Drawing Near: Experiencing God's Presence Through Godliness

 

Summary

Experiencing God at a deeper, richer level is the ultimate motivation for pursuing godliness. Many people, including Christians, often perceive God as distant, existing somewhere out there, and maintain a legalistic relationship with Him. This limited experience of God can make Him seem far removed from our daily lives. However, the truth is that God is not far away; rather, it is we who are distant. By drawing closer to God through the pursuit of godliness, we open ourselves to experiencing His closeness, His work in our lives, answered prayers, guidance, and provision.

Proximity to God is key. As we intentionally seek to live godly lives, we invite God to draw near to us, and in doing so, we begin to see His hand in our lives more clearly. This closeness allows us to experience His governance and guidance, providing us with a sense of direction and purpose. It also opens the door to witnessing His provision and the answers to our prayers, reinforcing our faith and trust in Him.

The journey towards godliness is not about adhering to a set of rules or rituals but about cultivating a relationship with God that is intimate and personal. It is about moving beyond a superficial understanding of God to a profound experience of His presence and power in our lives. As we draw near to Him, we find that He is eager to draw near to us, transforming our lives in ways we could never have imagined.

Key Takeaways:

- Proximity to God Enhances Experience: The closer we are to God, the more we experience His presence and work in our lives. This proximity is achieved through the pursuit of godliness, which allows us to witness His guidance, provision, and answered prayers. [00:47]

- God is Not Distant: Often, we perceive God as distant, but in reality, it is we who are far away. By drawing near to God, we invite Him to draw near to us, transforming our relationship from a legalistic one to a deeply personal one. [01:02]

- Pursuing Godliness is Relational, Not Legalistic: The pursuit of godliness is not about following rules but about developing a closer relationship with God. This relationship allows us to experience His love and power in our lives more fully. [00:35]

- Experiencing God's Governance and Guidance: As we draw closer to God, we become more attuned to His governance and guidance, which provides us with direction and purpose in our lives. This experience reinforces our faith and trust in Him. [00:47]

- Transformation Through Closeness: The journey towards godliness transforms our lives by allowing us to experience God's presence and power in profound ways. This transformation is a testament to the closeness we cultivate with Him. [01:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:24] - Motivation for Godliness
- [00:35] - Perception of God's Distance
- [00:47] - Proximity and Experience
- [01:02] - Drawing Near to God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. James 4:8 - "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."
2. Psalm 145:18 - "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."

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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the ultimate motivation for pursuing godliness? [00:24]
2. How does the sermon describe the common perception of God's distance from us? [00:35]
3. What are some of the benefits mentioned in the sermon that come from being close to God? [00:47]

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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the idea of God being "not far away" challenge common perceptions of His presence in our lives? [01:02]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that pursuing godliness is more about relationship than rules? [00:35]
3. How might experiencing God's governance and guidance provide direction and purpose in one's life? [00:47]

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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Do you perceive Him as distant or close? What steps can you take to draw nearer to Him this week? [01:02]
2. Consider a time when you felt God's guidance in your life. How did that experience impact your faith and trust in Him? [00:47]
3. The sermon emphasizes moving beyond a legalistic relationship with God. What are some practical ways you can cultivate a more personal and intimate relationship with Him? [00:35]
4. Identify one area of your life where you feel distant from God. What specific actions can you take to invite His presence and guidance into that area? [00:47]
5. How can you incorporate the pursuit of godliness into your daily routine in a way that feels relational rather than ritualistic? [00:35]
6. Think of a recent prayer that was answered. How did that experience reinforce your faith, and how can you use it to encourage others in your small group? [00:47]
7. What is one specific way you can witness God's provision in your life this week, and how can you share that testimony with others? [00:47]

Devotional

Day 1: Proximity to God Deepens Our Experience
Drawing closer to God is essential for experiencing His presence and work in our lives. This proximity is not about physical distance but about the intentional pursuit of godliness, which opens our hearts to witness His guidance, provision, and answered prayers. When we actively seek to live godly lives, we invite God to draw near to us, allowing us to see His hand more clearly in our daily experiences. This closeness provides us with a sense of direction and purpose, reinforcing our faith and trust in Him. [00:47]

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to intentionally draw closer to God and invite His presence into your daily life?


Day 2: God is Closer Than We Perceive
Many people, including Christians, often perceive God as distant, existing somewhere out there. However, the truth is that God is not far away; rather, it is we who are distant. By drawing near to God, we invite Him to draw near to us, transforming our relationship from a legalistic one to a deeply personal one. This transformation allows us to experience His love and power in our lives more fully, moving beyond a superficial understanding of God to a profound experience of His presence. [01:02]

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." (Psalm 145:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you perceived God as distant in your life, and how can you begin to change that perception today?


Day 3: Godliness is About Relationship, Not Rules
The pursuit of godliness is not about adhering to a set of rules or rituals but about cultivating a relationship with God that is intimate and personal. This relationship allows us to experience His love and power in our lives more fully. As we draw near to Him, we find that He is eager to draw near to us, transforming our lives in ways we could never have imagined. This journey towards godliness is about moving beyond a superficial understanding of God to a profound experience of His presence and power. [00:35]

"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from following religious rules to developing a deeper relationship with God today?


Day 4: Experiencing God's Governance and Guidance
As we draw closer to God, we become more attuned to His governance and guidance, which provides us with direction and purpose in our lives. This experience reinforces our faith and trust in Him, allowing us to witness His provision and the answers to our prayers. By intentionally seeking to live godly lives, we open ourselves to experiencing His closeness and His work in our lives, transforming our relationship with Him from a legalistic one to a deeply personal one. [00:47]

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

Reflection: What area of your life do you need God's guidance in today, and how can you seek His direction through prayer and scripture?


Day 5: Transformation Through Closeness to God
The journey towards godliness transforms our lives by allowing us to experience God's presence and power in profound ways. This transformation is a testament to the closeness we cultivate with Him. As we draw near to God, we find that He is eager to draw near to us, transforming our lives in ways we could never have imagined. This closeness allows us to experience His governance and guidance, providing us with a sense of direction and purpose. [01:02]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: How has your relationship with God transformed your life so far, and what areas do you still desire transformation in?

Quotes

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Transcript
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