Hunger for God's Presence: Communion, Intercession, and Righteous Living
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Tonight, I want to talk about the hunger for God's presence. Do we truly desire His presence? Do we understand what it means when the Lord visits us? When He comes, the atmosphere changes, and we can sense His presence. It's a time to walk with Him, talk with Him, and commune with Him. I, myself, have learned to cherish these moments, not rushing through them but savoring the time spent with the Lord.
In Genesis 18, we see a beautiful example of this with Abraham. The Lord appeared to Abraham in the plains of Mamre, and Abraham recognized Him immediately. He ran to meet Him, bowed down, and invited Him to stay. Abraham's eagerness to commune with the Lord is something we should all strive for. He didn't let the Lord pass by but invited Him in, prepared a meal, and spent time in His presence.
Abraham's story teaches us the importance of communion with God. It's in these moments of fellowship that we receive revelations and guidance. Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah, pleading with God to spare the city if there were righteous people within it. This intercession shows the power of prayer and the importance of standing in the gap for others.
We also see the importance of righteous living. Abraham's righteousness and his relationship with God had the potential to save an entire city. Our righteous living can have a profound impact on those around us. It can be the very thing that saves someone from destruction.
In our daily lives, we must learn to slow down and make time for communion with the Lord. We get so caught up in the busyness of life, worrying about various things, that we often neglect our time with God. But it's in these moments of stillness and communion that we find peace, guidance, and strength.
The story of Lot and his family further emphasizes the importance of righteous living and intercession. Lot chose to live in Sodom, a city filled with wickedness. Despite this, he was considered righteous because of his faith in God. However, his choice to live in such a place brought about great challenges and ultimately led to the city's destruction. Yet, it was Abraham's prayers that saved Lot and his family.
We must also be aware of the times we are living in. Just as Sodom and Gomorrah faced judgment, we too are living in times where wickedness abounds. We must be vigilant, praying, and interceding for our families, communities, and nations. Our prayers can make a difference, turning away God's wrath and bringing about His mercy.
In conclusion, let us learn from Abraham's example. Let us hunger for God's presence, make time for communion with Him, live righteously, and intercede for others. In doing so, we will experience the fullness of joy that comes from being in His presence and see His hand move in our lives and the lives of those around us.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Communion with God: Abraham's eagerness to invite the Lord into his home and spend time with Him is a powerful example for us. We must learn to slow down and make time for communion with God. It's in these moments of stillness and fellowship that we receive revelations, guidance, and strength. [49:15]
2. The Power of Intercession: Abraham's intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah shows the power of prayer. He pleaded with God to spare the city if there were righteous people within it. This teaches us the importance of standing in the gap for others, praying for our families, communities, and nations. Our prayers can turn away God's wrath and bring about His mercy. [01:07:06]
3. Righteous Living and Its Impact: Abraham's righteousness had the potential to save an entire city. Our righteous living can have a profound impact on those around us. It can be the very thing that saves someone from destruction. We must strive to live according to God's word, knowing that our actions can influence others. [01:24:00]
4. Recognizing God's Presence in Everyday Life: Just as Abraham recognized the Lord's presence and invited Him in, we must be attentive to God's presence in our daily lives. Whether in moments of prayer, worship, or even in the midst of our daily activities, we should be open to His presence and ready to commune with Him. [01:09:08]
5. The Urgency of the Times: The story of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a reminder of the times we are living in. Wickedness abounds, and we must be vigilant, praying, and interceding for our families, communities, and nations. Our prayers can make a difference, turning away God's wrath and bringing about His mercy. [01:51:27]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[36:18] - Introduction and Hunger for God's Presence
[49:15] - Abraham's Communion with God
[01:07:06] - The Power of Intercession
[01:24:00] - Righteous Living and Its Impact
[01:09:08] - Recognizing God's Presence in Everyday Life
[01:51:27] - The Urgency of the Times
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 18:1-5 (NIV)
> "The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, 'If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.' 'Very well,' they answered, 'do as you say.'"
