Finding True Joy in Intimacy with God

 

Summary

In embarking on this new series about intimacy with God, the central aim is to challenge the belief that anything on Earth can bring more pleasure than knowing God intimately. Many of us come with burdens, pain, and desires to fix our problems, but the invitation is to consider that a relationship with God could surpass even the relief of those burdens. The allure of sin and temptation often seems irresistible, yet the promise of intimacy with God offers a deeper, more fulfilling joy. This relationship with God is transformative, changing our perspective even if our circumstances remain the same.

Reflecting on personal experiences, like the unexpected blessings in relationships, can remind us of the goodness we often overlook. Just as we might take for granted the beauty in our lives until someone else points it out, we can forget the profound privilege of being in a relationship with God. Despite our flaws and past mistakes, God calls us His children and His bride, offering us everything through this divine connection.

The psalmist in Psalm 73 shares a candid struggle with envy and temptation, observing the prosperity of the wicked and questioning the value of purity and righteousness. Yet, the turning point comes when he enters the sanctuary of God, gaining an eternal perspective that reveals the fleeting nature of earthly prosperity. This encounter with God shifts his focus from earthly desires to a longing for God alone, realizing that nothing on Earth or in heaven compares to being with God.

The challenge is to reach a place where we can genuinely say that God is all we desire, recognizing that our natural inclination is often self-centered. It requires a divine transformation of our hearts, a change that only God can bring about. In prayer and worship, we can ask God to realign our desires, to help us love Him with all our hearts, and to find contentment in His presence alone.

Key Takeaways:

- Intimacy with God Surpasses Earthly Pleasures: The pursuit of knowing God intimately offers a deeper satisfaction than any earthly pleasure or relief from pain. This relationship transforms our perspective, making us realize that even in trials, being with God is more fulfilling than any worldly comfort. [02:12]

- Recognizing Our Blessings: We often overlook the blessings in our lives, focusing instead on what we lack. By recognizing the profound privilege of being in a relationship with God, we can appreciate the fullness of life He offers, despite our flaws and past mistakes. [06:08]

- The Struggle with Envy and Temptation: Like the psalmist in Psalm 73, we may envy the prosperity of the wicked and question the value of righteousness. However, entering God's presence provides an eternal perspective, revealing the fleeting nature of earthly prosperity and the true value of intimacy with God. [21:29]

- The Transformative Power of Prayer: Prayer changes us, aligning our perspective with God's and helping us see our problems and desires from His eternal viewpoint. This transformation allows us to find contentment in God's presence, realizing that He is all we truly need. [24:35]

- Dependence on God for True Love: Our ability to love God and others is not natural but requires divine intervention. By asking God to change our hearts, we can grow in our love for Him, finding that He alone satisfies our deepest desires. [35:16]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Series Introduction
- [00:42] - Pain and Problems
- [01:34] - Struggling with Temptation
- [02:25] - Relationship Changes Everything
- [03:22] - Recognizing Our Blessings
- [06:08] - The Privilege of Knowing God
- [07:13] - God's Love and Sacrifice
- [09:54] - The Allure of Temptation
- [10:33] - Psalm 73: Honest Struggles
- [12:25] - Envying the Wicked
- [17:06] - The Prosperity of the Wicked
- [21:29] - Entering God's Sanctuary
- [24:35] - Prayer Changes Us
- [35:16] - Dependence on God for Love

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Intimacy with God

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 73

Observation Questions:
1. What internal struggle does the psalmist describe in Psalm 73, and how does it relate to his view of the prosperity of the wicked? [11:04]
2. How does the psalmist's perspective change after entering the sanctuary of God, according to Psalm 73? [21:29]
3. In the sermon, what personal analogy does the pastor use to illustrate the transformative power of a relationship? [02:40]
4. What does the pastor suggest is the primary reason people overlook their blessings, according to the sermon? [03:22]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the psalmist's initial envy of the wicked reflect common human tendencies, and what does this reveal about our own struggles with contentment? [12:05]
2. What does the pastor mean when he says that a relationship with God can change everything, even if circumstances remain the same? [02:40]
3. How does the psalmist's realization in the sanctuary of God provide a model for how believers can gain an eternal perspective on their struggles? [21:29]
4. In what ways does the pastor suggest that prayer can transform our perspective and align it with God's? [24:35]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt envious of others' prosperity. How did that affect your relationship with God, and what steps can you take to refocus on Him? [12:05]
2. The pastor mentioned that recognizing our blessings can be challenging. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of the blessings in your life this week? [03:22]
3. Consider the pastor's analogy of preferring to be in trials with Jesus rather than in comfort without Him. How can this perspective change the way you approach your current challenges? [02:40]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of prayer in transforming our desires. What specific prayer can you incorporate into your daily routine to help align your desires with God's? [24:35]
5. The pastor spoke about the need for divine intervention to truly love God and others. How can you invite God to change your heart in this area, and what practical steps can you take to demonstrate this love? [35:16]
6. Reflect on the psalmist's declaration that there is nothing on Earth he desires besides God. What earthly desires might be competing with your desire for God, and how can you address them? [28:59]
7. The pastor shared a personal story about realizing the value of his relationship. How can you apply this lesson to your relationship with God, ensuring you don't take it for granted? [06:08]

