Living in the Abundance of God's Presence
Summary
In my sermon, I emphasized the importance of living a presence-centered life, one that is deeply rooted in the continuous awareness of God's presence. I stressed that it is God's will for us not to live in spiritual dryness but to be filled with the Spirit, overflowing with fruit, and consumed by His life and presence. This kind of living demonstrates that Jesus Christ reigns on the throne of our lives and that we are abiding in Him.
I shared that the simplest kingdom revelations are often the most profound. To bear fruit, we must abide in Jesus. Without abiding, we wither and spiritually suffocate. Abiding in Jesus means living continuously in the awareness of God's presence, not just during prayer or spiritual activities, but in every moment of our lives, whether we're working, driving, or engaging with others.
I recounted the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, highlighting how their sin led to disconnection from God's presence. I warned against allowing anything into our lives that could lead us away from God, whether it be profane music, unholy movies, or any form of entertainment that distracts us from God's will for our lives.
I reassured the congregation that living for God is good and fulfilling, contrasting it with the emptiness of life without God. I encouraged everyone to live a presence-centered life, which is the whole reason Jesus died—to restore our fellowship with God.
I also addressed the dangers of listening to the serpent's voice, which represents deception and unbelief. I urged the congregation to reject such voices and to stay rooted in God's Word and presence.
I concluded by inviting the congregation to experience the fullness of a presence-centered life, which offers peace, joy, and fulfillment. I called on everyone to reconnect with the vine, which is Christ, and to live in the vitality of His presence.
Key Takeaways:
- Living a presence-centered life is about maintaining a constant awareness of God's presence in every aspect of our daily lives. This awareness is not contingent on our spiritual activities but is a state of being that we cultivate through our relationship with God. It is in this unceasing connection that we find the strength and vitality to bear fruit in the kingdom of God. [01:07:14]
- The story of Adam and Eve serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of disconnecting from God's presence. Their experience in the Garden of Eden reminds us that we were created for fellowship with God, and when we allow other voices to distract us from this purpose, we risk losing the very essence of our spiritual life. [01:18:46]
- The enemy's voice, like the serpent's, seeks to draw us away from God's presence by making us question His word and His will for our lives. It is our responsibility to discern these deceptive voices, reject them, and align our thoughts and actions with the truth of God's Word. [01:11:32]
- The fullness of a presence-centered life is not an unattainable ideal but a reality that God desires for each of us. It is characterized by an abundance of spiritual fruit, peace that surpasses understanding, and a deep sense of fulfillment that comes from being in close communion with God. [01:05:51]
- Reconnecting with the vine, which is Christ, is the simple yet profound solution to spiritual dryness and weariness. No matter how far we may have strayed, the blood of Jesus has the power to restore our relationship with God as if we had never left. This is the hope and promise of the gospel. [57:48]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 7:37-38 (NKJV): "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"
2. John 4:14 (NKJV): "But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."
3. Psalm 16:11 (NKJV): "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 7:37-38, what does Jesus promise to those who come to Him and believe in Him?
2. In John 4:14, what is the significance of the water that Jesus offers?
3. How does Psalm 16:11 describe the experience of being in God's presence?
4. What examples did the pastor give of things that can lead us away from God's presence? ([49:33])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for "rivers of living water" to flow out of a believer's heart, as mentioned in John 7:37-38?
2. How can the promise of never thirsting again in John 4:14 be understood in the context of a believer's spiritual life?
3. Psalm 16:11 speaks of "fullness of joy" in God's presence. How does this align with the pastor's emphasis on living a presence-centered life? ([47:00])
4. The pastor mentioned the story of Adam and Eve as a cautionary tale. How does their experience relate to the concept of abiding in God's presence? ([49:33])
#### Application Questions
1. The pastor emphasized the importance of maintaining a constant awareness of God's presence. What practical steps can you take to cultivate this awareness in your daily life? ([49:33])
2. Reflect on the types of entertainment you consume. Are there any that might be leading you away from God's presence? How can you make changes to ensure your focus remains on God? ([49:33])
3. The pastor warned against listening to the serpent's voice, which represents deception and unbelief. How can you discern and reject these deceptive voices in your life? ([49:33])
4. Living a presence-centered life is described as fulfilling and joyful. Can you identify areas in your life where you feel spiritually dry? What steps can you take to reconnect with the vine, which is Christ? ([49:33])
5. The pastor mentioned that living for God is good and fulfilling. How can you share this message with someone who might be struggling with spiritual dryness or weariness? ([47:43])
6. The pastor spoke about the importance of abiding in Jesus to bear fruit. What specific actions can you take this week to ensure you are abiding in Him and bearing spiritual fruit? ([49:33])
7. Reflect on a time when you felt disconnected from God. What did you do to restore that connection, and how can you apply those lessons to your current spiritual walk? ([49:33])
Devotional
Day 1: Cultivating Constant Awareness
Presence-centered living requires a continuous, conscious awareness of God's presence in every aspect of life. It's not limited to times of worship or prayer but extends into the mundane activities of daily living. This awareness is cultivated through a relationship with God, where one's existence becomes intertwined with the divine, leading to a life that bears fruit in the kingdom of God. This fruitfulness is a testament to the reign of Jesus Christ in one's life, demonstrating a true abiding in Him. [07:14]
"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." - John 15:4 ESV
Reflection: How can you practice the presence of God in a routine task you'll do today?
