Centering Our Lives Around God's Presence

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of centering our lives around the presence of God. We began by celebrating the vibrant worship that mirrors the heavenly worship, emphasizing that worship is not just a ritual but a powerful expression of our love and reverence for God. This worship is a reflection of the heavenly realm where praise is continuous and exuberant. We are reminded that our journey as a church is to thrive, come alive, and revive, especially as we approach 2025. This year is marked as a year of activation, where we are called to move beyond being spectators to active participants in God's kingdom.

We delved into the biblical narrative of ancient Israel, who camped around the presence of God, symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant. This imagery serves as a powerful reminder that our lives should be oriented around God's presence. Just as the Israelites were guided by the cloud and fire, we too are called to be led by the Holy Spirit. This posture of facing God is essential as we prepare to enter our own "Promised Land," whether it be in our personal lives, families, or communities.

The early church provides a model for us, as they devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This devotion resulted in miracles, generosity, joy, and growth. We are encouraged to adopt this lifestyle, ensuring that our lives are centered on Jesus. By doing so, we invite His provision, protection, and power into our lives.

The message also highlighted the importance of intimacy with God. Intimacy is the master key that unlocks the glory of God and leads us into our destiny. As we abide in His presence, we will naturally bear fruit. This abiding is not a passive waiting but an active entwining of our lives with Christ, much like ivy around a tree.

Finally, we are reminded that our identity as a family of God is foundational. As we move into a season of activation and mobilization, we must guard against losing our intimacy with God. Our actions should flow from our identity as sons and daughters of God, ensuring that we remain camped around the cross, looking to Jesus as our source and strength.

Key Takeaways:

- Worship is a reflection of heaven's continuous praise, and it is through worship that we align ourselves with God's presence, preparing us for the journey ahead. Worship is not just a ritual but a powerful expression of our love and reverence for God. [57:36]

- The imagery of Israel camping around the Ark of the Covenant serves as a reminder that our lives should be oriented around God's presence. This posture is essential as we prepare to enter our own "Promised Land." [01:05:06]

- The early church's devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer resulted in miracles, generosity, joy, and growth. By adopting this lifestyle, we invite God's provision, protection, and power into our lives. [01:16:46]

- Intimacy with God is the master key that unlocks His glory and leads us into our destiny. Abiding in His presence is not passive waiting but an active entwining of our lives with Christ. [01:22:01]

- Our identity as a family of God is foundational. As we move into a season of activation, we must guard against losing our intimacy with God, ensuring that our actions flow from our identity as sons and daughters of God. [01:24:06]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [57:36] - Celebrating Worship
- [59:20] - Valentine's Day Humor
- [01:05:06] - Israel's Camp and the Presence of God
- [01:16:46] - Early Church Devotion
- [01:19:39] - Abiding in Christ
- [01:22:01] - Intimacy and Destiny
- [01:23:31] - Guarding Intimacy in Activation
- [01:24:06] - Identity as God's Family
- [01:25:30] - Depth Determines Height
- [01:27:49] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
- [01:29:28] - Waiting on the Lord
- [01:32:29] - Invitation to Salvation
- [01:33:06] - Prayer for Salvation
- [01:35:43] - Communion and Closing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Numbers 2:1-2 - "The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 'The Israelites are to camp around the tent of meeting some distance from it, each of them under their standard and holding the banners of their family.'"
2. Acts 2:42-47 - "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
3. John 15:4-5 - "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of the Israelites camping around the tent of meeting, and how does this relate to the concept of centering our lives around God's presence? [01:05:06]
2. How did the early church's devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer result in miracles and growth? [01:16:46]
3. What does the imagery of abiding in Christ, as described in John 15, suggest about the nature of our relationship with Jesus? [01:19:39]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of worship in aligning ourselves with God's presence? [57:36]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our lives should be oriented around God's presence, similar to the Israelites' camp around the Ark of the Covenant? [01:05:06]
2. How does the early church's lifestyle, as described in Acts 2, serve as a model for inviting God's provision and power into our lives today? [01:16:46]
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between intimacy with God and unlocking His glory and destiny in our lives? [01:22:01]
4. How does the concept of abiding in Christ challenge the common tendency to focus on doing rather than being in a relationship with God? [01:19:39]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current worship practices. How can you make worship a more vibrant and powerful expression of your love and reverence for God? [57:36]
2. Consider the areas of your life that may not be fully oriented around God's presence. What steps can you take to re-center your life around Him, similar to the Israelites' camp? [01:05:06]
3. How can you incorporate the early church's devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer into your daily routine to invite God's provision and power? [01:16:46]
4. Identify one specific way you can deepen your intimacy with God this week. How might this intimacy unlock new aspects of your destiny? [01:22:01]
5. What distractions or priorities might be preventing you from fully abiding in Christ? How can you address these to cultivate a more fruitful relationship with Him? [01:19:39]
6. As we move into a season of activation, how can you ensure that your actions flow from your identity as a son or daughter of God, rather than from a place of performance? [01:24:06]
7. Think of a specific area in your life where you need to fix your eyes on Jesus. What practical steps can you take to maintain this focus amidst daily challenges? [01:27:49]

