Embracing God's Presence Through Prayer and Faith
Summary
The sermon emphasizes the transformative power of prayer, the intimate knowledge God has of our lives, and the significance of Jesus' birth and sacrifice. The speaker draws from various biblical narratives to illustrate these points, including the story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles, where prayer and fasting led to divine intervention in a time of crisis. The speaker also reflects on the depth of God's thoughts towards us, as numerous as grains of sand, and the desire for God to search our hearts for any offensive ways.
The Christmas message is highlighted as a demonstration of Jesus' love, leaving His heavenly throne to reconcile humanity with God. The speaker discusses the real-life challenges faced by Mary and Joseph, such as Joseph's initial hesitation to marry Mary due to her unexpected pregnancy, and the angel's reassurance that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
The sermon also recounts the unwavering faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who faced a fiery furnace rather than worship false gods, and the story of Lazarus, where Jesus showcases His power over death, offering hope and resurrection. The speaker connects these stories to the audience's lives, encouraging reliance on God's power to avoid defeat and to trust in His presence during life's storms.
The speaker discusses the story of King Jehoshaphat, who turned to prayer and fasting when facing an enemy attack, and Joseph, who had to trust in God's plan despite his emotional turmoil over Mary's pregnancy. The speaker also touches on the importance of acknowledging God's presence in our lives, as exemplified by Paul's confidence during a storm at sea.
The sermon concludes with a focus on the true meaning of Christmas, urging the congregation not to get caught up in the festivities but to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. The speaker also reflects on the concept of "God with us," citing various biblical examples and assuring that God remains with us even in difficult times.
Key Takeaways:
- Prayer and fasting are powerful spiritual disciplines that can lead to divine intervention in times of crisis, as seen in the story of Jehoshaphat. When faced with overwhelming situations, turning to God in prayer can bring unexpected victories and reassurance that the battle belongs to the Lord. [01:10:30]
- God's intimate knowledge of our lives is vast and detailed, akin to the countless grains of sand. This knowledge should inspire us to invite God to search our hearts and lead us on the path of everlasting life, ensuring that our actions and thoughts align with His will. [01:25:40]
- The incarnation of Jesus Christ is a profound expression of divine love, demonstrating that God is willing to enter into our human experience to restore our relationship with Him. The Christmas story, with its real-life characters and situations, reminds us that God's plans often disrupt our own, calling for trust and obedience. [50:59]
- Biblical accounts of faith in the face of adversity, such as those of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Lazarus, encourage believers to stand firm in their convictions and to believe in Jesus' power over life and death. These stories challenge us to consider the depth of our belief and its impact on our actions. [01:16:19]
- The narrative of "God with us" runs throughout the Bible, offering comfort and assurance that God is present in every season of life. Whether we are facing personal storms or societal challenges, the promise of God's presence provides the strength to endure and the hope of His ultimate plan for our lives. [59:11]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Chronicles 20:1-17 - The story of King Jehoshaphat turning to prayer and fasting in a time of crisis.
