Messages

Text: 1 Samuel 17:1-20

The battle between David and Goliath was not won in the physical realm. When you understand the ways of the Lord, not just his Acts, your battles shall be fought by God (Psalm 103:7). Stop craving for the physical miracles, desire spiritual unseen demonstration of power (1 Corinthians 2:4; 4:20) through faith (Hebrews 11:1). Seen things are temporal (2 Corinthians 4:18). When your focus is on the creator and not creature, you can be sure of victory. Weapon of warfare are not carnal mighty through God (2 Corinthians 10:4); Your fight is never against that flesh, (Ephesians 6:10). This understanding is important and crucial for victory. David knew these before his battle – 1. He has a spiritual understanding of God and understands the meaning of words through discernment vs 8-10. 2. He picked the fight against God, not him as a person vs 45. God is not a physical fighter 3. He did not disclose his confidence or boasting unto man but before the symbol of authority vs 32-37. No loose talk before ordinary men. 4. David was equipped with testimony vs 35-37; Revelation 12:11 5. Close to his side, reachable distance, easy access was the stones vs 49; he also did not abandon his victory weapon vs 54. Do not make God a war consultant, make him your intimate friend. These things are crucial to wining spiritual battles.

Text: Exodus 33:1-17

This message is part of the series on Dwelling in His Presence. The Lord has established his desire to have fellowship with man from the onset. Mann lost the glorious opportunity through Adam and Eve and was sent away from the garden of Eden. God made a plan to reconcile man unto Himself. He chose Abraham as his own and raised a nation through him, which he called Israel. In Egypt, Israel saw the hand of God as he separated them away from all the plagues in Egypt. But the greatest thing he did is his presence in their life. Even through the wilderness, he showed up for them. But at a point he told Moses, he can’t be in the middle of the people, because of man’s sinful nature. The Tabernacle had to be erected outside of the camp. But Moses interceded for man, asking that the Lord will go on with the people. God later changed his plan that an angel will go on the journey and decided he will go with them in person. All through the book of Psalms, we find that the nearness of God was emphasized (Psalms 23:5-7; 27:4; 73:25-28; 139:1-24). But God isn’t seeking a lip service from man (Isaiah 29:13; 59:1). Sin is the separating factor. When he decided that he can’t go with Israel in the wilderness, it was because of sin. But Moses interceded using the nature of God: forgiving and merciful. The justifying nature of God and His truthfulness will not allow him to condone sin. Jesus came for that purpose to bridge the gap (Hebrews 4:16; 7:19,25; 10:1,19-22). The blood of the lamb settled the sinfulness of man and restored the fellowship with God. The Lord’s nearness is restored.

Text: Hebrews 1:1-14

We started our conversation about the topic Passion for His Presence last week and to the glory of God we are concluding today. The patriarchs of faith, Adam, Enoch, Abraham, Moses, David etc. all experienced the presence of God. God, even called them His friend. But as sweet as their experiences were, it was nothing to be compared with the disciples who were with Jesus in person. John summarized it all, saying they saw, looked and they handled the word of life, which is Jesus (1 John 1:1-3). What an experience! Jesus called them and turned their life around for good. Even their enemies acknowledged the good touch of Christ in their life (Acts 4:13). They had close intimacy with Jesus, the Son of God (John 15:14-15). They were busy with Christ, no time for busy body activities (Mark 6:30-34) and the psalmist said it is profitable (Psalm 92:13-15). They always receive the best of in depth teachings of the word of God from Jesus (Mark 4:34). These are some of the things you enjoy when you stay in His presence. Their relationship with Jesus was not long before he was taken away from them. Jesus then sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in man to reside permanently in man. Read John 16:5-20. The Holy Spirit inside you means the trinity reside in you. None of the previous generations enjoyed that type of fellowship. A glorious experience. The Spirit of God teaches, reminds, directs, consoles, comforts, etc. You will be perfectly fit for the master’s work. In all of these, the best is yet to come. When we will see our father in heaven. It shall be glorious. We will be there to never depart. Jesus told us he will be there with us (John 14:1-5). He will take us to be with him forever. No longer death, no pains, no pestilence. It is joy for evermore. Will you be there?

Text: Philippians 3:1-20

How much of the presence of God do you desire? How passionate are you about being in His presence? I believe that one of the primary marks of a disciple of Christ is a passion for the presence of God. God continues to teach man in different levels and forms through different generations that He desires to have fellowship with man. He had fellowship with Adam in the garden of Eden. Man lost the opportunity and was driven out. Enoch was recorded to have walked with God and God took him, away with him (Gen. 5:24). Abraham had a relationship with God to the point that God will inform him of things he is about to do (Gen 18:20-23). James said it was Abraham’s faith that was credited to him as righteousness, and then he was called God’s friend (James 2:14-26). Moses had a relationship with God, spending quality time with God and his face countenance changed. His face shined with the glory of God (Exodus 34:29-35). David was a man after God’s heart, Elijah did not know death, he was taken away by God. In the New Testament, the Disciples yielded the call of God through Jesus. The word of God says that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us (Mathew 1:20-23). John the baptist attested that the one who has been from the beginning is the same who has come to dwell with man (John 1:15-18). The writer of Hebrew affirmed the same (Hebrew 1:1-3). John later said that he has seen and handled that which pertains to life, Jesus the Son of God (1 John 1:1-3). Of all the glory that the patriarchs of the faith had in the old testament, nothing is close to that which the disciples experienced. Jesus is calling you as he called the disciples (Mark 3:13-15) and such life will experience a change (Acts 4:13). Fellowship with the Lord yields great benefits (Psalms 16:11; 91:1).