We live in a culture that longs for identity, freedom, belonging, purpose, intimacy, and community—but often wants them without the commitments that make them possible. Exodus 24 shows us that God's chosen way of relating to his people is covenant: a binding relationship that leads not merely to rescue, but to communion with him. This sermon explores the purpose of covenant, the necessity of covenant blood, and the hope held out to all who trust in Christ. The blood of bulls and goats could only point forward to what Jesus would accomplish through his own blood: full pardon, true access to God, and the promise that one day we will behold him face to face.

The Ten Commandments are difficult, but not burdensome. The exclusive worship of God — in the way that he wants us to worship — is actually burden-lifting and full of rest. As we dive into the first four commandments in this sermon, we’ll find that the fourth (rest) is not possible without the first.