Intentional Living: Embracing God's Presence and Purpose
Summary
### Summary
Praise God for the privilege and joy of speaking to you this morning. It's an honor to share God's word, especially knowing how much He loves each one of you. Reflecting on my nature, I realize I don't often feel the need to be heard, but sometimes I do feel the need to speak. This morning, I want to focus on the beauty of Jesus and the richness of our faith as described in 2 Peter.
In 2 Peter 1:1-8, Peter speaks about the preciousness of our faith and the divine power that has given us everything we need for life and godliness. Through His promises, we can participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world. This passage emphasizes the importance of adding to our faith qualities like goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. These qualities keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on a personal experience, I recall a moment in church when I felt a strong presence of God and heard Him say, "Get ready. Good is coming." This revelation was accompanied by a sense of intentionality. We need to be intentional in our walk with God, seeking wisdom and revelation to know Him better. Ephesians 1:13-19 speaks of the spirit of wisdom and revelation, enlightening the eyes of our hearts to know the hope to which He has called us.
In Matthew 16, Jesus asks His disciples who they think He is, and Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus responds by saying that this revelation came from the Father and that Peter is blessed. This blessing signifies living in the presence of God, participating in His kingdom, and being favorably affected by Him.
Living in the presence of God, or Coram Deo, means being in constant communion with Him. It involves hearing His voice and being guided by His Spirit. This is not just for the future but for now. We are called to participate in His kingdom today. Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 1:13 to prepare our minds for action, be self-controlled, and set our hope fully on the grace to be given when Jesus Christ is revealed.
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our lives, guiding us into all truth and preparing us for what is to come. Jesus promised that the Spirit would take from what is His and make it known to us. This requires us to be intentional and yielded to the Holy Spirit, living in reckless abandonment to God's will.
On this Pentecost Sunday, we remember the birth of the church when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, empowering them to be witnesses. This same Spirit is available to us today, leading us into a higher realm of reality where we can expect the impossible. We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us, and we are called to live in communion with God, participating in His kingdom and fulfilling His divine purpose.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Preciousness of Faith and Divine Promises:
Our faith is as precious as that of the apostles, and through God's divine power, we have everything we need for life and godliness. By embracing qualities like goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love, we can be effective and productive in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. This passage from 2 Peter reminds us of the richness and depth of our faith and the importance of growing in these virtues. [23:18]
2. Intentionality in Our Walk with God:
Being intentional in our relationship with God is crucial. When we seek wisdom and revelation, we open ourselves to knowing Him better and understanding the hope to which He has called us. This intentionality involves a deliberate effort to draw near to God, allowing His Spirit to guide us and reveal His truths. As we do this, we align ourselves with His divine purpose and experience His presence more profoundly. [12:06]
3. Living in the Presence of God (Coram Deo):
Living in Coram Deo means being constantly aware of God's presence and participating in His kingdom. This involves hearing His voice, being guided by His Spirit, and living in communion with Him. It's not just about future promises but about experiencing God's presence and purpose in our lives today. This mindset transforms our daily walk, making us more attuned to His will and more effective in our spiritual journey. [18:50]
4. The Role of the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit is essential in guiding us into all truth and preparing us for what is to come. Jesus promised that the Spirit would take from what is His and make it known to us. This requires us to be intentional and yielded to the Holy Spirit, living in reckless abandonment to God's will. By doing so, we can experience a higher realm of reality where we can expect the impossible and be empowered to fulfill God's purpose in our lives. [35:44]
5. Participating in God's Kingdom Today:
We are called to participate in God's kingdom now, not just in the future. This involves being intentional in our faith, living in communion with God, and being guided by His Spirit. As we embrace this calling, we experience the fullness of God's presence and power in our lives, enabling us to be effective witnesses and fulfill His divine purpose. This participation is a daily process of aligning our thoughts and actions with God's will, allowing His Spirit to work through us. [39:19]
### YouTube Chapters
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [07:44] - The Beauty of Jesus
- [08:45] - Introduction to 2 Peter
- [09:37] - The Preciousness of Faith
- [10:29] - Train of Thoughts
- [11:11] - Personal Experience and Revelation
- [12:06] - Intentionality in Our Walk
- [12:53] - Ephesians Prayer for Wisdom
- [14:01] - Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation
- [15:13] - Uncovering the Reality of Jesus
- [16:28] - Peter's Revelation of Christ
- [17:49] - Living in the Presence of God
- [18:50] - Definition of Blessedness
- [20:04] - Hearing God's Voice
- [21:25] - Participating in God's Kingdom
- [23:18] - Richness of 2 Peter
- [24:13] - Faith and Dependence on God
- [25:34] - Precious Promises of God
- [26:16] - God's Yes to His Promises
- [26:40] - Agreement with God's Promises
- [27:40] - The Word Became Flesh
- [28:53] - Becoming Children of God
- [29:41] - Intimacy with God
- [30:39] - Fellowship with the Father and Son
- [31:54] - Pentecost and the Holy Spirit
- [32:53] - Jesus' Ascension and Promise
- [33:39] - The Spirit of Truth
- [34:23] - Higher Realm of Reality
- [35:01] - Guidance into All Truth
- [35:44] - Role of the Holy Spirit
- [36:19] - Intentional Yielding to the Spirit
- [36:50] - Reckless Abandonment to God
- [37:29] - Paul's Cry for More
- [38:03] - Pressing Towards the Goal
- [38:44] - Call to Be Intentional
- [39:19] - Participating in God's Kingdom Today
- [39:59] - God's Response to Insanity
- [40:40] - Being Filled with the Holy Spirit
- [41:21] - Angels Long to Look
- [42:06] - God's Invitation to Draw Near
- [42:35] - God's Call to Extraordinary Living
- [43:14] - Precious Promises and Participation
- [43:47] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Peter 1:1-8: "Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
