Embracing God's Presence: From Creation to Today
Summary
### Summary
Tonight, we explored the profound theme of God's presence, tracing its journey from the beginning of creation to our lives today. We began by inviting the Holy Spirit into our midst, acknowledging the privilege of gathering together to experience God's love and community. Using the analogy of Disneyland's forced perspective, we discussed how things can appear grander than they are, much like how God's presence, though often subtle, is immensely powerful and transformative.
Starting from Genesis, we saw how God's presence was initially hovering over the waters and later shared with humanity in the Garden of Eden. Despite the fall of Adam and Eve, God's desire to dwell among His people persisted, leading to the establishment of the tabernacle and later the temple in Jerusalem. These structures served as physical manifestations of God's presence, where people could meet with Him.
However, the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence came through Jesus Christ, who embodied God's presence on earth. Jesus' life and ministry demonstrated that God's presence was no longer confined to a physical temple but was accessible to all who believe. This was further confirmed at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the believers, making each of us a living temple of God's presence.
We are now tasked with both an inward and outward response to this incredible gift. Inwardly, we must nurture our relationship with God, taking full advantage of the access we have to His presence. Outwardly, we are called to be mini-temples, emitting God's light and love to the world around us. This dual responsibility challenges us to live lives that honor God and share His presence with others.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Presence from Creation to Today: From the beginning of time, God's presence has been a central theme, starting with His Spirit hovering over the waters in Genesis. This presence was shared with humanity in the Garden of Eden and later through the tabernacle and temple. Today, through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we have direct access to God's presence, making us living temples. [08:00]
2. The Role of Jesus as the Ultimate Temple: Jesus revolutionized the concept of God's presence by embodying it Himself. Unlike the physical temples, Jesus' life and ministry showed that God's presence is accessible everywhere. His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost confirmed that believers are now the vessels of God's presence. [20:49]
3. Inward Response to God's Presence: With God dwelling in us, we must celebrate and nurture this relationship. This involves spending time in worship, prayer, and Bible reading, making ourselves more aware of God's presence in our daily lives. Imagine how amazed and perhaps envious ancient believers would be at the access we have to God today. [25:53]
4. Outward Response as Mini-Temples: As carriers of God's presence, we have the responsibility to emit His light and love to the world. This can be through simple acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or sharing the gospel. Our lives should reflect the fruits of the Spirit, making others notice the difference in us and drawing them closer to God. [27:18]
5. Practical Steps to Live Out God's Presence: Practically, we can engage in various activities to deepen our awareness of God's presence, such as journaling, walking in nature, or meditating on His Word. Outwardly, we can offer prayers, words of encouragement, and live out the fruits of the Spirit, making a tangible impact on those around us. [28:41]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:09] - Introduction to God's Presence
[01:54] - Opening Prayer
[02:26] - Disneyland Analogy
[03:32] - Forced Perspective Explained
[04:56] - The Castle Illusion
[06:30] - Manufactured Magic vs. Real Wonder
[07:13] - God's Presence in Creation
[08:00] - Genesis and God's Presence
[09:25] - Garden of Eden and Humanity
[10:13] - Exile from God's Presence
[11:31] - The Tabernacle
[12:53] - From Tabernacle to Temple
[14:50] - The First Temple
[18:12] - The Second Temple
[20:10] - Jesus as the New Temple
[22:25] - The Holy Spirit and Pentecost
[23:27] - We Are the New Temples
[24:33] - Living as Temples of the Holy Spirit
[25:53] - Inward Response to God's Presence
[27:18] - Outward Response to God's Presence
[28:41] - Practical Steps to Live Out God's Presence
[30:01] - Closing Prayer
[31:37] - Announcements and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:1-2 (NIV) - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."
2. John 2:19-21 (NIV) - "Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.' They replied, 'It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?' But the temple he had spoken of was his body."
3. Acts 2:1-4 (NIV) - "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Genesis 1:1-2, what was the state of the earth when God's presence was first mentioned? How is God's presence described in these verses?
2. In John 2:19-21, what did Jesus mean when He said, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days"? How did the people misunderstand Him?
