Living as Inhabited Temples of God's Presence

Devotional

Day 1: The Tangible Reality of God's Presence

The presence of God in our lives is not just a theological concept but a tangible reality that should be visible and audible to those around us. The early disciples experienced this when the Holy Spirit descended upon them, manifesting as a sound from heaven and tongues of fire. This was not merely a historical event but a model for us today. When God inhabits His people, it is evident to those around them. This presence is not just metaphysical but manifest, meaning it can be seen, heard, and felt. We are called to live in such a way that God's presence is unmistakable in our lives, serving as a testament to His reality and power. [02:04]

Ephesians 3:16-17 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you make the presence of God more visible and audible in your daily interactions this week?

Day 2: Our Bodies as Living Temples

Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, and such a significant presence cannot go unnoticed. The Spirit's presence in us should be apparent to others, even if they are not initially willing to see it. This indwelling is a profound truth that calls us to live with a heightened awareness of God's presence within us. It challenges us to honor our bodies and lives as sacred spaces where God resides. This understanding should influence our actions, words, and thoughts, reflecting the holiness and love of God to the world around us. [04:23]

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV): "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

Reflection: How can you honor the Holy Spirit's presence in your body today, in both your actions and thoughts?

Day 3: Evangelization Through the Manifest Presence

The primary instrument of evangelization is the manifest presence of God in our lives. When this presence is evident, it leads to transformation, conversion, and healing, as seen in the book of Acts. The early church's growth was not due to eloquent speeches or strategic plans but the undeniable presence of God among them. This presence drew people in, revealing the reality of the kingdom of God. We are called to be vessels of this presence, allowing God to work through us to reach others. Our lives should be a living testimony of God's transformative power. [05:49]

Acts 4:13 (ESV): "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to see the manifest presence of God through you, and how can you intentionally show it to them this week?

Day 4: Letting Our Light Shine

We are challenged to let the light of God's presence shine in our lives, not to hide it out of embarrassment or fear. This visible presence creates a context where others can see the reality of the kingdom of God. It is a call to boldness and authenticity, living in a way that reflects God's love and truth without reservation. When we allow God's presence to be manifest in our lives, it creates opportunities for others to encounter Him. We are called to be beacons of hope and light in a world that desperately needs it. [07:36]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: What fears or insecurities are preventing you from letting your light shine, and how can you overcome them today?

Day 5: Transformation Through Divine Life

The life that is not of this world is a torrent of divine life that flows through us, bringing healing and redemption. We are called to examine our lives and allow the fire of God's presence to ignite within us. This divine life is transformative, not just for individuals but for entire communities. It is a life marked by the power and presence of God, bringing about change and renewal. As we embrace this life, we become agents of God's kingdom, participating in His work of restoration and healing in the world. [13:44]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: What area of your life needs the transformative power of God's divine life, and what steps can you take to invite His presence into that area today?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of being an inhabited people, a community and individuals who are indwelt by the presence of God. This indwelling is not merely a theological idea but a tangible reality that should be visible and audible in our lives. The early disciples experienced this when Jesus ascended to heaven, and the Holy Spirit descended upon them with the sound from heaven and tongues of fire. This manifestation of God's presence was not just a historical event but a model for us today. When God inhabits His people, it is evident to those around them. This presence is not just metaphysical but manifest, meaning it can be seen, heard, and felt.

We are reminded that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and such a significant presence cannot go unnoticed. The Spirit's presence in us should be apparent to others, even if they are not initially willing to see it. This presence is the primary instrument of evangelization, as it was in the early church. The manifest presence of God leads to transformation, conversion, and healing, as seen in the book of Acts. When this presence is absent, efforts to evangelize become mechanical and ineffective.

The challenge for us is to let this light shine, not to hide it out of embarrassment or fear of seeming too religious. When we allow God's presence to be manifest in our lives, it creates a context where others can see the reality of the kingdom of God. This presence is transformative, not just for individuals but for entire communities. It is a life that is not of this world, a torrent of divine life that flows through us, bringing healing and redemption.

In closing, we are called to examine our own lives and ask, "What is my temperature?" Are we allowing the fire of God's presence to ignite within us, transforming us and those around us? This is the life we are called to live, a life that is visibly and audibly inhabited by God.

