Christine Caine | Are You Settling for Connection?

Main message: God’s presence is the highest priority — more valuable than promises, provision, or performance — and through Jesus and the Spirit we now have direct, intimate access to Him that should shape how we live and lead. The sermon uses Exodus 33 (and Moses’ story) to urge believers to pursue deep, daily intimacy with God rather than shallow, performative or online “connection.”

Key points:

• Review of Moses’ journey (burning bush, Red Sea, Ten Commandments) and the fall into idolatry (golden calf), which sets the context for Exodus 33.
• In Exodus 33 God says He won’t go with Israel because of their sin; Moses insists, “If your presence does not go with us, don’t send us,” showing the primacy of God’s presence.
• Today, because of Christ and the Spirit we have greater, unfettered access to God (face-to-face friendship, bold access to the throne) and believers are temples of the Spirit.
• A warning about modern, superficial “connection” (social media, chatbots) that can mimic relationship but lacks true intimacy with God; intimacy produces authentic fruit and is the source of genuine exploits.
• Practical call: cultivate daily intimacy with God, model it for the next generation, prefer God’s presence over success or possessions; invitation given for people to repent and commit to Jesus.

Scriptures mentioned: Exodus 14, Exodus 32, Exodus 33, Exodus 20 (Ten Commandments), Hebrews, 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Corinthians 3, Ephesians 5, Acts 2, Psalm 119:68