WEBVTT 00:00:00.719 --> 00:00:02.160 Excited to be with you today. 00:00:02.240 --> 00:00:04.959 We're going to be in Exodus chapter 34 in our Bibles. 00:00:05.040 --> 00:00:07.519 If you want to turn there, Exodus chapter 34. 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:12.560 And we are working through a series I have titled Leaving the Darkness. 00:00:13.039 --> 00:00:16.879 Working verse by verse, chapter by chapter, through the book of Exodus. 00:00:17.039 --> 00:00:21.440 And this is going to be sermon number 89 through the text today. 00:00:21.679 --> 00:00:27.519 And again, if you're just joining us, you can always go back and listen to all of the past sermons online. 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:29.120 We've got all of them archived. 00:00:29.440 --> 00:00:32.079 All 88 of them, if you want to. 00:00:32.479 --> 00:00:37.280 But we're going to work through verses 29 to 35 in the text today. 00:00:37.439 --> 00:00:55.039 And I titled this series Leaving the Darkness as we watch Moses lead the people out of Egypt, out from under the hand of Pharaoh, into the promised land, into a relationship with God, truly leaving the darkness of the gods of Egypt and entering into the light of Yahweh. 00:00:55.439 --> 00:00:59.280 Title of the sermon today, if you're taking notes, is Borrowed Light. 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:05.280 Heard of a story, maybe you heard of this one. 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:10.879 A doctor of psychology was making his morning rounds when he walked into a patient's room. 00:01:11.040 --> 00:01:16.879 He found the first patient sitting on the floor, sawing away at an imaginary piece of wood. 00:01:17.120 --> 00:01:21.439 Hanging from the ceiling by his feet was the second patient. 00:01:21.680 --> 00:01:23.599 The doctor asked the first man what he was doing. 00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:24.560 He says, Can't you see? 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:26.480 I'm sawing a board in half, you see. 00:01:26.640 --> 00:01:28.400 And he says, Well, what's your friend doing up there? 00:01:28.480 --> 00:01:31.040 And he says, Oh, him, he's a great guy, but he's a little crazy. 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:32.400 He thinks he's a light bulb. 00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:34.000 He's hanging upside down. 00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:38.799 The doctor looked up and noticed the second man's face was turning red as a beat. 00:01:38.879 --> 00:01:43.359 And he said, If he's your friend, you ought to get him down from there before he hurts himself. 00:01:43.599 --> 00:01:46.640 And the first man looked up at him and thought he like he had lost his mind. 00:01:46.799 --> 00:01:47.680 He says, What do you mean? 00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:49.200 Work in the dark. 00:01:51.040 --> 00:01:51.680 That's it. 00:01:52.480 --> 00:01:53.760 That's all I got. 00:01:55.040 --> 00:01:57.599 Someone gave me a pity clap over here, so thank you. 00:01:57.680 --> 00:01:59.040 I appreciate that. 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:02.959 But have you ever been outside on those nights? 00:02:03.120 --> 00:02:06.319 You know, it's a full moon, clear skies. 00:02:06.719 --> 00:02:12.879 The moon, though it's dark, is shining so bright that you don't even need a flashlight outside. 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:14.400 It's amazing when that happens. 00:02:14.560 --> 00:02:16.080 The land starts to glow. 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:24.560 Whether you're in the desert or you're out on the water, when the moon hits right and completely bright, it will illuminate the sky. 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:26.639 And here's the wild thing about the moon. 00:02:26.719 --> 00:02:31.840 In all its history, it has never produced one particle of light. 00:02:32.080 --> 00:02:32.960 Not one. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:38.080 It's really this dead rock floating through space. 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:41.759 It's cold, gray, cratered, lifeless. 00:02:42.240 --> 00:02:49.360 Everything you have ever seen when you looked at the moon was really light borrowed from the sun. 00:02:49.680 --> 00:02:51.039 It's reflection. 00:02:52.879 --> 00:02:57.439 Nobody stands in a driveway saying, you know, that moon is a fraud. 00:02:58.560 --> 00:03:01.360 We don't expect the moon to make uh light. 00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:04.319 We expect it always to just keep reflecting it. 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:07.680 We know exactly what it is and what it does. 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:15.759 There's a question I want you to consider this morning as we work through the text is where does your lights ultimately come from? 00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:19.759 Um it's not a question of whether or not you are shining. 00:03:19.840 --> 00:03:27.680 Uh some of you are, but some of you are the uh, you know, very again, very kind, dependable, decent people in your workplace. 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:31.120 Everybody knows that everybody loves you, and you shine that there. 00:03:31.199 --> 00:03:32.800 But that's not ultimately the question. 00:03:32.960 --> 00:03:36.479 The question is what is the source of your shining? 00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:37.680 Where does it come from? 00:03:37.840 --> 00:03:41.520 Um, there's a way to shine that runs on our own batteries, right? 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:45.919 Um and there is a way to shine uh that doesn't. 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:53.439 And today we see Moses, uh the the kind of the main guy uh next to God is the character in our story. 00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:56.879 His face will shine as bright as the sun. 00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:00.560 And he gets his shine from borrowed light. 00:04:00.719 --> 00:04:03.199 It's not his own light that's shining. 00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:08.560 Um it's sh it's light that he has received from Almighty God. 00:04:08.719 --> 00:04:14.159 And it really is it's wild that Moses takes time to write about this. 00:04:14.400 --> 00:04:25.360 Um there are six verses sitting here before us that give uh he gives extensive talk about this shining of his face and what the people are doing and how they responded. 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:33.839 Um again, you think it would be a one-line thing, but again, there's emphasis here in the text, and that's why we'll take time to talk about it and look at it closely today. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:37.279 We're in Exodus chapter 34, we'll cover verses 29 to 35. 00:04:37.439 --> 00:04:39.920 Can we stand for the reading of God's word? 00:04:40.720 --> 00:04:43.759 We always stand for the reading of God's word to pay honor to him. 00:04:44.399 --> 00:04:46.639 Remember whose word we're reading, not my words. 