Experiencing God's Presence: Joy in Generosity and Relationship
Summary
In tonight's gathering, I shared my excitement about the potential for divine encounters and the transformative power of prayer. Reflecting on my journey, especially the recent move to Hong Kong with my family, I emphasized the joy and fulfillment that comes from following God’s call, even when it seems counterintuitive to others. Our decision to move, despite the challenges, has been a testament to God’s faithfulness and the joy that comes from living in obedience to Him.
I recounted a conversation with my wife during our 25th anniversary, where we marveled at the happiness and blessings we've experienced, attributing it to God's answers to our prayers. This led to a discussion on the importance of not just knowing about God but truly experiencing Him. I shared my struggle growing up in a culture that emphasized obedience over relationship, and how God has been teaching me about love and intimacy with Him over the years.
Drawing from the Psalms and Paul's writings, I highlighted the deep desire for a personal relationship with God, akin to the longing expressed by David and Paul. This relationship is not about following rules but about a genuine love for Jesus, which transforms our perspective on life and death.
I used the analogy of a menu to illustrate how many people know about God but have never truly tasted His goodness. My prayer is for everyone to move beyond just reading about God to experiencing His presence and love.
We also explored the concept of generosity as a gift from God, using the example of the Macedonian church in 2 Corinthians. Their extreme poverty did not hinder their generosity, which was a testament to God’s grace. I shared personal stories of how giving has brought immense joy and fulfillment, challenging the notion that wealth leads to happiness.
Finally, I contrasted the responses of the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus to Jesus, emphasizing the joy and freedom that come from recognizing the true value of a relationship with Christ. My prayer is for everyone to experience this transformation, to see Jesus for who He truly is, and to live a life marked by generosity and love.
Key Takeaways:
- True joy and fulfillment come from following God's call, even when it seems counterintuitive. Our move to Hong Kong during challenging times has been a testament to God's faithfulness and the joy of living in obedience. [02:04]
- Experiencing God goes beyond knowing about Him; it involves a deep, personal relationship. Like David and Paul, our desire should be to know and love Jesus intimately, transforming our perspective on life and death. [10:33]
- Many people know about God but have never truly tasted His goodness. Moving beyond just reading about God to experiencing His presence and love is essential for a vibrant faith. [15:26]
- Generosity is a gift from God, as demonstrated by the Macedonian church. Their extreme poverty did not hinder their generosity, which was a testament to God’s grace. True happiness is found in giving, not in accumulating wealth. [23:25]
- The responses of the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus to Jesus highlight the joy and freedom that come from recognizing the true value of a relationship with Christ. When we truly see Jesus for who He is, material possessions lose their hold on us. [39:00]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Anticipation and Prayer
- [00:58] - Journey to Hong Kong
- [02:29] - Reflections on Marriage and Blessings
- [04:12] - Experiencing God’s Presence
- [05:05] - Cultural Observations
- [07:12] - Relationship vs. Obedience
- [09:42] - Authority and Intimacy
- [10:33] - Paul's Desire for Christ
- [13:13] - The Menu Analogy
- [18:30] - Generosity and the Macedonian Church
- [26:28] - Personal Stories of Giving
- [32:07] - The Joy of Generosity
- [36:20] - The Rich Young Ruler vs. Zacchaeus
- [41:21] - The True Value of Knowing Jesus
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 1:21-23
2. Psalm 27:4
3. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul express as his ultimate desire in Philippians 1:21-23, and how does this reflect his relationship with Christ? [10:33]
2. In Psalm 27:4, what is the one thing David asks of the Lord, and how does this request demonstrate his longing for God?
3. How does the Macedonian church's response to their poverty in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 illustrate their understanding of generosity? [19:34]
4. According to the sermon, what analogy is used to describe the difference between knowing about God and truly experiencing Him? [13:13]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul's statement "to live is Christ and to die is gain" challenge common perceptions of life and death? What does this reveal about his priorities? [10:33]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that cultural upbringing can impact one's understanding of a relationship with God? [07:12]
3. How does the example of the Macedonian church redefine the concept of generosity, and what does it suggest about the source of true happiness? [19:34]
4. What are the contrasting responses of the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus to Jesus, and what do these responses reveal about their understanding of Jesus' value? [36:20]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when following God's call seemed counterintuitive. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [02:04]
2. Consider your current relationship with God. Are you more focused on obedience or intimacy? What steps can you take to deepen your personal relationship with Him? [07:12]
3. Have you ever experienced a moment where you truly "tasted" God's goodness? How did it change your perspective on faith and life? [15:26]
4. In what ways can you practice generosity in your current circumstances, regardless of your financial situation? How might this impact your sense of joy and fulfillment? [23:25]
5. Reflect on the story of Zacchaeus. How can you cultivate a heart that joyfully welcomes Jesus into every aspect of your life, including your finances? [39:00]
6. Identify one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith. What practical steps can you take this week to respond to that call? [02:04]
7. How can you move from simply knowing about God to truly experiencing His presence and love in your daily life? What changes might this require in your routine or mindset? [15:26]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy in Obedience to God's Call
Following God's call brings joy, even when it seems counterintuitive. The decision to move to Hong Kong during challenging times exemplifies the joy and fulfillment that come from living in obedience to God. This journey is a testament to God's faithfulness, showing that true joy is found not in the absence of challenges but in the presence of His guidance. When we align our lives with His will, we experience a deeper sense of purpose and contentment. [02:04]
"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith, even if it seems counterintuitive? How can you take a step towards obedience today?
