Experiencing God: Assurance, Transformation, and Intimacy

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound invitation we have to approach the throne of God with full assurance of faith, a privilege made possible through Jesus Christ. This assurance is not just a theological concept but a lived experience that stirs worship, gratitude, and a wholehearted commitment to God. We are called to engage fully with God, holding nothing back, as we embrace the access provided to us through Jesus. This access is not just for the spiritually elite but for everyone, including those who feel far from God or uncertain about their relationship with Him. The Holy Spirit draws us into this intimate relationship, inviting us to experience God face to face, as Moses did in the tent of meeting.

We also celebrated Baptism Sunday, a day of public declaration of faith, symbolizing the death of the old self and the birth of a new spiritual life. Baptism is a powerful reminder that we are not striving for perfection but are in a continual process of being made new in Christ. This transformation is not just about knowing more about God but experiencing Him deeply and personally.

Our new series, "Face to Face," emphasizes the importance of experiencing God beyond mere knowledge. We looked at the example of Moses, who met with God face to face, and the significance of creating space in our lives to linger in God's presence. This series challenges us to move beyond a touch-deprived Christianity to one where we regularly experience the touch of heaven, which changes our perspective, enables forgiveness, and empowers us to live out our faith in tangible ways.

Key Takeaways:

- Full Assurance of Faith: We are invited to approach God with full assurance of faith, not because of our own merits but because of Jesus. This assurance should stir worship and gratitude, leading us to engage with God wholeheartedly, holding nothing back. [00:45]

- Baptism as a Declaration: Baptism is a public declaration of faith, symbolizing the death of the old self and the birth of a new spiritual life. It is a reminder that we are in a continual process of being made new in Christ, not striving for perfection but growing in our likeness to Jesus. [12:46]

- Experiencing God Face to Face: The series "Face to Face" encourages us to move beyond knowing about God to experiencing Him deeply. Like Moses, we are invited to create space in our lives to meet with God, experiencing His presence and touch in profound ways. [41:06]

- The Power of a Touch from Heaven: A touch from heaven changes our perspective, enabling us to live with peace and assurance even in uncertain times. It empowers us to forgive, love, and live out our faith, transforming our desires and mindset. [55:31]

- Positioning for a Touch from God: To experience a touch from God, we must intentionally create space and time for prayer, free from distractions. Like Moses, we should approach with expectation, believing that God desires to meet with us and transform our lives. [01:07:46]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Full Assurance of Faith
- [12:46] - Baptism as a Declaration
- [41:06] - Experiencing God Face to Face
- [47:22] - Jesus' Ministry of Touch
- [52:10] - Intimacy with God
- [55:31] - The Power of a Touch from Heaven
- [58:59] - Living with a Different Perspective
- [01:02:06] - The Need for a Touch from Heaven
- [01:04:17] - The Importance of Prayer
- [01:07:46] - Positioning for a Touch from God
- [01:10:00] - Invitation to Prayer and Worship
- [01:15:00] - Closing and Call to Salvation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Exodus 33:7-11
- Acts 2:38
- John 14:23

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Exodus 33:11 reveal about the nature of Moses' relationship with God? How does this compare to typical human friendships? [41:06]

2. In Acts 2:38, what are the two actions Peter instructs the people to take, and what are the promised outcomes of these actions?

3. According to John 14:23, what is the condition for God to make His home with someone, and what does this imply about the relationship between obedience and intimacy with God?

4. How does the sermon describe the significance of Baptism Sunday, and what does it symbolize for believers? [12:46]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "full assurance of faith" challenge or encourage believers in their daily walk with God? [00:45]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of creating space in our lives to experience God "face to face"? How might this practice impact one's spiritual life? [41:06]

3. In what ways does the sermon illustrate the transformative power of a "touch from heaven"? How does this concept relate to the idea of living with a different perspective? [55:31]

4. How does the sermon connect the idea of a "touch-deprived Christianity" with the need for intentional prayer and seeking God's presence? [01:02:06]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current prayer life. Are there specific distractions that prevent you from experiencing a "touch from heaven"? How can you create a dedicated space and time for prayer this week? [01:07:46]

2. Baptism is described as a public declaration of faith. If you have been baptized, how did that experience impact your spiritual journey? If not, what steps could you take to explore this commitment? [12:46]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of experiencing God beyond mere knowledge. What practical steps can you take to deepen your personal experience with God this week? [41:06]

4. Consider a situation in your life where you need a change in perspective. How can seeking a "touch from heaven" help you view this situation differently? [55:31]

5. The sermon mentions the power of forgiveness enabled by a touch from God. Is there someone you need to forgive, and how can you seek God's help in this process? [58:59]

6. How can you intentionally position yourself to receive a touch from God, as Moses did with the tent of meeting? What changes might you need to make in your daily routine to facilitate this? [01:04:17]

7. Reflect on the idea of living with "full assurance of faith." How can this assurance influence your actions and decisions in the coming week? [00:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Assurance Through Christ's Sacrifice
We are invited to approach God with full assurance of faith, not because of our own merits but because of Jesus. This assurance should stir worship and gratitude, leading us to engage with God wholeheartedly, holding nothing back. The invitation to approach God is not limited to a select few but is extended to everyone, regardless of their spiritual status or feelings of unworthiness. This access to God is a profound privilege that transforms our relationship with Him, moving us from a place of fear and uncertainty to one of confidence and intimacy. As we embrace this assurance, we are called to live lives marked by worship and gratitude, fully engaging with God and holding nothing back. [00:45]

Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 2: Baptism as a Journey of Renewal
Baptism is a public declaration of faith, symbolizing the death of the old self and the birth of a new spiritual life. It is a reminder that we are in a continual process of being made new in Christ, not striving for perfection but growing in our likeness to Jesus. This transformation is not just about acquiring more knowledge about God but about experiencing Him deeply and personally. Baptism serves as a powerful symbol of this ongoing journey, encouraging us to embrace the process of renewal and transformation that God is working in our lives. [12:46]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: Reflect on your own spiritual journey. What is one old habit or mindset that you need to let go of to embrace the new life in Christ more fully?


Day 3: Encountering God Face to Face
The series "Face to Face" encourages us to move beyond knowing about God to experiencing Him deeply. Like Moses, we are invited to create space in our lives to meet with God, experiencing His presence and touch in profound ways. This encounter with God is not just a momentary experience but a transformative one that changes our perspective and empowers us to live out our faith in tangible ways. By creating intentional space for God in our lives, we open ourselves to the possibility of encountering Him in ways that deeply impact our hearts and minds. [41:06]

Exodus 33:11 (ESV): "Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent."

Reflection: How can you create intentional space in your daily routine to meet with God and experience His presence more deeply?


Day 4: The Transformative Power of Heaven's Touch
A touch from heaven changes our perspective, enabling us to live with peace and assurance even in uncertain times. It empowers us to forgive, love, and live out our faith, transforming our desires and mindset. This divine touch is not just a fleeting moment but a powerful encounter that reshapes our lives, allowing us to see the world through God's eyes and respond with His love and grace. By positioning ourselves to receive this touch, we open our hearts to the transformative work that God desires to do in us and through us. [55:31]

Isaiah 6:6-7 (ESV): "Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: 'Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.'"

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?


Day 5: Preparing for Divine Encounters
To experience a touch from God, we must intentionally create space and time for prayer, free from distractions. Like Moses, we should approach with expectation, believing that God desires to meet with us and transform our lives. This preparation involves setting aside time to be still before God, opening our hearts to His presence, and being willing to listen and respond to His voice. By positioning ourselves in this way, we make room for God to work in our lives, bringing about the transformation and renewal that only He can provide. [01:07:46]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Reflection: What distractions in your life are preventing you from experiencing God's presence more fully? How can you create a dedicated time and space for prayer and reflection this week?

Quotes

I love the confidence with which we are invited to approach the throne of Almighty God because of Jesus. Scripture says we can draw near in full assurance of faith. I don't know if you know what that looks like. Full assurance of faith. So when we come into this place, we can come in in full assurance of faith that we can approach God's throne of grace and we can just lay aside all the distractions and all the noise and we can just run to the Father. [00:34:36] (56 seconds)


And I don't know what that does in you, but for me, that just stirs up worship. It stirs up gratitude. It stirs up this, Jesus, there is none like you. There's none beside you. Come on, let's just let that echo out. As we just come to this revelation that we can approach God in full assurance of faith, let worship spring up from within you, not like a song in the middle of a worship service kind of worship. [00:35:58] (24 seconds)


And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. What he was saying was, when you turn from the past that you used to live in, then there's also a public declaration of your faith that says, I don't live that anymore. And that's what baptism is. When I go down under the water, I'm identifying with the death and burial of Jesus Christ. But when I come back out of the water, it's this declaration that I'm spiritually made new. [00:38:56] (23 seconds)


Not slightly better, not an improvement on the old self, but spiritually speaking, I've been made brand new. And of course, we understand we're not going to be perfect until you stand face to face with God. That's the point is not that you've attained perfection. The point is that my pursuit is to be more and more like Jesus every single day. And I live and I stand in the confidence that he is constantly making me new. [00:40:00] (23 seconds)


We sort of began it last week actually in setting aside a service that was pretty much worship from beginning to end, creating an atmosphere of faith for people to linger in a little bit longer. I believe there's something to that when worship isn't always just 20 minutes in your life and then on to the next thing that something happens when you create a time and a space to linger a little bit longer. [00:40:01] (23 seconds)


It says, Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. Verse 9 says, When Moses would enter this tent, the pillar of cloud, which was a picture of the presence of God, would descend and stand at the entrance to the tent, and the Lord, God, would speak to Moses. Verse 11 then says, The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, like a man speaks to his friend. [00:41:41] (29 seconds)


What a beautiful imagery. Think about how you talk to a friend. Think about how when you see that friend, maybe you've had a friend that lives long distance, you haven't seen them in a bed, and then one of you steps off the plane, and you run, and you embrace, and you're like, I can't wait to chat. And then you spend days together just talking through all that's been going on. [00:42:56] (17 seconds)


Joshua had that understanding of, I'm going to linger a little bit longer. Hey, I want to stay here in this tent in the presence of God. So let me set up where we're going today with a little bit of a story from this past week. This last week, of course, being daylight savings time. I mean, God bless all of you. You made it. I mean, they say it affects us more than we know, right? [00:44:23] (20 seconds)


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Transcript
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