Messages

Text: Zechariah 4:1-14

We started speaking about making Christ feel at home in our hearts last week. And we did talked about this in the perspective of prayer. Today, we are moving forward to see the topic in the lens of power. Paul prays for the power of the Spirit (3:16b-17a), “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” He is not talking about a dramatic, one-time experience, but rather an ongoing experience of God’s power to change our hearts, as we walk in the Spirit every day, that results in Christ’s taking up residence in us in a deeper, more conscious way than we experienced at conversion. The question is why? Let’s see it in three quick answers:

A. We need the power of the Spirit because we all face problems that are beyond our power to resolve. Jesus plainly stated (John 15:5), “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” We are totally dependent on Him, although we often forget this, as seen by our prayerlessness. Zechariah 4:6 reminds us, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord.” It is good to ponder the question, “If God withdrew His Spirit from me, how long would it take me to miss Him?”

B. We need the power of the Spirit because we never outgrow our need for His strength. No one is born into God’s family as a mature adult, or even as a teenager. We all start out as babes. As you know, babies are totally dependent on their parents for everything.SHOW LESS

Text: Ephesians 3:1-21

We are continuing to speak in regard to the theme for the year, which is dwelling in God’s presence. Today, we want to examine some of the good things about dwelling in His presence.

A. It is a priority for us to function. Jesus was rounding up with his disciples and spent a lot of time having heartfelt conversation with them. In John 15:4-6, he specifically highlighted the importance of staying close to him and in him. He earlier stated that he also have to stay with the father to do what he is doing John 5:19. Consider other scriptures about staying in His presence Jer. 10:23 “I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.” Philippians 2:13 for it is “God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” We need God’s presence for joy (Ps. 16:11).

B. His presence is for those who found favor in his sight and he knows by name. Jesus said in John 14:23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” The promise of God’s presence is for those who love and obey Jesus. He knows them by name. Just as God is omnipresent, so He is omniscient: He knows everything and everyone. But Moses reminds God that He has said (Exod. 33:12), “I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.

An awareness of God’s presence will keep you from sin. How can you sin if you are aware that God is present with you? You don’t want to lose the experience of His presence (Ps. 51:11). Our Lord has promised (Matt. 28:20).

Text: Matt. 17:1-13

We did discuss the dangers of the presence of God last week, but today we are moving to the next teachings today. Let us consider the privilege we enjoy in His presence. Let us consider two very distinct privileges we enjoy in His presence. Some people in life just wants the good things in life and not necessarily God. If they are happy, they do not think they needed God.

A. The privilege of God’s presence is that we might have fellowship with the invisible God. The people of Israel were promised enough things of life, but without God’s presence Exodus 33:3. But the people knew the benefit of the presence of God and they requested for it and mourned for their sins. In vs 15-17, Moses interceded for the people and they asked for the way of God. The way of God is how he deals with his own. (Exod. 33:20) showed the Moses had face to face talk with God, but that is not a literal interpretation. This is intimacy. There are three ways to this which are:

1. First, there are different levels of intimacy with God. Moses knew God in a way that even Aaron and their sister, Miriam, did not (Num. 12:1-8). Paul had the unique experience of being caught up to the third heaven where he heard things that he was not permitted to speak (2 Cor. 12:4). Peter, John and James also experienced a new thing they must not say in our text.

2. Second, those who seek the Lord must go through the Mediator. Paul says (Eph. 2:18), “for through Him we both [Jews and Gentiles] have our access in one Spirit to the Father.” Hebrews 13:13 exhorts, “So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.”

3. Third, it’s helpful to have a specific place and time where you meet with God. If you can, have a designated spot where you can get alone with God to fellowship with Him through His Word and prayer. His ways so that you may know Him (Exod. 33:13; Ps. 25:4). God’s ways are how He deals with people, and His ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:8). The sacrifice of Isaac was typology of Jesus (Gen. 22:1-14). Joseph had to experience life in the dungeon despite been faithful to Potiphar’s wife but for a bigger purpose (Ps. 105:16-19; Gen. 50:20). You must understand His ways. So, make sure to obey Psalm 105:4.

B. The privilege of God’s presence is so that we might be distinct from all other people. As God’s people, we are to be in the world, but not of the world (John 17:15-16). God’s ultimate objective is the New Jerusalem, where (Rev. 21:3), “The tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.” God’s presence would distinguish Israel from all the other people who were on the face of the earth (v. 16). Paul asks (1 Cor. 3:16), unbelievers must see God in our midst (1 Cor. 14:25); Then he commands (2 Cor. 6:17), “Therefore, ‘Come out from their midst and be separate,’ says the Lord.” Paul concludes (2 Cor. 7:1), “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”