Embracing God's Presence: Worshiping the True Creator
Summary
Today’s gathering centered on the deep need for the presence of God in our lives and the importance of knowing exactly who we worship. In a world full of confusion and competing voices about truth, it’s vital to be clear about what we believe and why. The Apostles’ Creed, while not authoritative like Scripture, serves as a guide to help us articulate the core truths that have united Christians for centuries. Reciting it together is an act of worship and a reminder that our faith is rooted in unchanging realities, not shifting cultural trends.
We explored the nature of God as revealed in Scripture, particularly focusing on two foundational truths: God is both an intimate Father and a powerful Creator. The intimacy of God as Father means that, through Christ, we are adopted into His family—not by birth or tradition, but by a personal decision of faith. This adoption is a radical act of love, giving us a new identity and a new start, regardless of our earthly family experiences. God’s fatherhood is not modeled after imperfect human fathers, but is defined by His own holiness, perfection, and relentless love.
At the same time, God is the almighty Creator—omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and sovereign. He is in control of all things, from the vastness of the universe to the details of our daily lives. This truth is not just theological; it speaks directly to our anxieties, fears, and uncertainties. Knowing that our intimate Father is also the all-powerful Creator brings peace and confidence, especially in a culture marked by instability and mental health struggles.
We are challenged to examine what “god” we are actually trusting in: a god of our own making, or the God of the Bible who is both near and mighty. True worship is not about our preferences or comfort, but about responding to the God who is worthy of all honor. The call is to move beyond casual or cultural Christianity and to anchor our lives in the reality of God’s presence, power, and love.
Key Takeaways
- The Presence of God Is Essential, Not Optional
We gather not out of habit or tradition, but because we are desperate for God’s presence. Without His movement in our lives, all our efforts are empty. True transformation and hope come only when we invite God to move, confess our need, and seek Him with sincerity. [40:55]
- Knowledge About God Is Not the Same as Being Known by God
It’s easy to accumulate facts or doctrines about God, but Scripture warns that knowledge alone can puff us up. What matters most is loving God and being known by Him—a relationship that goes beyond intellectual understanding to deep, personal connection. [58:30]
- God Is Both Intimate Father and Powerful Creator
Our God is not distant or detached; He adopts us as His children, giving us a new identity and family. Yet, He is also the almighty Creator—omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and sovereign. Holding these truths together brings both comfort and awe, reminding us that the One who loves us is also the One who rules the universe. [01:10:50]
- Our Image of God Must Be Shaped by Scripture, Not Culture or Experience
Many have distorted views of God based on earthly fathers or cultural assumptions. God’s fatherhood is defined by His own holiness and love, not by human shortcomings. We must continually return to Scripture to let God reveal Himself, rather than projecting our preferences or wounds onto Him. [01:12:34]
- True Worship Requires Clarity and Surrender
In a world where “God” can mean anything, we must be clear that we worship the God revealed in Jesus Christ. Worship is not about our entertainment or comfort, but about honoring the One who is both near and mighty. We are called to surrender our idols and preferences, and to give God the worship He alone deserves. [01:04:59]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[40:55] - Why Are We Here? The Need for God’s Presence
[43:08] - Invitation to Personal Prayer
[45:15] - Praying for God’s Movement
[54:03] - Reciting the Apostles’ Creed
[55:52] - The Challenge of Describing God
[56:59] - The Mystery and Majesty of God
[58:30] - Knowledge vs. Being Known by God
[59:33] - The One True God
[01:01:21] - Idols, Culture, and Clarity About God
[01:03:10] - The Importance of Naming Jesus
[01:04:59] - Speaking the Name of Jesus
[01:08:14] - Yahweh and the Trinity
[01:10:50] - God as Intimate Father
[01:12:34] - Adoption, Sin, and Spiritual Orphans
[01:34:59] - Responding to God: Worship, Communion, and Surrender
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Presence, Power, and Fatherhood of God
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### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 8:1-6
(Primary text for the sermon)
1 John 3:1
(Explicitly quoted: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”)
Psalm 147:5
(Explicitly quoted: “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.”)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In 1 Corinthians 8:1-6, what does Paul say about knowledge, love, and being known by God? How does he contrast “knowing about God” with “being known by God”?
2. According to 1 John 3:1, what is the significance of being called “children of God”?
3. In Psalm 147:5, what words are used to describe God’s power and understanding?
4. The sermon mentioned that many people have different ideas about “God.” What are some of the ways people in our culture use the word “God,” and why does the pastor say it’s important to be clear about who we mean? [[01:03:10]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul warn that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up”? What dangers might there be in focusing only on head knowledge about God? [[58:30]]
2. The sermon says that God is both an “intimate Father” and a “powerful Creator.” How does holding both of these truths together affect the way someone relates to God? [[01:10:50]]
3. The pastor shared that our image of God can be shaped by our earthly fathers or by culture. Why is it important to let Scripture, rather than our experiences, define who God is? [[01:12:34]]
4. The sermon challenges us to consider what “god” we are actually trusting in—one of our own making, or the God of the Bible. What are some signs that someone might be worshiping a “god” of their own preferences rather than the true God? [[01:01:21]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The pastor said, “We gather not out of habit or tradition, but because we are desperate for God’s presence.” When was the last time you truly felt desperate for God’s presence? What would it look like for you to seek God’s presence more intentionally this week? [[40:55]]
2. The sermon warns that “knowledge about God is not the same as being known by God.” Are there areas in your life where you have settled for knowing facts about God instead of pursuing a real relationship with Him? What is one step you could take to deepen that relationship? [[58:30]]
3. The pastor shared about the pain of imperfect earthly fathers and how that can affect our view of God. How has your own experience with family shaped your view of God as Father? Is there any healing or re-learning you need to do in this area? [[01:12:34]]
4. The sermon describes God as “omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and sovereign.” Which of these attributes is hardest for you to trust in your current season of life? Why? [[01:10:50]]
5. The pastor challenged the group to ask, “What god are you actually trusting in?” Are there any “idols” in your life—things you run to for comfort, security, or identity instead of God? What would it look like to surrender those to God this week? [[01:01:21]]
6. The sermon said, “True worship is not about our preferences or comfort, but about responding to the God who is worthy of all honor.” How can you make your worship less about your own preferences and more about honoring God? [[01:04:59]]
7. The Apostles’ Creed was described as a tool to help us articulate our faith. If someone asked you this week, “Who is the God you worship?” how would you answer in your own words? What part of your answer would you want to be clearer or more confident about? [[54:03]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray, asking God to reveal Himself as both intimate Father and powerful Creator, and to help each person surrender any false images or idols they may be holding onto.
