Inviting God's Presence: Prioritizing Connection and Seeking
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound concept of giving God the room in our lives. This idea transcends the physical space and time we often think of, extending into the realm of authority and presence. It's about recognizing God's sovereignty and inviting Him to have His way in our hearts, our moments, and our gatherings. We are reminded that while serving God is important, it should never overshadow our need to seek Him. The story of Mary and Martha illustrates this beautifully, showing us that while Martha was busy serving, Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, prioritizing her connection with Him.
We are created for connection, both with God and with others. This connection requires proximity, not just in a physical sense but in a spiritual and relational sense as well. Just as a strong internet connection requires close proximity to the source, our spiritual growth and maturity depend on our closeness to God. This closeness is cultivated through intentional seeking, being present in worship, and engaging with the community of believers.
The message also emphasized the importance of showing up, both in our relationship with God and with others. Whether it's attending church, participating in small groups, or simply being present in our relationships, showing up is a significant part of building and maintaining connections. In our pursuit of God, we are encouraged to seek Him with all our hearts, knowing that He promises to be found by those who earnestly seek Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. Giving God the Room: Inviting God into our lives means more than just allocating time or space; it involves recognizing His authority and allowing Him to work in our hearts and circumstances. This requires a conscious decision to prioritize His presence over our busyness. [39:47]
2. Balancing Service and Seeking: While serving God is vital, it should not replace our need to seek Him. Like Mary, we must choose to sit at Jesus' feet, ensuring that our service flows from a place of intimacy with Him rather than obligation. [45:49]
3. Created for Connection: We are designed for connection with God and others. This connection thrives in proximity, both physically and spiritually. Being close to God and His people fosters growth and maturity in our faith. [49:04]
4. The Power of Showing Up: Consistently showing up in our spiritual and relational lives is crucial. Whether it's attending church or being present in our relationships, showing up is a significant step toward deeper connection and growth. [58:02]
5. Seeking God with All Our Hearts: True fulfillment comes from seeking God wholeheartedly. When we pursue Him with sincerity, we find the satisfaction and wholeness that the world cannot offer. This pursuit requires intentionality and a willingness to prioritize His presence. [01:04:20]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [39:47] - Giving God the Room
- [40:31] - Transition from Worship
- [41:12] - Church Announcements
- [43:19] - Upcoming Events
- [44:37] - New Series Introduction
- [45:49] - Mary and Martha's Story
- [47:29] - Balancing Service and Seeking
- [49:04] - Created for Connection
- [51:01] - Importance of Proximity
- [52:38] - Connection and Internet Analogy
- [55:04] - Challenges of Distance
- [58:02] - The Power of Showing Up
- [01:04:20] - Seeking God with All Our Hearts
- [01:28:05] - Salvation Prayer and Communion
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 10:38-42
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Observation Questions:
1. In the story of Mary and Martha, what was Martha's main concern, and how did Jesus respond to her? [45:49]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of "giving God the room" in our lives? [39:47]
3. What analogy is used in the sermon to explain the importance of proximity in our relationship with God? [51:38]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of "showing up" in our spiritual and relational lives? [58:02]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to prioritize God's presence over our busyness, as illustrated by Mary and Martha's story? [45:49]
2. How can the analogy of a strong internet connection help us understand the importance of being close to God and others? [51:38]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our service to God should flow from a place of intimacy rather than obligation? [47:29]
4. How does the sermon challenge the listener to seek God with all their heart, and what might that look like in practice? [01:04:20]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current schedule. Are there areas where you can "give God the room" to work in your life? What changes can you make to prioritize His presence? [39:47]
2. Consider your service to God and others. Are you serving from a place of obligation or intimacy? How can you ensure your service flows from a genuine connection with God? [47:29]
3. Think about your spiritual and relational connections. How can you improve your "proximity" to God and others this week? What practical steps can you take to be more present? [51:38]
4. Identify a specific relationship in your life where "showing up" could make a significant difference. What actions can you take to be more present and engaged in that relationship? [58:02]
5. Reflect on a time when you earnestly sought God with all your heart. What was the outcome, and how can you cultivate that same intentionality in your current spiritual journey? [01:04:20]
6. Are there any distractions in your life that prevent you from seeking God wholeheartedly? What steps can you take to minimize these distractions and focus on your relationship with Him? [01:04:20]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to prioritize their connection with God and each other? What role can you play in fostering a supportive and spiritually enriching environment? [01:00:53]
Devotional
Day 1: Prioritizing God's Presence Over Busyness
Inviting God into our lives is more than just setting aside time or space; it involves recognizing His authority and allowing Him to work in our hearts and circumstances. This requires a conscious decision to prioritize His presence over our busyness. The story of Mary and Martha illustrates this beautifully. While Martha was busy serving, Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, prioritizing her connection with Him. This teaches us that while serving God is important, it should never overshadow our need to seek Him. By giving God the room in our lives, we acknowledge His sovereignty and invite Him to have His way in our hearts, our moments, and our gatherings. [39:47]
"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!" (1 Chronicles 16:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself too busy to prioritize God's presence? How can you intentionally make room for Him today?