3. What significant event took place in Acts 2:1-4, and how did it demonstrate the presence of God among the believers?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of God's presence in Genesis 1:1-2 set the stage for His relationship with humanity throughout the Bible? [08:00]
2. Why do you think Jesus referred to His body as the temple in John 2:19-21? What implications does this have for understanding God's presence? [20:49]
3. How did the event of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4 change the way believers experienced God's presence? What does this mean for us today? [22:25]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Genesis 1:1-2, how can you become more aware of God's presence in your daily life? What specific practices can you adopt to nurture this awareness? [08:00]
2. Jesus' statement in John 2:19-21 challenges traditional views of where God's presence can be found. How can you apply this understanding to your own life, especially in places where you might not typically expect to encounter God? [20:49]
3. The descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost empowered the believers to speak in other tongues and share the gospel. How can you be more open to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your interactions with others? [22:25]
4. The sermon mentioned that we are now "mini-temples" of God's presence. What are some practical ways you can emit God's light and love to those around you this week? [27:18]
5. Consider a time when you felt God's presence the most. What circumstances led to that experience, and how can you create similar opportunities to encounter God more frequently? [17:25]
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of both inward and outward responses to God's presence. How can you balance nurturing your personal relationship with God and sharing His presence with others? [25:53]
7. Identify one person in your life who might benefit from experiencing God's presence through you. What specific action can you take this week to share God's love with them? [28:41]
Devotional
### Day 1: God's Presence Throughout History
Description: From the very beginning of creation, God's presence has been a central theme. In Genesis, His Spirit hovered over the waters, signifying His active involvement in the world. This presence was shared intimately with humanity in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve walked with God. Despite the fall, God's desire to dwell among His people persisted, leading to the establishment of the tabernacle and later the temple in Jerusalem. These structures served as physical manifestations of God's presence, where people could meet with Him. Today, through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we have direct access to God's presence, making us living temples. [08:00]
Bible Passage: "And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people." (Leviticus 26:12, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt God's presence in your life. How did it change your perspective or actions? How can you seek to be more aware of His presence in your daily routine today?
### Day 2: Jesus as the Ultimate Temple
Description: Jesus revolutionized the concept of God's presence by embodying it Himself. Unlike the physical temples, Jesus' life and ministry showed that God's presence is accessible everywhere. His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost confirmed that believers are now the vessels of God's presence. This shift means that God's presence is no longer confined to a specific location but is available to all who believe, making each believer a living temple. [20:49]
Bible Passage: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, ESV)
Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus is the ultimate temple change the way you approach your relationship with God? What steps can you take to remind yourself of His constant presence in your life?
### Day 3: Nurturing Our Relationship with God
Description: With God dwelling in us, we must celebrate and nurture this relationship. This involves spending time in worship, prayer, and Bible reading, making ourselves more aware of God's presence in our daily lives. Imagine how amazed and perhaps envious ancient believers would be at the access we have to God today. This incredible privilege calls for a deep, personal commitment to grow in our faith and understanding of God's love and grace. [25:53]
Bible Passage: "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 practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to nurture your relationship with God? How can you make time for these practices amidst your busy schedule?
### Day 4: Being Mini-Temples of God's Presence
Description: As carriers of God's presence, we have the responsibility to emit His light and love to the world. This can be through simple acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or sharing the gospel. Our lives should reflect the fruits of the Spirit, making others notice the difference in us and drawing them closer to God. This outward response is a testament to the transformative power of God's presence in our lives and a call to live in a way that honors Him. [27:18]
Bible Passage: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who needs to experience God's love. What specific action can you take today to be a mini-temple and share God's presence with them?
### Day 5: Practical Steps to Live Out God's Presence
Description: Practically, we can engage in various activities to deepen our awareness of God's presence, such as journaling, walking in nature, or meditating on His Word. Outwardly, we can offer prayers, words of encouragement, and live out the fruits of the Spirit, making a tangible impact on those around us. These practical steps help us to live out our faith in everyday situations, making God's presence a reality in our lives and the lives of others. [28:41]
Bible Passage: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to deepen your awareness of God's presence? How can you incorporate this step into your daily life to make it a consistent practice?
Quotes
1. "As followers of God, we sort of have our own castle in the backyard. And instead of this manufactured magic that I was talking about, it fills us with a real wonder that isn't manufactured. So tonight, I want to explain kind of what, why, and how that is. So are you ready for a little history lesson?" [07:13] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Despite living in the direct presence of God and working to maintain this Garden of Eden, corruption entered the equation, and after sinning, Adam and Eve were exiled from the garden, and in turn, exiled from the direct interaction with that presence of God. Isn't that sad, that they were walking with God? They had everything going for them, everything was perfect, everything was right, the way it was supposed to be, and then sin entered the equation, and it all got taken from them." [10:13] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Not only are we the vessel that houses the presence of God through the Holy Spirit, like the Garden of Eden, the tabernacle, the temple, but we're also, in a way, the priests that are tasked with taking care of that temple. In 1 Corinthians 6, 19-20, it says, Do not know that your bodies are temples to the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God. You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." [23:27] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Inwardly, with God dwelling in us, there has never been an easier time in history to meet with him. We have to take full advantage of this opportunity by celebrating and nurturing this relationship that we get to have with God, as the sort of Levitical priests to the temple were tasked with taking care of it and nurturing the presence of God." [25:53] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Moses and the Israelites in exile had the tabernacle as a traveling temple that housed God's presence, yet that same presence is with you in your kia going down 131 every day. That would be so mind-blowing to people back then. So I want you to think, are you using your access to God's presence well?" [26:40] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Outwardly, we can share God's presence with others through a word of encouragement, through a prayer, and it doesn't have to be salvation. It doesn't have to be healing. If you see someone on the street corner, you can just go up and say, like, hey, can I pray for you? I just had you on my heart. If there's anything in your life going on, like, I just want to pray for you. It doesn't have to be complicated." [28:41] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We can live like Jesus would live, full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, just being an example to the people around us of that presence, of that light that we have. And like I said, people take notice of that, and they can tell that something's different about you." [29:30] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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