2. Ephesians 1:13-19: "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."
3. Matthew 16:13-17: "When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?' They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' 'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.' Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What qualities does Peter encourage believers to add to their faith in 2 Peter 1:1-8?
2. According to Ephesians 1:13-19, what does Paul pray for the believers to receive from God?
3. In Matthew 16:13-17, how does Peter identify Jesus, and what is Jesus' response to Peter's declaration? [16:28]
4. What personal experience did the pastor share about hearing from God, and what was the message he received? [12:06]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Peter emphasize the importance of adding qualities like goodness, knowledge, and self-control to our faith? How do these qualities impact our effectiveness as Christians? [23:18]
2. What does it mean to live in the presence of God (Coram Deo), and how does this concept affect our daily lives? [18:50]
3. How does the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth, and what does it mean to live in "reckless abandonment" to God's will? [35:44]
4. What is the significance of Peter's revelation about Jesus being the Messiah, and how does this revelation come from the Father? [16:28]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the qualities listed in 2 Peter 1:1-8. Which of these qualities do you feel you need to grow in the most, and what steps can you take to develop it this week?
2. The pastor mentioned the importance of being intentional in our walk with God. What are some practical ways you can be more intentional in seeking wisdom and revelation from God? [12:06]
3. Living in the presence of God involves constant communion with Him. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence in your daily routine? [18:50]
4. The Holy Spirit is essential in guiding us into all truth. How can you be more yielded to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your life? What might "reckless abandonment" to God's will look like for you? [35:44]
5. Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Messiah was a revelation from the Father. How can you seek and recognize God's revelations in your own life? [16:28]
6. The pastor shared a personal experience of hearing from God. Have you ever had a similar experience? How did it impact your faith and actions? [12:06]
7. On this Pentecost Sunday, we remember the birth of the church and the coming of the Holy Spirit. How can you celebrate and embrace the Holy Spirit's role in your life today? [31:54]
Devotional
Day 1: The Preciousness of Faith and Divine Promises
Our faith is as precious as that of the apostles, and through God's divine power, we have everything we need for life and godliness. By embracing qualities like goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love, we can be effective and productive in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. This passage from 2 Peter reminds us of the richness and depth of our faith and the importance of growing in these virtues. [23:18]
2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."
Reflection: What specific quality (goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, or love) do you feel God is calling you to grow in today? How can you take a practical step to develop this quality in your daily life?
Day 2: Intentionality in Our Walk with God
Being intentional in our relationship with God is crucial. When we seek wisdom and revelation, we open ourselves to knowing Him better and understanding the hope to which He has called us. This intentionality involves a deliberate effort to draw near to God, allowing His Spirit to guide us and reveal His truths. As we do this, we align ourselves with His divine purpose and experience His presence more profoundly. [12:06]
Ephesians 1:17-18 (ESV): "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can be more intentional in your walk with God this week? Consider setting aside a specific time each day to seek His wisdom and revelation.
Day 3: Living in the Presence of God (Coram Deo)
Living in Coram Deo means being constantly aware of God's presence and participating in His kingdom. This involves hearing His voice, being guided by His Spirit, and living in communion with Him. It's not just about future promises but about experiencing God's presence and purpose in our lives today. This mindset transforms our daily walk, making us more attuned to His will and more effective in our spiritual journey. [18:50]
1 Peter 1:13 (ESV): "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to live more fully in communion with Him today?
Day 4: The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is essential in guiding us into all truth and preparing us for what is to come. Jesus promised that the Spirit would take from what is His and make it known to us. This requires us to be intentional and yielded to the Holy Spirit, living in reckless abandonment to God's will. By doing so, we can experience a higher realm of reality where we can expect the impossible and be empowered to fulfill God's purpose in our lives. [35:44]
John 16:13-14 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to yield more fully to the Holy Spirit? How can you practice living in reckless abandonment to God's will today?