Key Takeaways

1. Manifest Presence of God: The presence of God in our lives should be visible and audible, much like the early disciples experienced with the Holy Spirit. This presence is not just a theological concept but a tangible reality that others can see and hear. [02:04]
2. Our Bodies as Temples: Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, and such a significant presence cannot go unnoticed. The Spirit's presence should be apparent to others, even if they are not initially willing to see it. [04:23]
3. Evangelization Through Presence: The primary instrument of evangelization is the manifest presence of God in our lives. When this presence is evident, it leads to transformation, conversion, and healing, as seen in the book of Acts. [05:49]
4. Letting Our Light Shine: We are challenged to let the light of God's presence shine in our lives, not to hide it out of embarrassment or fear. This visible presence creates a context where others can see the reality of the kingdom of God. [07:36]
5. Transformation Through Divine Life: The life that is not of this world is a torrent of divine life that flows through us, bringing healing and redemption. We are called to examine our lives and allow the fire of God's presence to ignite within us. [13:44]
** [13:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Inhabited by God
[00:41] - Sound from Heaven
[01:22] - Tongues of Fire
[02:04] - Visible Manifestation
[03:16] - Manifest Presence
[04:23] - Temples of the Holy Spirit
[05:49] - Evangelization Through Presence
[06:32] - Sin and Manifestation
[07:36] - Letting Our Light Shine
[08:40] - Conversion and Transformation
[10:01] - Lost Without the Kingdom
[11:27] - Healing Power of Christ
[12:33] - Immersed in the Kingdom
[13:44] - Divine Life and Transformation
[15:18] - Igniting the Fire
[16:06] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the significance of the sound from heaven and the tongues of fire during Pentecost? How did these events demonstrate the manifest presence of God? [00:41]
How does the sermon describe the visibility and audibility of God's presence in the lives of believers? [02:04]
According to the sermon, what role does the human body play in evangelization? [05:49]
What examples from the book of Acts were mentioned in the sermon to illustrate the transformative power of God's presence? [08:40]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit challenge the way believers live their daily lives? [04:23]
In what ways does the manifest presence of God lead to transformation and conversion, as seen in the early church? [05:49]
What might it mean for a believer to "let their light shine" in a world that may not always be receptive to the presence of God? [07:36]
How does the sermon suggest that the absence of God's manifest presence affects efforts to evangelize? [09:00]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: How visible and audible is the presence of God in your daily interactions? What changes might you need to make to allow His presence to shine more brightly? [02:04]
Consider the idea of your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. What practical steps can you take to honor this truth in your lifestyle choices? [04:23]
Think about a recent opportunity you had to share your faith. How did the presence of God in your life influence that interaction? What could you do differently next time? [05:49]
Identify a situation where you might have hidden your faith out of fear or embarrassment. How can you approach similar situations in the future with more confidence in letting your light shine? [07:36]
The sermon challenges us to examine our "temperature" in terms of spiritual fervor. What specific actions can you take this week to ignite the fire of God's presence in your life? [15:18]
How can you create a context in your community or church where the reality of the kingdom of God is evident and transformative? [10:01]
Reflect on a time when you experienced the transformative power of God's presence. How can you share that experience with others to encourage their faith journey? [13:44]

Sermon Clips

"When God inhabits a people it is apparent it is visible it can be heard, so I'll just stop on that a moment let it stretch you a bit you know in the all of the old paintings they have these halos around people you know you you might ask yourself why are they there how did they get there in the first place, they were seen and we can joke about halos and you know don't let your halo choke you or something of that sort and I don't mean to get sticky about the exact form but what I want to say is this that when a people is inhabited by God you can hear it and you can see it and if you like you can feel it that is what makes the work of God go forward in his people is the manifest presence of God metaphysically God is present everywhere manifestly he's not and what we are talking about here is the manifest presence of God." [00:20:27]

"Your bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit are they not do you think anything as tremendous as the Holy Spirit could be in you and it go unnoticed not just think a moment well what I've already said is that people who are not willing to see often cannot see because as I you know I I've indicated to you that the spirit is the kind of being that does not like to be manifest where it is not wanted sometimes it will manifest itself where it's not wanted because it wishes to accomplish something and so Paul on the road to Damascus encountered something that he had been fighting and struggling with he did not exactly want it but he soon got his water around when it showed up who are you lord so God knows sometimes people are ready for something that perhaps explicitly they would reject but God knows their heart now why am I saying this I'm saying this because you should count on this you should count on the manifest presence of the kingdom and Spirit of Christ in your body." [00:43:23]

