I AM

Christmas Eve: God With Us (BG)

December 24, 2021 • Jon Siebert • John 1:14, Exodus 30—31

God dwelling among man, found in Jesus. Where do you see the presence (as a present) in your life?

Christmas Eve: God With Us (WS)

December 24, 2021 • Kenan Stolz • John 1:14, Exodus 30—31

God dwelling among man, found in Jesus. Where do you see the presence (as a present) in your life?

The Glory of God (BG)

December 19, 2021 • Jon Siebert • Exodus 33:18–23

What is one of the biggest requests you have ever made of God? Provision in a season of scarcity? Healing in a time of sickness? Deliverance from a difficult, trying time? It can be quite revealing to see what is truly important to someone based on what types of prayers they make to God. After all that has transpired with Moses and the people of God, we find Moses alone with God in the tent of meeting and making a big ask of God: to see His glory. Out of all the experiences Moses had and all the things he had been through, the thing that he wanted the most was to see God for who He really is. Moses wanted to see the radiance, splendor, and beauty of God. At this point in Moses’ life, he had plenty of prior experiences with God, but it wasn't enough. What he had tasted before left him hungry for more. While God doesn't fully give Moses what he asks for, He discloses Himself in such a way that sticks with Moses, and what He says becomes one of the most quoted passages in all of Scripture.

The Glory of God (WS)

December 19, 2021 • Dave Williams • Exodus 33:18–23

What is one of the biggest requests you have ever made of God? Provision in a season of scarcity? Healing in a time of sickness? Deliverance from a difficult, trying time? It can be quite revealing to see what is truly important to someone based on what types of prayers they make to God. After all that has transpired with Moses and the people of God, we find Moses alone with God in the tent of meeting and making a big ask of God: to see His glory. Out of all the experiences Moses had and all the things he had been through, the thing that he wanted the most was to see God for who He really is. Moses wanted to see the radiance, splendor, and beauty of God. At this point in Moses’ life, he had plenty of prior experiences with God, but it wasn't enough. What he had tasted before left him hungry for more. While God doesn't fully give Moses what he asks for, He discloses Himself in such a way that sticks with Moses, and what He says becomes one of the most quoted passages in all of Scripture.

Failure At The Mountain (BG)

December 12, 2021 • Jon Siebert • Exodus 32:1—33:17

One of the most surprising things that regularly presents itself in the Scriptures, and in our own lives when we are honest, is the fickleness of the human heart. We can go from a moment of pure joy and satisfaction in God, expressing thankfulness for what He's done, to immediately questioning, doubting, and abandoning God altogether. It's remarkable to think about all that we’ve seen God do for His people here in Exodus, yet they still betray Him. God has been at work in supernatural ways to provide, guide, and protect them, yet they quickly forget about it all and turn to an idol for worship. In this act of idolatry, we see God's response when the people turn toward lesser gods. Towards the end of this experience, we see Moses yet again act in a way which brings deliverance for God's people. However, this time it was deliverance from God Himself, not any other enemy. While it is easy to judge the actions of the Israelites here, this story invites us to examine our hearts more closely to see where we are guilty of a similar fickleness of heart.

Failure At The Mountain (WS)

December 12, 2021 • Kenan Stolz • Exodus 32:1—33:17

One of the most surprising things that regularly presents itself in the Scriptures, and in our own lives when we are honest, is the fickleness of the human heart. We can go from a moment of pure joy and satisfaction in God, expressing thankfulness for what He's done, to immediately questioning, doubting, and abandoning God altogether. It's remarkable to think about all that we’ve seen God do for His people here in Exodus, yet they still betray Him. God has been at work in supernatural ways to provide, guide, and protect them, yet they quickly forget about it all and turn to an idol for worship. In this act of idolatry, we see God's response when the people turn toward lesser gods. Towards the end of this experience, we see Moses yet again act in a way which brings deliverance for God's people. However, this time it was deliverance from God Himself, not any other enemy. While it is easy to judge the actions of the Israelites here, this story invites us to examine our hearts more closely to see where we are guilty of a similar fickleness of heart.

A People For God's Ministry (BG)

December 5, 2021 • Jon Siebert • Exodus 28—31

It is frequently said that the church isn't the building, but the people. It is the people that love God, worship God, and serve one another. You can have a building, but without the people, it's just a structure. This concept rings true today, as well as in the community that God was forming in the wilderness. Last week, we examined the construction and the contents of the tabernacle, this week we turn our attention to those who worked in the tabernacle: the priests. Just as there was great attention to detail given for the elements, contents, and construction of the tabernacle, the same care was given with the priests. The selection, consecration, and garments of the priests were all details that had been carefully crafted and directed by God. Similar to the tabernacle, the role of the priests was to point us to something greater that would be further revealed in redemption history: Jesus Christ, our great high priest.

A People For God's Ministry (WS)

December 5, 2021 • Kenan Stolz • Exodus 28—31

It is frequently said that the church isn't the building, but the people. It is the people that love God, worship God, and serve one another. You can have a building, but without the people, it's just a structure. This concept rings true today, as well as in the community that God was forming in the wilderness. Last week, we examined the construction and the contents of the tabernacle, this week we turn our attention to those who worked in the tabernacle: the priests. Just as there was great attention to detail given for the elements, contents, and construction of the tabernacle, the same care was given with the priests. The selection, consecration, and garments of the priests were all details that had been carefully crafted and directed by God. Similar to the tabernacle, the role of the priests was to point us to something greater that would be further revealed in redemption history: Jesus Christ, our great high priest.

