Overcoming Barriers to Experience God's Presence

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often encounter barriers that prevent us from fully experiencing the presence of God. Reflecting on a personal tradition of visiting the Kansas City Zoo on Black Friday, I draw a parallel between the joy of experiencing the zoo without crowds and the joy of seeking God without distractions. Just as we navigated through crowds and discomfort to enjoy the zoo, we must navigate through life's obstacles to seek Christ. The story of the paralyzed man in Luke 5:17-26 illustrates this beautifully. His friends overcame external barriers—paralysis, the crowd, and the roof—to bring him to Jesus. This act of faith led to his healing, both physically and spiritually.

The external barriers we face, like the crowd and the roof, often mirror the internal barriers within us. These internal barriers, such as sin and spiritual paralysis, are what truly keep us from seeking Christ. We must confront these internal struggles, allowing our faith to grow and be sharpened. The paralyzed man's friends demonstrated faith by carrying him to Jesus, showing us the importance of community and discipleship. We need others to carry us to Christ, and we must be willing to carry others as well.

Faith is not passive; it is active and interactive. It requires us to remove barriers, both external and internal, that keep us from Christ. We must ask ourselves what freedom in Christ is worth to us and be willing to remove anything that hinders our relationship with Him. Jesus offers us forgiveness and redemption, inviting us to walk in freedom. We must be willing to face our fears, confess our sins, and let others help us in our journey toward Christ. In doing so, we glorify God and experience the fullness of His love and grace.

Key Takeaways:

1. Overcoming External Barriers: The story of the paralyzed man teaches us that external barriers, like the crowd and the roof, can be overcome through faith and determination. These barriers often mirror internal struggles, and overcoming them requires a shift in focus from the obstacles to the eternal reward of life with Christ. [05:39]

2. Internal Barriers and Spiritual Paralysis: Internal barriers, such as sin and spiritual paralysis, are what truly keep us from seeking Christ. These barriers must be addressed first, as they prevent us from moving closer to God. Sin creates a divide between us and God's love, but through confession and repentance, we can overcome these barriers. [12:27]

3. The Role of Community and Discipleship: We need others to carry us to Christ, just as the paralyzed man's friends did. Discipleship is about friendship that leads one another to Jesus. We must surround ourselves with those who will carry us and be willing to carry others, fostering a community of faith and support. [18:43]

4. Active Faith and Removing Barriers: Faith is not passive; it requires action. We must actively remove barriers that keep us from Christ, whether they are external or internal. This involves a radical response to the reality of Jesus Christ and a willingness to let go of anything that hinders our relationship with Him. [24:04]

5. Freedom in Christ and Walking in Forgiveness: Freedom in Christ means walking with the Spirit and accepting Jesus's love and forgiveness. It involves clearing out barriers that keep us from His presence and embracing the salvation and redemption He offers. We must be willing to face our fears, confess our sins, and let others help us in our journey toward Christ. [30:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:51] - Black Friday Zoo Tradition
- [02:23] - Navigating Crowds and Joy
- [03:42] - Seeking God's Presence
- [04:32] - The Paralyzed Man's Story
- [05:39] - Overcoming External Barriers
- [12:27] - Internal Barriers and Sin
- [13:45] - Personal Testimony of Temptation
- [15:40] - God's Power to Redeem
- [17:39] - The Role of Community
- [18:43] - Discipleship and Friendship
- [21:13] - Carrying Others to Christ
- [24:04] - Active Faith and Removing Barriers
- [28:38] - Freedom in Christ
- [30:42] - Walking in Forgiveness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 5:17-26
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
- 1 John 1:8-9

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Observation Questions:

1. What external barriers did the paralyzed man's friends face when trying to bring him to Jesus, and how did they overcome them? [04:32]

2. According to the sermon, what internal barriers can prevent us from seeking Christ, and how are they different from external barriers? [12:27]

3. How did Jesus respond to the faith of the paralyzed man's friends, and what was the result for the paralyzed man? [24:04]

4. What role does community play in overcoming barriers to faith, as illustrated in the story of the paralyzed man? [18:43]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways do external barriers mirror internal struggles, and how can focusing on eternal rewards help overcome these obstacles? [05:39]

2. How does the concept of spiritual paralysis relate to sin, and what steps are necessary to address this internal barrier according to the sermon? [12:27]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of community and discipleship in one's faith journey, and how can this be practically applied in a believer's life? [18:43]

4. How does the sermon define active faith, and what actions are necessary to remove barriers that keep us from Christ? [24:04]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced an external barrier in your faith journey. How did you overcome it, and what role did your community play in that process? [04:32]

2. Identify an internal barrier, such as sin or fear, that is currently hindering your relationship with Christ. What steps can you take this week to address it? [12:27]

3. Consider the people in your life who have carried you to Christ. How can you express gratitude to them, and in what ways can you carry others to Jesus? [18:43]

4. What practical steps can you take to cultivate an active faith that removes barriers to Christ, both external and internal? [24:04]

5. Reflect on the concept of freedom in Christ. What specific barriers do you need to remove to walk in this freedom, and how can you seek support from your community in this process? [28:38]