00:04:46.720 --> 00:04:48.879 They truly belong to him. 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:53.600 Exodus chapter 34, take a look at verse 29. 00:04:54.079 --> 00:05:10.319 Now it happened when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai, and the two tablets of the testimony were in Moses' hand, and he was coming down from the mountain, that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with him. 00:05:10.639 --> 00:05:18.800 And then Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near to him. 00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:32.399 Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers in the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke to them, and afterward all the sons of Israel came near, and he commanded them everything that Yahweh had spoken to him on Mount Sinai. 00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:36.879 Then Moses finished speaking with them and put a veil over his face. 00:05:38.160 --> 00:05:47.680 But when Moses went in before Yahweh to speak with him, he would take off the veil until he came out, and then he would come out and he would speak to the sons of Israel what he had commanded. 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:53.439 And the sons of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone. 00:05:54.079 --> 00:05:59.680 So Moses would return the veil over his face until he went in to speak with him. 00:05:59.839 --> 00:06:00.800 Let's pray. 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:03.120 Father, we thank you for your word. 00:06:05.360 --> 00:06:09.040 We ask God that you would reveal its truth to us again today. 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:11.600 Why did you have Moses write this down? 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:16.800 What is this shining of his face having to do with us? 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:20.639 We thank you, God, that you allowed Moses to meet with you. 00:06:20.959 --> 00:06:24.160 We pray, God, that you would allow us to meet with you today. 00:06:24.639 --> 00:06:29.519 And that we would come close and that we would be refreshed, we would be rejuvenated. 00:06:30.160 --> 00:06:49.519 Yes, Lord, that you would restore our batteries, Lord, that you would recharge us, you would bring us close in relationship with you, that the fruits of the Spirit would shine through our lives, that we would shine in such a way that people would see our good works and want to glorify our Father who is in heaven. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:50.879 Thank you for your word today. 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:53.519 We ask you would speak to us by the power of your Holy Spirit. 00:06:53.680 --> 00:06:55.120 We ask it in Jesus' name. 00:06:55.360 --> 00:06:55.839 Amen. 00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:56.399 Amen. 00:06:56.560 --> 00:06:57.680 You can be seated. 00:06:57.920 --> 00:07:00.160 These lights are just a touch too hot. 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:04.480 They're like, yay! So when I came out, I was like, oh, I mean, do I look gray? 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:05.680 I'm sure I look gray, I think. 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:10.480 They're just, I can't see, so uh bear with me. 00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:13.040 But Moses had been on Mount Sinai. 00:07:13.120 --> 00:07:17.120 The trip, uh, he was up there for 40 days and 40 nights. 00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:23.759 And verse 28 tells us that he didn't eat bread or drink water for 40 days. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:29.759 No food, no water, sustained by Almighty God, while he wrote down the words of the covenant. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:31.360 Remember what's behind him. 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:36.560 Remember what had happened before, the golden calf, uh, the shattered tablets, remember? 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:42.079 And really the worst uh worship service in the history of Israel as they worshiped other gods. 00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:42.720 That's beautiful. 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:43.279 Thank you guys. 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:44.240 This is great. 00:07:44.399 --> 00:07:51.439 Um, and he came down the mountain for the first time in absolute chaos because of what Israel was doing. 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:59.759 Now he's coming down again with the second set of tablets from God and second chances, and this time the people are ready to listen. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:01.759 But something's changed. 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:06.399 Back in chapter 33, Moses prayed the boldest prayer any man's ever prayed. 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:07.279 Do you remember? 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:12.079 Please, God, he said, Show me thy glory. 00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:13.759 And God did. 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:25.360 God hit Moses in the cleft of the rock and he covered him with his hand and passed by, and he proclaimed his own name to Moses, Yahweh, who is compassionate, gracious, faithful. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:30.639 And now Moses is walking back down Sinai and he is glowing. 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:34.559 His face is a shone, the text says. 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:50.559 This is verses 29 and 30. 00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:52.080 Look at verse 29 again. 00:08:52.240 --> 00:09:02.960 It says, Moses did not know that the skin of his face was shown because of his speaking with him, or speaking with God. 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:09.919 The one man on the mountain who couldn't see it, that his face was a shone, was Moses. 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:12.799 He didn't know that he was glowing. 00:09:13.120 --> 00:09:16.159 The Hebrew is, the Hebrew word here is unusual. 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:33.279 It literally says, the skin on his face sent out horns, which is why the old Latin Vulgate rendered it that way, and why Michelangelo carved Moses with two little horns right in his head. 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:41.679 But the word is describing rays of light, beams, beams of light coming off a man's face. 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:45.360 And notice the reason the text gives it to you. 00:09:45.440 --> 00:09:48.720 It's not a technique, it's not a discipline he mastered. 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:54.000 Uh, it was because of his speaking with God that his face was a shown. 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:57.440 He talked with God and it changed the way he looked. 