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 TITLE: Our God is Awesome
TEXT: Exodus 19:16-25
PROPOSITION: Jehovah is both Transcendent and Immanent.
QUESTION: What?
KEY WORD: Attributes
SCRIPTURE READING: Exodus 19:16-20

INTRODUCTION:

  1. I want to notice the context surrounding the giving of the 10 commandments.

  2. Who is the God of the 10 Commandments?

  3. What are His attributes? What is He like?

Read Exodus 19:21-25 – verses following the scripture reading.

Read Exodus 20:20 – right after the giving of the 10 Commandments

What was God’s purpose in giving the law?

 

God’s principle purpose at Sinai was to communicate His nature and character to His people.

  1. God gave the 10 Commandments.

  2. He also gave some 613 laws.

  3. 365 negative ones

  4. 248 affirmative ones

  5. Law governed – political, social, marital, economic areas of life.

 

God’s attributes of Transcendence - AWESOME

  1. Transcendence = beyond the ordinary, rises above and beyond the limits

  2. Tiger Woods transcends golf; Babe Ruth transcends baseball

  3. Exodus 19:2 – camped in front of the mountain

    1. Traveled 22 miles from the Red Sea

    2. Came to a level plain –2 miles long, half mile wide

  4. Exodus 19:12 – No one is allowed to touch the mountain, man or animal

  5. Verse 16 – Thunder, lightning, loud, people trembled

 

God’s attributes of Immanence

  1. The meaning of the term – theological term – opposite of transcendence

  2. 3 words – sound alike, spelled differently – often confused

    1. Eminence – Importance, refer to a monarch, “His Eminence”

    2. Imminence – Pending, an imminent disaster

    3. Immanence – Nearness, approachability of God

 

Transcendence

Immanence

Fairness

Nearness

Raw Power

Concern

Awesome Sovereign

Compassionate Friend

King, Lord, Ruler

Shepherd, Gentle, Kind

Separateness

Approachability

 

  1. Jeremiah 23:23 – “Am I a God near at hand,” says the LORD, And not a God afar off?

  2. Isaiah 40:10-11 – 10 Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. 11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.

    1. V. 10 – Transcendent – Rules with power, his arm rules for Him

    2. V. 11 – Shepherd, takes in His arms, gently leads the young

  3. Exodus 19:4 – You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.

 

Which of these was predominant in God’s dealing with Israel?

  1. both are present in Exodus 19:4

  2. Both are present in other passages

  3. Clearly – taken as a whole, God’s transcendence is prominent.

Which of these is predominant in the New Testament?

  1. Because of the personal work of Christ – Immanence is more clearly seen.

  2. John 1:18 – Jesus revealed the nature of God

  3. Colossians 1:19 – Fullness of godhead bodily, dwells in Christ

  4. Hebrews 12:18 – Not come to darkness, gloom, storm
    Have come to Mt. Zion, assembly, names written in heaven, new covenant

How does this shift impact us?

  1. We must not borrow from the OT worship for NT worship.

  2. We can celebrate and enjoy the nearness of God.

  3. Familiarity must not breed contempt.

    1. Prepare for worship, dress

    2. How we approach God in prayer

Conclusion:

  1. Don’t ignore the power, might, awesome Almighty God.

  2. Don’t assume that His love has done away with His Transcendence.

  3. Will you allow this God to become your Awesome Friend?

 

NOTE: The basic outline was adapted from some material by Michael P. Andrus, Manchester, MO.

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