Deepening Our Connection with God Through Personal Revelation
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound connection between offerings and the presence of God, as seen throughout biblical history—from the tabernacle of Moses to the temple of Solomon, and ultimately, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. This connection underscores the importance of completing the work God has set before us, trusting in His provision even when challenges arise. We reflected on Psalm 63, where David, a man after God's own heart, exemplifies a deep personal relationship with God. David's declaration, "O God, you are my God," highlights the necessity of having a personal revelation of God, rather than relying on the experiences or revelations of others.
David's life teaches us the importance of encouraging ourselves in the Lord, especially during times of distress, as he did at Ziglag. This personal relationship with God is foundational for going deeper in our spiritual journey. Prioritizing God, as David did, means seeking Him early and putting Him first in all things. This involves settling our soul—our mind, emotions, and will—so that we can truly connect with God. Our soul often distracts us with worldly concerns, but we must discipline it to focus on God.
Furthermore, we discussed the importance of fasting as a means to prioritize God and align our will with His. Fasting is not about following a specific method but about seeking God's guidance on how to fast. It's a personal journey that requires us to submit our will and desires to God. In doing so, we learn to possess our soul, as Jesus instructed, by not allowing our emotions, mind, or will to dominate our spiritual pursuit.
Finally, we examined the conditions of the soul, particularly the empty soul, which seeks fulfillment in worldly things rather than in God. Like the woman at the well in John 4, many try to fill the void in their soul with relationships or material possessions. True fulfillment comes from a deep, personal relationship with God, where our spirit, soul, and body are aligned in worship and devotion.
Key Takeaways:
- The presence of God is intimately connected to offerings and completing the work He has given us. Trusting in God's provision, even in challenging times, is crucial for experiencing His presence. [01:11]
- A personal revelation of God is essential for a deeper spiritual journey. Like David, we must declare, "O God, you are my God," and encourage ourselves in the Lord during difficult times. [02:33]
- Prioritizing God involves seeking Him early and putting Him first. This requires settling our soul—our mind, emotions, and will—to focus on God and not be distracted by worldly concerns. [05:20]
- Fasting is a personal journey that helps us align our will with God's. It's not about following a specific method but about seeking God's guidance and submitting our desires to Him. [08:02]
- The empty soul seeks fulfillment in worldly things, but true fulfillment comes from a deep, personal relationship with God. We must align our spirit, soul, and body in worship and devotion. [10:53]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:11] - The Connection Between Offerings and God's Presence
[02:33] - David's Personal Revelation of God
[03:58] - Encouraging Yourself in the Lord
[05:20] - Prioritizing God in Our Lives
[06:40] - The Importance of Settling Your Soul
[08:02] - Fasting as a Personal Journey
[09:29] - Possessing Your Soul
[10:53] - The Empty Soul and True Fulfillment
[12:00] - Aligning Spirit, Soul, and Body in Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 63:1-8
2. 1 Samuel 30:1-6
3. John 4:7-26
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Observation Questions:
1. In Psalm 63, how does David express his personal relationship with God? What specific phrases indicate his deep longing for God? [02:33]
2. According to the sermon, what role do offerings play in experiencing the presence of God, as seen in the tabernacle of Moses, the temple of Solomon, and the sacrifice of Jesus? [01:11]
3. What actions did David take to encourage himself in the Lord during the distressing situation at Ziglag? How does this reflect his personal revelation of God? [03:58]
4. How does the sermon describe the condition of an "empty soul," and what biblical example is used to illustrate this concept? [10:53]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to have a personal revelation of God, as David did, and why is it essential for a deeper spiritual journey? How does this differ from relying on others' experiences? [02:33]
2. How can the practice of fasting help believers align their will with God's, and why is it important to seek God's guidance on how to fast? [08:02]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that settling our soul is crucial for prioritizing God in our lives? How can distractions from our mind, emotions, and will hinder our spiritual pursuit? [06:40]
4. How does the story of the woman at the well in John 4 illustrate the concept of seeking fulfillment in worldly things versus finding true fulfillment in a relationship with God? [10:53]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal relationship with God. How can you, like David, declare, "O God, you are my God," and what steps can you take to deepen this relationship? [02:33]
2. Consider the role of offerings in your spiritual life. How can you ensure that your offerings, whether time, resources, or talents, are connected to experiencing God's presence? [01:11]
3. Think about a time when you faced distress or challenges. How did you encourage yourself in the Lord, and what can you learn from David's example at Ziglag to apply in future situations? [03:58]
4. Identify one area in your life where your soul is unsettled. What practical steps can you take to discipline your mind, emotions, and will to focus more on God? [06:40]
5. If you have never fasted before, consider how you might incorporate fasting into your spiritual practice. What specific guidance will you seek from God regarding how to fast? [08:02]
6. Reflect on any areas where you might be seeking fulfillment in worldly things. How can you redirect your focus to find true fulfillment in your relationship with God? [10:53]
7. How can you align your spirit, soul, and body in worship and devotion to God? What changes might you need to make in your daily routine to prioritize this alignment? [12:00]
Devotional
Day 1: The Divine Connection Between Offerings and God's Presence
The presence of God is intricately linked to offerings and the completion of the work He has set before us. Throughout biblical history, from the tabernacle of Moses to the temple of Solomon, offerings have been a means of inviting God's presence. This connection is ultimately fulfilled in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, which opened the way for us to experience God's presence fully. Trusting in God's provision, even in challenging times, is crucial for experiencing His presence. When we offer our time, resources, and talents to God, we acknowledge His sovereignty and invite His presence into our lives. [01:11]
"And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst." (Exodus 25:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can offer more to God, trusting in His provision and inviting His presence?