00:09:57.519 --> 00:09:59.039 Is that amazing or what? 00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:01.519 What a statement. 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:06.320 He talked with God and it changed the way he looked. 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:12.159 Sometimes when you're with uh certain people, it can change your face. 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:15.919 I mean a good way or a bad way, huh? 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:21.759 I didn't realize that even until as of recent. 00:10:22.399 --> 00:10:29.039 It's uh the the countenance of face can change very quickly by the people that you are around. 00:10:29.919 --> 00:10:35.039 But talking with God with Moses actually changed his face. 00:10:36.159 --> 00:10:37.279 Now watch verse 30. 00:10:37.440 --> 00:10:42.080 Aaron and all of Israel, they see him, and it says in the text, they run. 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:44.399 They run. 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:47.360 And here's why. 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:51.200 They were looking at God's glory. 00:10:52.159 --> 00:11:00.399 They were looking at not exactly into the face of God, but a reflection of the afterglow of God's glory on the face of a mortal man. 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:02.639 And Aaron's, this is Aaron's little brother. 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:05.360 Aaron knows his brother, and they all couldn't take it. 00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:07.279 They start running for the hills. 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:07.600 R. 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:18.799 Kent Hughes' commentary, he put it this way: the very glory shining from Moses' face searched their hearts and consciences, being what they were, sinners. 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:26.240 They were afraid because they knew in their souls they could never stand before the one from whose presence Moses had come. 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:39.440 They were seeing a glimpse of the glory of God through the face of Moses, and even just a glimpse of his splendor, a glimpse of his glory, they were running for the hills in fear. 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:42.799 It means our God is holy. 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:54.799 Herbert Carson wrote of God's transcendent majesty, whose glory fills the heavens, whose mighty power spans the wide compass of history. 00:11:55.120 --> 00:12:04.080 If a millionth part of that glory bouncing off a man's cheekbone sent a whole nation scrambling backwards, what will it be to see him as he is? 00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:06.960 And church, one day we will. 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:09.120 We will see God. 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:18.240 But don't forget this: we will all stand before him by ourselves, alone, nowhere to hide. 00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:20.960 We all die alone. 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:23.679 We all stand before God alone. 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:34.960 What we also see in the texts here is they were not scared of Moses, they were nervous about the glory of God. 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:38.559 Remember, just a couple chapters before, they're denying Moses. 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:40.960 They're making fun of him, they're putting him down. 00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:46.399 And then all of a sudden, Moses comes back down, his face is a shown, and they're scared to death. 00:12:51.519 --> 00:12:55.759 The light, the shining of his face was borrowed light. 00:12:57.600 --> 00:12:59.840 It's always been borrowed, always. 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:00.320 C. 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:00.559 S. 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:03.840 Lewis said it as well as anyone in the weight of glory. 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:15.039 He described us as mirrors and said, Whatever brightness we have is wholly derived from the sun that shines upon us, wholly derived, not partly. 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:18.879 There is no percentage of that light that originates from us. 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:24.720 If there is any light in our eyes, in our face, we are reflections of the sun. 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:27.200 How do we apply this? 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:28.159 There's two ways here. 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.200 We can look at this. 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:31.840 First, we must stop looking at ourselves. 00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:35.919 Moses didn't know he was shining because Moses wasn't looking at Moses. 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:42.320 He was so taken with the beauty of God that he never once checked his own reflection. 00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:45.120 Wow, looking extra shiny today. 00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:50.320 The facial care is working extra today. 00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:56.559 That's a mercy. 00:13:58.240 --> 00:14:03.360 Because the minute a man notices his glow, he starts polishing it. 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:05.919 He starts managing it. 00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:06.399 A.W. 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:17.279 Tozer said, until until we have seen ourselves as God sees us, we are not ready to see God as he is. 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:24.480 We don't want to see ourselves for who we are, huh? 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:26.879 You ever get those mirrors in the hotel? 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:32.480 You know, they're like those round ones that have like the X the extra zoom in on, oh my gosh. 00:14:34.080 --> 00:14:36.720 The ladies love the skinny mirrors, you know what I'm talking about? 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.600 The skinny ones. 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:38.559 That's a great mirror. 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:39.679 What do you mean? 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:41.440 That's a bad mirror? 00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:48.960 Moses wasn't looking at himself. 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:52.240 He had no clue he was even shining. 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:58.720 Second, remember the people around you are better judges of your walk with God than you are. 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:03.919 If you have to tell people you've been with Jesus, you probably haven't. 