Experiencing God's Presence Through Faith and Worship
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound relationship between our faith and the manifestation of God's presence in our lives. I began by emphasizing the importance of genuine belief and its visible expression in our worship and daily actions. True faith isn't just professed; it's demonstrated through our continual praise and thanksgiving, which begins even before we enter the church doors.
I shared the foundational vision of Encounter Church, which is to be a place where the presence of God is so real and tangible that it meets all needs. This vision is rooted in the understanding that God's provision and glory are not distant but are accessed through our worship and acknowledgment of His omnipresence.
The sermon delved into the nature of God's word and its necessity in our lives. I stressed that God's word is not merely written text but is Jesus Himself, the Word made flesh. This truth underscores that our faith and daily living must be 'word activated'—meaning that our actions, decisions, and entire lives should be guided and motivated by the truth of God's word.
I recounted personal testimonies and biblical narratives that illustrate the transformative power of God's presence. These stories highlighted miraculous healings and divine interventions that occur when we truly engage with God in faith. The presence of God, likened to a tangible fragrance or a visible cloud, is not just something to be read about but experienced.
Throughout the sermon, I reiterated the necessity of aligning our words with our actions. This alignment is not just for personal consistency but is a testament to the world of our faith's authenticity. By living out the truths we profess, we become beacons of God's light and life in a world marred by darkness and despair.
Key Takeaways:
1. Genuine faith must manifest in our actions, especially in our worship and daily expressions of thanksgiving. This alignment of belief and behavior not only strengthens our relationship with God but also serves as a powerful witness to others. Our consistent praise, irrespective of our circumstances, is a testament to our unshakeable trust in God's goodness and sovereignty. [14:53]
2. The presence of God is a reality that can be experienced tangibly in our lives. It is not confined to the pages of Scripture or distant heaven but is available to us here and now through worship and faith. When we gather in His name with expectation and hunger for His presence, miraculous transformations occur, impacting not just individuals but entire communities. [16:50]
3. The Word of God is alive and active, embodied in Jesus Christ. Our faith is 'word activated,' meaning that every aspect of our lives should be influenced and guided by the truths of Scripture. This activation is not passive but requires our active engagement and willingness to apply God's word in every decision and action. [27:34]
4. Encountering God's presence transforms our understanding of provision and need. As we experience His glory, our perspective shifts from earthly limitations to divine abundance. This shift is not just theoretical but has practical implications for how we live, pray, and interact with the challenges of life. [23:59]
5. The power of God's word in our lives extends beyond personal transformation to societal impact. When we live out the truths of the gospel, we bring light to dark places, offering hope and direction to those lost in confusion and despair. Our lives, illuminated by Christ, become beacons of hope and agents of change. [41:44]
Chapters:
0:00 - Welcome
01:58 - The Foundation of Praise
14:03 - Faith Manifested in Worship
16:50 - Experiencing God's Presence
23:59 - The Light of Christ in Our Lives
27:34 - Living a Word Activated Life
41:44 - The Transformative Power of the Word
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 1:1-5 (NIV)
> In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
2. Isaiah 6:1-4 (NIV)
> In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
3. Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
> Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does John 1:1-5 tell us about the nature of the Word and its relationship to God?
2. In Isaiah 6:1-4, what was the reaction of the seraphim to the presence of the Lord, and what was the effect on the temple?
3. According to Psalm 119:105, what role does God's word play in our lives?
4. In the sermon, what personal testimony did the pastor share about the tangible presence of God? ([08:43])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the description of the Word in John 1:1-5 deepen our understanding of Jesus' role in creation and in our lives?
2. What does the reaction of the seraphim in Isaiah 6:1-4 teach us about the holiness and glory of God?
3. How can Psalm 119:105 guide us in making decisions and navigating life's challenges?
4. The pastor mentioned that our faith should be "word activated." What does it mean for our lives to be guided and motivated by the truths of Scripture? ([27:34])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's presence in a tangible way. How did it impact your faith and actions? ([08:43])
2. The pastor emphasized the importance of aligning our words with our actions. Can you identify an area in your life where your actions need to better reflect your professed beliefs? ([12:08])
3. How can you cultivate a habit of continual praise and thanksgiving in your daily life, even before you enter the church doors? ([14:53])
4. The sermon highlighted the transformative power of God's presence. How can you create an environment in your home or community that invites and honors God's presence? ([16:50])
5. Think about a recent decision you made. How did you seek guidance from God's word in that decision? If you didn't, how might you approach similar decisions differently in the future? ([27:34])
6. The pastor shared a story about a miraculous healing that occurred through faith and prayer. How can you increase your expectation and hunger for God's miraculous interventions in your life and community? ([09:33])
7. How can you be a beacon of God's light and life in your workplace or social circles, especially in times of darkness and despair? ([23:59])
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Manifested in Daily Actions
Genuine faith is visibly expressed through our actions and worship. It is essential to understand that faith is not merely something we profess with our lips but demonstrate through our lives. This active faith begins with our attitude towards worship and extends to our daily expressions of thanksgiving and praise. Whether in times of joy or adversity, our consistent praise is a testament to our unshakeable trust in God's goodness and sovereignty. This visible faith not only strengthens our relationship with God but also serves as a powerful witness to others about the reality of our beliefs. [14:53]
James 2:17-18, "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate your faith through your actions in a specific situation you are facing this week?
