Sermon Cloud

Desert Wonderings:

A Study of Exodus

32 How Quickly We Forget

Teaching Notes

Michael Wiley

September 21, 2008

Exodus 32

Introduction:

Review

Have you ever wondered why a pigeon walks so funny? According to an interesting article in the Detroit Free Press, a pigeon walks the way it does so it can see where it’s going. Because it can’t adjust its focus as it moves, the pigeon actually has to bring its head to a complete stop between steps in order to refocus. This is the way it walks: head forward, stop; head back, stop.

In our spiritual walk with the Lord we have the same problem as the pigeon. We have a hard time seeing while we’re moving. We need to work to stay focuses on where we are in relation to the World and the will of God.

The Apostle Paul was speaking of his focus when he said,

Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

12b…I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ^13b… Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ^[1]

Transition:

In our text, Israel loses focus, quickly forgets what God has done, and takes their eyes off the prize, that is the relationship He has established

Text it…

V1 Without proper leadership and Accountability, even the greatest people fail.

Jimmy Swaggert

Back in 1988, had sex with a prostitute stood in his church, the Family Worship Center, Baton Rouge

After a lengthy apology, Jimmy said. I know that so many would ask why, why? I have asked myself that 10,000 times through 10,000 tears. Maybe Jimmy Swaggart has tried to live his entire life as though he were not human. And I have thought that with the Lord, knowing He is omnipotent and omniscient, that there was nothing I could not do -- and I emphasize with His help and guidance. And I think this is the reason (in my limited knowledge) that I did not find the victory I sought because I did not seek the help of my brothers and my sisters in the Lord….If I had sought the help of those that loved me, with their added strength, I look back now and know that victory would have been mine. They have given me strength along with the compassion of our Savior in these last few days that I have needed for a long, long time.

Ten years later Bill Clinton, 1998 – Monica Lewinski

Much later Dan rather interviewed him on “60 Minutes”
At one point Rather: "The central question, if I may, and I know this is difficult, the central question is why?"
Clinton: "I think I did something for the worst possible reason -- just because I could. I think that's the most, just about the most morally indefensible reason that anybody could have for doing anything. When you do something just because you could ... I've thought about it a lot. And there are lots of more sophisticated explanations, more complicated psychological explanations. But none of them are an excuse ...”

In the fall of 2006, Ted Haggard listed as one of the top 25 most influential men in America, president of the NEA and Pastor of a meg-church he founded in his home, was released from his duties for having sex with a male prostitute.

In the apology to his church he wrote. “I am a deceiver and a liar

“Through the years, I’ve sought assistance in a variety of ways, with none of them proving to be effective in me. Then, because of pride, I began deceiving those I love the most because I didn’t want to hurt or disappoint them.

The public person I was wasn’t a lie; it was just incomplete. When I stopped communicating about my problems, the darkness increased and finally dominated me. As a result, I did things that were contrary to everything I believe.”

Contrast this with Billy Graham

He vowed early on never to be alone in a room or a car with any woman other than Ruth. Members of his evangelical team would enter his hotel room before him, to search it for any adoring fan or tabloid bait that might be hiding out.     Even when the first lady of the United States asked to meet with him, he refused to do it alone.

Today at 90 years old, Mr. Graham has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history—nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and web casts.

He remains a stellar rock of faith and obedience                                   

V 2-4 – these are your gods… a direct violation of the first and second commandments

V. 7 – Drunken orgy – sexual play

V. 9 – Exodus speaks rarely of what God has seen.

            He saw the misery of his people in Egypt and called Moses to bring them out.

            He saw Moses approach the burning bush.

            He saw the blood on the door-posts on the first Passover.

            NOW He sees the stiffed necked people he has chosen.

To verse 24

Without Proper Focus we disown God for the works of our hands

The people had taken their eye off the Mt. (presence of God) – the cloud was still there…

Proverbs 29:18 (NIV)

 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;

but blessed is he who keeps the law. ^[2]

READ - Col 3:1-10

3:1. Since believers have not only died with Christ but have also been raised with Christ (cf. Rom. 6:8-10; Col. 2:12-13), they should set their hearts on things above. That is, believers’ lives should be dominated by the pattern of heaven, bringing heavenly direction to their earthly duties.

How do we set our hearts on things above?

1. Personalization – Know God Better

            Prayer, Meditation, Fasting,

2. Inspiration – Know God’s will better

            Bible study, Community Group, CORE, Sunday AM

This provides

3. Illumination through the power of the Holy Spirit

This Creates

4. Motivation – to live as God would want you to live

Results in:

5. Fruition – fruits of a spirit filled life.

Conclusion:

What is your golden calf? ---- What in your life takes your focus off of God?

Work, play, riches, spouse, life in general.

God calls you to throw off all that hinders