Embracing a Personal Relationship with God
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound truth that God is not just a distant deity but a personal God who desires an intimate relationship with each of us. We began by reflecting on Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush, where God revealed Himself as "I AM," signifying His eternal and self-sufficient nature. This revelation continued throughout the Old Testament, where God revealed different aspects of His character through various names like Jehovah Jireh (Provider), Jehovah Shalom (Peace), and El Shaddai (All-Sufficient One).
The climax of God's revelation came in the New Testament with the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the express image of the Almighty God. Jesus is not a secondary deity but the fullness of God in bodily form. This revelation is crucial because it shows that God is not only transcendent but also immanent, deeply involved in our lives.
We also discussed the importance of making God personal. It's not enough to know Him as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; He must become our God. This personal relationship transforms our lives, providing us with peace, guidance, and strength. We shared testimonies of how God has worked miracles in our lives, from deliverance from addictions to miraculous healings, emphasizing that He is still active and powerful today.
In a world that often worships false idols like money, fame, and even sports, we are called to worship the one true God. When we make God our personal deity, we experience His love, guidance, and miraculous power in ways that are life-changing. The challenge today is to declare, "He is my God," and to live in the reality of that declaration, allowing Him to be the Lord of every area of our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Self-Revelation: God revealed Himself progressively throughout the Old Testament, culminating in the New Testament with Jesus Christ. This shows that God is both transcendent and immanent, deeply involved in our lives. Understanding these revelations helps us grasp the fullness of God's character and His desire for a personal relationship with us. [05:44]
2. Personal Relationship with God: It's not enough to know God as the deity of our ancestors; He must become our personal God. This relationship transforms our lives, providing peace, guidance, and strength. When we declare, "He is my God," we invite His active presence into every aspect of our lives. [08:50]
3. God's Miraculous Power: Testimonies of deliverance from addictions and miraculous healings remind us that God is still active and powerful today. These personal stories of God's intervention serve as a testament to His ongoing work in our lives, encouraging us to trust Him more deeply. [19:16]
4. Worship and Idolatry: In a world filled with false idols like money, fame, and sports, we are called to worship the one true God. What we love and worship reveals what we consider our god. True worship of God brings His presence and power into our lives, transforming us from the inside out. [17:00]
5. God's Unfailing Love: God's love is constant and unchanging, regardless of our circumstances. Whether we are in times of joy or trial, His love remains our anchor. This assurance allows us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that He is always with us. [40:45]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:46] - Moses and the Burning Bush
[02:03] - He is My God
[02:53] - Divine Shift in Message
[03:25] - Jehovah Jireh: God Our Provider
[04:12] - The Book of Genesis
[05:44] - God's Progressive Revelation
[06:56] - Jesus: The Fullness of God
[08:50] - Is He Your God?
[09:58] - Isaiah's Revelation of God
[10:54] - God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
[13:11] - Personal God
[17:00] - Worship and Idolatry
[19:16] - Testimony of Deliverance
[27:01] - Doubting Thomas
[40:45] - God's Unfailing Love
[42:02] - Responding to God's Call
[44:36] - Closing Worship and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 3:1-6 - Moses and the Burning Bush
2. Colossians 1:15-19 - The Supremacy of Christ
3. Isaiah 9:6 - The Prophecy of Jesus
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Moses' initial reaction when he saw the burning bush and heard God's voice? ([00:46])
2. How does Colossians 1:15 describe Jesus in relation to God? ([06:56])
3. What are the titles given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, and what do they signify about His character? ([09:58])
4. According to the sermon, what are some of the names God revealed Himself by in the Old Testament, and what do they mean? ([05:44])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that God revealed Himself to Moses as "I AM"? How does this name reflect God's nature? ([05:44])
2. How does understanding Jesus as the "express image of the Almighty God" impact our view of His role in our lives? ([06:56])
3. What does it mean for God to be both transcendent and immanent, and how does this duality affect our relationship with Him? ([05:44])
4. How do the testimonies of deliverance and miraculous healings shared in the sermon serve to strengthen our faith in God's ongoing power? ([19:16])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in a personal way. How did that experience change your relationship with Him? ([08:50])
2. In what areas of your life do you struggle to let God be the Lord? What steps can you take to surrender those areas to Him? ([42:02])
3. The sermon mentioned various false idols like money, fame, and sports. Are there any "idols" in your life that you need to address? How can you refocus your worship on God alone? ([17:00])
4. How can you make the declaration "He is my God" more evident in your daily actions and decisions? ([08:50])
5. Share a personal testimony of how God has worked a miracle in your life. How can sharing this story encourage others in their faith? ([19:16])
6. What practical steps can you take to deepen your personal relationship with God this week? Consider prayer, Bible study, or acts of service. ([42:02])
7. How can you remind yourself of God's unfailing love during times of trial and uncertainty? What specific scriptures or practices can help anchor you in His love? ([40:45])
Devotional
Day 1: God's Progressive Revelation
God has revealed Himself progressively throughout history, culminating in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, God revealed different aspects of His character through various names like Jehovah Jireh (Provider), Jehovah Shalom (Peace), and El Shaddai (All-Sufficient One). These revelations were significant as they helped people understand the multifaceted nature of God. The climax of this revelation came in the New Testament with the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the express image of the Almighty God. Jesus is not a secondary deity but the fullness of God in bodily form. This shows that God is both transcendent and immanent, deeply involved in our lives. Understanding these revelations helps us grasp the fullness of God's character and His desire for a personal relationship with us. [05:44]
Exodus 3:14 (ESV): "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And he said, 'Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.'"
