Embracing God's Presence: Strength in Trials and Worship
Summary
In today's gathering, we immersed ourselves in the profound truth that God's presence is not only a gift but a guarantee for those who believe. We opened our hearts to the Holy Spirit, seeking a deeper infilling of His power and grace. As we worshiped, we were reminded that our first and foremost desire is to be in God's presence, and from that place of intimacy, we can boldly bring our needs and petitions before Him, trusting in His goodness and faithfulness.
We shared in the Lord's communion, a sacred moment where we remembered the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His body, broken for us, and His blood, shed for the remission of our sins, are the foundation of our faith and the source of our eternal hope. We do not take lightly the gift of life we have been given, both in the here and now and the life everlasting promised to us through Christ's resurrection.
As we delved into the book of Revelation, we focused on the letter to the church in Philadelphia. We were reminded that Jesus, who is holy and true, holds the key of David. He alone has the authority to open and close doors—doors of opportunity, doors of blessing, and ultimately, the door to the Kingdom of God. This truth stands against the backdrop of a world that often presents many paths to God, but as believers, we hold fast to the truth that Jesus is the only way.
The church in Philadelphia was commended for its faithfulness despite persecution and weakness. They kept God's word and did not deny His name, even when excluded from the synagogue. Jesus promised to keep them from the hour of trial, not by removing them from tribulation but by guarding and protecting them through it. This is a powerful reminder that God is with us in our trials, and His presence is our safeguard.
As we approach Easter, we are called to serve, to be pillars in the temple of God, and to worship Him with all our hearts. Our worship on earth is a foretaste of the eternal worship we will offer in heaven, and we are encouraged to engage in this worship without reservation or embarrassment, for it is our true calling.
Key Takeaways:
- God's presence is a guarantee for believers, and we are called to seek a deeper relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit. This relationship is the cornerstone of our faith and the source of our strength in times of need. [10:03]
- The Lord's communion is a powerful reminder of the sacrifice of Jesus and the new covenant we have through His blood. It is a call to remember and reflect on the cost of our salvation and the hope of eternal life. [13:09]
- Jesus holds the key of David, signifying His authority as the Messiah and the sole gatekeeper to the Kingdom of God. This truth challenges the world's view of many paths to God and reaffirms our belief in the exclusivity of Christ as the way, the truth, and the life. [33:49]
- In times of trial, God's promise is not to remove us from hardship but to guard and protect us through it. This assurance is rooted in the biblical narrative where God's faithful endure trials, not apart from God's presence, but within it. [49:44]
- Worship is not just an act we perform; it is a reflection of our identity as a holy priesthood called to offer sacrifices of praise to God. Our worship on earth echoes the heavenly worship we will partake in, and we should embrace it wholeheartedly. [57:58]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Revelation 3:7-13
- John 14:6
- 1 Peter 2:5
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says He holds the "key of David" in Revelation 3:7? How does this signify His authority? [32:25]
2. According to the sermon, what was the significance of the church in Philadelphia being commended for their faithfulness despite persecution? [37:03]
3. How does the promise of being kept from the "hour of trial" in Revelation 3:10 relate to the believers' endurance through hardships? [44:02]
4. What is the role of worship in the life of a believer, as described in the sermon? [57:04]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of Jesus holding the "key of David" challenge the world's view of multiple paths to God? [34:03]
2. What does it mean for believers to be "pillars in the temple of God" as mentioned in Revelation 3:12? How does this relate to our identity and purpose? [53:24]
3. In what ways does the promise of God's presence during trials provide comfort and assurance to believers? [49:33]
4. How does the act of worship on earth serve as a foretaste of eternal worship in heaven? [57:04]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence during a difficult situation. How did it impact your faith and trust in Him? [49:33]
2. How can you seek a deeper relationship with God through the Holy Spirit in your daily life? What specific steps can you take this week? [09:30]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of worship. How can you make worship a more integral part of your daily routine? [57:04]
4. In what ways can you remind yourself of Jesus' sacrifice and the new covenant during your personal time of communion? [13:09]
5. How can you boldly proclaim your faith in Jesus as the only way to God in a world that promotes multiple paths? [34:03]
6. Think of a current trial you are facing. How can you rely on God's promise to guard and protect you through it? [49:33]
7. As Easter approaches, how can you serve and be a pillar in your church community? What specific actions can you take to contribute to the worship and service of God? [24:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Guaranteed Presence
God's presence is not a fleeting moment but a steadfast promise to those who believe. This divine assurance is the bedrock upon which faith is built and the wellspring from which believers draw strength. It is in the quiet communion with the Holy Spirit that one finds the courage to face life's challenges and the wisdom to navigate its complexities. The relationship with God is not a passive state but an active pursuit, a journey of seeking and finding, of asking and receiving. The Holy Spirit is ever-present, ready to fill the hearts of those who open themselves to His transformative power and grace. This pursuit is not without reward, for it is in the depths of God's presence that one finds the truest sense of purpose and joy. [10:03]
"But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works." - Psalm 73:28 ESV
Reflection: How can you cultivate a daily practice that invites the Holy Spirit to fill you more deeply, and what might be the first step in that process today?
