How to live in the presence of God. Pt 6 (Hindrances)

God made this day, and I will rejoice in it. I urged us to live every day in the presence of God—not just Sundays—by seeking Him early, preparing our hearts, and staying focused on Jesus all day long. Jesus modeled this by withdrawing to be with the Father. Each day is fresh, so I called us to deepen our prayer life and learn to “tune” our hearts to Him like a favorite radio station, keeping our attention fixed on the right frequency.

I addressed what hinders His presence: envy, strife, unforgiveness, and a focus on people instead of on the Lord. Churches—and families—get stuck when we center the hurt, the gossip, or the conflict. Scripture tells us to reconcile before we bring our gifts, to examine ourselves, and to deal with our hearts so we can give, worship, and live joyfully. The tongue tells on us; if bitterness still flows from our mouths, forgiveness has not yet taken root.

I also talked about how people respond differently in God’s presence. Some are quiet; some shout; some dance. Loud praise is biblical, but drawing attention to ourselves is not. The Spirit glorifies Jesus, not Himself, and God’s order is never cold like a cemetery; it’s living, joyful, and focused. Close your eyes if you must, but stay centered on Jesus.

Paul and Silas show us that places of pain can become places of praise. They didn’t let the prison set the atmosphere; their worship did—and God moved. I invited those who don’t know Christ to come to Him, and I prayed for healing and deliverance. For believers, I urged repentance where there’s strife or bitterness. Nothing is better than abiding in Jesus. Walk in His presence; forgive; reconcile; and let the Holy Spirit guide you into truth as you fix your eyes on Christ.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Tune your heart to God daily When I intentionally focus my attention on Jesus, I begin to notice His presence in ordinary moments. Like setting a radio preset, the soul learns which frequency brings life. Trials try to retune us to fear, but steady attention brings clarity and peace. Keep returning to Him, again and again. [07:32]
• 2. Unforgiveness blocks the flow of grace God calls us to reconcile before we offer, because reconciliation reopens communion with Him. Our words reveal whether we’ve truly forgiven; lingering poison in the mouth means poison in the heart. Forgiveness is not denial—it’s transferring the case to God’s court so we can be free. Obedience restores joy. [15:00]
• 3. Freedom in worship; focus on Jesus Scripture welcomes loud praise, quiet tears, and holy dancing, but warns against drawing attention to ourselves. The Spirit glorifies Jesus; when I do the same, my soul comes into order. Joy without humility becomes noise; humility without joy becomes a graveyard. True worship is alive, reverent, and Christ-centered. [18:07]
• 4. Praise changes prisons, not just moods Paul and Silas didn’t worship because the dungeon felt good; they worshiped because Jesus is Lord. Their praise altered the atmosphere and unlocked what chains could not. When I sing in the dark, I’m agreeing with a greater reality than my circumstances. God meets me there with power and purpose. [25:28]
• 5. Stop focusing on people; behold the Lord Strife thrives where eyes are horizontal; peace returns when eyes are vertical. I’ve lived bitter and I’ve lived surrendered—the presence of God only rests on the latter. Look beyond the offense, address what must be addressed, and return your gaze to Christ. Attention is allegiance; give it to Him. [12:27]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:12] - Global missions testimony
• [01:53] - Living in God’s presence review
• [02:31] - Go deeper in daily prayer
• [03:09] - Hindrances to His presence
• [04:22] - Knowing Jesus vs attending church
• [07:32] - Tune your heart to God
• [08:46] - When strife silences worship
• [10:00] - Forgive and guard your words
• [17:31] - Loud praise and biblical freedom
• [19:18] - Decency and order in worship
• [24:52] - Praise changes prisons
• [28:33] - Spirit glorifies Jesus
• [34:46] - Healing and deliverance prayer
• [36:39] - Closing blessing: abide in Him

Study Guide — Living in God’s Presence (based on the sermon)

Bible reading (ESV)
- John 15:4–5
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

- Matthew 5:23–24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

- Acts 16:25–34 (selected)
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken... Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Observation questions (3–4)

1. Read John 15:4–5. What are the concrete markers of “abiding” that the passage names (what staying connected to Christ produces)?
2. Matthew 5:23–24 says to be reconciled before you offer. What practical steps does that require from someone who realizes they are holding a grievance? ([15:00])
3. In Acts 16:25–26, what sequence of events connects worship/prayer and God’s intervention? How does the jailer’s question and conversion fit the outcome of that worship? ([25:28])
4. The sermon lists envy, strife, and unforgiveness as hindrances. How does James 3:16 (as quoted in the message) describe the fruit of those attitudes, and how would you recognize that fruit in a church or family? ([09:24])

Interpretation questions (3–4)
(Third-person, objective)

1. What does “abide” in John 15 likely require of a believer’s daily rhythm (time, attention, speech) rather than a one-time event? Consider the pastor’s idea of “tuning” the heart. ([07:32])
2. How should Matthew 5:23–24 shape the way a church handles conflict—does the passage suggest private, immediate effort to reconcile, or something broader? Give specific examples. ([15:00])
3. When Paul and Silas worshiped in prison, did their praise primarily change God’s disposition, the spiritual atmosphere, or the physical situation (or some combination)? How should that view affect a believer’s response in suffering? ([25:28])
4. John 16:13–14 teaches the Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus. What criteria might a church use to test whether expressive worship is God-honoring (Spirit-glorifying) or self-seeking? ([28:33])

Application questions (5–7)
(Be specific and personal)

1. Tuning your heart: pick one simple morning practice you will do every day this week to “tune” to Jesus (time, place, short prayer or Scripture). When and where will you do it? ([07:32])
2. Reconcile before you worship/give: is there one person you need to contact this week to begin reconciliation? Name the person and one concrete first step you will take (call, meet for coffee, write a note). Set a day. ([15:00])
3. Watch your mouth: next time a memory of offense comes to mind, what specific three-step response will you train yourself to do instead of repeating the offense (for example: pause, pray 30 seconds, speak a short blessing)? Try it this week and report back. ([10:35])
4. If expressive worship triggers judgment in you, what will you do this week to re-center on Christ rather than on other people’s behavior? (Example: close your eyes for 3 songs, speak a short prayer asking God to show you what He is doing, or thank God for the person who is free.) ([18:07])
5. Praise in hard places: identify a “prison” (season of pain, fear, or waiting) in your life. What will you do daily this week to worship or praise (sing, pray, read Psalm 34 or 42, speak Scripture aloud) to open yourself to God’s movement? Commit to a specific time and length. ([25:28])
6. Root out envy/bitterness: name one person or situation that still stirs envy or bitterness in you. What is one practical step you will take this week to transfer the case to God’s hands (pray for them, fast one meal and pray, journal and then burn the resentment, ask a friend to hold you accountable)? Set a date to act. ([11:08])

Notes for group leaders
- Start the group by reading one of the Bible passages aloud (John 15 is a good opener).
- Encourage honest, specific answers—this sermon focuses on concrete change (habits, conversations, words), not abstract ideals.
- If people ask for confidentiality when naming relationships, allow private sharing or ask them to bring a general plan without naming names.