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:08.559 I just spent four hours with the Lord. 00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:10.240 Man, it was amazing. 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.759 Do you see my face? 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:21.519 Talking with God will change the way you look. 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:29.679 I found it near impossible to change my own heart. 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:35.279 I try with all that I have. 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:39.440 These broken hands, these broken feet. 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:45.679 You can't muscle yourself into true desire. 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:49.600 Desiring God. 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:51.840 How do you do that? 00:15:54.559 --> 00:16:01.840 We can't take steps of faith around us to try and produce fruit in our lives, but we don't determine the amount of fruit we produce. 00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:08.639 You can yell at the tree all day to grow. 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:11.440 Produce more fruit. 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:16.879 But there are things that you can do to take steps of faith. 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:21.600 Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God to build your faith in relationship with God. 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:26.080 And again, I have found it near impossible to change my own heart. 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:33.200 But just one moment of locking eyes with God and a man will literally be changed forever. 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:37.759 If you get hit by a train, are you going to be changed? 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:39.440 Oh yeah. 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:41.600 You're going to be dead. 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:44.159 You know who's bigger than a train? 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:50.799 You come in contact with the living God and you will be changed. 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:58.639 Talking with God literally changed the way Moses looked. 00:16:58.879 --> 00:17:00.399 There's so many layers there. 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:13.440 If we are made to know God and made to walk with him and know him to make him known, being with the Lord is what changes us to be the right person, talking to Him, and it's really true. 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:17.920 If you have to tell people you've been with God, you probably haven't. 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:22.640 It's seen, it's shown in a person's face and the way that they live. 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:25.119 And you can't even fake that. 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:29.440 You can do fake religious works, but people feel through all of that. 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:34.559 You could do all the holy things, but it doesn't matter. 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:36.240 You can do all the exterior. 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:38.480 That's the beautiful thing about this. 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:44.319 Moses didn't know he was changing. 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:49.119 Other people notice you are changing. 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:53.920 You don't get to grade your own life. 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.680 Man, I'm holy. 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:57.440 Have you seen my own report card? 00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:59.039 I gave myself all A's. 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:08.079 Read my Bible, did my prayers, went to church, helped the old lady across the street, check, check, check. 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:15.920 All doing it for the wrong reason. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:21.599 I love verse 29 because it says Moses didn't know that his face was shining. 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:23.279 It actually says it in the text. 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:25.200 Moses himself writes it down. 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:27.200 He said, I didn't actually know. 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:29.920 I didn't know until they ran from me. 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:31.839 I'm like, what's going on, Aaron? 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.880 Your face. 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:38.319 Never forget this. 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:47.039 Over 20 years ago, it was in Mexico with a guy named John Corson, and he talked about this very interesting picture illustration in Acts chapter 2. 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:59.759 It is when the Holy Spirit comes upon the apostles, and the room is filled with the presence of God, and it says, flames of fire, tongues of fire come sitting on each one of their heads. 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:02.319 This is a very wild text to read. 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:15.839 That flames, tongues of fire are sitting on each of the apostles' heads, and he pointed this out that each one of them could not see their own flame above their own head. 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:19.759 But they could see the flame on everyone else. 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:24.319 And this is oftentimes true. 00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:28.720 It's the people who have the brightest flames can't even see their own flame. 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:35.279 They think everybody else's flame is so much more bright than mine. 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:42.319 If you think your flame is brighter than everyone else's, you have the smallest flame. 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:46.319 David knew it. 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:48.079 Psalm 34, 5. 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:50.880 Those who look at him are radiant. 00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:54.480 Their faces are never covered with shame. 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:56.559 This is a New Living Translation. 00:19:56.799 --> 00:20:01.680 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy. 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:05.039 No shadow of shame will darken their face. 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:08.720 It's a beautiful picture. 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:12.000 Moses couldn't see his own light. 