2. 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."
3. 1 John 1:1-4 (NIV)
> "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete."
### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Abraham take when he saw the three men standing nearby? (Genesis 18:1-5)
2. According to John 1:1-5, what is the relationship between the Word and God?
3. In 1 John 1:1-4, what reasons are given for proclaiming the Word of life?
4. How does the sermon describe the atmosphere change when the Lord visits us? [37:21]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is Abraham's eagerness to invite the Lord into his home significant for us today? [49:15]
2. How does the concept of "communion with God" in the sermon relate to the passages in John 1 and 1 John 1? [46:42]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the power of intercession, as seen in Abraham's plea for Sodom and Gomorrah? [01:07:06]
4. How does the sermon connect righteous living with the potential to impact others around us? [01:24:00]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you make more time for communion with God, similar to how Abraham did? [49:15]
2. Think of a situation where you can stand in the gap for someone through prayer. How can you start interceding for them today? [01:07:06]
3. Identify one area in your life where you can strive to live more righteously. How might this impact those around you? [01:24:00]
4. How can you be more attentive to recognizing God's presence in your everyday life, as Abraham did? [49:33]
5. Considering the urgency of the times, what specific steps can you take to be more vigilant in prayer for your family, community, and nation? [01:51:27]
6. When was the last time you felt the presence of the Lord in a significant way? How did it change your perspective or actions?
7. How can you encourage others in your small group to prioritize their time with God amidst their busy schedules? [39:23]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Importance of Communion with God
Abraham's eagerness to invite the Lord into his home and spend time with Him is a powerful example for us. We must learn to slow down and make time for communion with God. It's in these moments of stillness and fellowship that we receive revelations, guidance, and strength. Abraham's story in Genesis 18 shows us that when the Lord visits, the atmosphere changes, and we can sense His presence. Abraham didn't rush through his time with the Lord but cherished every moment, preparing a meal and spending time in His presence. This teaches us the value of not letting the busyness of life crowd out our time with God. Instead, we should prioritize these moments of communion, knowing that they are essential for our spiritual growth and well-being.
In our daily lives, we often get caught up in various activities and worries, neglecting our time with God. However, it's in these moments of stillness and communion that we find peace, guidance, and strength. By making time for God, we open ourselves up to receive His revelations and guidance, just as Abraham did. Let us strive to create a habit of spending quality time with the Lord, savoring His presence and allowing Him to speak into our lives. [49:15]
Genesis 18:1-2 (ESV): "And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth."
Reflection: How can you create a specific time and place in your daily routine to commune with God, free from distractions?
### Day 2: The Power of Intercession
Abraham's intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah shows the power of prayer. He pleaded with God to spare the city if there were righteous people within it. This teaches us the importance of standing in the gap for others, praying for our families, communities, and nations. Our prayers can turn away God's wrath and bring about His mercy. Abraham's boldness in approaching God and his persistence in interceding for the city demonstrate the impact that one person's prayers can have. It reminds us that we have a significant role to play in interceding for others and seeking God's mercy on their behalf.
In our own lives, we can follow Abraham's example by being diligent in prayer and intercession. Whether it's for our loved ones, our community, or our nation, our prayers can make a difference. We should not underestimate the power of intercession and the impact it can have on the lives of those around us. Let us be encouraged to stand in the gap and pray fervently, knowing that God hears our prayers and can bring about change. [01:07:06]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Who in your life needs your intercession today? Take a moment to pray specifically for them, asking God to intervene in their situation.
### Day 3: Righteous Living and Its Impact
Abraham's righteousness had the potential to save an entire city. Our righteous living can have a profound impact on those around us. It can be the very thing that saves someone from destruction. We must strive to live according to God's word, knowing that our actions can influence others. Abraham's relationship with God and his righteous living set an example for us to follow. His life shows us that our actions and choices can have far-reaching effects, not just for ourselves but for those around us as well.
