Sylvania Wesleyan Church 1
Sunday Morning 10/18

      • John 6:35NIV2011

  • Flattery—Have you ever thought about how often we use it? Have you ever thought about how others use it on you?
    That well placed compliment, or perfectly timed discussions to get you to do the things you want
    The really good people at Flattery you never know they are doing it.
    We use it as a tool to engage with each other have you ever thought about the idea that people try to use it on God
    Oh Lord, I love you so much, You are an amazing God, If its not too much trouble, I mean it is definitely in your power because you are capable of all things. Do you think you could do this one little thing for me? I really need to win the lottery tonight? I mean I will give your church a portion of it first thing?
    It’s kind of silly isn’t it
    Do we pray that way to God?
    Let’s see how it changes how we read scripture when we approach it from two ways.
    Exodus 33:12–18 NIV
    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. 16 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?” 17 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” 18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
    Now let’s read this with some Flattery
    Exodus 33:12–18 NIV
    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. 16 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?” 17 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” 18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
    Does it change how we hear it? Does it change how you view Moses?

    Moses Prayer is Genuine

    If we read the prayer of Moses to God this moment of relational prayer that the scripture gives us it can change our very understanding of it.
    The Question become do we trust God?
    Are we bold enough to assume that God can’t recognize when someone is not being genuine and is just practicing Flattery?
    The power in the genuine nature of Moses Prayer is that it does remind us and show us how we can gave an intimate and deep relationship with him.
    I love reading passages like this in the Message sometimes because it does a good job of helping bring it to language today.
    Exodus 33:12–18 MSG
    12 Moses said to God, “Look, you tell me, ‘Lead this people,’ but you don’t let me know whom you’re going to send with me. You tell me, ‘I know you well and you are special to me.’ 13 If I am so special to you, let me in on your plans. That way, I will continue being special to you. Don’t forget, this is your people, your responsibility.” 14 God said, “My presence will go with you. I’ll see the journey to the end.” 15 Moses said, “If your presence doesn’t take the lead here, call this trip off right now. 16 How else will it be known that you’re with me in this, with me and your people? Are you traveling with us or not? How else will we know that we’re special, I and your people, among all other people on this planet Earth?” 17 God said to Moses: “All right. Just as you say; this also I will do, for I know you well and you are special to me. I know you by name.” 18 Moses said, “Please. Let me see your Glory.”
    Moses is recognizing God’s Commission and what it means to follow Moses moves to an attitude that I mentioned already

    Prayer is Relational

    Moses doesn’t just want answers from God he wants relationship
    Do we slip into the danger of only going to God when we need things?
    We can always be quick to pray in the want and need for petition and Even Moses’ prayer contains elements of seeking help but the primary goal and focus is growing closer to God. The Petition is more about building the relationship than it is a physical need
    This isn’t to say we can’t seek God for things but we need to be more intentional about seeking him to draw close to him.
    One other amazing part of this is as a leader Moses is that he recognizes that his desire for closeness to God is not only for himself but it is for the whole of Israel.
    Moses than does something interesting, he gets really bold
    Exodus 33:18 NIV
    18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

    Moses’ Boldness

    Show me your Glory—What that really means
    Show me your character—Who you really are
    I think back to when we talked about Flattery and the realize that a large part of flattery is putting on the Facade of our character.
    We love to put on the front to protect others and ourselves but what happens when we put them on God?
    We can be bold and force onto God our view of who He is, and this is dangerous.
    WE want God to be just full of love and not hold us accountable, but we also want him to be a God who holds other people accountable. I mean he is supposed to be a God of Justice right.
    With all this in mind Moses is asking to see who God is. For God to show him his glory, his character.
    Do we really think we could handle the fullness of who God is?
    Our humanity prevents this and it would destroy us if we did fully see it.
    Yet, God shows himself to Moses and protects him in it.
    This reminds me of how God shows himself to us in the cross

    The Cross

    Jesus allows us to see a glimpse of who God is
    We get to see his love in his willingness to die for us
    We see his justice that the price is paid
    We see Grace, peace, love, justice, and so much more
    It calls us to a deeper relationship with him

      • Exodus 33:12–18NIV2011

      • Exodus 33:12–18NIV2011

      • Exodus 33:12–18NIV2011

      • Exodus 33:18NIV2011

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