Scripture Reading: Exodus 3:1-6
On Holy Ground
Intro.
1. Holy (hagios): Separated (set apart, dedicated) and hence, separated from sin and consecrated to God, sacred (Vine, 307).
2. God called Moses (who was standing on holy ground), Exo. 3:2-6.
3. We stand on holy ground, having been called by God into the fellowship of His Son, 1 Cor. 1:9; 3:16-17; 2 Cor. 6:16; 1 Pet. 1:15-16.
4. How do we present ourselves before the Lord: Humble reverence or neglectful disregard of God?
I. HOLY GROUND SIGNIFIES…
A. The Presence of God, Exo. 3:5.
1. God is omnipresent, Psa. 139:7. So, we are to show reverence everywhere we are because God is there!
2. “Holy ground” emphasizes (points out) the presence of the:
a. Person of God, Psa. 89:7.
b. Word of God, Exo. 3:5 (Mk. 12:26).
c. Power of God, Josh. 5:13-15.
B. An Undeniable Contrast between Man and God, cf. Isa. 6:1-7.
1. Whenever man comes into the presence of God, man must be struck with the awesome holiness of the Almighty!
2. Man’s reverence is God’s rightful due, Jer. 10:6-7.
C. That Serving God must be Reverently Regarded by all who Approach Him.
1. God’s sanctuary was to be reverenced, not defiled, Lev. 26:1-2.
2. The tabernacle with its holy place was holy ground for the priests, and could only be entered in purity, according to God’s instruction.
a. Purity, Exo. 30:17-21. (Priests performed services barefooted, cf. Exo. 29:20.)
b. They were before the Lord, Exo. 28:29-30, 31-35, 40-43.
II. THE DEMANDS OF HOLY GROUND.
A. Holiness, Exo. 3:5.
1. Removal of sandals signified removal of contaminants (i.e., shoes before entering a house).
2. Approach God by cleansing ourselves, 2 Cor. 7:1; Jas. 4:8.
B. Humility, Exo. 3:6; cf. Lk. 18:13; cf. Hab. 2:20. Submit silently (reverently) to Him.
C. Homage (reverence, high regard), Rev. 15:4 (Psa. 86:8-10).
A. As the Church, 1 Cor. 3:16-17 (Eph. 2:21-22).
1. Defilement of the local church occurs through moral impurity and doctrinal error, Rev. 2:4-5, 14-16.
2. As the temple of God, we must keep ourselves pure.
B. When We Worship God, Jno. 4:23-24.
1. We must show humble reverence for God when we worship.
2. Relations with others impacts our worship, cf. Matt. 5:23-24.
3. Eliminate distractions and give our attention to God and worshiping Him.
C. When We Teach the Word of God, Psa. 19:14.
1. Sound doctrine, 1 Tim. 1:10; 6:3-5.
2. Right spirit, 2 Tim. 1:7; 2:24-26 (Boldness, love and soundness; with gentle patience correcting those in opposition).
D. In Our Marriages, Heb. 13:4.
1. Its lifelong commitment deserves careful consideration and unwavering commitment to God and one’s spouse, Matt. 19:6.
2. To deal recklessly with your marriage is to defile the holy ground God intends for it to be, Eph. 5:22, 25.
E. As We Live in this World of Sin, 2 Cor. 6:17-7:1; 1 Pet. 1:13-17.
1. We stand on holy ground: We are the temple of God (the church of Christ), as we worship God, as we teach the gospel, in our marriages and in our daily living.
2. Will we take off our shoes (humble ourselves before God, repent and obey His gospel)?
3. Or, will we defile and dishonor the presence of God by coming before Him with sinful impurities?
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: October 9, 2015