Devotional
Day 1: God Is Beyond Our Full Understanding
No matter how much we study or think we know about God, our human understanding will always fall short of grasping His full nature. True wisdom begins with humility, recognizing that God is infinitely greater than our minds can comprehend. Instead of relying on our own knowledge, we are called to move from prideful certainty to a posture of love and awe, trusting that while we may not know everything about God, He knows us completely and loves us deeply. [58:30]
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (ESV)
"Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that 'all of us possess knowledge.' This 'knowledge' puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God."
Reflection: Where in your life have you relied on your own understanding of God instead of humbly seeking to know Him more deeply? How can you shift from pride in knowledge to a posture of love and awe today?
Day 2: There Is One True God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
In a world filled with many ideas of "god," we must be clear that the God we worship is not just any god, but the one true God revealed in Scripture: Yahweh, the great "I AM," who exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This God is not a distant or generic deity, but the living God who has made Himself known through Jesus Christ. Our faith is rooted in the uniqueness of the triune God, and we are called to speak the name of Jesus boldly and clearly in a culture of confusion and competing claims. [01:06:56]
1 Corinthians 8:4-6 (ESV)
"Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that 'an idol has no real existence,' and that 'there is no God but one.' For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many 'gods' and many 'lords'—yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist."
Reflection: How can you be more intentional this week about naming and honoring Jesus as the one true God in your conversations, prayers, or worship?
Day 3: God Is an Intimate Father Who Adopts Us in Love
God is not a distant or impersonal force, but an intimate Father who loves us so much that He adopts us into His family. No matter our earthly experiences with fathers—whether marked by pain, absence, or imperfection—God offers us a new identity as His beloved children. Through Jesus, we are no longer spiritual orphans but are welcomed, forgiven, and given a new start. God’s love is the motivation for our adoption, and He desires a close, personal relationship with each of us. [01:10:50]
1 John 3:1 (ESV)
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
Reflection: In what ways do you struggle to see God as a loving Father? What would it look like for you to receive His fatherly love and acceptance today?
Day 4: God Is a Powerful Creator—Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Sovereign
God is not only intimately involved in our lives, but He is also the all-powerful Creator who sustains the universe. He is omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (always present), and sovereign (always in control). Nothing is beyond His reach or understanding. This means that the God who loves you as a Father is also able to handle every circumstance, every fear, and every unknown in your life. You can trust Him fully, knowing that He is both mighty and good. [01:10:50]
Psalm 147:5 (ESV)
"Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God’s power and control today? How can you surrender that area to Him, believing He is both able and willing to care for you?
Day 5: Worship God for Who He Truly Is—Not an Idol of Our Own Making
We are often tempted to shape God into an image that makes us comfortable—either as only a gentle Father or only a distant, powerful force. But the God of the Bible is both: an intimate Father and a powerful Creator. True worship means surrendering our preferences and idols, and honoring God as He has revealed Himself. Let your worship and your life reflect the fullness of who God is, seeking His presence above all else and valuing His glory in every breath you take. [01:34:59]
Romans 12:1 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: What is one way you have tried to make God fit your own preferences or comfort? How can you intentionally worship Him today as both your intimate Father and powerful Creator?
Quotes
Our God is an intimate Father and a powerful Creator.
If you can figure your God out, you're probably your own God. Like, if your God is so small that you've got Him nailed, then it's probably you. Just whatever you've created Him to be.
The same relationship Jesus had with the Father you can have with your heavenly Father.
God is all powerful. God is all powerful. God is all powerful. Listen to that psalm: great is our Lord, abundant in power. Our God is all powerful.
God is in your future preparing the way for you, God is in your past cleaning up all of your messes, and God is in your present right here right now with you.
The spiritual truth is that every one of us before we know Jesus is a spiritual orphan with no home. Fostered by the world. It's who we are. You are born that way. You are not born a Christian.
If you think you know God, you don't know. Like, if you think you've got this whole thing, this whole faith thing nailed down... The Bible says you're a liar. You don't know. He says, but if you will move from a life of knowledge to a life of love, God will know you.
God is sovereign meaning he is always in control. He's in control of the universe, every star, every planet, every galaxy that we've never even heard of before. God is actively controlling every molecule, everything there. God controls it. God is in control.
When's the last time instead of walking out of a worship service going, well what'd you think, when's the last time you walked out of a worship service and said, Lord, what did you think? Did we worship you today? Are you pleased with this today? Are you honored with this today?
The only God that is deserving of this is the God of the Bible, the God who controls—literally controls—death. Like, he literally defeated death. That's the God that I'm going all into. That's the God I'm hanging my life on.
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