Day 2: Experiencing God Beyond Knowledge
Experiencing God involves a deep, personal relationship that goes beyond mere knowledge. Like David and Paul, the desire to know and love Jesus intimately transforms our perspective on life and death. This relationship is not about following rules but about cultivating a genuine love for Jesus, which changes how we view our existence and purpose. Moving from knowing about God to truly experiencing His presence is essential for a vibrant faith. [10:33]
"That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." (Philippians 3:10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with God today? What specific steps can you take to move from knowing about God to truly experiencing His presence in your daily life?
Day 3: Tasting God's Goodness
Many people know about God but have never truly tasted His goodness. The analogy of a menu illustrates this concept, urging believers to move beyond just reading about God to experiencing His love and presence. This shift is crucial for a vibrant and authentic faith, as it allows individuals to truly savor the richness of a relationship with God. [15:26]
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" (Psalm 34:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can "taste" God's goodness today? Consider a specific action or practice that will help you experience His love and presence more fully.
Day 4: Generosity as a Gift from God
Generosity is a gift from God, as demonstrated by the Macedonian church, whose extreme poverty did not hinder their generosity. Their actions were a testament to God's grace, showing that true happiness is found in giving, not in accumulating wealth. Personal stories of giving highlight the immense joy and fulfillment that come from living a life marked by generosity. [23:25]
"In a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part." (2 Corinthians 8:2, ESV)
Reflection: How can you practice generosity today, regardless of your current circumstances? Identify one specific way you can give to others, whether through time, resources, or encouragement.
Day 5: The True Value of Knowing Jesus
The responses of the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus to Jesus highlight the joy and freedom that come from recognizing the true value of a relationship with Christ. When we truly see Jesus for who He is, material possessions lose their hold on us, and we find joy in the freedom of knowing Him. This transformation invites us to live a life marked by generosity and love, embracing the true value of a relationship with Christ. [39:00]
"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." (Philippians 3:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: What material possessions or desires are holding you back from fully embracing a relationship with Jesus? How can you begin to let go of these today to experience the joy and freedom found in knowing Him?
Quotes
"I love following God, I love experiencing him in new ways, and in fact, my wife who's with me, we've been married for 27 years now, we have seven children, two grandchildren, and when we decided to move here from the U.S., you know, we thought, okay, we'll take our four youngest children and move to Hong Kong." [00:11:39]
"I remember at our 25-year anniversary at dinner, I asked my wife, I said, no, she asked me, she said, do you know of anyone on the earth that is happier than us? And I said, I don't, I don't know anyone. And she goes, I know, she goes, I keep thinking there has to be someone on the earth that is more blessed than we are, but she goes, I haven't met them yet." [00:02:36]
"I grew up in a Chinese Baptist church, you know, and so very, very similar, you know, both of my parents were pastors in Hong Kong, both in the Baptist church, you know, and so when they went to the U.S., the idea was to start a church very similar to the Hong Kong church, and so that's what I grew up in." [00:05:42]
"When I would read the Psalms, the Psalms were very confusing to me because I would read the way that David would talk to God and I go, wow, that's weird, because for most of us growing up in a Chinese home, the relationship, especially with your father, you don't talk, you don't, you just don't talk." [00:07:45]
"Paul says in verse 21, for me to live is Christ and to die is gain. He's like, my whole life is about Jesus, and if I die, that'd be even better because I'd be even closer to him. I could see him. I want to be with him because a couple verses later, he says, he goes, I am hard-pressed between the two." [00:10:35]
"I can teach you the menu, I say, oh, you gotta try this cake, wow, there's like, I don't know, I don't know what's on there, okay, but I, because I can't read Chinese, but okay, but if I could, I could just read it for you and say, ah, this cake is made of this and this and this." [00:13:06]
"I want to experience you, I want to taste you, the Bible says, taste and see that the Lord is good. I always pray, God, make me one of those pastors that's talking about you as I'm tasting you, you know, that I'm not just reading out a book, that's fine, it's accurate, but I want it in my mouth." [00:15:26]
"We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part, for they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means of their own accord." [00:19:29]
"Paul is not telling the Corinthians about the Macedonian church, he is not bragging about the Macedonian church, he is not saying that church, those churches are so amazing in Macedonia, no, what does he say? He says, we want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches." [00:21:21]
"Jesus says it's more blessed to be a giver than a receiver, right, it's more blessed, I mean, try to think, do you know if any generous person, think of the most generous people you know, do you know of any generous people who are unhappy? My wife and I were talking about that, try to think about someone who's just a total giver and just mad all the time." [00:25:12]
"The rich young ruler comes to Jesus and he says, what do I have to do to go to heaven? And Jesus answered him in a way that we wouldn't, he says, well, have you obeyed the commands? And the guy's like, yeah, yeah, I obeyed them. And then Jesus says something crazy, I mean, this man is just asking, how do I go to heaven?" [00:36:24]
"There's a man named Zacchaeus, and the Bible specifically says in Luke 19, there in verse 2, there was a man named Zacchaeus, he was a chief tax collector and was rich, and he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd, he couldn't because he was small, so he ran on ahead, climbed up a sycamore tree." [00:37:28]
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