Deepening Our Hunger for God's Presence
Summary
In my sermon, I emphasized the importance of seeking more from God and the power of His presence. I encouraged listeners to go on a spiritual journey with me, to increase their hunger for God to the point of surrender. I acknowledged that some may find my message controversial or offensive, but I stressed that it is intended for those who are hungering and thirsting for more from God. I also addressed the misconceptions that have been spread about Christianity, such as the belief that Christians can't struggle or that miracles aren't for today. I asserted that Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection created a way for us to be whole and free, and to have an intimate relationship with God.
Key Takeaways:
- We should seek more from God and allow His presence and power to overwhelm us to the point of surrender. [ [43:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y29R5VUwPcQ&t=2637.0s])
- Misconceptions about Christianity, such as the belief that Christians can't struggle or that miracles aren't for today, are false. [ [35:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y29R5VUwPcQ&t=2110.02s])
- Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection created a way for us to be whole and free, and to have an intimate relationship with God. [ [35:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y29R5VUwPcQ&t=2149.079s])
- The church should not just be about evangelism, but also about discipleship. [ [38:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y29R5VUwPcQ&t=2315.22s])
- There is more to Christianity than just church attendance. There is a deep desire for intimacy with God. [ [30:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y29R5VUwPcQ&t=1843.32s])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Book of Acts #!!30:06!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What are the key events and teachings in the Book of Acts that relate to the concept of "more of God"?
2. How does the Book of Acts depict the role of the church and its leaders in the spiritual growth of believers?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Book of Acts define the "more of God"?
2. What does the Book of Acts suggest about the role of the church and its leaders in helping believers experience the "more of God"?
Application Questions:
1. How can you seek the "more of God" in your personal spiritual journey, as suggested in the Book of Acts?
2. What steps can you take to help others in your community experience the "more of God"?
3. How can you contribute to creating a church environment that encourages spiritual growth and the pursuit of the "more of God"?
4. Can you identify any barriers in your life or your community that might be preventing you or others from experiencing the "more of God"? How can you address these barriers?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Intimacy with Jesus
The transformative power of a deep, personal relationship with Jesus is evident in the lives of those who truly seek Him. This intimacy is not confined to church services or public gatherings, but is most profound in the quiet, personal moments of prayer and reflection. It is in these moments that we truly encounter the divine and experience the transformative power of His love ([32:03]).
Bible Passage: Song of Solomon 2:3 - "As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste."
Reflection: Reflect on your personal relationship with Jesus. How can you deepen this intimacy in your daily life?
Day 2: The Danger of Religious Bondage
Religion, when misused, can become a form of bondage, trapping individuals in a cycle of guilt, shame, and fear. True freedom is found not in religious rituals or dogmas, but in a personal relationship with Jesus, who offers hope, love, and liberation ([33:54]).
Bible Passage: Galatians 5:1 - "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: Are there aspects of your religious practice that feel more like bondage than freedom? How can you find liberation in Jesus?
Day 3: The Call to Spiritual Hunger
God calls us to a deep spiritual hunger, a longing for more of Him. This hunger is not satisfied by religious rituals or intellectual knowledge, but by a personal encounter with the divine. It is this hunger that drives us to seek God in all aspects of our lives ([43:57]).
Bible Passage: Psalm 42:1-2 - "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper spiritual hunger in your life? What steps can you take to seek God more earnestly?
Day 4: The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
The struggle with sin, fear, and despair is not merely psychological, but spiritual. These struggles are often the result of demonic influences that seek to separate us from God's love. However, through Jesus, we have the power to overcome these spiritual battles and find true freedom ([41:14]).
Bible Passage: Ephesians 6:12 - "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Reflection: Reflect on the spiritual battles you are facing. How can you rely on Jesus to overcome these struggles?
Day 5: The Promise of Deliverance
Jesus offers deliverance from all forms of bondage, whether it be sin, fear, or despair. His sacrifice on the cross has paid the price for our freedom, and through Him, we can experience true liberation. This deliverance is not a one-time event, but a continual process of surrendering to Jesus and allowing Him to transform our lives ([42:38]).
Bible Passage: Psalm 34:17-18 - "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: Reflect on areas in your life where you need Jesus' deliverance. How can you surrender these areas to Him?
Quotes
1. "The Jesus death burial and Resurrection created a way for you to be whole every way shape and form you were meant to be whole you are meant to be free you are meant to be intimate with the father." - 35:10
2. "I'm here to convince you to compel you to look in scriptures a different way to allow the author of the book to be invited into your quiet time and allow him the opportunity to teach you." - 36:24
3. "Jesus Paid the price for you to be free so do not let any religious person tell you if you're a Believer or not that you can't be afflicted by spirit." - 41:56
4. "I pray that your presence your power would overwhelm them to the point of surrender." - 43:57
5. "I pray that they would see that there's more to you that there's more to this thing called following Jesus." - 06:03
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