6. How can you create a supportive environment within your small group that encourages vulnerability and accountability in overcoming spiritual paralysis? [21:13]

7. What is one specific action you can take this week to demonstrate the love and forgiveness of Christ to someone who may be struggling with their own barriers? [30:42]

Devotional

Day 1: Navigating Life's Obstacles with Faith
In our journey of faith, we often encounter external barriers that can seem insurmountable. The story of the paralyzed man in Luke 5:17-26 illustrates how faith and determination can help us overcome these obstacles. His friends faced a crowd and a roof, yet their faith led them to find a way to bring him to Jesus. This act of faith resulted in both physical and spiritual healing. Similarly, we must shift our focus from the obstacles to the eternal reward of life with Christ. By doing so, we can navigate through life's challenges and experience the joy of seeking God without distractions. [05:39]

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, ESV)

Reflection: What external barriers are currently hindering your relationship with Christ, and how can you actively work to overcome them today?


Day 2: Confronting Internal Barriers to Seek Christ
Internal barriers, such as sin and spiritual paralysis, are often the true obstacles that keep us from seeking Christ. These barriers create a divide between us and God's love. To move closer to God, we must first address these internal struggles through confession and repentance. By acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness, we can overcome these barriers and experience the fullness of God's love and grace. This process requires honesty with ourselves and a willingness to confront our fears and weaknesses. [12:27]

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: What internal barriers, such as specific sins or fears, are preventing you from seeking Christ fully, and how can you begin to address them today?


Day 3: The Power of Community and Discipleship
The story of the paralyzed man highlights the importance of community and discipleship in our faith journey. His friends demonstrated faith by carrying him to Jesus, showing us that we need others to help us in our journey toward Christ. Discipleship is about friendship that leads one another to Jesus. We must surround ourselves with those who will carry us and be willing to carry others, fostering a community of faith and support. This mutual support strengthens our faith and helps us overcome the barriers that keep us from Christ. [18:43]

"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: Who in your life can you reach out to for spiritual support, and how can you be a source of encouragement and discipleship for someone else today?


Day 4: Embracing Active Faith
Faith is not passive; it requires action. We must actively remove barriers that keep us from Christ, whether they are external or internal. This involves a radical response to the reality of Jesus Christ and a willingness to let go of anything that hinders our relationship with Him. By taking deliberate steps to strengthen our faith, we can experience the freedom and joy that comes from walking with Christ. This active faith requires courage and a commitment to living out our beliefs in our daily lives. [24:04]

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to actively remove barriers in your life that are hindering your relationship with Christ?


Day 5: Walking in Freedom and Forgiveness
Freedom in Christ means walking with the Spirit and accepting Jesus's love and forgiveness. It involves clearing out barriers that keep us from His presence and embracing the salvation and redemption He offers. We must be willing to face our fears, confess our sins, and let others help us in our journey toward Christ. By doing so, we glorify God and experience the fullness of His love and grace. This freedom allows us to live a life of purpose and joy, rooted in the assurance of God's forgiveness and love. [30:42]

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, ESV)

Reflection: What fears or sins do you need to confess today to walk in the freedom and forgiveness that Christ offers, and how can you invite others to support you in this journey?

Quotes


We give up our flesh and our comfort. We face our fear of man and we remove whatever obstacles keep us from the Lord. [00:03:05] (13 seconds)


What prevents you from seeking Christ? If you're trying to write them down, these will be up again. Who is carrying you to Jesus? And finally, what is freedom in Christ worth to you? [00:03:42] (20 seconds)


In these verses I count three specific external barriers to Christ external meaning they aren't barriers that we create but are barriers that we overcome all the same now the three external barriers that I count here are paralysis the crowd and the roof. [00:11:58] (24 seconds)


No matter what sin is in your life or in the lives of those whom you love, God's power to redeem and restore is far greater than you can possibly imagine. [00:15:40] (13 seconds)


Discipleship is friendship that leads one another to Jesus. It doesn't just stop there. It's ongoing. A disciple is someone who follows the teachings of another person. Christians are disciples of Christ. It's what the word Christian means in the first place. [00:19:12] (22 seconds)


In other words, Jesus empowers his disciples to be disciple makers. We carry one another to Christ regardless of what obstacles get in the way. [00:20:47] (15 seconds)


Faith isn't a moral performance, but it is a radical desperation to rest in the arms of Jesus who says, friend, your sins are forgiven. Be healed. Pick up your mat. Go. Go home. Remove the roof. Get before Jesus and walk in freedom. [00:28:38] (26 seconds)


Jesus addressed their sin too. It's easy to say that we're forgiven for it to be just words, but it's a lot harder to walk in that forgiveness without Jesus. [00:29:40] (12 seconds)


So like him who gave up his social standing, what is freedom in Christ's name? Christ worth to you remove what needs to be removed Jesus is waiting face what needs to be faced Jesus is with you and if you're lost in sin confess repent let others carry you to Christ let God be glorified because his forgiveness is for you and you are not alone. [00:30:42] (35 seconds)


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Transcript
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