Devotional

Day 1: Intimacy with God Transcends Earthly Joys
The pursuit of an intimate relationship with God offers a satisfaction that surpasses any earthly pleasure or relief from pain. This relationship is transformative, altering our perspective and helping us realize that even in the midst of trials, being with God is more fulfilling than any worldly comfort. The allure of sin and temptation may seem irresistible, but the promise of intimacy with God offers a deeper, more fulfilling joy. This divine connection invites us to consider that a relationship with God could surpass even the relief of our burdens. [02:12]

Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Reflection: What is one earthly pleasure or comfort you find yourself seeking more than intimacy with God? How can you begin to shift your focus towards finding joy in His presence today?


Day 2: Recognizing the Privilege of Divine Relationship
We often overlook the blessings in our lives, focusing instead on what we lack. By recognizing the profound privilege of being in a relationship with God, we can appreciate the fullness of life He offers, despite our flaws and past mistakes. Reflecting on personal experiences, like unexpected blessings in relationships, can remind us of the goodness we often overlook. Just as we might take for granted the beauty in our lives until someone else points it out, we can forget the profound privilege of being in a relationship with God. [06:08]

Ephesians 1:3 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."

Reflection: What is one blessing in your life that you have taken for granted? How can you express gratitude to God for this blessing today?


Day 3: Gaining Eternal Perspective in God's Presence
Like the psalmist in Psalm 73, we may envy the prosperity of the wicked and question the value of righteousness. However, entering God's presence provides an eternal perspective, revealing the fleeting nature of earthly prosperity and the true value of intimacy with God. This encounter with God shifts our focus from earthly desires to a longing for God alone, realizing that nothing on Earth or in heaven compares to being with God. [21:29]

2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV): "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: When you find yourself envying others, how can you remind yourself of the eternal perspective that comes from being in God's presence?


Day 4: The Transformative Power of Prayer
Prayer changes us, aligning our perspective with God's and helping us see our problems and desires from His eternal viewpoint. This transformation allows us to find contentment in God's presence, realizing that He is all we truly need. Through prayer and worship, we can ask God to realign our desires, to help us love Him with all our hearts, and to find contentment in His presence alone. [24:35]

Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

Reflection: How can you incorporate a specific time of prayer into your daily routine to seek God's perspective on your current challenges?


Day 5: Dependence on God for True Love
Our ability to love God and others is not natural but requires divine intervention. By asking God to change our hearts, we can grow in our love for Him, finding that He alone satisfies our deepest desires. Despite our flaws and past mistakes, God calls us His children and His bride, offering us everything through this divine connection. This requires a divine transformation of our hearts, a change that only God can bring about. [35:16]

1 John 4:19 (ESV): "We love because he first loved us."

Reflection: Who is one person in your life you find difficult to love? How can you ask God to help you extend His love to them today?

Quotes



"well tonight we uh we begin a new series on uh on intimacy with God and as I was thinking about this you know I really only have one objective during this whole series and um and that's to get you to stop believing that anything on this Earth will bring you more pleasure than knowing god intimately and be so convinced of that that you pursue him more than anything you guys I know that some of you guys you come here tonight and you're hurting you're going through some tough times in life and right now you think you know what my greatest desire is just to get rid of this pain and I just want you to be open tonight to the possibility just the possibility that a relationship with God and knowing god intimately could be better than even getting rid of that pain" [00:00:07]