Day 2: Personal Revelation as the Foundation of Spiritual Growth
A personal revelation of God is essential for a deeper spiritual journey. Like David, who declared, "O God, you are my God," we must seek a personal understanding of God rather than relying on the experiences or revelations of others. David's life teaches us the importance of encouraging ourselves in the Lord, especially during times of distress. This personal relationship with God is foundational for going deeper in our spiritual journey. It requires us to prioritize God, seek Him early, and put Him first in all things. [02:33]
"But the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action." (Daniel 11:32b, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a personal revelation of God in your life today, and what steps can you take to encourage yourself in the Lord during difficult times?
Day 3: Settling the Soul to Prioritize God
Prioritizing God involves seeking Him early and putting Him first. This requires settling our soul—our mind, emotions, and will—to focus on God and not be distracted by worldly concerns. Our soul often distracts us with worries and desires, but we must discipline it to focus on God. By settling our soul, we create space for God to work in our lives and guide us on our spiritual journey. This discipline allows us to experience God's peace and presence more fully. [05:20]
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to settle your soul and prioritize God in your daily life?
Day 4: Fasting as a Personal Journey of Alignment
Fasting is a personal journey that helps us align our will with God's. It's not about following a specific method but about seeking God's guidance and submitting our desires to Him. Fasting allows us to possess our soul by not allowing our emotions, mind, or will to dominate our spiritual pursuit. Through fasting, we learn to submit our will to God and align our desires with His. This spiritual discipline helps us grow closer to God and understand His will for our lives. [08:02]
"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" (Isaiah 58:6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate fasting into your spiritual journey, and what specific guidance are you seeking from God through this practice?
Day 5: True Fulfillment Through a Deep Relationship with God
The empty soul seeks fulfillment in worldly things, but true fulfillment comes from a deep, personal relationship with God. Like the woman at the well in John 4, many try to fill the void in their soul with relationships or material possessions. However, true fulfillment is found when our spirit, soul, and body are aligned in worship and devotion to God. This alignment allows us to experience the fullness of God's presence and the peace that comes from knowing Him intimately. [10:53]
"For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." (Psalm 107:9, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways are you seeking fulfillment outside of God, and how can you realign your spirit, soul, and body to find true fulfillment in Him?
Quotes
1) "The presence of God. And I want you to think for a moment when you think about the presence of God. Because, you know, it's not some mystical thing. It's not some force, even though it comes with great power when God shows up. But God's presence is him. It's him showing up. Can you imagine? And I often think about this. You know, sometimes I get on the children of Israel. It's easy to read those stories. And we think, man, what a bunch of idiots. You know? Because the Bible says in Exodus 20, when God came down on the mountain, they ran from him. They literally ran." [01:11] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "You cannot pursue God based off of someone else's revelation. That's why Jesus said to all the disciples in Matthew 16, who do you say that I am? Or who, at first he said, who do men say? And they all came up with an answer. Oh, well, Jesus, some say you're Elijah. Some say you're John the Baptist. Some say you're this. And then Jesus said, all right, wait a minute. I want to prove something to you folks. Who do you say that I am? Come on. Who am I to you? Your revelation." [02:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "You got to establish who has God been in your life, not somebody else's life. Now, you can base that and use that to, to build your faith. But ultimately, if you want to go deeper with God, you've got to find out yourself. You've got to know him yourself. And so David is saying, he's saying, God, listen, you're my God. You're my God. You're not just Brenda's God. You're my God. And early, while I seek you now, that's the key, early. In other words, prioritize God." [05:20] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "My soul thirst. Why did he mention his soul? That is the key for going deeper with God, is you've got to settle your soul. You say, well, Pastor Hank, what is my soul? Your soul is your mind. You've got to settle it in your head, because when you determine that you want to seek God, your head will start, when you're seeking God, oh, did I take out the garbage? Oh, I need to call that person. That's why I sometimes leave your stupid phone outside of your prayer closet." [06:40] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "The deeper I go with God, the tighter the leash is, okay? The less you get by with. Okay. I just thought I'd tell you that. My soul thirst. In other words, you've got to settle it in your mind, because your mind will want to wander. Your mind will want to think about all the things that you've got to do for the day, for the week, right? And you've got to tell your mind, shut up. This is not about you. Mind your own business, right? Mind your own." [08:02] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "You know, like even fast, nobody likes to fast. Don't tell me you do, because you don't. I like breakfast. That's the only kind of fast I like. But, you know, think about it. You've got to submit your will. That's why the Bible says in Luke 21, 19, in your patience, possess your soul. You know when Jesus spoke then in Luke 21? He spoke it after he said, you're going to hear of wars and rumors of wars and great commotions. And then he said in Luke 21, don't be terrified." [09:29] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "You are a spirit. That's what Jesus said. The Father is a spirit, and those that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth. Your spirit is your real you. Your spirit is your most dominant part of your triune being of spirit, soul, and body. Don't let your body talk to you. Don't let your soul talk to you. Don't let your spirit talk to you. Don't let your soul out talk you. Come on, when you start feeling that symptom come on your body, you rebuke it with your spirit." [10:53] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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