A Place for God's Presence (BG)

November 28, 2021 • Jon Siebert • Exodus 25—27

People subscribe to magazines such as Architectural Digest, spend countless hours watching HGTV shows, and visit historic cities on vacations to tour classic buildings all due to a fascination of beautiful buildings. We have reached the third part of the book of Exodus. Chapters 1-18 spoke of God's salvific work that freed Israel from Egypt and the giving of God's law. Chapters 19-24 addressed establishing God's covenant. We've now reached the third and final section concerning the tabernacle. This was the place where God would dwell with His people. What was remarkable about the tabernacle was that it wasn't something that Moses put together a building committee to do, nor did Moses outsource its design to the latest architectural firm. God is the one whom initiated its building, provided the building plans, and even provided the materials necessary for its construction. All of this was because the tabernacle, the way it was built, and all its contents were a foreshadow of what God would do in Christ.

A Place for God's Presence (WS)

November 28, 2021 • Kenan Stolz • Exodus 25—27

People subscribe to magazines such as Architectural Digest, spend countless hours watching HGTV shows, and visit historic cities on vacations to tour classic buildings all due to a fascination of beautiful buildings. We have reached the third part of the book of Exodus. Chapters 1-18 spoke of God's salvific work that freed Israel from Egypt and the giving of God's law. Chapters 19-24 addressed establishing God's covenant. We've now reached the third and final section concerning the tabernacle. This was the place where God would dwell with His people. What was remarkable about the tabernacle was that it wasn't something that Moses put together a building committee to do, nor did Moses outsource its design to the latest architectural firm. God is the one whom initiated its building, provided the building plans, and even provided the materials necessary for its construction. All of this was because the tabernacle, the way it was built, and all its contents were a foreshadow of what God would do in Christ.

A Place for God's Presence (HP)

November 28, 2021 • Kyle Wetzler • Exodus 25—27

People subscribe to magazines such as Architectural Digest, spend countless hours watching HGTV shows, and visit historic cities on vacations to tour classic buildings all due to a fascination of beautiful buildings. We have reached the third part of the book of Exodus. Chapters 1-18 spoke of God's salvific work that freed Israel from Egypt and the giving of God's law. Chapters 19-24 addressed establishing God's covenant. We've now reached the third and final section concerning the tabernacle. This was the place where God would dwell with His people. What was remarkable about the tabernacle was that it wasn't something that Moses put together a building committee to do, nor did Moses outsource its design to the latest architectural firm. God is the one whom initiated its building, provided the building plans, and even provided the materials necessary for its construction. All of this was because the tabernacle, the way it was built, and all its contents were a foreshadow of what God would do in Christ.

A Promise Reminded & A Presence Confirmed (HP)

November 21, 2021 • Kyle Wetzler • Exodus 23:20—24:14

Like all stories, it’s important to understand the proper context to get a correct picture of what is being communicated. Without proper context, what God instructs to happen in the land of Canaan in this section of Exodus can seem extremely harsh, violent, and downright unfair. However, if we look back in redemptive history, the land of Canaan was promised to God's people all the way back in Genesis 12. It was in that passage that God told Abraham all his descendants would inherit the promised land— the land of Canaan. They would be His people; He would be their God. At this point in the history of God's people, it may appear as if God has failed to deliver. But God has not forgotten His promise, He reaffirms what He is going to do. Within this, God instills in His people that who and how we worship matter.

A Promise Reminded & A Presence Confirmed (BG)

November 21, 2021 • Tim Ainley • Exodus 23:20—24:14

Like all stories, it’s important to understand the proper context to get a correct picture of what is being communicated. Without proper context, what God instructs to happen in the land of Canaan in this section of Exodus can seem extremely harsh, violent, and downright unfair. However, if we look back in redemptive history, the land of Canaan was promised to God's people all the way back in Genesis 12. It was in that passage that God told Abraham all his descendants would inherit the promised land— the land of Canaan. They would be His people; He would be their God. At this point in the history of God's people, it may appear as if God has failed to deliver. But God has not forgotten His promise, He reaffirms what He is going to do. Within this, God instills in His people that who and how we worship matter.

A Promise Reminded & A Presence Confirmed (WS)

November 21, 2021 • Dave Williams • Exodus 23:20—24:14

Like all stories, it’s important to understand the proper context to get a correct picture of what is being communicated. Without proper context, what God instructs to happen in the land of Canaan in this section of Exodus can seem extremely harsh, violent, and downright unfair. However, if we look back in redemptive history, the land of Canaan was promised to God's people all the way back in Genesis 12. It was in that passage that God told Abraham all his descendants would inherit the promised land— the land of Canaan. They would be His people; He would be their God. At this point in the history of God's people, it may appear as if God has failed to deliver. But God has not forgotten His promise, He reaffirms what He is going to do. Within this, God instills in His people that who and how we worship matter.

Encounter at the Holy Mountain (BG)

November 14, 2021 • Jon Siebert • Exodus 19:1—20:21

We have reached a key point in the Exodus story. The first eighteen chapters tell us how God worked to rescue and redeem His people from slavery, delivered them through the sea, and led them through the wilderness to His holy mountain. God has remained true to His promise made back in Exodus 3:12 (“I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” - ESV) Through all that we have studied, it is clear God has been with His people. God brings Israel and communicates to them what it means to dwell within His presence. His holiness and glory are put on display for everyone to see. Often when we approach this part of the Exodus story, we quickly want to run to the "rules" that are set out. However, when we do that, we miss out on seeing the beauty, power, and majesty of our God and the relationship He invites us into with Him. These words God gives Israel are not simply rules to obey, but they reflect God's character.

A Study In The Book Of Exodus