Episode #527
8-2-26 // The Gospel According to Moses // Exodus 32-34 // How Can a Holy God Dwell with Sinners?
Pastor Jared Richard opens Exodus 32–34 by grounding the sermon in Romans 15:4, where Paul reminds us that everything written in the Old Testament was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. With that foundation laid, Pastor Jared sets out to answer one of the most important questions the Bible addresses: how can a holy God continue to dwell with a continually sinful people? It's not just Israel's question — it's ours, too, for every one of us has sinned, and some of us have confessed the same sins to the Lord over and over again for years. The answer unfolds through Israel's devastating act of treasonous rebellion — the golden calf — and four conversations between Moses and God that follow. In each conversation, we see what the people deserved because of their sin: to be consumed by God's wrath, to wear the guilt of their sin forever, to be abandoned by God's covenant love, and to be kept at a distance from His presence. And in each conversation, Moses intercedes, pleading with God on their behalf, and God — merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love — responds with mercy rather than the full measure of judgment the people had earned. But the real gift of this passage, Pastor Jared argues, is what it teaches us about Jesus. Moses was a faithful mediator, willing even to offer his own life in the people's place, but he was unfit because he was not holy. Jesus is the better Moses — the one who doesn't merely pray these mercies into being, but actually accomplishes them. He bore God's wrath so we could be spared. He wore our guilt so we could be forgiven. He was forsaken so we could be loved. He was cast out into death so God could dwell in our midst. That is the Gospel according to Moses, and it is the hope every sinner desperately needs. WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Take a moment to fill out our digital connection card here: https://www.bayleaf.org/connect We hope you enjoy this programming and please let us know if there is anything we can do to be of service to you. ONE CHURCH. TWO LOCATIONS. ONE MISSION. Bay Leaf at Falls Lake: 12200 Bayleaf Church Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27614 Bay Leaf at 540: 10921 Leesville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613 SERVICE TIMES Come join us on Sundays at Bay Leaf at Falls Lake (8:30 AM or 11:00 AM) or at Bay Leaf at 540 (10:00 AM) CONTACT www.bayleaf.org (919) 847-4477 #BayLeafLife #Worship #Inspiration