2. Matthew 1:18-25 - The account of Jesus' birth and Joseph's response to Mary's pregnancy.
3. John 11:25-26 - Jesus' declaration of being the resurrection and the life in the story of Lazarus.
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did King Jehoshaphat take when he learned of the impending attack on Judah? (2 Chronicles 20:1-17)
2. How did Joseph initially react to Mary's pregnancy, and what changed his mind? (Matthew 1:18-25)
3. What did Jesus declare about Himself to Martha in John 11:25-26, and how did this relate to the situation with Lazarus?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jehoshaphat chose prayer and fasting over military preparation when faced with an enemy attack? (2 Chronicles 20:1-17)
2. How does Joseph's decision to marry Mary despite the initial scandal reflect his faith and trust in God's plan? (Matthew 1:18-25) [52:48]
3. What does Jesus' statement "I am the resurrection and the life" imply about His power and authority over life and death? (John 11:25-26)
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a crisis. Did you turn to prayer and fasting like Jehoshaphat? How did it impact the situation? [01:10:30]
2. Joseph had to trust in God's plan despite his emotional turmoil. Is there a situation in your life where you need to trust God's plan more fully? How can you take steps to do that this week? [52:48]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of recognizing God's intimate knowledge of our lives. How can you invite God to search your heart and align your actions with His will this week? [01:25:40]
4. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shows unwavering faith in the face of adversity. Is there an area in your life where you need to stand firm in your convictions? How can you prepare yourself to do so? [01:16:19]
5. The concept of "God with us" offers comfort during difficult times. How can you remind yourself of God's presence in your daily life, especially during challenging moments? [59:11]
6. The Christmas story is a profound expression of divine love. How can you focus on the true meaning of Christmas amidst the festivities and traditions this year? [48:01]
7. Jesus' power over death in the story of Lazarus offers hope and resurrection. How can this story inspire you to trust in Jesus' power in your own life situations? [01:18:45]
Devotional
Day 1: Victory Through Spiritual Discipline
Prayer and fasting unlock divine intervention and victories beyond human capability. Jehoshaphat's story teaches that in overwhelming situations, these disciplines can shift battles from our hands to God's. [01:10:30]
2 Chronicles 20:15 - "He said, 'Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.'"
Reflection: What 'vast army' are you facing today, and how can you incorporate prayer and fasting to seek God's intervention?
Day 2: Intimacy with the Infinite
God's thoughts toward us are as numerous as the grains of sand, inviting us to a deeper relationship where He searches and knows our hearts. [01:25:40]
Psalm 139:17-18 - "How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you."
Reflection: How can you invite God to search your heart today, and what steps can you take to align your actions with His will?
Day 3: The Incarnation's Disruptive Nature
Jesus' birth signifies God's willingness to disrupt our lives with His divine plan, calling for our trust and obedience in the face of life's unexpected turns. [50:59]
Luke 1:38 - "I am the Lord’s servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her.
Reflection: What part of your life might God be disrupting for His purpose, and how can you respond with trust and obedience?
Day 4: Faith Amidst the Flames
The unwavering faith of biblical figures in dire circumstances challenges us to consider the depth of our belief and its impact on our actions. [01:16:19]
Daniel 3:17-18 - "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Reflection: How does your faith stand in the face of adversity, and what can you do to strengthen it in times of trial?
Day 5: The Assurance of God's Presence
"God with us" is not just a promise for the good times but a steadfast truth for every season, offering comfort and hope in the midst of life's storms. [59:11]
Isaiah 43:2 - "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
Reflection: In what ways do you need to be reminded of God's presence today, and how can you seek to be more aware of His nearness in your current circumstances?
Quotes
"Our God is closer than our problems, for they are out there to be faced; he is here beside us, Emmanuel. God is so much closer than our problems are because he chooses to walk beside us." [01:06:58] (Download)
"We got to pray because it's only the power of God that can get us through this. Sometimes it's easier to do than to pray, but they didn't only pray, they prayed and they fasted together with purpose." [01:08:44] (Download)
"The angel of the Lord reminds Joseph that God is with you and he has purpose for you and he has a plan for you. He will be Emmanuel, God With you through it all. Do you believe it?" [01:22:39] (Download)
"Without the power of God in our lives, we will be defeated over and over again. But Jehoshaphat had the answer: let's not just pray, but let's pour our hearts out before the Lord. God can do it; He is with us." [01:13:16] (Download)
"The God that we serve, He is able to save us, He will rescue us from your mighty power. But even if He doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, your majesty, that we will never serve your gods." [01:16:19] (Download)
"Jesus loves you so much he was willing to leave his throne in heaven to invade Earth so that we can be made right with God." [50:59] (Download)
"We are in need of a risen savior, and in our seeking, we find that the Christmas story isn't just a tale of joy, but also a narrative of real people facing real life problems, trusting in God amidst their struggles." [52:13] (Download)
"Christmas is literally Heaven invading Earth to restore man back to God. It's the season where we celebrate the relationship with God that's at the heart of it all." [48:01] (Download)
"We can get so caught up in the season that we forget the true meaning for the season. This series is really meant to peel back the layers of Christmas, because all of that means nothing without Jesus." [47:30] (Download)
"God With Us in the fire, in the storm, He declared that He would be with us... even in the little uncertainty that we may have, He declared that He'll be with us, even when we don't understand, even when there's uncertainty." [01:17:23] (Download)
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