"see and and some of you I know you come here tonight and you're struggling with temptation and and you know there's some things that you've fallen into and you know you know it goes against everything that God wants for you but you love it so much you want it so much and even this week as it's coming up you you're already planning even though you're at church this weekend you're already planning the diving right back into your sin this next week and I'm just asking you to consider the possibility that intimacy with God will bring you more pleasure than that sin that you're involved in and I know right now you can't see it you're thinking oh you don't know how much pleasure I'm getting from this I'm addicted to it it's everything to me and I'm just saying no you don't understand intimacy with God knowing this God is better man and my prayer is that maybe even after this one message you'll believe that there's nothing on this Earth that'll bring you more personal satisfaction and pleasure than knowing your God intimately" [00:01:28]

"you know I I I I think sometimes we we forget how good we have it in life you know you know why because in our world we are programmed to think about what we don't have every time you turn on the TV they Market what you don't have so that you covet and you desire and they want to everybody wants us to focus on what we don't have and to strive after those things well the Bible calls that coveting saying don't desire don't desire more recognize what you have what God has given you it's just that so often we don't recognize how good we have it" [00:03:22]

"and you see I guess that's what I'm hoping this series will do for you is I tell you about how good you have it in this relationship with God because I look at who God is and then I look at you and I go you guys are together you know I I mean that's right I mean I I look at myself and I'm going man after all the junk that I've done in my life all the evil all the wick this all the cruel acts of my life and then to think that I am matched up and I have a relationship with this holy beautiful perfect God and he calls me his child he calls me his bride and you just go wow that doesn't go together at all and and and sometimes we can start looking all these things we don't have and we don't stop and realize I've got everything I've got everything I I'm connected with God we are the bride of Christ we are his children he calls us his friends and you just stop and think friendship with God intimacy with God look I know there are problems I know there are things we're going through but think about the fact that you're with God right now" [00:06:08]

"you know this the psalmist that that we're going to study today in in Psalm 73 he was so honest about about his feelings and he explains you know which a lot of times in church we're not a lot of times we come to church and we can fake and pretend oh I don't have any Temptation you know I'm I'm I'm I'm a holy man I'm a man of the cloth up here you know I have no temptation and yet this psalmist goes oh man do you know how tempted I've been and and he talks about how he actually envied the wicked that he allowed himself to just go ooh that looks good that looks fun he says in Psalm 73 verse 1 he says surely God is good to Israel to those who are pure in heart but as for me my feet almost slipped I nearly lost my foothold for I envied The Arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked" [00:10:33]

"he says okay when I tried to understand this when I tried to figure out what's going on in the world he says it was oppressive he goes it was burdensome to me he goes it was bugging me so bad he goes until I entered the sanctuary of God he goes this was all bothering me then I came into the presence of God I came into his throne room and I looked at the world and everything from his perspective he goes then suddenly everything changed suddenly when I'm sitting with God in heaven and looking at the Earth and looking all these issues then I realized you know what he he says you place them on slippery ground you're going to cast them down to ruined he goes suddenly it's going to be over suddenly their lives are going to be over suddenly will come the punishment everything will fall apart he goes and I didn't see it I didn't see the Eternal perspective until I came into the presence of God until I came to the sanctuary of God I look down and go oh so that's how you made this world and people have choices people choose evil and at the end you know everything's going to be made clear and all the false motives all the wickedness is going to be exposed" [00:22:16]

"and he says you know he goes he goes my I was grieved and my spirit was embittered he says you know my heart was in so much pain and and in my spirit I was angry he he calls himself senseless and ignorant he says I was like a brute Beast he goes you know what I was saying a lot of things to you God and I just kind of out of control I just lost it you ever done that just like God I didn't mean to question you I said some stupid stupid things my my heart was grieved my spirit was embittered man I've had to say that to God before you know what God I admit it I don't know what I was thinking I you know you you look back in life sometimes at things that you got angry about and later on in life you go wow why was I mad at God for that that ended up working out to be the best thing in my life that's actually what brought me close to him and years later you look back and go God I am so sorry I was just dumb some of my biggest regrets in life are not just the sins that I committed against other people but it's uh the words that I had with God where I was just out of control I was in a fit of rage and you know just mad because the way things happen and I question him you look back and you God I was I was acting like a fool questioning you" [00:25:22]