Day 2: Experiencing God's Tangible Presence
The presence of God is not confined to abstract spiritual realms or historical narratives; it is a tangible reality that can be experienced in our lives today. This presence is not just something to be read about but is accessible here and now through our worship and faith. When we gather in His name with expectation and hunger for His presence, we invite miraculous transformations that can impact not only individuals but entire communities. This tangible experience of God's presence reassures us of His immediate availability and power to meet all our needs. [16:50]
Psalm 34:4-5, "I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed."
Reflection: What specific change can you make in your worship to more actively seek and experience God's tangible presence?
Day 3: Living a Word-Activated Life
The Word of God is alive and active, embodied in Jesus Christ. Our faith being 'word activated' means that every aspect of our lives should be influenced and guided by the truths of Scripture. This requires not just passive reading but active engagement and application of God's word in every decision and action. By living out the truths of the gospel, we align our daily lives with divine wisdom and power, enabling us to face challenges with God's perspective and strength. [27:34]
Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Reflection: What is one decision you face today where you can specifically apply the truth of God's Word?
Day 4: Shifting Perspective to Divine Abundance
Encountering God's presence transforms our understanding of provision and need. As we experience His glory, our perspective shifts from earthly limitations to divine abundance. This shift is not just theoretical but has practical implications for how we live, pray, and interact with the challenges of life. By recognizing God's abundant provision, we are empowered to live out of a place of security and generosity, impacting our actions and interactions with others. [23:59]
2 Corinthians 9:8, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: How can you shift your perspective from scarcity to abundance in a current situation you are dealing with?
Day 5: The Societal Impact of Living the Gospel
The power of God's word in our lives extends beyond personal transformation to societal impact. When we live out the truths of the gospel, we bring light to dark places, offering hope and direction to those lost in confusion and despair. Our lives, illuminated by Christ, become beacons of hope and agents of change in a world marred by darkness and despair. This transformative power of the Word not only changes us but also enables us to effect change in our communities and beyond. [41:44]
Micah 6:8, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: What is one way you can actively bring the light of Christ into a specific dark situation in your community this week?
Quotes
1. "Before I began something I need a word. Somebody say I need a word. Why do I need a word? Because Psalm 119 105. Your word is a lamp to my feet. Come on y'all. And a light to my path. When I don't know what to do let me get a word from the Lord." [29:49]
2. "In God everything. Somebody say everything. Is word activated. And the words that activates everything is not just a sound of breath over the vocal cords with the tongue and the mouth forming the rhythm. It's a right arrangement to bring thought to speech but the word is a person and his name is Jesus." [27:34]
3. "This house is presence driven. Because in the presence. Everything that we need is there. That's where his word comes from. Hear what I'm telling you. That's where the word comes. That's where the healing comes. That's where the deliverance comes." [15:50]
4. "God is here. Somebody say God is here. Would you look at your neighbor and say God is here. Right now. He's here. He's here. I wish you could say it with conviction." [17:31]
5. "The more we recognize that he's here and the more we realize he's here. The more he manifest the more things happen. So. John the first chapter. When I began this house, there was a statement that the Lord gave me. And he said this will be the motto for your house. It's word activated." [18:17]
6. "Word activated John 1. In the beginning. Was the word everybody underline your word was. Just was was was in the beginning was the word and the word was with God. And the word. Was God. Look at verse 2. He. He. Was. In the beginning with God." [20:24]
7. "The next line in the text helps us understand why we believe that everything must be word activated. Look at the next verse verse 3 all things somebody say all things. Say like you mean to say all things. All things came into being through him and apart from him not even one thing came into being that has come into being." [22:27]
8. "I have seen him fall through the roof, if you will, in the form of a cloud. Until the incense was so strong in the room, the smell, the fragrance of him. One of the ladies that got healed in one of the services here one Sunday told me that she went home." [08:43]
9. "And the doctor said that the cancer that she had in her blood system was no longer there. In fact, he said, we don't even know where you got this blood from because this is totally different blood. It's like you've had a complete transfusion." [09:33]
10. "If you really believed it, you'd really show it. I wouldn't have to ask anybody to praise the Lord. Come on, y'all. Don't be mad at me. I wouldn't have to ask anybody to praise the Lord. If you really believed it, you'd be praising God." [14:03]
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