In our daily lives, we are called to live righteously and uphold God's standards. Our actions, words, and attitudes can influence others and lead them towards or away from God. By living righteously, we can be a light in the darkness and a source of hope for those around us. Let us be mindful of our conduct and strive to live in a way that honors God and positively impacts others. [01:24:00]
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you demonstrate righteous living in your interactions with others today?
### Day 4: Recognizing God's Presence in Everyday Life
Just as Abraham recognized the Lord's presence and invited Him in, we must be attentive to God's presence in our daily lives. Whether in moments of prayer, worship, or even in the midst of our daily activities, we should be open to His presence and ready to commune with Him. Abraham's ability to recognize the Lord and his eagerness to invite Him in is a reminder for us to be spiritually aware and sensitive to God's presence. We should cultivate an attitude of openness and readiness to engage with God, no matter where we are or what we are doing.
In our busy lives, it's easy to overlook God's presence and miss opportunities to connect with Him. However, by being intentional and mindful, we can become more aware of His presence and invite Him into every aspect of our lives. Let us strive to recognize God's presence in our daily routines and be willing to pause and commune with Him, knowing that He is always with us and desires to be a part of our lives. [01:09:08]
Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV): "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."
Reflection: How can you become more aware of God's presence in your daily activities and invite Him into those moments?
### Day 5: The Urgency of the Times
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a reminder of the times we are living in. Wickedness abounds, and we must be vigilant, praying, and interceding for our families, communities, and nations. Our prayers can make a difference, turning away God's wrath and bringing about His mercy. Just as Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah, we are called to be vigilant and proactive in our prayers. The urgency of the times requires us to be steadfast in our intercession, seeking God's intervention and mercy for those around us.
In today's world, we see many signs of moral decline and spiritual darkness. As believers, we have a responsibility to stand in the gap and pray for God's mercy and intervention. Our prayers can bring about change and make a difference in the lives of individuals, communities, and nations. Let us be diligent in our prayers, recognizing the urgency of the times and the power of intercession. [01:51:27]
Ezekiel 22:30 (ESV): "And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none."
Reflection: What specific issues or situations in your community or nation do you feel called to intercede for today? Take time to pray for God's intervention and mercy in those areas.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Folks, because we get so focused up on the world the flesh of the devil and the world and everything in the world. We're running about here. Running about there. Worrying about this. Worrying about that. Trying to take care of this. Trying to take care of that. And sometimes the Lord is just saying be still. Slow down. Slow down Drigger. I can see it. I can just imagine it. No one ever seen it on Tom. Mary did you ever watch Tom and Jerry? Ever seen Tom and Jerry? Jerry be running off. Tom take that claw and Jerry be running by and Jerry be running real fast and call down Jerry have a little thing on it. Stop. Jerry sit there and just stop him. He's running. Tom's trying to hold him there. Well God sometimes is trying to just take care of him. Slow down a minute here. Alright slow down. Hold on a minute. Take a little time. Let's have some communion with the Lord." [57:02]
2. "You see, I realize these days, that's what Satan is after more than anything else in a Christian's life. You know, just starting out, I was over here, I was just praying a while ago, and it kind of hit me that from the time this afternoon that I left, I had left the house, and all, and, well, I got a call from my mom this afternoon, and she just knocked on the door the other afternoon, and, and then I, then I had another call, and we got, and I'm having some problems, forgot to put gas in, so I have a little problem with one of the cars, so I get gas, and then got back, and it just seemed as though it was just like one thing right after the other, just right before church tonight, and the reason that I bring it up is, is, it's, I realize that what the, what Satan was trying to do, is Satan was trying everything that he could throw at me today to rob and take away from being ready to get into the presence of the Lord. See, if he can just keep you, all, all that really matters to Satan is he can just keep you out from the presence of the Lord." [38:21]