Reflection: How does understanding the different names of God in the Old Testament deepen your relationship with Him today? Can you identify a name of God that resonates with your current life situation?
Day 2: Personal Relationship with God
It's not enough to know God as the deity of our ancestors; He must become our personal God. This personal relationship transforms our lives, providing peace, guidance, and strength. When we declare, "He is my God," we invite His active presence into every aspect of our lives. This relationship is not just about acknowledging God's existence but about experiencing His love, guidance, and power in our daily lives. It means allowing Him to be the Lord of every area of our lives, from our decisions to our relationships and even our struggles. [08:50]
Psalm 63:1 (ESV): "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your personal relationship with God? Is there a specific area of your life where you need to invite His presence more fully?
Day 3: God's Miraculous Power
Testimonies of deliverance from addictions and miraculous healings remind us that God is still active and powerful today. These personal stories of God's intervention serve as a testament to His ongoing work in our lives, encouraging us to trust Him more deeply. When we hear about or experience God's miraculous power, it strengthens our faith and reminds us that nothing is impossible for Him. These miracles are not just historical events but are happening today, showing that God is still in the business of transforming lives and situations. [19:16]
Mark 5:19 (ESV): "And he did not permit him but said to him, 'Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.'"
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you experienced or witnessed God's miraculous power? How did it impact your faith, and how can you share this testimony to encourage others?
Day 4: Worship and Idolatry
In a world filled with false idols like money, fame, and sports, we are called to worship the one true God. What we love and worship reveals what we consider our god. True worship of God brings His presence and power into our lives, transforming us from the inside out. When we prioritize God above all else, we align our lives with His will and experience His peace and guidance. This requires us to examine our hearts and identify any idols that may be taking God's place in our lives. [17:00]
1 John 5:21 (ESV): "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
Reflection: What are some modern-day idols that you might be tempted to prioritize over God? How can you actively choose to worship God above these idols in your daily life?
Day 5: God's Unfailing Love
God's love is constant and unchanging, regardless of our circumstances. Whether we are in times of joy or trial, His love remains our anchor. This assurance allows us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that He is always with us. God's unfailing love is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that we are never alone. It is this love that sustains us and gives us hope, even in the darkest times. [40:45]
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: How has God's unfailing love been evident in your life recently? In what ways can you remind yourself of His love during challenging times?
Quotes
1. "I began to feel that shift in my spirit. And so, it's no accident you're here, whoever you are. Point at your neighbor and say, it's no accident you're here. Because this message is for you. Tell them, say, this message is for you. Amen. Because God began to shift in my spirit and began to put this in me. And all I could get was that line from the... The song, He is my God." [02:53] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And we find first and foremost that God is a Creator. And then all through the Old Testament God spent His time all through the Old Testament revealing Himself little by little the Bible says. And He showed Himself in the book of Job as El Elyon. Which means the Most Highest. The Most High God. Amen. He showed Himself as Jehovah or Yahweh. Which means I am the one who is." [05:44] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "There is only one name. That reveals the totality. Of who God is. And that name is Jesus. For there is no other name under heaven. Given among men whereby we must be saved. Oh hallelujah. Now that was all in a nutshell. That was pretty quick. But the question here. Is not that there is a God. I know there's people that say there's not a God. But the Bible calls them a fool." [08:04] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "But the question is. Is He your God? That's the question. You see. I come to declare to you today. That He is my God. Amen. I love the book of Isaiah. Also. I love when Isaiah starts talking about God. Matter of fact. I got to say this. It's not in my notes. But it's good anyhow. You can go from chapter 40 of Isaiah. To chapter 44. And he makes statements like this. He said. I am God. And there is none beside me. No not one." [09:16] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I need somebody. In this room. To declare. That he. Is your God. I need somebody. In this room. That knows. So good. To us. For us. To not declare. That part. Amen. We live. In a world. We live. In a crazy. World. We live. In a world. That. That. You can't. Say. What you. Used. To say. You. Can't. Can't. Talk. About. Stuff. The way. You. Used. The Bible. Says. That. You. Know. Everybody. Is. Going." [14:26] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "When. We. Let. God. Be. God. In. Our. Lives. When. Let. Him. Be. Our. God. And. And. We're. Pushing. Out. The. World. And. We're. Pushing. Out. This. And. That. And. The. Other. Amen. You. Know. It. Really. Boggles. My. Mind. Now. I. Like. Football. But. Football. Is. Not. My. God. But. I. Was. Watching. A. Football. Game. Yesterday. Me. And. Blaine. Were. And. I. Watch. People. As. They. Would. Lift. Their. Hands. And. Worship. To. Their. Football. God." [16:43] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "I can be having the worst day. I can be having, I can be having a day where it doesn't seem like God's 10,000 miles from me. And all I got to do is start calling on that name. And all of a sudden, He shows up. Amen. I came to tell us today, let Him be your God. Let Him be your God. Just step out in faith and let Him... Be God in your life. Amen." [39:49] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "You see, I can tell you this. If you'll forget about everybody else in the room. And it's just you and God. Your life will never be the same after today. Because He is your God. Amen. So can we do this? Can we, in whatever way you want to. We're going to come up front here in a minute. But just right where you are. Can we begin to love on Him? Can you begin to respond to His word and tell Him, God, I want you to be my God. I need your love, Jesus." [42:02] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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