Embracing God's Presence: A Call to Active Faith

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we celebrated the profound significance of the local church as a dwelling place for God's presence. We were honored to have Graham and Lucy Fawcett with us, whose decades of missionary work have inspired many. Their dedication to planting churches in challenging regions like Japan and Mozambique exemplifies the missional spirit we aspire to embrace. As we look forward to the future, we recognize the importance of passing the torch to the younger generation, ensuring that the mission continues to thrive.

Reflecting on personal experiences, I shared a recent health scare that served as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of prioritizing God's presence. Despite the challenges, I am grateful for the miraculous recovery and the opportunity to continue serving. This experience has reinforced the need to maintain a strong connection with God, especially in the secret place of prayer and worship.

Our church's vision is centered on making God's presence our priority. We are called to be a collective dwelling place for His glory, much like the temple in Solomon's time. This requires each of us to be living stones, shaped and refined to fit into the body of Christ. Our transformation is not just for personal growth but to benefit the entire community. As we come together, our collective worship and adoration create a powerful atmosphere where God's presence can dwell.

The call to action is clear: we must be active participants in the church, not mere spectators. Each of us has a unique role to play, and our contributions are vital to building a vibrant, Spirit-filled community. As we lean into the Holy Spirit, we ignite a fire that can spread beyond our walls, drawing others into the love and presence of God.

As we embark on this journey, let us commit to deepening our intimacy with God through prayer, worship, and community. By doing so, we will see His presence manifest in unprecedented ways, leading to transformation and revival.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Local Church as a Dwelling Place: The church is called to be a manifestation of God's presence, much like Solomon's Temple. Our collective worship creates an atmosphere where His glory can dwell, and each member plays a vital role in this divine habitation. [01:09:16]

2. Personal Transformation for Community Growth: Our spiritual growth is not just for personal benefit but to enhance the body of Christ. As living stones, we are shaped to fit into the church, and our transformation impacts others, fostering a stronger community. [01:16:45]

3. Active Participation in the Church: We are called to be active participants, not spectators. Each person's unique contribution is essential to building a vibrant, Spirit-filled community that can impact the world. [01:24:50]

4. Prioritizing God's Presence: God's presence should be our priority, both individually and collectively. Our worship and intimacy with Him determine the depth of His presence in our lives and community, leading to transformation and revival. [01:26:18]

5. The Power of Collective Worship: When we come together in worship, we create a powerful fire that can spread beyond our walls. This collective adoration draws others into God's love and presence, igniting revival and transformation. [01:23:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:02:04] - Honoring Missionary Heroes
- [01:03:29] - A Heartfelt Testimony
- [01:05:23] - Overcoming Health Challenges
- [01:06:58] - A Lighthearted Story
- [01:09:16] - God's Presence as Our Priority
- [01:12:25] - The Church as God's Dwelling Place
- [01:14:25] - The Vision of a Holy Temple
- [01:16:45] - Transformation for Community
- [01:18:28] - The Importance of the Secret Place
- [01:23:11] - The Power of Collective Worship
- [01:24:50] - Active Participation in the Church
- [01:26:18] - Prioritizing Worship and Presence
- [01:36:30] - Invitation to Salvation
- [01:39:37] - Communion and Dedication

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. Ephesians 2:19-22
2. 1 Peter 2:5
3. Revelation 21:1-3

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Ephesians 2:19-22 say about the role of believers in the church? How does this relate to the idea of the church as a dwelling place for God's presence? [01:12:25]

2. In 1 Peter 2:5, believers are described as "living stones." What does this metaphor suggest about the nature of the church and its members? [01:16:45]

3. How does the vision in Revelation 21:1-3 of God's dwelling place among His people connect with the sermon’s emphasis on the church being a manifestation of God's presence? [01:14:25]

4. What personal experience did the pastor share to illustrate the importance of prioritizing God's presence? [01:03:29]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of being "living stones" in 1 Peter 2:5 challenge the way individuals view their role in the church community? [01:16:45]

2. The sermon emphasized the importance of collective worship. How does this idea align with the biblical vision of the church as a dwelling place for God's presence? [01:23:11]

3. Reflecting on the pastor's health scare, what can be learned about the fragility of life and the importance of maintaining a strong connection with God? [01:03:29]

4. How does the sermon’s call to active participation in the church community reflect the teachings in Ephesians 2:19-22? [01:24:50]

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Application Questions:

1. In what ways can you contribute to making your local church a dwelling place for God's presence, similar to the vision of Solomon's Temple? [01:09:16]

2. How can you actively participate in your church community rather than being a spectator? What unique role do you feel called to play? [01:24:50]

3. Reflect on your personal spiritual growth. How can your transformation benefit the wider church community? [01:16:45]

4. The pastor shared a personal testimony about prioritizing God's presence. How can you prioritize God's presence in your daily life, especially in the secret place of prayer and worship? [01:18:28]

5. How can collective worship in your church ignite a fire that spreads beyond its walls? What steps can you take to foster this environment? [01:23:11]

6. Consider the importance of passing the torch to the younger generation. How can you mentor or support younger members in your church to ensure the mission continues to thrive? [01:02:04]

7. What specific actions can you take this week to deepen your intimacy with God through prayer, worship, and community involvement? [01:26:18]

Devotional

Day 1: The Church as a Living Temple
The local church is envisioned as a dwelling place for God's presence, akin to Solomon's Temple. This concept emphasizes the importance of collective worship, where each member contributes to creating an atmosphere where God's glory can reside. The church is not just a building but a community of believers who come together to manifest God's presence. Each person is a vital part of this divine habitation, and their unique gifts and roles help to build a vibrant, Spirit-filled community. As living stones, believers are shaped and refined to fit into the body of Christ, enhancing the church's ability to be a beacon of God's presence in the world. [01:09:16]

1 Peter 2:4-5 (ESV): "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your church community to help it become a more vibrant dwelling place for God's presence?