"he goes I just cannot wait to be with you god remember a couple weeks ago I asked you know what if you could have heaven with with all of the pleasures of the earth and and all the natural beauties and no sickness no pain no de death no conflict all of your friends but you didn't have Jesus would you be content and asking do you really love Jesus or do you just love all the things he could provide for you see the psalmist here he goes whom have I in heaven but you you know a lot of times we go gosh I can't wait to get to heaven because I I want I want to see my dad I want to see my mom I want to see this person I want to see that person and that's all good but you know what is there a greater passion to see God this psalmist goes gosh you know what I'm looking forward to in heaven you just being with you seeing you face to face and and and he says in Earth has has nothing I desire besides you can you say that are you at a point in your life where you could say these words you know what this Earth this planet really has nothing I desire except for you" [00:27:01]

"you know what I know you're the greatest greatest thing I can experience on this Earth is intimacy with you and right now I'm just Desiring too many other things there's a great verse in Deuteronomy chapter 30 verse 6 it says this God says to the people of Israel the Lord your God the Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants so that you may love him with all your heart with all your soul and live who has to change your heart God has to it's not something you do by your own power where you're just good enough to love God by your own power you know even God himself says you know what it's it's God who's going to do that he's going to change your hearts he's going to change the hearts of your descendants so that they will love him with all of their hearts and you guys that's what I have to pray God change me because my love for you isn't that strong and I need need you in order to love you I need your power in order to love you" [00:35:16]

"and I know that's the weirdest thing in the world for some of you to grasp but the greatest thing you could do during this time of worship is to come before God and say God would you change my heart cuz there's things in this world right now that I'm Desiring and some of them aren't good and I'm starting to believe that that'll bring me more pleasure than you I'm just like this psalmist sometimes where I'm envying the wicked and I'm ready to slip I'm ready to fall I'm ready to lose it even though in my head I know you're good and I know there's nothing on Earth I want but you and that would bring me ultimate pleasure just be honest with God tonight just be like the psalmist don't give the church answer oh that's not me I never struggle with sin I'm not tempted just lay it out say God I'm sick I've been longing for this and that whether it's material possession success sin just go God I hate it why am I like this change me change me over this next month change me over this next week to where I can say with the psalmist you're my shepherd I don't need anything else I don't want anything else as for me it's just good to be near the Lord" [00:36:36]

"and he says you know he goes he goes my I was grieved and my spirit was embittered he says you know my heart was in so much pain and and in my spirit I was angry he he calls himself senseless and ignorant he says I was like a brute Beast he goes you know what I was saying a lot of things to you God and I just kind of out of control I just lost it you ever done that just like God I didn't mean to question you I said some stupid stupid things my my heart was grieved my spirit was embittered man I've had to say that to God before you know what God I admit it I don't know what I was thinking I you know you you look back in life sometimes at things that you got angry about and later on in life you go wow why was I mad at God for that that ended up working out to be the best thing in my life that's actually what brought me close to him and years later you look back and go God I am so sorry I was just dumb some of my biggest regrets in life are not just the sins that I committed against other people but it's uh the words that I had with God where I was just out of control I was in a fit of rage and you know just mad because the way things happen and I question him you look back and you God I was I was acting like a fool questioning you" [00:25:22]

"he goes I just cannot wait to be with you god remember a couple weeks ago I asked you know what if you could have heaven with with all of the pleasures of the earth and and all the natural beauties and no sickness no pain no de death no conflict all of your friends but you didn't have Jesus would you be content and asking do you really love Jesus or do you just love all the things he could provide for you see the psalmist here he goes whom have I in heaven but you you know a lot of times we go gosh I can't wait to get to heaven because I I want I want to see my dad I want to see my mom I want to see this person I want to see that person and that's all good but you know what is there a greater passion to see God this psalmist goes gosh you know what I'm looking forward to in heaven you just being with you seeing you face to face and and and he says in Earth has has nothing I desire besides you can you say that are you at a point in your life where you could say these words you know what this Earth this planet really has nothing I desire except for you" [00:27:01]

"you know what I know you're the greatest greatest thing I can experience on this Earth is intimacy with you and right now I'm just Desiring too many other things there's a great verse in Deuteronomy chapter 30 verse 6 it says this God says to the people of Israel the Lord your God the Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants so that you may love him with all your heart with all your soul and live who has to change your heart God has to it's not something you do by your own power where you're just good enough to love God by your own power you know even God himself says you know what it's it's God who's going to do that he's going to change your hearts he's going to change the hearts of your descendants so that they will love him with all of their hearts and you guys that's what I have to pray God change me because my love for you isn't that strong and I need need you in order to love you I need your power in order to love you" [00:35:16]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?