Lessons From The Golden Calf

Exodus 32:1-35

Imagine the following…

• Sermon on instrumental music– All agreed to its sinfulness in worship

– Goes away for a month

– Returns to hear an organ playing

– Worship has been corrupted

– Wonders if preaching is worthwhile

Moses

• Know how he felt– People made a commitment

(Exodus 19:8)

– What happened to them?

– Now they were sinning (Exodus 32)

– Faithfulness was short-lived

Lack of Patience (v. 1)

• Moses’ delay– Asked for another God (1 Samuel 8:5)

– Not satisfied w/o an earthly leader (John 6:15)

Lack of Patience (v. 1)

• Did not endure– Gave up after 40 days

(Galatians 1:6; Hebrews 10:36-39)

– Be like Moses (Hebrews 11:25, 26)

– More important considerations (2 Corinthians 4:18; Colossians 3:2)

Poor Leadership (vv. 2-6)

• Rare to rise above the leaders– Aaron gave in to the people

– Israel scattered for lack of faithful shepherds (Ezekiel 34:3-5)

Poor Leadership (vv. 2-6)

• God’s leaders today– Elders (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:4)

– Some aren’t good leaders (Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Peter 2:1, 2)

God’s Justice (vv. 7-10)

• Soul that sins dies– Denial of Calvinism (Ezekiel 18:4)

– Wages of sin (Romans 6:23)

God’s Justice (vv. 7-10)

• Be careful – Can happen to us

(1 Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 5:4)

– Repent like Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:20-23; 1 John 1:7-9)

God’s Mercy (vv. 11-14)

• Spared Israel– Wants all to be saved

(1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9)

– Mercy on us (Romans 5:8, 9; Ephesians 2:8-10)

God’s Mercy (vv. 11-14)

• Turn to Him – 3,000 died

– His terms (Acts 22:16; Hebrews 4:16)

Righteous Indignation (vv. 15-29)

• Moses’ anger– How do we react? (John 2:12-17)

– Effect of TV, movies, etc.

Righteous Indignation (vv. 15-29)

• Must hate sin– God does

(Psalm 119:104; Proverbs 6:16-19)

– Love the sinner (Jude 23)

Power of Prayer (vv. 30-35)

• Moses interceded– Effective

– Jesus intercedes (Hebrews 7:25)

Power of Prayer (vv. 30-35)

• Realize its power– Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 6:12-15; 7:7, 8)

– Early Christians (Acts 4:23-31)

– Effective (James 1:5-7; 5:16; 1 Peter 3:12)

Conclusion

• Learn the lessons

• Have you been forgiven?