Experiencing God's Presence: Comfort in Our Stories
Summary
I once met a woman who seemed closed off and depressed. However, when she shared her story, it completely changed my perception of her. This experience made me reflect on the power of knowing someone's story and how it allows us to truly understand and connect with them. Similarly, God makes Himself known to us through His actions, through Jesus, and through His name. I focused on the story of Moses and the burning bush, highlighting the significance of God's name, Yahweh, and its connection to the verb "I am." I emphasized the importance of God's presence and how it brings comfort and power in our moments of helplessness and vulnerability.
I also explored the character of God and His desire to reveal Himself to humanity. I emphasized that although God punishes sin, He is also a God of compassion, grace, and forgiveness. I highlighted that God's actions and revelations are all aimed at drawing people into a relationship with Him. I then focused on the significance of God revealing His name, Yahweh, to His people. By addressing God as Father, Shepherd, and Jesus, believers come under the presence, power, revelation, and relationship associated with the name Yahweh.
I shared a personal experience of finding comfort in the presence of a friend during a difficult time, emphasizing that sometimes all we need is someone to be with us. Drawing from Matthew's gospel, I reminded the congregation that Jesus promised to be with them always. I encouraged the listeners to reflect on their own situations and identify where they need to experience God's presence the most.
I highlighted the importance of knowing and experiencing God's presence, especially in times of pain, heartache, loneliness, or struggle. I concluded by inviting the congregation to close their eyes and receive God's presence, reminding them that He will never leave or forsake them.
Key Takeaways:
- Knowing someone's story allows us to truly understand and connect with them. This is true for our relationship with God as well. He reveals Himself to us through His actions, through Jesus, and through His name, Yahweh. This revelation brings comfort and power in our moments of helplessness and vulnerability. [12:45]
- God's character is multifaceted. He punishes sin, but He is also a God of compassion, grace, and forgiveness. His actions and revelations are all aimed at drawing people into a relationship with Him. This relationship is deepened when we address God as Father, Shepherd, and Jesus. [24:30]
- The presence of a friend during a difficult time can bring immense comfort. Similarly, Jesus promised to be with us always. Reflecting on our own situations and identifying where we need to experience God's presence the most can bring us closer to Him. [36:15]
- Experiencing God's presence is especially important in times of pain, heartache, loneliness, or struggle. Knowing that He is with us can bring comfort and strength. [48:00]
- God will never leave or forsake us. This promise is a powerful reminder of His constant presence and love for us. Inviting God's presence into our lives can bring peace and comfort. [59:30]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 3:1-15 #!!04:53!!#
2. Exodus 34:6-7 #!!25:23!!#
3. Philippians 2:9-11 #!!28:40!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of God revealing His name as "I am" to Moses in Exodus 3?
2. How does Exodus 34:6-7 describe the character of God?
3. In Philippians 2:9-11, how is Jesus connected to the name "I am"?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the revelation of God's name as "I am" in Exodus 3 shape our understanding of His character and His relationship with us?
2. How does the description of God in Exodus 34:6-7 align with His actions throughout the Bible?
3. What does the confession that "Jesus Christ is Lord" in Philippians 2:9-11 mean in the context of God's name as "I am"?
Application Questions:
1. How does knowing God as "I am" affect your personal relationship with Him?
2. In what specific situation in your life do you need to remember that God is "I am", the all-present and all-powerful one?
3. How can you demonstrate the character of God as described in Exodus 34:6-7 in your interactions with others this week?
4. How does acknowledging Jesus as Lord, as stated in Philippians 2:9-11, influence your daily decisions and actions?
5. Can you think of a specific way you can share the significance of God's name "I am" with someone who doesn't know Him yet?
Devotional
Day 1: God's Presence in Our Helplessness
God's name, Yahweh, signifies His constant presence with us, especially in times of helplessness and powerlessness. His presence is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles. His name, "I am with you," is a promise that He will never leave nor forsake us ([17:16]).
Exodus 3:12 - "And God said, 'I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you felt helpless. How can you invite God's presence into that situation?
Day 2: God's Ability in Our Inability
God's name, Yahweh, also signifies His ability to act in our inability. When we feel powerless and incapable, God reminds us that He is able, that He is the "I am" who can do all things ([21:38]).
Exodus 3:14 - "God said to Moses, 'I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I am has sent me to you.'"
Reflection: What is a situation in your life where you feel incapable? How can you trust in God's ability in this situation?
Day 3: God's Desire for Relationship
God reveals His name, Yahweh, to us because He desires a relationship with us. He wants us to know Him intimately, to understand His character, and to experience His love and grace ([25:23]).
Exodus 6:7 - "I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians."
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with God this week? What steps can you take to know Him more intimately?
Day 4: God's Revelation of Himself
God reveals Himself to us through His name, Yahweh. This revelation is not just about knowing His name, but understanding His character - His compassion, grace, forgiveness, and justice ([28:40]).
Exodus 34:6-7 - "And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, 'The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.'"
Reflection: Reflect on God's character as revealed in His name, Yahweh. How does this understanding of God's character impact your relationship with Him?
Day 5: Jesus - The Name Above All Names
Jesus, the name given to the Son of God, is the name above all names. In Jesus, we see the fullness of God's presence, power, revelation, and desire for relationship with us ([26:28]).
Philippians 2:9-11 - "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Reflection: How does acknowledging Jesus as Lord impact your daily life? How can you honor Jesus' name in your actions and decisions this week?
Quotes
1. "You don't really know a person, you don't and can't really understand a person until you've heard their story." [49:33]
This quote emphasizes the importance of understanding someone's story in order to truly connect with them, which aligns with the sermon's message about the power of knowing someone's story, including God's.
2. "The God of the universe wants to reveal himself to me, to you, to us. His actions and character are all for the purpose of drawing us into a relationship with himself." [28:40]
This quote directly relates to the sermon's focus on God's desire to reveal Himself to humanity and His aim to draw people into a relationship with Him.
3. "Yahweh embraces his people and draws them under his name. When we address God as Father, as our shepherd, or as Jesus, we come under the presence, power, revelation, and relationship of Yahweh." [28:40]
This quote highlights the significance of God revealing His name, Yahweh, to His people, which is a key point in the sermon.
4. "Where is it that you need to know? You need to experience. You need to feel God's presence right now. So what pain, what heartache, what isolation, what loneliness perhaps, what burden, what challenge, what struggle, what joy, what success, what accomplishment, where do you truly need to know his presence most keenly right now?" [17:16]
This quote encourages listeners to reflect on their own situations and identify where they need to experience God's presence the most, which aligns with the sermon's message about the importance of experiencing God's presence.
5. "I am with you." [08:51]
This quote is a simple yet powerful reminder of God's constant presence and love for us, which is a key takeaway from the sermon.
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