Filling the Void: Inviting God's Presence Within

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often encounter moments where we feel disconnected from the divine presence we so earnestly seek. We strive to be pockets of heaven on earth, yet we find ourselves ensnared by the very sins we thought we had overcome. This struggle is not merely a physical one; it is deeply spiritual, rooted in the core of our being. The parable in Matthew 12:43-45, which Jesus shares with us, reveals the spiritual reality behind our battles with sin and temptation. It speaks of an impure spirit that, after being cast out, wanders through arid places and, finding no rest, returns to its former home, now clean and orderly, and brings along seven spirits more wicked than itself. This parable is a stark reminder that our spiritual house must not only be swept clean but also filled with the presence of God.God's desire has always been to dwell among us, to walk with us, and to be in relationship with us. From the very beginning, as He walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden, to the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt, God has sought to be close to His people. He provided the tabernacle as a dwelling place among the Israelites, signifying His constant presence. When humanity continued to rebel, God sent His only Son, Jesus, to dwell among us, and after His ascension, He sent the Holy Spirit to live within us. This indwelling of the Spirit transforms us into pockets of heaven, allowing the Kingdom of Heaven to intersect with the kingdom of Earth within our hearts.However, the reality is that we often do not feel like pockets of heaven. Our tempers flare, our weaknesses surface, and we fall short of the glory God has called us to embody. This dissonance between our calling and our lived experience is not just a matter of willpower; it is a spiritual void that must be filled. When there is a void in our lives, there is a battle to fill that space. It could be filled with the approval of others, relationships, substances, or any number of vices. But it is God's greatest desire to fill that void, to establish His kingdom within us, and to guide us to live according to His will.The parable Jesus shares is not just a cautionary tale; it is an invitation to a deeper understanding of our spiritual condition. It calls us to be vigilant in our spiritual lives, to not only cleanse ourselves of sin but to actively seek the Holy Spirit to fill the void left behind. It is a call to live out the Lord's Prayer, to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth, starting within our own hearts.Key Takeaways:- The parable of the impure spirit in Matthew 12:43-45 serves as a powerful metaphor for our spiritual lives. When we cleanse ourselves of sin but fail to fill the void with the Holy Spirit, we leave ourselves vulnerable to greater spiritual afflictions. It is not enough to simply remove sin; we must also cultivate a relationship with God that fills our inner void with divine presence. [49:33]- God's consistent desire to dwell among His people is evident throughout Scripture. From walking with Adam and Eve to the tabernacle with the Israelites, to Jesus' incarnation and the gift of the Holy Spirit, God's pursuit of intimacy with us is relentless. This divine pursuit calls us to reciprocate by seeking His presence in our daily lives.- Our identity as pockets of heaven is not just a theological concept but a transformative reality. When the Holy Spirit dwells within us, we carry the light of Christ into the darkness of the world. This indwelling empowers us to be agents of God's kingdom, reflecting His love and grace in every environment we enter.- The struggle between the Kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of Earth within us is a reflection of the broader conflict between God's will and human rebellion. Our prayers and actions should align with the Lord's Prayer, actively seeking to manifest God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, starting with the transformation of our own hearts.- The void in our spiritual lives can be filled with many things, but only the presence of God can truly satisfy and bring peace. Our pursuit of God must be intentional, filling our lives with His Word, His Spirit, and His love, to prevent the return of the sins we have cast out. This pursuit is a daily commitment to living out our faith authentically and allowing God to reign in every aspect of our lives.

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 12:43-45 - "When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."

2. Leviticus 26:11-13 - "I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high."

3. John 14:15-17 - "If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."

#### Observation Questions
1. What happens to the person in the parable of the impure spirit when the spirit returns to find the house empty? (Matthew 12:43-45)
2. According to Leviticus 26:11-13, what does God promise to do for His people?
3. In John 14:15-17, what does Jesus promise to those who love Him and keep His commands?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the impure spirit return with seven other spirits more wicked than itself? What does this suggest about the importance of filling the void left by sin? (Matthew 12:43-45)
2. How does God's promise in Leviticus 26:11-13 reflect His desire to be in relationship with His people? What does this mean for us today?
3. What is the significance of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us as described in John 14:15-17? How does this relate to the concept of being "pockets of heaven"?

