Beyond Ourselves | Francis Chan

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message is a call to re-evaluate our priorities and desires as believers. We are reminded that God's presence and glory should be our greatest desire, surpassing even our deepest longings for success, health, or material wealth. Moses' request in Exodus 33:18, "Show me your glory," serves as a model for us to seek a deeper relationship with God, one that is characterized by reverence, humility, and a hunger for His presence.

Key Scripture References

• Exodus 32-34 - The passage sets the stage for Moses' request in Exodus 33:18, highlighting God's desire to dwell with humanity despite their sinfulness. This serves as a reminder that our greatest desire should be to see God's glory.
• Exodus 33:8-17 - In this passage, Moses requests to see God's glory and is told that he will not see His face but will instead see some of His glory. This teaches us that while we may not fully comprehend God's nature, He desires to reveal Himself to us in ways that are meaningful and transformative.
• 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 - The account of Solomon building the Temple highlights the importance of reverence and obedience in seeking God's presence. This passage serves as a model for how we should approach worship, recognizing that our primary goal is to see God's glory revealed.
• Leviticus 9:6-23 - In this passage, Moses instructs the people on how to prepare for the appearance of God's glory. This serves as a reminder that we should seek to create an atmosphere of reverence and awe in our worship, recognizing that God desires to reveal Himself to us.
• Revelation 21:1-4 - The final Eternal State described in Revelation highlights the ultimate goal of humanity's relationship with God – to dwell with Him in a state of perfect unity and harmony. This serves as a reminder that our greatest desire should be to see God's glory revealed, even if it means enduring difficulties and hardships along the way.

Key Takeaways

• We should prioritize seeking God's presence and glory above all else.
• Moses' request in Exodus 33:18 serves as a model for us to seek a deeper relationship with God.
• Reverence, humility, and a hunger for God's presence are essential qualities for experiencing His glory.
• We should approach worship with the goal of creating an atmosphere where God's glory can be revealed.

Application Questions

• What are my greatest desires as a believer? Am I prioritizing God's presence and glory above all else?
• How can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe in my worship, recognizing that God desires to reveal Himself to me?
• Am I seeking to create an atmosphere where God's glory can be revealed, or am I focused on other aspects of church life?

Prayer for Reflection

Dear God, help us to prioritize Your presence and glory above all else. Give us a hunger for Your presence that drives us to seek You with reverence and awe. May our worship be characterized by a desire to see Your glory revealed, even if it means enduring difficulties and hardships along the way.