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:15.599 Talking with God brings light. 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:20.480 Point number two, if you're taking notes, Moses carried the light to the people. 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:28.079 Verse 31, then Moses called to them. 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:30.160 He could have enjoyed that moment. 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:32.400 He could have stood at a distance and let them tremble. 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:34.960 Instead, he called the terrified crowd back to him. 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:38.160 He calls the elders first and then the whole nation. 00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:52.720 Elders, people. 00:20:54.799 --> 00:21:04.720 And then verse 32 says, He commanded them everything that Yahweh had spoken to him on Mount Sinai, everything, not the parts that would land well. 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:07.119 He said everything that God had told them. 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:10.400 He didn't hold back from telling them all that God had said. 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:16.880 And then verse 33, well, we must say everything God has said. 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:21.200 We must not hold back anything that God has said or not said. 00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:24.559 We must say exactly as he has said it. 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:33.039 That is our job, is just to speak the truth of God's word into this world, to shine that light into this world, regardless of what people think. 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:50.480 And again, if I do believe if Christians uh across America would just do this in their homes, uh do this uh in their lives, if pastors would do this in their churches, we would see great revival. 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:55.359 It is the truth that sets a man free. 00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:59.759 If he can't hear the truth, if no one will tell them the truth, they cannot be set free. 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:02.000 And he told them the truth. 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:03.759 He told them everything. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:07.680 Then, verse 33, don't miss this year. 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:12.720 Then Moses finished speaking with them and put a veil over his face. 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:14.319 Look at the order here. 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:16.960 He finishes speaking with the light shining. 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:19.119 Then he puts the veil over his face. 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.400 Isn't that interesting? 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:24.000 The veil went on after the message went out to them. 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:30.880 Every time God gave Moses something to say, the people saw his face shining while he said it. 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:32.240 And again, why? 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:37.359 Because back in chapter 32, the people had rejected Moses as their mediator. 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:40.319 They needed to know this word was from God. 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:41.359 And how would they know? 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:42.799 One look at his face. 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:44.559 There was no arguing with it. 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:49.680 God had authenticated the message by making his face shown. 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:58.240 It was supernatural, it was spiritual, it was the glory of God beaming through the face of Moses, setting a precedent with the people. 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:03.359 We see this happen in Matthew 17 as well with the Lord Jesus. 00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:18.319 Jesus goes up on a mountain with his disciples, and the text says in verse 2, he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as light. 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:24.319 And the Father says, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:26.240 Listen to him. 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:28.160 Wow. 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:38.000 So authenticating the Lord Jesus once again before the disciples, those standing there, the Father says, Listen to him. 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:39.200 Look at his face. 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:40.240 It shines like the sun. 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:42.079 Look at his garments glowing. 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:47.599 Do you remember the other place where we see someone's face shining in the New Testament? 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:51.200 It is when Stephen is being martyred. 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:55.599 When they're picking up stones to kill him for preaching the gospel. 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:57.119 He said he looked up to heaven. 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:59.279 His face starts to shine. 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:04.400 Saying once again, what he's saying is true. 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:07.279 Is that why you guys turned up the lights a little extra today for me? 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:07.920 Thank you. 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.799 Appreciate that. 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:11.279 I had to, it was perfect. 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:13.759 It's better than the first joke. 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.519 Don't miss this. 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:19.200 Moses' face shone because light landed on him. 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:23.039 Jesus' face shone because the light actually lives in him. 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:29.200 Hebrews chapter 1, verse 3 says, He is the radiance of his glory. 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:30.240 Jesus. 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:32.240 Moses had a reflection. 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:34.160 Christ is the radiance. 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:36.720 Moses had borrowed light. 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:43.759 Christ has never borrowed from anyone, and it has never dimmed for one second in all of eternity. 