promises of prosperity sounded great \u2014 they were pointless if God wasn\u2019t with them.\u00a0So, Moses<\/strong> prays, \u2014 \u201cMay your presence be with us!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          You see, the people were satisfied with RELIGION \u2014 but Moses wanted RELATIONSHIP.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          And God\u2019s<\/strong> Presence<\/strong> identified a closeness and relationship between Him and the people. But without His presence<\/strong>, they would have nothing by EMPTY RELIGION!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          And here\u2019s what we need to learn from this\u2026RELIGION isn\u2019t enough!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          If we spend every Sunday, coming in a going through the motions \u2014 but we fail to welcome and acknowledge God\u2019s presence \u2014 then all we have is <\/em>empty religion.<\/em><\/strong> But I for one <\/em>WILL NEVER BE SATISFIED<\/em><\/strong> with just <\/em>ANOTHER SERVICE<\/em><\/strong>\u2026or <\/em>EMPTYRELIGION<\/em><\/strong>!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          And that\u2019s why we begin each and every worship service with a prayer<\/strong>\u2026a prayer of INVITATION \u2014 <\/strong>where we call upon God <\/strong>to COME NEAR<\/strong> and FILL THIS PLACE!<\/strong> Because, we always want God\u2019s presence<\/strong> to be obvious. And we never want to just go through the motions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          <\/strong>So, let me ask you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          When you come to church<\/strong>, do you just go through the motions (is your heart far away)? Or, are you coming with the intention of encountering God\u2019s presence? Are you bringing your heart to engage God and express your love to Him? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          One more thought \u2014 regarding the importance of God\u2019s Presence in our lives. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          If you were here on Wednesday<\/strong> night, you\u2019ll remember \u2014 as we were praying together, I challenged you with the idea that we must seek God\u2019s face <\/strong>before we seek God\u2019s hand. <\/strong>Because, the idea of seeking His<\/strong> face<\/strong>, is all about being in His presence<\/strong>. It\u2019s about knowing Him personally<\/strong>, closely<\/strong>, intimately<\/strong>, and affectionately<\/strong>.\u00a0Because, being with Him <\/strong>is always better than just getting something from Him!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          So, we need to know God<\/strong> personally<\/strong>; we also need His presence to abide<\/strong> with us.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          But there\u2019s one more thing that Moses<\/strong> prayed\u2026and we need to pray it too. And it\u2019s this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          3. Show me your glory. (vs. 18)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            <\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Look again at verse 17.<\/strong> After asking for God to make Himself<\/strong> known<\/strong> to Moses<\/strong>, and then to give His presence to Him, God<\/strong> responds<\/strong>. Look at it with me, verse 17<\/strong> tells us,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            17 <\/em><\/strong>And the Lord said to Moses, \u201cI will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.\u201d <\/em>18 <\/em><\/strong>Then Moses said, \u201c<\/em>Now show me your glory<\/em>.\u201d <\/em>19 <\/em><\/strong>And the Lord said, \u201cI will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            While knowing God<\/strong> is great <\/strong>\u2014 and being with God awesome<\/strong>, Moses<\/strong> still wanted something more! He wanted to experience God\u2019s glory.<\/strong> He wanted God to reveal His nature and character to Him. He wanted to see and experience God\u2019s character. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Charles Spurgeon<\/strong> once said that this was the greatest request a man ever made of God. \u201cShow me your glory!”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Moses<\/strong> wanted to know God<\/strong> in a personal and almost tangible way. He wanted to know God\u2019s glory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            God\u2019s glory<\/strong>is almost impossible to describe. One writer has defined it as \u201cthe infinite beauty and greatness of God\u2019s manifold perfections\u201d (John<\/strong> Piper<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Let me give you an definition of God\u2019s glory<\/strong>. Something a little easier to understand. Think of His glory as His identity. It\u2019s a designation for God himself. But it also refers to the internal characteristics and attributes of God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            So, God\u2019s glory<\/strong> is His defining signature. <\/strong>It\u2019s who He is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            In verse 18<\/strong>, Moses<\/strong> says, \u201c<\/em>show me your glory<\/em>.\u201d<\/em>And in verse 19, God says, \u201cI will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            And then he lists several of His divine characteristics. He says, you\u2019ll know my glory as I \u201cproclaim my name<\/strong>\u201d and \u201cI will cause\u2026my goodness<\/strong> to pass in front of you\u2026\u201d And, I will display \u201cmercy<\/strong>\u201d. And, I will show my \u201ccompassion.\u201d And so, God seems to define His glory \u2014 by the attributes of His nature. More than power<\/strong>, it\u2019s his persona<\/strong> and personality<\/strong>. And maybe that\u2019s the beauty of this prayer \u2014 SHOW ME YOUR GLORY! <\/strong>Because, God is so good \u2014 that the more you<\/strong> experience<\/strong> of Him, the more you<\/strong> want<\/strong> of Him. But, if that\u2019s not the case in your life \u2014 then what\u2019s holding you back from pursuing God more?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            I want you to know that there is so much more of God for you. Don\u2019t be satisfied with what you\u2019ve witnessed or experienced of God before. Keep seeking <\/strong>Him. Keep longing <\/strong>for more. Keep praying <\/strong>this prayer \u2014 and ask God to SHOW YOU HIS GLORY!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            And maybe the best way to experience God\u2019s glory is to make room for it in your life. John<\/strong> the<\/strong> Baptist<\/strong> said it well when he said in John 3:30<\/strong>, \u201cHe must increase, and I may decrease.\u201d  <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Understand, the glory of God<\/strong> is something that you have to make room for in your life.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Before Moses<\/strong> could encounter God\u2019s glory<\/strong> at the burning bush<\/strong>, he first had to take off his sandals.\u00a0 Here in this story, the people of Israel<\/strong> had to first destroy their idols. And it will be the same for you and me. If we really want to experience God\u2019s glory<\/strong> \u2014 we must make room for it in our lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            So, what are you waiting for? <\/strong>Why not make room this morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \u2014Make room in your heart? (Get rid of the idols of your life).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \u2014Make room in your priorities? (Give God the top place in your life).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \u2014Make room in your schedule? (Give space and time for God to work in you).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            CONCLUSION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            When we began this morning \u2014 I shared with you that THE PURPOSE OF MAN is to KNOW GOD, TO GLORIFY HIM and ENJOY HIM FOREVER! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            And if you want that to be the case in your life \u2014 then I can think of no better way, than to pray this prayer of Moses from Exodus 33. May you pray:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Let me know you!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            May your Presence be with me!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            And\u2026Show me your glory!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            CLOSING PRAYER:<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Life\u2019s Highest Aim KNOW(ABLE): Getting to know God!\u2014 MESSAGE #1 Exodus 33:13-23 INTRODUCTION: Good morning! Thanks for being here today. I hope you\u2019ve had a …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-974","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/974","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=974"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/974\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1173,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/974\/revisions\/1173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}