Day 2: Reclaiming Original Fellowship
The narrative of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden serves as a poignant reminder of the fellowship we were created to enjoy with God. Their disconnection from God's presence due to sin is a cautionary tale for us, highlighting the importance of guarding our hearts and minds against influences that can lead us astray. By staying true to our purpose and maintaining our connection with God, we avoid the spiritual decay that comes from succumbing to distractions that vie for our attention. [18:46]
"But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, 'Where are you?'" - Genesis 3:9 ESV
Reflection: What distractions do you need to remove from your life to better focus on God's presence?
Day 3: Discerning Deceptive Voices
The enemy's voice, symbolized by the serpent in the Garden of Eden, seeks to lead us away from God's presence by sowing seeds of doubt and unbelief. It is crucial to discern these deceptive voices, reject their lies, and align our thoughts and actions with the truth of God's Word. By doing so, we protect our spiritual well-being and ensure that we remain in the life-giving presence of God. [11:32]
"Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long." - Psalm 25:5 ESV
Reflection: What lies have you believed about God's character, and how can you replace them with truth today?
Day 4: Embracing the Fullness of God's Presence
The fullness of a presence-centered life is a reality that God desires for each of us. It is characterized by peace, joy, and fulfillment that come from being in close communion with God. This life is not an unattainable ideal but a promise of the gospel, made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. By living in God's presence, we experience an abundance of spiritual fruit and a peace that surpasses all understanding. [05:51]
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you invite God's peace into a current situation you're facing?
Day 5: Reconnecting with the Vine
Reconnecting with the vine, which is Christ, is the antidote to spiritual dryness and weariness. No matter the distance we have strayed, the blood of Jesus has the power to restore our relationship with God as if we had never left. This restoration is the hope and promise of the gospel, inviting us to live in the vitality of His presence and bear fruit in every season of our lives. [46:48]
"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." - John 15:5 ESV
Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your connection with Jesus, the true vine?
Quotes
1) "The withering soul has often disconnected from the vine, and the only way to restore vitality to the spiritual soul of man who has disconnected from God is very simple. All you have to do is reconnect with the vine." [57:04]
2) "It is not the will of God for you to walk around dry and weary, but rather it is the will of God for you to be full of the spirit, overflowing with fruit, completely consumed by his life and his presence." [01:06:32]
3) "Abiding in Jesus is the will of God for your life. Living continuously in the awareness of the presence of God. What do I mean by that? I mean that while you're driving down the road, you don't have to like really get into like deep prayer to feel God's presence." [01:07:14]
4) "The enemy wants nothing more than to separate you from the presence of God, because if he can get you outside of the presence of God, he can get you fruitless, withered, beat down, and you know who he can beat there? A withered, beat down, broken, brittle person." [01:13:02]
5) "If you are living in deliberate sin and you know it doesn't please God and you're still choosing to live in it and wondering why you can't live a life that is fully engaged in partaking in the benefits that you hear come from the beauty of the presence of a presence centered life in the presence of God, it is likely because you have chosen a different face to gaze upon." [01:19:33]
6) "A presence centered life is one that is lived face to face with God. He must be all that you see. What is it that is in full view for you tonight? Are you trying to live for God and live this presence centered life that he has called every disciple to but at the same time you are trying to share faces with him?" [01:22:03]
7) "A presence centered life is life and peace. Doesn't that sound nice? It's joy unspeakable and full of glory. It's a peace that goes beyond understanding and that is when you can't figure it out, at his presence, his peace is the figuring it out." [01:23:28]
8) "If this presence centered life seems like something that you're game for, you're tired of being weary, you're tired of fretting and worrying and wondering when you're going to stop feeling this way or that way or you're tired of being this brittle Christian, but you want to live in the full vitality of the presence of God." [01:28:28]
9) "They were created in God's presence for God's presence. We talked about this last week and there was a great peace, a great tranquility. Everything was perfect in him. There was nothing wrong or out of place. It was simply, completely, entirely perfect." [01:08:22]
10) "Can I tell you tonight, if you are weary or you are withering or you are beaten down, down, shot and worn out, beat down, whatever it is, you're overcome with the cares of life. There really is a water that if you drink of it, you will never thirst again." [01:01:32]
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