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:48.960 The glory of the Lord will illuminate heaven. 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:51.359 There will not be any need for the sun or the moon. 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.559 Did you know that? 00:24:53.359 --> 00:25:08.880 2 Corinthians 4, 6 says, For God who said, Let there be light in the darkness in creation, has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:11.440 So how do we apply this? 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:15.039 We've got to first remember, you are not the mediator in me either. 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:18.400 That is the Lord Jesus, but you are a messenger. 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:24.480 And we aren't to veil our face until the message has been delivered. 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:27.920 Matthew chapter 5, verse 14. 00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:31.519 Did you know, church, you are the light of the world. 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.799 Did you know that? 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:36.640 Man, this world is dark. 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:38.400 Do you know who the light is? 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.759 You are. 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:44.720 Jesus said this: you are the light of the world. 00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:45.759 Did you know that? 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:47.759 And a city on a hill can't be hidden. 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:49.119 You can't hide a city on a hill. 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:51.039 Everybody ever tried to hide a city on a hill? 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:55.359 Neither do people light a lamp and then put a basket on it. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:26:00.720 Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:13.039 In the same way, church, let your light so shine before men and women that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:16.880 Some of you have been covering your light for years. 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:21.920 A Christian at church, but a ghost at work. 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:25.359 Should take off the veil. 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:28.240 Take the basket off your head. 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:36.960 Let your light so shine that people may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:39.599 Yeah, but they might not like it. 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.200 I know. 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:44.799 The darkness hates the light, huh? 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:47.839 But don't you want light in this town? 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:50.960 Don't you want light in this city? 00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:53.519 Don't you want light in your workplace? 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:56.240 Don't you want light in your neighborhood? 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:58.079 Don't you want light in your family? 00:26:58.240 --> 00:27:00.480 Don't you want light in this nation? 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:05.119 Then take the basket off your head. 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:07.920 C.S. 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:13.200 Lewis wrote a novel late in his life called Till We Have Faces. 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:19.759 It just dawned on me when I was working through this sermon. 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:26.319 There's a band, there's an emo band I used to listen to like 20 plus years ago called Noise Ratchet. 00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:32.000 The title of their album is called Till We Have Faces. 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:36.160 One of my favorite songs, Till We Have Faces. 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:40.480 It never dawned on me until that that was them. 00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:42.480 And he got inspired by C.S. 00:27:42.559 --> 00:27:43.839 Lewis' book. 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:49.119 I've been listening to the album, going back through it, and the entire I didn't know it. 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:51.119 The band is fully Christian. 00:27:51.599 --> 00:27:52.880 All of the lyrics, the whole thing. 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:53.519 You don't even know it. 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:55.519 They're not signed with a Christian label. 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.519 Little side note. 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.799 You're gonna go listen to it later. 00:27:58.960 --> 00:28:01.039 Pastor Josh used to listen to this. 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:03.440 Still listen to this. 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:05.920 C.S. 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:10.640 Lewis wrote a novel late in his life again called Till We Have Faces. 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:14.880 The book that he thought was the best he had ever written. 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:26.160 It retells an old myth through the eyes of a woman named Oral, a queen who believes she's too ugly to be looked at. 00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:30.319 So she starts wearing a veil. 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:38.799 But it becomes her power. 00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:42.799 People fear what they cannot see, and rumors start to grow. 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:46.160 She rules from behind that cloth for decades. 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:51.119 She keeps it on so long that she loses track of what's underneath it. 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:53.039 She forgets her own face. 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:55.920 She has no face left. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:58.319 Just a covering, a mask. 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:03.759 A life spent managing what people were allowed to see. 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:07.039 But it's not what's really under there. 00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:09.519 She was hiding her real face. 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:11.920 She forgot her own face. 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:14.880 She forgot her real voice. 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:21.440 Her old tutor had taught her that the whole art of words was saying exactly what you mean. 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:33.599