Devotional

Day 1: Worship as a Reflection of Heaven
Worship is more than a ritual; it is a profound expression of love and reverence for God, aligning us with the continuous praise of heaven. In worship, we mirror the vibrant and exuberant adoration found in the heavenly realm. This alignment prepares us for the journey ahead, as we are called to thrive and come alive in our faith. Worship is a powerful tool that draws us closer to God's presence, enabling us to become active participants in His kingdom rather than mere spectators. As we approach a year of activation, let us embrace worship as a means to center our lives around God and His purposes. [57:36]

Psalm 95:1-3 (ESV): "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods."

Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine to align your heart with God's presence and prepare for the journey He has for you?


Day 2: Orienting Life Around God's Presence
The imagery of ancient Israel camping around the Ark of the Covenant serves as a powerful reminder that our lives should be oriented around God's presence. Just as the Israelites were guided by the cloud and fire, we too are called to be led by the Holy Spirit. This posture of facing God is essential as we prepare to enter our own "Promised Land," whether it be in our personal lives, families, or communities. By centering our lives around God's presence, we invite His guidance and direction, ensuring that we are aligned with His will and purposes. [01:05:06]

Numbers 9:17-18 (ESV): "And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped. At the command of the Lord the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the Lord they camped."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure that your life is oriented around God's presence, allowing Him to guide you into your "Promised Land"?


Day 3: Devotion to Community and Growth
The early church provides a model for us, as they devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This devotion resulted in miracles, generosity, joy, and growth. By adopting this lifestyle, we invite God's provision, protection, and power into our lives. As we commit to these practices, we create a community that reflects the love and grace of Jesus, fostering an environment where spiritual growth and transformation can occur. Let us strive to be a church that is devoted to these foundational practices, allowing God to work in and through us. [01:16:46]

Acts 2:42-43 (ESV): "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church community to foster growth and invite God's provision and power into your life?


Day 4: Intimacy with God as the Key to Destiny
Intimacy with God is the master key that unlocks His glory and leads us into our destiny. Abiding in His presence is not passive waiting but an active entwining of our lives with Christ, much like ivy around a tree. As we abide in Him, we will naturally bear fruit, fulfilling the purposes He has for us. This intimacy is essential as we move into a season of activation and mobilization, ensuring that our actions flow from our identity as sons and daughters of God. Let us prioritize intimacy with God, allowing it to shape our lives and lead us into our destiny. [01:22:01]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take to deepen your intimacy with God, allowing it to guide you into the destiny He has for you?


Day 5: Identity as God's Family
Our identity as a family of God is foundational. As we move into a season of activation, we must guard against losing our intimacy with God, ensuring that our actions flow from our identity as sons and daughters of God. By remaining camped around the cross and looking to Jesus as our source and strength, we can navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Let us embrace our identity as God's family, allowing it to shape our actions and interactions with others, reflecting His love and grace to the world. [01:24:06]

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

Reflection: How can you live out your identity as a member of God's family today, ensuring that your actions reflect His love and grace to those around you?

Quotes



The whole secret place and spending time with the lord personally but also as a church like that it's just one of the great guys and some of you guys have missed it but hey guys next time actually we're doing this every of two months or so we're doing on Friday night. [01:13:19] (14 seconds)


We are a people of the presence right we are people of the presence of God we are the family of God sons and daughters of God everything comes out of presence the bible says not by might by power by our stuff but by my spirit as the lord. [01:13:19] (19 seconds)


They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching to the fellowship to the breaking of bread and to prayer those four things the teaching of god so the word of god celebrating god together celebrating fellowship together communion together and for prayer and worship and all the believers were together had everything in common. [01:13:19] (18 seconds)


If you abide in me, you will be fruitful. You will abide. Beautiful word. Like spend time with me. Being in my presence. Then you will do. See, we go for the Martha thing. I call it the Martha syndrome. We go for the Martha thing and we start doing stuff. [01:19:13] (16 seconds)


It's by living in the presence of God that we will start to see fruit and growth. And the environment is family. We are one of the values. We are a covenant family, covenanted before God and covenanted towards each other. The greatest revelation in the Bible that Jesus said about God was heavenly father. [01:22:10] (26 seconds)


The higher we want to go, the deeper we need to go. I'll say it again. The higher you want to go in your business, in your ministry, in relationship, whatever you want to do, the higher we go, the more effective you're going to be, the deeper you will have to go because your depth will determine your height. [01:25:30] (23 seconds)


The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired and weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. [01:28:27] (20 seconds)


Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Who will not faint? Who will walk? Who can fly? Those who wait on the Lord. [01:28:27] (19 seconds)


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Transcript
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