"The primary instrument of evangelization in our world is intended to be the human body that's why Paul says I beseech you therefore brethren and sistren by the mercies of God present your bodies living sacrifices and that's because now sin will do the same thing sin will manifest itself in your body evil will manifest itself in your body and others who are hooked into the same wavelength will hook on to you and this is a long and important story to talk about I only have time to just mention it but I hope you will think deeply about this you may wonder why many people are always in certain kinds of trouble it's because of what is in them and it's manifests to others around them now sometimes when the evil and the good come together there's a conflict and that's why Jesus said the world will hate you if it hated me it will hate you there is a manifest presence in the people of God who live in the world but not off the world and you can count on it." [00:56:50]

"All you have to do is let it shine see many folks try to hide it because they're embarrassed I remember some years back a young man on the staff of a church large Church not wasn't too far from here went on the staff and one day he asked is senior pastor why don't we talk more about God and the senior pastor replied we might seem religious hey that wouldn't be bad would it you know but you will find many Christians actually trying to hide what is in them rather than just letting it shine and now if we're willing to do that than the other things that you see in the book of Acts also will not come forward for example in acts 40 acts 4 verses 40 through 47 you see a statement about conversion massive conversions acts 2 the same way massive conversions of people Peter stood up and spoke and incredible numbers of people were touched in their hearts and they were converted I wish we had time to go into that but that's one of the things that you will see when the manifest presence is there." [01:02:56]

"Now when that manifest presence is not there you will have to pump grind and can Joker Joel and wheedle and big and you get people to decide and they've disappeared of the people who come forward in evangelistic meetings in the United States now for every four only one ever shows up in church after that only one but if you look carefully you'll see that many people simply direct everything toward getting people to make a decision without laying a foundation that will drive them to Christ and without having a context in which they will realize in that context of people where the power and goodness of the kingdom of Christ is manifestly flowing they will realize they are lost what does lost mean today when you look at the life of a church that is living from that kingdom of God really when you look at that and you put that beside ordinary human existence the only conclusion is outside of the church people are lost and that was the force of the gospel in the book I quickly add the healing power of Christ that came through the church." [01:08:40]

"Acts 5 11 through 16 acts 8 7 through 12 that's a very significant passage again it's scary to look at it this is Phillip Phillip the deacon and he has gone to some area where Jesus had a pretty good meeting up there you know member and some ladies got on fire for the Lord as we might say and brought a lot of others in and in verse 7 of chapter 8 of Acts in the case of many who had unclean spirits they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed and you read on the work of Peter here and verse 12 sorry Phillip here verse 12 preaching Philip preaching the good news about going to heaven when you die did I make a mistake there what does that say the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ the power to heal and you see that teaching again kind of scary teachings about even bringing Claus from people's bodies and the shadow of Peter passing over people I see that's where you have a context that is immersed in the reality of the kingdom of God and you see that changes everything doesn't it." [01:13:44]

"Now in closing I just ask you to think what would that be like in the San Fernando Valley isn't that what we need to do is to move into that kind of line see that kind of life makes something available to people that will close the mouths of all the skeptics and doubters because they simply have nothing to compete with it the transformation of character the manifest presence of God the healing stream of life that flows through his people read the book of Acts to see just to see what it's like to be in the middle of a torrent of life that is not of this world and when you do that then you go back and put the earlier statements that we read from Colossians in that community context and you can see why the individual is transformed and growing and progressing in the reality of the kingdom of God because they are in the redemptive community where the life of God cannot be confused or stopped where there's someone acting besides human beings no matter how talented or how intelligent they may be or how good-looking they may be or whatever the reality is not human it's not human and because it's not human it is redemptive." [01:21:00]

"Now if you want to start a fire you don't just lay a match on the wood in fact it won't help to lay two matches you can add more matches and it won't start a fire one of them has to have their temperature raised to a certain point and when that temperature is raised to that point the fire starts see I have to ask myself as I walk through the world on the side live in my home and as I teach in the church and have fellowship in the church what's my temperature what's my temperature because when this life comes into the midst I think the fire breaks out and people are changed that's what the life that is not of this world looks like." [01:29:55]

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