3. "You see, we need to be focused every day in prayer, talking to the Lord in communion and fellowship with the Master. And this is what Abraham was, this is what Abraham was doing here and it says right here, he drew near and he says, wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Pre-divine church, there be fifty righteous within the city, wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner to slay the righteous with the wicked that the righteous should be as wicked that should be judged from thee. Shall not the judge of all the righteous, shall not the judge of all the earth be right? And that the judge there is capitalized. In fact, this is what Abraham says right here because remember, he kept saying righteous, righteous, will you destroy the righteous with the wicked?" [01:15:16]
4. "It's important to pray and seek the Lord because you never know when the Lord may, you know, you start praying and then you're seeking and the Lord decides the Lord may, you may the Holy Spirit may come and quicken you. It may be the Lord coming to the tent of your home or, you know, Peter even called his body a tabernacle or a tent. So this the Lord, the Holy Spirit may wake you up sometime or might visit you suddenly you just feel out of nowhere. You feel the strings weird quickening. He's just like man, I need to pray. I need to pray for somebody. And then somebody's face will pop up in your, or their name will pop up. Or you may not even know what his prayer is. Lord, I just pray for you. This situation is what it is. Lord, I just pray. And then there's the Lord coming by and you just start praying. And you'll feel that burden of the Lord will come up on you. You'll feel the burden, you know, because, and then the Lord and then suddenly the Lord will just begin to" [01:13:16]
5. "And he said my Lord if now I have found favor in thy sight pass not away. I pray thee from thy servant pass not away. You see whenever the presence of the Lord starts coming because we have fellowship with God and truly our joy is in fellowship. You don't want to leave. You don't want to leave. You want to stay a while. When the Lord comes to visit your house when he appears to you you want to hang around a while. You want to leave. You want to stay for a while. They said the Lord appeared unto him in the heat of the day. I want you to catch that and then place him right in the door in the heat of the day. And that means it was real hot. This is out in the hot dry desert. Oh hallelujah out in the hot dry desert. You know have you ever seen that where there's dry and thirsty land where there is no water? Oh hallelujah but what did what did David say in the Psalms? He says my heart cleaneth after you like the heart cleaneth after the water in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. David was talking about my heart cleaneth. That means I'm thirsty for you. I'm hungry for the presence of the Lord in worship. Folks we need the presence of the Lord. I'm hungry for his presence." [50:15]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Holy Spirit I just speak up wants to say oh that person passing by you I want you to tell them I'm gonna say that don't let Jesus go right just tell them Jesus loves you God has a plan for life or he may even say look at him and say oh wait a minute no the Lord just told me to you you he is going to do that exactly the way that you thought he was going to do it does that mean anything to you and suddenly somebody's looking at you their eyes they start crying and you know I got oh no stop crying and stop it friend all day long God give me a sign and is it and I have got what he just said somebody might get my sign you just get that exactly what I was praying for you see God will use you when you're in communion with the master but you need to be like oh I ever have on a day by day moment by moment hour by hour basis you need to be praying the only way you're going to know God's going to want you there's you've got to be ready when you see God in his presence you need to be commuted with the master and once you commune with them that's when he starts telling you these things I want if you don't get up and else I'll just I want you to notice that God walk by but everyone invited to come in and then after Abraham offered to make the the dinner and to wash his feet and they started having communion dance when God started talking to him it was after the community you see most time it's really after the sweet communion intimate worship that speaks to you start telling you things and starts interspersed and starts having you intercede and and start and showing you things and give you revelations about the people folks it's important to be in communion with the master and in verse 27 and Abraham answered and said behold now I have taken up only to speak unto the" [01:29:38]
