Sermon Study Guides

The Gospel of Jesus in Exodus

The Bible is ONE story that grows and expands over time. The seeds of the gospel of Jesus are planted in the book of Exodus! We, like the people in Exodus, are also on a wilderness journey. Jesus is our Light/Guide/Protector/Provider. Jesus is with us, and He will lead us Home!

The first half of Exodus (chapters 1-18) is about “the rescue”: Yahweh bringing His people out of slavery and into freedom … and becoming their God. The second half of the book (chapters 19-40) is about “the relationship”: Yahweh showing the people how to live in relationship with Him (their holy, powerful, loving God) and with one another.

But the major theme is this: God is present in the midst of His people! God rescued them, showed them how to love Himself and others, showed them how to recognize and resist false gods, gave them a special place of worship—all so they could live in God’s presence always!

In Exodus 33 the LORD said in effect, “Leave this place, and go up to the land flowing with milk and honey on your own, but I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”

When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn. Why?! They had learned (after 40 years in the wilderness of getting it wrong) that they needed Yahweh’s presence more than the Promised Land.

Then Moses met with Yahweh one on one, and said, “If I have found favour with You, and if You really love us, then come with us, keep teaching us and leading us, because we are now ‘your people’. We need You!” (Paraphrase of Exodus 33:12-13)

14 The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

The highest point (goal) of Exodus is that God’s presence stays in the middle of His people through the rest of their journey … and into the Promised Land.

In Exodus God was present in the Tabernacle, situated in the middle of the camp with all the tribes surrounding it. The Tabernacle was filled with God’s presence – His glory and power! In the Promised Land God was present in the permanent Temple in Jerusalem. In the New Testament God was present in human form—Jesus, “Immanuel,” “God with us”!

When Jesus left, He and the Father sent the Holy Spirit (Pentecost), and now we – Jesus’ disciples from around the world and throughout history – are God’s holy Temple, filled with God’s presence and full of His glory and power. This is crazy “good news”! This is the gospel, started in Exodus, fulfilled in us!

The Gospel of Jesus is more than just forgiveness; it’s about restored relationship—with God, with self, with others and with God’s creation. Forgiveness is the doorway. Jesus—through His death and resurrection—is the way! But living in God’s presence is the goal. This is what Exodus and the Gospel of Jesus are all about!

The Gospel of Jesus is a great feast that satisfies our hearts, souls, minds and bodies. Forgiveness is the doorway to that feast, (but don’t stay in the doorway!) “Abundant life” is found past the doorway in the room of God’s presence—intimacy with Jesus, soaking in His glory, learning to depend on His power. This is the Kingdom of God, and this is what the gospel is all about. Don’t settle just for Jesus’ gift of forgiveness – learn to live in His presence! Enjoy God’s presence (His grace, power, and love) more and more each day!

IN - PURSUE RELATIONSHIP

Have you ever been lost or in a difficult situation, and someone stepped in to help? What happened, and how did it feel to be rescued?
Can you recall a time as a child when you felt safe simply because a parent or trusted adult was nearby? What made you feel especially cared for?

UP - PURSUE GOD

Read Exodus 33:1-4, 12-15, and John 14:16-17. Why did God say He would not go with the people? How did Moses respond? What does God’s promise to be present with His people mean for you today?
Read Exodus 25:8-9 and Ephesians 2:18-22. How does the Tabernacle reveal God’s desire to dwell among His people? What does it mean for believers today to be God’s holy temple, filled with His presence?

OUT - PURSUE MISSION

Moses valued God’s presence above even the Promised Land. How is God inviting you to grow this week so you can live more fully in His presence?
Forgiveness through Jesus is the doorway into relationship with God. How can you help someone move beyond forgiveness to fully experience God’s presence and power in daily life?

Personal Reflection

Pastor Greg said forgiveness opens the door to relationship with Jesus, but living in God’s presence—growing in intimacy with Him, soaking in His glory, and depending on His power—is the true feast.

In what areas of your life (spiritually, emotionally, relationally, mentally, physically, or financially) do you need more of God’s presence? How might your life look different as you welcome Him more fully into those areas?

The Word (NIV)

Exodus 25:8-9

⁸ “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.

Exodus 33:1-4, 12-15

¹ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ ² I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. ³ Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.” ⁴ When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments.

¹² Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ ¹³ 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.”

¹⁴ The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

¹⁵ Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.

John 14:16-17

¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ^₁₇the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Ephesians 2:18-22

¹⁸ For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

This Week's Writers: Elsa Henderson, Jem Ong, Jorel Quemuel, Sandi Somers