Clouds & Fire

Wouldn't it be great if each time we gathered for worship, the Lord descended down upon our church building visibly for all to see? If we gathered during the morning service, He descended in a cloud. If we gathered in the evening, He came down as a pillar of fire. I say it would be fascinating, but in all reality, it would probably be pretty terrifying.

When Moses met with God on Mount Sinai, there was not only a cloud of smoke, but thunder and lightning. We read in Exodus chapter 19 that God told Moses to warn the people 'so that they do not break through to the LORD to stare, and many of them perish.'

The people would worship when the cloud descended, but they were careful not to get to close to the action.

The Lord guided the Israelites through the desert after delivering them from the bondage of Egypt. He would be in a cloud as a visible guide for the Israelites during the day, while the pillar of fire lit up their way by night. Whenever the cloud or fire stopped, that's where Israel would camp. Exodus 40:36-38 says:

'Throughout their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; 37 but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. 38 For throughout their journeys, the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.'

I used to wonder why none of this ever worried Moses. He used to enter the tent, and the pillar of cloud would descend. The cloud would be at the entrance of the tent and Moses would speak to the LORD. (Exodus 33:9).

We know that Moses was truly with the Lord because on one occasion, his face became radiant after leaving the Lord's presence. So much so, that Aaron and all of Israel were afraid to approach him! (Exodus 34:29-30)

I began by imagining the Lord interacting with us as a church in the same way. Descending on us physically with clouds by day and fire by night. It would be scary, but not because of God - it would be scary because of our sinfulness and inadequacy.

In our flesh, we are unable to be in the physical presence of God because of His unimaginable holiness. This never bothered Moses because God protected him from being consumed, and set him apart as the mediator between Himself and the people of Israel. God was careful not to consume Moses. For us now, it's much different and much better! And we don't have to worry about being consumed by God in a bad way. God desires for us to be consumed with Him in a good way - by His Spirit through our Mediator, Jesus Christ.

In case I have to remind you, Jesus in the New Testament and God in the Old Testament are the same Person. God came in the likeness of sinful flesh so He could provide a way for His cloud and fire to descend not just on each of us, but also in each of us.

The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, was given to us by God to fully give us His fiery presence forever. John the Baptist spoke of this when he said that Jesus would baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (Matthew 3:11)

In this sermon we begin to discuss Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples after He physically leaves them and ascends to the Father. We look at how the Holy Spirit not only seals and guides us, but also how His indwelling power enables us to victoriously serve in His kingdom and live the Christian life with joy regardless of our circumstances. Our text is John 14:15-31. Listen below.