2. "And the men turned their faces from thence and went towards Sodom but Abraham stood yet before the Lord the words of the Lord said Abraham I will let you know there's a little bit more going on here than meets the eye I decided to come down because it is coming to me it has come to me up in heaven that the Sodom and Gomorrah sin and I was able to see the place that sin is very very great and I have come down now to check it out and I'm on my way to go and to check it out because their sin is very grievous and if I find that their sin is very grievous I'm going to destroy it now the Lord is talking to Abraham you know I want you to understand something you know the Lord well ahead I would the Lord had it determined in his heart what he's going to do but you know the Lord likes to talk to us sometimes sometimes it pays for us to talk to the Lord because sometimes all of our really wants to have a conversation with us they just want to commune and he just wants us to talk with him cause the Lord delights in talking and communing with that isn't the night of the Lord I have communion and fellowship with that this is the light and He just likes for us to talk with him. And the Lord likes for us to ask him for things because he likes to give his children. He's pleased with things. The Lord just likes to talk to us. And so the Lord, it says right here, but Abraham stood yet before the Lord. And Abraham drew near and said, now Abraham realized what the Lord was saying there. He realized the Lord was getting ready to destroy Solomon tomorrow. He was getting ready to destroy him. And Abraham drew near and said, Wilt thou destroy the righteous with the wicked? Pray they venture." [01:05:03]
3. "And he said my Lord if now I have found favor in thy sight pass not away. I pray thee from thy servant pass not away. You see whenever the presence of the Lord starts coming because we have fellowship with God and truly our joy is in fellowship. You don't want to leave. You don't want to leave. You want to stay a while. When the Lord comes to visit your house when he appears to you you want to hang around a while. You want to leave. You want to stay for a while. They said the Lord appeared unto him in the heat of the day. I want you to catch that and then place him right in the door in the heat of the day. And that means it was real hot. This is out in the hot dry desert. Oh hallelujah out in the hot dry desert. You know have you ever seen that where there's dry and thirsty land where there is no water? Oh hallelujah but what did what did David say in the Psalms? He says my heart cleaneth after you like the heart cleaneth after the water in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. David was talking about my heart cleaneth. That means I'm thirsty for you. I'm hungry for the presence of the Lord in worship. Folks we need the presence of the Lord. I'm hungry for his presence." [50:15]
4. "And he said my Lord if now I have found favor in thy sight pass not away. I pray thee from thy servant pass not away. You see whenever the presence of the Lord starts coming because we have fellowship with God and truly our joy is in fellowship. You don't want to leave. You don't want to leave. You want to stay a while. When the Lord comes to visit your house when he appears to you you want to hang around a while. You want to leave. You want to stay for a while. They said the Lord appeared unto him in the heat of the day. I want you to catch that and then place him right in the door in the heat of the day. And that means it was real hot. This is out in the hot dry desert. Oh hallelujah out in the hot dry desert. You know have you ever seen that where there's dry and thirsty land where there is no water? Oh hallelujah but what did what did David say in the Psalms? He says my heart cleaneth after you like the heart cleaneth after the water in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. David was talking about my heart cleaneth. That means I'm thirsty for you. I'm hungry for the presence of the Lord in worship. Folks we need the presence of the Lord. I'm hungry for his presence." [50:15]
5. "And he said my Lord if now I have found favor in thy sight pass not away. I pray thee from thy servant pass not away. You see whenever the presence of the Lord starts coming because we have fellowship with God and truly our joy is in fellowship. You don't want to leave. You don't want to leave. You want to stay a while. When the Lord comes to visit your house when he appears to you you want to hang around a while. You want to leave. You want to stay for a while. They said the Lord appeared unto him in the heat of the day. I want you to catch that and then place him right in the door in the heat of the day. And that means it was real hot. This is out in the hot dry desert. Oh hallelujah out in the hot dry desert. You know have you ever seen that where there's dry and thirsty land where there is no water? Oh hallelujah but what did what did David say in the Psalms? He says my heart cleaneth after you like the heart cleaneth after the water in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. David was talking about my heart cleaneth. That means I'm thirsty for you. I'm hungry for the presence of the Lord in worship. Folks we need the presence of the Lord. I'm hungry for his presence." [50:15]
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