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a spiritual void in your life. What did you try to fill it with, and how did that impact you? How can you intentionally seek to fill that void with God's presence instead? [34:09]
2. The sermon mentioned that we often don't feel like "pockets of heaven" due to our tempers, weaknesses, and shortcomings. Identify one specific area in your life where you struggle to reflect God's kingdom. What steps can you take to invite the Holy Spirit into that area? [38:54]
3. How can you cultivate a daily habit of seeking God's presence to prevent the return of sins you have cast out? What practical actions can you take to ensure your spiritual house is not just clean but filled with the Holy Spirit? [42:03]
4. The parable in Matthew 12:43-45 serves as a cautionary tale. How can you remain vigilant in your spiritual life to avoid falling back into old patterns of sin? What role does community play in this vigilance? [42:43]
5. God's desire to dwell among His people is evident throughout Scripture. How can you make space in your daily routine to foster a deeper relationship with God? What specific practices can help you become more aware of His presence in your life? [35:36]
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of living out the Lord's Prayer by bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. How can you actively seek to manifest God's kingdom in your daily interactions and decisions? [32:04]
7. Think of a person or situation in your life where you can be a "pocket of heaven." What specific actions can you take this week to reflect God's love and grace in that context? [38:18]

Devotional

Day 1: Filling the Void with the SpiritWhen sin is cast out of one's life, it leaves behind a void that must be filled with something of substance. This void is a spiritual space that yearns for the Holy Spirit's presence. Without this divine filling, the void becomes vulnerable to not only the return of past sins but also the potential for even greater spiritual afflictions. It is crucial to understand that the process of sanctification involves both the removal of sin and the intentional pursuit of a relationship with God. This relationship is what sustains and fortifies the believer, preventing the emptiness from becoming a dwelling place for sin once again. The spiritual life is an active journey of seeking God's presence to fill every part of one's being [07:40].Ephesians 5:18-20 - "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to invite the Holy Spirit to fill the voids in your life?Day 2: God's Relentless Pursuit of IntimacyGod's desire to dwell among His people is a consistent theme throughout the Bible. From the Garden of Eden to the tabernacle, and through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, God has shown an unwavering commitment to be close to humanity. This divine pursuit is not a passive one; it calls for an active response from believers. To reciprocate God's love, one must seek His presence in daily life, recognizing that God's desire is for a deep, personal relationship with each individual. This relationship is the foundation upon which a life of faith is built, and it is the means through which believers can truly become pockets of heaven on earth [07:40].Leviticus 26:11-12 - "I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people."Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of God's presence in your daily routine?Day 3: Agents of the KingdomBelievers are called to be pockets of heaven, carrying the transformative reality of the Holy Spirit within them. This indwelling empowers individuals to reflect the light of Christ in a world often shrouded in darkness. As agents of God's kingdom, believers are tasked with demonstrating His love and grace in every environment they enter. This calling is not just a theological concept; it is a practical, everyday mission that requires the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength. By allowing the Spirit to work through them, believers can make a tangible difference in the world, advancing the Kingdom of Heaven on earth [07:40].2 Corinthians 5:20 - "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."Reflection: In what ways can you be an ambassador for Christ in your community today?Day 4: The Conflict WithinThe inner struggle between the Kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of Earth reflects the broader conflict between God's will and human rebellion. This tension manifests in the daily choices and actions of believers. Aligning one's life with the Lord's Prayer means actively seeking to manifest God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. This alignment requires a transformation of the heart, a commitment to live out one's faith authentically, and a dedication to allowing God to reign in every aspect of life. The battle is won through prayer, surrender, and the pursuit of holiness [07:40].James 4:7-8a - "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can more fully submit to God's reign and resist worldly temptations?Day 5: The Pursuit of God's PresenceThe void in one's spiritual life can be filled with many things, but only the presence of God can truly satisfy and bring peace. This pursuit of God must be intentional and consistent, involving the daily filling of one's life with His Word, His Spirit, and His love. By doing so, believers can prevent the return of the sins they have cast out and live in the fullness of God's peace and joy. The pursuit of God is a daily commitment to living out one's faith authentically and allowing God to reign in every aspect of life [07:40].Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."Reflection: What practical steps can you take to ensure that your daily life is filled with the presence of God rather than the distractions of the world?

Quotes

"When we cleanse ourselves of sin but fail to fill the void with the Holy Spirit, we leave ourselves vulnerable to greater spiritual afflictions." [43:26] ( | | )

"God's greatest desire is to dwell among you not just among you but he would then prescribe the Holy Spirit to dwell within us." [37:35] ( | | )

"When the Kingdom of Heaven intersects with the kingdom of Earth within our hearts and the kingdom of heaven rules in us, we become a pocket of Heaven." [38:18] ( | | )

"Often times we don't feel like a pocket of Heaven when we've woken up without our coffee and somebody already is griping at us, we snap back and don't feel quite like a pocket of heaven." [38:54] ( | | )

"Whenever there's a void there will always be a battle to fill that space... it is God's greatest desire to fill that space in our hearts and in our lives." [34:56] ( | | )

"It is God's greatest desire to walk with us, to be in relationship with us, even to dwell with us." [35:36] ( | | )

"This ministry is changing lives and breaking patterns with the love of Christ since 2018 not a single woman who graduated from the program has reoffended." [30:20] ( | | )

"We become this pocket of Heaven in the midst of a dark world when Jesus calls us the Light of Christ, that's what he's talking about." [38:18] ( | | )

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Transcript
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