Day 2: Intimacy Before Service
While serving God is vital, it should not replace our need to seek Him. Like Mary, we must choose to sit at Jesus' feet, ensuring that our service flows from a place of intimacy with Him rather than obligation. This balance between service and seeking is crucial for a healthy spiritual life. When we prioritize intimacy with God, our service becomes more meaningful and effective. It is from this place of closeness that we can truly serve others with love and compassion, reflecting the heart of Christ in all we do. [45:49]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your service to God and others is rooted in intimacy with Him rather than obligation?
Day 3: Proximity to God and Community
We are designed for connection with God and others. This connection thrives in proximity, both physically and spiritually. Just as a strong internet connection requires close proximity to the source, our spiritual growth and maturity depend on our closeness to God. Being close to God and His people fosters growth and maturity in our faith. This closeness is cultivated through intentional seeking, being present in worship, and engaging with the community of believers. By nurturing these connections, we fulfill our purpose and experience the fullness of life in Christ. [49:04]
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally draw closer to God and your community this week to foster spiritual growth?
Day 4: The Importance of Consistency
Consistently showing up in our spiritual and relational lives is crucial. Whether it's attending church, participating in small groups, or simply being present in our relationships, showing up is a significant step toward deeper connection and growth. In our pursuit of God, we are encouraged to seek Him with all our hearts, knowing that He promises to be found by those who earnestly seek Him. This consistency in our spiritual practices and relationships helps us build a strong foundation of faith and love, enabling us to navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience. [58:02]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take to be more consistent in showing up for God and others in your life?
Day 5: Wholehearted Pursuit of God
True fulfillment comes from seeking God wholeheartedly. When we pursue Him with sincerity, we find the satisfaction and wholeness that the world cannot offer. This pursuit requires intentionality and a willingness to prioritize His presence. By seeking God with all our hearts, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His love and grace, allowing Him to shape us into the people He created us to be. This wholehearted pursuit leads to a deeper understanding of His will and purpose for our lives, bringing us peace and joy that surpasses all understanding. [01:04:20]
"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to seek God with all your heart and experience the fullness of His presence in your life?
Quotes
"We can't neglect seeking him as we're serving him. Okay. This isn't my sermon, but I do want to drive this home. That's why you'll see some of our volunteers not serving on a regular basis. I just, I don't know if you ever noticed Pastor Veronica, she, in addition to be our executive pastor administration, everything else, she's also our children's pastor and does an amazing job with our kid ministry. She's not in there every week." [00:47:06] (23 seconds)
"Mary was connected and growing because she was close. She chose to be at the feet of Jesus. It was a decision. She could have been in the kitchen. She could have been anywhere else. I don't know if they called it a kitchen, but she could have been doing some kind of service somewhere else, but she chose to be at his feet." [00:49:04] (15 seconds)
"Good connection requires close proximity. This morning's sermon is called Proximity, and I'll explain that as we go. But good connection requires close proximity. And I want to take you for the sake of this illustration, think about internet for a second. All of us by now should be at least familiar with the concept of an internet connection." [00:52:04] (19 seconds)
"God wants to have a relationship with you. He wants to know you. He wants you to know him, to know him intimately, to know him more and more. He wants you to be able to hear his voice. He wants to have a conversation with you. He wants to commune with you. He wants to have that, and he's ready, and he wants that for you, and I know that you would want that for yourself." [00:58:02] (20 seconds)
"Where relationship and connection are concerned, proximity matters. Where relationship and connection are concerned, proximity matters. What do I mean? I mean that where you are will impact what you receive. You ever skip something, whether it's a service, whether it's a special event, it's a ball game, it's something, I don't know. You didn't go, and that just happened to be the day they gave out a bunch of free stuff?" [00:58:25] (27 seconds)
"Church attendants are gathering together. In any capacity with believers, encouraging each other and focusing on Jesus brings benefits, both for Christian living, okay, but it also exposes us to opportunities for spiritual growth. And here's the thing. This sermon is targeted at people who want to know God more." [01:02:02] (22 seconds)
"If you want to be closer to God, seek God. Seek God. It's that simple. We touched on it last week. Pick it up there and moving forward. Deuteronomy 429 says, but from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." [01:04:20] (21 seconds)
"People who are hungry and thirsty, in their souls, they've tried to find fulfillment in this world. They've looked at lots of different things, but the world doesn't satisfy. Was it the Rolling Stones? I can't get no satisfaction. I mean, it's prophetic. It's the way it is. It doesn't matter what brings you joy." [01:06:12] (22 seconds)
"Listen, I don't know how to tell you this, but there's always gonna be something bigger and better than what you have. Have you realized that? Always. Doesn't matter how successful you get, there's always gonna be something bigger and better. Well, I know that, but if I can just get this next bigger one. No, you're gonna get that one, and you're gonna think, man, if this is awesome, how much more awesome would the next one be?" [01:07:26] (22 seconds)
"If you want to be closer to God, seek God. If you want to be closer to people, seek people. Seek God first, number one priority, but seek people too. Amen? I'm having to skip all this stuff. I don't know what I said. One last statement, and it's just a restating or simplifying of all that I've said so far just show up okay there's a quote that's been made Woody Allen this is credited for it but I don't think he even claims it as his own or did but the quote is this and many of you heard it it says 80 % of success is showing up." [01:20:19] (39 seconds)
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