Living in Awareness of God's Magnificent Presence

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound concept of living with the awareness of a magnificent God who is actively present among us. This understanding transforms our perception of the universe, making it a perfectly safe place despite the challenges we face. Jesus taught that our lives are more than the material concerns of food, drink, and clothing. He invites us to trust in God's provision, as illustrated in the Sermon on the Mount. By observing nature, like the birds and flowers, we see God's care and are reminded of our value in His eyes.

The imagery of a dog named Baxter, with his unwavering focus and joyful anticipation, serves as a metaphor for how we should live—attentive to God's presence and expectant of His goodness. This posture of trust is not passive but actively engaged in the life God provides. The assurance of God's presence is the essence of the gospel, offering an unparalleled invitation to live in His kingdom.

The New Testament concept of being "born from above" or "born again" is about being connected to a divine reality that permeates our existence. This connection is not just a spiritual experience but a way of living in constant awareness of God's presence. The hymn "O Worship the King" beautifully captures this idea, describing God's care as something that breathes in the air and shines in the light.

Ultimately, the challenge is to live as though this divine reality is true, allowing it to influence every aspect of our lives—from our relationships to our finances. On second thought, embracing this perspective can transform how we engage with the world, inviting us to live in the world of Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

- The Magnificent God Among Us: Embracing the idea of a magnificent God actively present in our lives transforms our perception of the universe into a safe place, despite life's challenges. This understanding invites us to trust in God's provision and care, as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. [01:17]

- Living with Trust and Expectation: Like Baxter the dog, we are called to live with unwavering focus on God and joyful anticipation of His goodness. This posture of trust is not passive but actively engaged in the life God provides, reminding us of our value in His eyes. [05:02]

- Born from Above: The concept of being "born from above" is about being connected to a divine reality that permeates our existence. This connection is not just a spiritual experience but a way of living in constant awareness of God's presence, influencing every aspect of our lives. [08:17]

- God's Care in Nature: Observing nature, like the birds and flowers, reveals God's care and provision. This imagery serves as a reminder of our value and the assurance that God will provide for our needs, inviting us to trust in His goodness. [02:01]

- Living in the World of Jesus: Embracing the reality of God's presence invites us to live in the world of Jesus, allowing this perspective to transform how we engage with the world. This involves living as though the divine reality is true, influencing our relationships, finances, and daily interactions. [10:27]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:28] - Second Thoughts About God
- [01:02] - The Magnificent God Among Us
- [01:35] - Assurance of a Safe Universe
- [02:01] - Lessons from Nature
- [02:40] - God's Presence in Creation
- [03:22] - Prioritizing God's Kingdom
- [03:50] - Trustful and Engaged Living
- [04:27] - Baxter's Example of Trust
- [05:30] - Safe in God's Presence
- [06:15] - The Kingdom of the Heavens
- [07:05] - Living and Moving in God
- [08:01] - Born from Above
- [09:36] - God's Care in Nature
- [10:27] - Living in the World of Jesus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:25-34 (Sermon on the Mount)
2. Acts 17:28
3. John 3:3-8

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Observation Questions:

1. In Matthew 6:25-34, what examples from nature does Jesus use to illustrate God's provision and care? How do these examples relate to the sermon’s message about trusting in God’s presence? [02:01]

2. How does the imagery of Baxter the dog in the sermon illustrate the concept of living with trust and expectation? What specific behaviors of Baxter were highlighted? [05:02]

3. According to the sermon, what does it mean to be "born from above," and how is this concept connected to living in awareness of God's presence? [08:17]

4. In Acts 17:28, Paul speaks about living and moving in God. How does this idea support the sermon’s message about the assurance of God’s presence in our lives? [07:20]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does Jesus mean when He says that life is more than food and clothing in Matthew 6:25-34? How does this perspective challenge common concerns about material needs? [01:50]

2. The sermon describes a "posture of trust" using Baxter as an example. How can this posture be both active and engaged, rather than passive? [05:17]

3. How does the concept of being "born from above" in John 3:3-8 relate to the idea of living in a divine reality? What implications does this have for daily life? [08:17]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that embracing the reality of God's presence can transform our interactions with the world, including our relationships and finances? [10:27]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you were worried about material needs. How might the teachings from Matthew 6:25-34 change your approach to similar situations in the future? [01:50]

2. Consider the example of Baxter the dog. What practical steps can you take to maintain a focus on God and live with joyful anticipation of His goodness in your daily life? [05:02]

3. The sermon challenges us to live as though the divine reality is true. What specific changes can you make in your life to align more closely with this perspective? [10:27]

4. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence in your everyday activities, similar to the way Paul describes in Acts 17:28? [07:20]

5. Identify an area of your life where you struggle to trust in God's provision. What is one action you can take this week to surrender that area to God’s care? [03:22]

6. The sermon mentions the hymn "O Worship the King." How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine to remind yourself of God's presence and care? [09:36]

7. Think about a relationship or financial decision you are currently facing. How can the assurance of God’s presence influence your approach to this situation? [10:27]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Active Presence
Living with the awareness of a magnificent God who is actively present among us transforms our perception of the universe into a safe place, despite life's challenges. This understanding invites us to trust in God's provision and care, as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. By observing nature, like the birds and flowers, we see God's care and are reminded of our value in His eyes. This perspective encourages us to live with a sense of security and peace, knowing that we are under the watchful care of a loving Creator. [01:17]

Psalm 121:5-8 (ESV): "The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore."

Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself of God's active presence in your daily routine, especially during moments of stress or uncertainty?


Day 2: Living with Trust and Expectation
Like Baxter the dog, we are called to live with unwavering focus on God and joyful anticipation of His goodness. This posture of trust is not passive but actively engaged in the life God provides, reminding us of our value in His eyes. By maintaining a focus on God's presence and promises, we can navigate life's uncertainties with confidence and hope. This active engagement with God's goodness invites us to participate in His work and experience the fullness of life He offers. [05:02]

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can actively practice trust and expectation in God's goodness today?


Day 3: Being Born from Above
The concept of being "born from above" is about being connected to a divine reality that permeates our existence. This connection is not just a spiritual experience but a way of living in constant awareness of God's presence, influencing every aspect of our lives. It invites us to see the world through the lens of God's kingdom, where His love and truth guide our actions and decisions. This transformative perspective challenges us to align our lives with the values and priorities of God's kingdom. [08:17]

Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a mindset that is more attuned to the divine reality of God's presence in your daily life?


Day 4: Observing God's Care in Nature
Observing nature, like the birds and flowers, reveals God's care and provision. This imagery serves as a reminder of our value and the assurance that God will provide for our needs, inviting us to trust in His goodness. By taking time to notice the beauty and intricacy of creation, we can gain a deeper appreciation for God's attention to detail and His commitment to caring for all He has made. This awareness can strengthen our faith and encourage us to rely on God's provision in our own lives. [02:01]

Matthew 6:26-29 (ESV): "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin."

Reflection: Spend a few moments observing nature today. What does it reveal to you about God's care and provision?


Day 5: Living in the World of Jesus
Embracing the reality of God's presence invites us to live in the world of Jesus, allowing this perspective to transform how we engage with the world. This involves living as though the divine reality is true, influencing our relationships, finances, and daily interactions. By aligning our lives with the teachings and example of Jesus, we can experience the fullness of life He offers and become agents of His love and grace in the world. This transformative way of living challenges us to prioritize God's kingdom in all aspects of our lives. [10:27]

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to live more fully in the world of Jesus, allowing His presence to influence your actions and decisions?

Quotes


With this magnificent God positioned Among Us, Jesus brings the assurance that our universe is a perfectly safe place to be. And I know how jarring and strange that sounds to us, but let's listen for a while to our friend Jesus and our friend Dallas. [00:01:15]

The very heart of Jesus's message as well as his personality and actions is found in such well-known words as in Matthew the sixth chapter that's in the sermon of the mount. My advice would be not to worry about what's going to happen to you, about what you will have to eat or drink or what clothes you will wear. [00:01:38]

Take a lesson from the birds of Heaven. They don't sow or reap or hoard away in granaries and your father the one in the heavens around you sees to it that they have food. Aren't you more important than Birds? And who can change their physical features by worrying about them? [00:02:01]

Now if God so adorns the wild grasses, which are here for a day and the next Air burn for fuel, won't he do even better by you, you many faiths? So, don't worry about things, saying what are we going to eat or will we have anything to drink or what do we wear? [00:02:56]

Instead, make it your top priority to be part of what God is doing and to have the goodness he has. Everything else will be provided. Tomorrow don't worry about it, you can do your worrying about tomorrow tomorrow. In any way enough will happen today to keep you in things to worry over until bedtime. [00:03:24]

Now I wanted to give us all a picture today of a posture that is deeply trustful of and at the same time not passive, very actively engaged in provision and life from someone who watches over us. So for the next few seconds if you're watching this, I want you to watch a friend of mine, our dog Baxter. [00:03:47]

His eyes, his Focus was on the one who was caring for and providing for him and he had deep attention around that, and at the same time there was an emotional exuberance. Hope is the anticipation of the good and he was deeply anticipating the good, and that's the orientation that I want to invite you and me to go through with today. [00:05:02]

This bold and slightly humorous Assurance about all the basic elements of our existence food and drink and clothing and other needs of Life can only be supported on a clear-eyed vision that a totally good and confident God is right here with us to look after us. [00:05:43]

The Old Testament experience of God is one of the direct presence of God's person, knowledge, and power to those who trust and serve him. No thing, no human being, no institution, no time, no space, no spiritual being, no event stands between God and those who trust him. [00:06:31]

The idea now is not just that you're to have a particular kind of spiritual experience but that there is a realm where God is present and it's possible to be living with God, to come alive to that the way that Baxter is alive to a jar of peanut butter. [00:08:17]

To be born from above in New Testament language means to be interactively joined with a dynamic unseen system of divine reality in the midst of which all Humanity moves about whether it knows it or not. Perhaps we are all far too much like old Nicodemus. [00:09:07]

Air and Light, rain and Dew are the distillation of the goodness and the presence of God. But do we actually believe this? I mean are we ready to live as though it is true and we stand in the midst of that one in whom we live and move and have our being? [00:09:48]

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