Day 2: Remembering the Sacrifice of Communion
The Lord's Supper is a profound act of remembrance and proclamation. It is a time to reflect on the enormity of Jesus' sacrifice—His body given and His blood shed for the redemption of humanity. This sacred tradition is a tangible connection to the divine covenant, a reminder of the new life and hope that believers have in Christ. It is not merely a ritual but a heartfelt acknowledgment of the cost of salvation and the love that was poured out on the cross. As one partakes in communion, it is an opportunity to examine oneself, to give thanks, and to renew one's commitment to living out the gospel. The act of breaking bread and sharing the cup is a declaration of faith and an anticipation of the eternal life promised through the resurrection of Jesus. [13:09]
"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'" - Luke 22:19 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you live out the gratitude and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice beyond the act of communion?
Day 3: Holding Fast to Christ's Exclusive Authority
In a world that often presents a plurality of spiritual paths, the authority of Jesus stands as the singular, unchanging truth. He is the one who holds the key of David, the one who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. This metaphorical key represents Christ's ultimate sovereignty and His role as the gatekeeper to the Kingdom of God. It is a powerful reminder that despite the myriad of voices claiming to lead to truth, there is only one true way to eternal life. Believers are called to hold fast to this truth, to anchor their faith in the exclusivity of Christ as the way, the truth, and the life. This conviction is not a cause for arrogance but a call to humble adherence to the gospel, recognizing Jesus as the Messiah and the fulfillment of God's promises. [33:49]
"I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open." - Isaiah 22:22 ESV
Reflection: How can you respectfully and lovingly communicate the truth of Christ's exclusive authority to someone who believes in many paths to God?
Day 4: Finding Strength in God's Presence Through Trials
The promise of God's presence in times of trial is not an assurance of a trouble-free life but a guarantee of divine protection and strength amidst adversity. The biblical narrative is replete with instances where God's faithful are not removed from their struggles but are instead sustained and fortified by His presence. This enduring truth offers comfort and hope, knowing that God is intimately involved in the lives of His children, guarding and guiding them through every challenge. The trials faced are not signs of divine abandonment but opportunities for believers to experience the depth of God's faithfulness and to witness His power at work within their circumstances. [49:44]
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Reflection: Can you identify a current trial in your life where you need to more fully trust in God's presence and protection, and what practical step can you take to affirm that trust?
Day 5: Worship as Our Identity and Calling
Worship is the natural expression of a heart captivated by the love of God. It is not merely an activity for the gathered church but the very essence of a believer's identity. As a holy priesthood, the calling to worship is both a privilege and a duty, an act of devotion that is to be embraced with fervor and without shame. The worship offered on earth is a foretaste of the eternal worship that will be rendered in heaven, a rehearsal for the day when every tongue will confess and every knee will bow before the throne of God. This understanding elevates worship from a routine to a revelation, from a duty to a delight. It is in worship that believers find their truest selves and their highest purpose. [57:58]
"And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!" - Psalm 107:22 ESV
Reflection: What is one way you can make worship a more integral part of your daily life, reflecting your identity as a member of the holy priesthood?
Quotes
"Who wants more of God's presence here this morning? Who wants more of his spirit? [...] God, we're just asking for more of your spirit that's inside of us to rise up in us, Lord God." [10:03] (Download | )
"Jesus, we don't want to take anything for granted, in fact, Lord, even this morning before first service, one of our dear hostess, Lenny Wages, she's one of our prayer warriors, she was here early this morning just praying, and as I embraced her, we were just kind of both encouraging each other and reminded each other that now we're so grateful that God woke us up today, we're so grateful that God gave us another day of life here on this earth." [13:09] (Download | )
"Jesus is the one who holds the key to what he opens, no one can shut, and what he shuts, no one can open. This is gonna be significant specifically to believers living in Philadelphia." [33:49] (Download | )
"God keeps those who keep his word. All right, this is the promise, that God keeps those who keep his word. That's what he said to the church in Philadelphia, because you have kept my word, because you have kept my commandment, I will keep you from, not a duration of time, but from the kind of time, I will keep you from, not from the trial, but as you go through the trial, I will be with you, to guard you and protect you." [51:58] (Download | )
"Listen, if you don't like worshiping God right here on this earth, you're not gonna like heaven. Because in heaven we're gonna worship God. We're gonna stand around the throne room of God and we're gonna cry out, holy, holy, holy is the Lord, God Almighty, the whole earth is full of his glory, who was, who is, and who is to come." [57:11] (Download | )
"I just wanna exhort you guys. I just wanna give a charge to you guys that every Sunday when you walk into this place, when you walk into this auditorium, that you worship the Lord with all of your heart, with all of your strength, with all of your mind." [57:58] (Download | )
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