Day 5: Participating in God's Kingdom Today
We are called to participate in God's kingdom now, not just in the future. This involves being intentional in our faith, living in communion with God, and being guided by His Spirit. As we embrace this calling, we experience the fullness of God's presence and power in our lives, enabling us to be effective witnesses and fulfill His divine purpose. This participation is a daily process of aligning our thoughts and actions with God's will, allowing His Spirit to work through us. [39:19]
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's kingdom today? What specific actions can you take to align your thoughts and behaviors with His will?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You might be thinking, how can you say that good is coming when the world's so upside down and crazy? Well, it's God's response to the insanity. Good is coming. It's his response. Romans 2 says that it's because of God's goodness that he grants us repentance. Good is coming in response to the insanity we see, and we just need to put ourselves in position, believe God in large capacity to be filled with the Holy Spirit power that we can be about the Father's business, being filled with the Holy Spirit, having communion with the Almighty God." [40:40]
2. "So what, what do we need? What needs to happen? We need to be intentional and put our agreement to. You know, so faith in my mind is so simple. All we have to do is agree with God. If God said it, just agree with him. Just put yourself in agreement with it because all of the promises of God are yes and amen. And we just read in 2 Peter that he gave us all of these promises so we could escape corruption and participate in the kingdom of God." [26:40]
3. "You know, here's a thought that that acquaintance, that being familiar with somebody, it actually is saying to be intimate with them. And so I had this thought, you know, how many do you really have a friend that's so close, that you're so familiar with, that you're so acquainted with, that you could go into their house, get something out of the refrigerator, and sit in their favorite chair? You know, that's rare. That's family. That's only family. But that's what God wants from us, is to be so acquainted with him, so familiar with him, that we live in the term that I always use is communion. Living in in the face of God, being in fellowship with him." [29:41]
4. "You know, everything we're talking about, about being children of God, about living in Coram Deo and participating in the kingdom, you know, Peter, I always loved this passage in 1 Peter, and, you know, this is, I'm about at the conclusion here. But Peter said even angels are, they long to look into this, that God would pick men, people like us, to be his children, to be participating in his kingdom, to be filled with his Spirit. It says that they are longing to just get a glimpse of how that could be, that we could live in God's face." [41:21]
5. "You know, just to re-account the story in the book of Acts. Jesus, after his suffering, after his resurrection, he had appeared to a lot of people for 40 days. And he showed himself to be alive and he continued to do works of God and continued to teach about the kingdom. And he said that you need to stay here in Jerusalem because I'm going to ask the Father and he's going to send the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes, you're going to receive power to be my witness." [31:54]
### Quotes for Members
1. "And so, in saying all that, I'll go to this 2 Peter. I'm going to read it to you. Chapter 1, verse 1. Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ to those who through the righteousness of God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours. Grace and peace be with yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises so that through them you may participate in the divine power. The divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." [23:18]
2. "And so what I believe is rightly divine in the word is that Paul was saying that God would give you the attitude. The atmosphere, the passion, the yieldedness to receive from Holy Spirit, wisdom, that ability to apply knowledge, that revelation. You know, that whole word has always been in my mind as a young believer, but it means to be uncovered. That we should always be attentive and have that attitude and that atmosphere and that passion and that hunger that God would uncover the reality of who Jesus is. Because he's so beautiful. He's so awesome. And then we would know the hope that he's called us to." [15:13]
3. "So that's what I was hearing. When he was saying get ready, get ready, good's coming. Wisdom and revelation, get ready. Be intentional. That's what I believe I was hearing, and I believe it's brought us to this moment so you could hear it, fresh and new, that God is calling us to come up higher. He's calling us to go deeper. He's calling us to be more intentional. That Jesus Christ, he began his ministry by saying, repent for the kingdom of heaven is within your grasp. You can take hold of it right now, today." [38:44]
4. "And Peter stands up and says, well, you're the Christ, the son of the living God. Well, I have this picture that Jesus stood up and this is his response. He said, blessed are you, Simon, son of Peter. Son of Jonah, because flesh and blood didn't uncover this for you, but my father who's in heaven. And he went on to say on this confession that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. I'll build the church. But the point I want to make is that Jesus said, blessed are you. And it wasn't like he rubbed him on his head or pat him on the back. Oh, Peter, you're so blessed. But it was. It was the son of God, God of the flesh, made a declaration that you are blessed." [16:28]
5. "You know, I believe that we were designed by God to hear him speaking to us. And I made that comment one time to a man in church. And he says, oh, anytime somebody tells me they heard from God, it makes me wonder about them. And I thought, well, you have to wonder about me every day because that's my passion. That's my hunger. It's to have communion with the living God and have him speak to me through his written word and through the Holy Spirit. And we have to take into account that anything we think that God says to us has to be confirmed by the written word of God, the last word." [20:04]
6. "He said, He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. I mean, think about that. We don't know the future. But the Holy Spirit's going to prepare us for what's ahead. That should be part of your prayers. Show us what's to come, Lord. Let us be prepared for tomorrow. What are you trying to do? He goes on to say, He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. It's just like I could hear, get ready, get ready. Wisdom and revelation good is coming. And Jesus is saying, the Holy Spirit's going to take from what is mine and make it known to you." [35:44]
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