Day 2: Transformation for the Community
Personal spiritual growth is not solely for individual benefit but is intended to enhance the entire body of Christ. As believers undergo transformation, they are shaped to fit into the church, impacting others and fostering a stronger community. This process of being refined and molded is essential for the church to function as a unified body, where each member's growth contributes to the overall health and vitality of the community. The transformation of individuals leads to a collective strength that can impact the world, drawing others into the love and presence of God. [01:16:45]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: In what ways can your personal spiritual growth positively impact your church community this week?


Day 3: Active Participation in the Church
Believers are called to be active participants in the church, not mere spectators. Each person has a unique role to play, and their contributions are essential to building a vibrant, Spirit-filled community. This active involvement ignites a fire that can spread beyond the church walls, drawing others into the love and presence of God. By embracing their roles and gifts, believers can help create a dynamic and impactful church that serves as a beacon of hope and transformation in the world. [01:24:50]

Romans 12:4-6 (ESV): "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them."

Reflection: What specific role or gift can you offer to your church community to help it thrive and grow?


Day 4: Prioritizing God's Presence
God's presence should be the priority for both individuals and the church community. The depth of worship and intimacy with God determines the extent of His presence in our lives and community, leading to transformation and revival. By prioritizing God's presence, believers can experience His power and love in unprecedented ways, which can lead to personal and communal renewal. This focus on God's presence requires dedication to prayer, worship, and community, creating an environment where His glory can dwell and transform lives. [01:26:18]

Psalm 27:4 (ESV): "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."

Reflection: How can you prioritize God's presence in your daily life to experience deeper intimacy and transformation?


Day 5: The Power of Collective Worship
When believers come together in worship, they create a powerful atmosphere that can spread beyond the church walls. This collective adoration draws others into God's love and presence, igniting revival and transformation. The power of worship lies in its ability to unite believers in a common purpose, creating a sense of community and shared experience that can impact the world. By coming together in worship, believers can create a fire that spreads God's love and presence to those around them, leading to transformation and renewal. [01:23:11]

2 Chronicles 5:13-14 (ESV): "And it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, 'For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,' the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God."

Reflection: How can you contribute to creating a powerful atmosphere of worship in your church that draws others into God's presence?

Quotes

"God's desire is that he would dwell with his people. It has been said, he who dwells everywhere is looking for somewhere to dwell. He who dwells everywhere looks for somewhere to dwell. And God's dream has always been for the church to be the manifestation and the inhabitation of His glory, of His presence. In the same way that the glory filled the Solomon's Temple where it was dedicated. There was such a powerful glory that the ministers couldn't even stand and minister to the Lord because of the great power and glory." [01:09:16] (34 seconds)


"I'm waiting for a day like that. I know the glory is here, but I'm waiting for a day that we would again, Smith Wigglesworth had it. You go to his meetings, you couldn't even get close to him because of the power of the presence. Now, I believe God has used men and women in that way all over the world for many years. But I also believe that now is the time for the church, all the believers. It's the priesthood of all believers. And all of us have access to the glory of God." [01:10:47] (22 seconds)


"And so now the presence is available. The veil has been torn. And we can come freely into the presence of God. And we can be a presence church. Because it's available. He's here right now. It's because Jesus paid for it. That's why he made us holy and righteous once for all. It's absolutely beautiful, the whole story and the redemptive story in this way. The deepest desire of God has always been that he would dwell with his people. Because he who dwells everywhere wants to dwell somewhere." [01:11:49] (33 seconds)


"Because that's what most of the Bible talks about in the area of when they talk about the dwelling place. It's often and mostly a collective. It's mostly about the church which I will show you right now actually. Why don't you stand up together and read the scripture together. Loud voice. Here's Ephesians. The apostle Paul shares his vision for the church. Verse 19. Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners. But fellow citizens with the saints. And the members of God. Household of God." [01:12:52] (32 seconds)


"Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. In whom the whole building being fitted together grows into a holy temple and the Lord. In him you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the spirit. May the Lord bless us. Amen. You may be seated. We are being built together for a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. In this age before Jesus comes back. In this age he is chosen for the church. You are the church." [01:13:44] (35 seconds)


"But until that time, the church, you and I, we are the dwelling place of God in the earth, in the spirit. Now, Peter echoes this vision of Paul in 1 Peter 2 .5. He says, You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house or spiritual temple, different translations, to be a holy priesthood. And what does a priesthood do? A priesthood serves God. They minister to the Lord. It says here, We are being built into a spiritual house, a temple of God." [01:15:39] (46 seconds)


"And God, he chips off the rugged things in our lives, the edges. And he's shaping me. And he's shaping you, and forming you, and changing you, and developing you and me, refining me to be more and more like Jesus. But this is not just to better myself. It is for us to better fit into the body. Amen? Fit better into the body. So my transformation is not just for me. My transformation is for you. Your transformation is also for you." [01:16:45] (42 seconds)


"That you are protected by other people in this way. I believe there's an invitation this year for us to grow. Now, last year was 24 to grow and we grew a lot as a church, but also in ourselves, I think. But the thing is, though, there's another invitation. There's another invitation now to keep growing this year. To not only benefit my life, but to benefit the life. I really believe as we go into the five -fold teaching and the time on Vision Day, I believe there's going to be an activation." [01:24:10] (26 seconds)


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Transcript
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