Preparing for God's Presence and New Beginnings

 

Summary

The heart of our church is deeply rooted in prayer and the anticipation of God's movement among us. Just as a parent cherishes communication with their children, God delights in our prayers and calls us to draw near to Him. This year, the question that resonates in my spirit is, "Are we ready?" Are we prepared for the new things God wants to do in our lives and in our church? The Bible consistently urges us to be ready, from Genesis to Revelation, emphasizing the imminent return of Jesus and the need for preparedness.

Reflecting on my experience at the C3 Global Conference in Singapore, I was reminded of Elijah's story, where God provided for him in his time of need. Similarly, God spoke to me through a prophecy about our church, envisioning a new building and a growing congregation. This prophecy aligns with the prayers and hopes we've shared, confirming God's plans for us.

Ezekiel 37 and Isaiah 2 provide a vivid picture of God's presence as a river, starting as a trickle and growing into a mighty stream. This symbolizes the potential for God's presence to expand in our lives and church if we remain open and prepared. Our role is to cultivate an environment where God's presence can flourish, allowing His blessings to flow freely.

This year, we focus on three key areas: revitalizing our connect groups, launching a Sunday night service, and advancing our development plans. Our connect groups are vital for fostering belonging, growth, and empowerment. We aim to create spaces where God's presence is tangible, and members are encouraged to use their spiritual gifts.

The new Sunday night service will cater to youth and young adults, providing a unique and vibrant worship experience. This initiative seeks to engage those who cannot attend morning services and to involve young people in leadership and service.

Lastly, our development plans are progressing, with promising partnerships and designs underway. This project will enable us to expand our ministry and impact more lives, aligning with the C3 Church vision of having a life-giving church within reach of every Australian.

As we embark on this journey, let's remain open to God's leading, ready to embrace His presence and the opportunities He presents. Together, we can prepare the way for His presence and His people.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Importance of Readiness: God is always ready to move, but we must be prepared to follow Him. This readiness involves spiritual preparedness and openness to change, allowing God to pour new wine into new wineskins. Are we ready to embrace what God has in store for us? [01:26]

2. God's Presence as a River: The imagery of God's presence as a river, starting as a trickle and growing into a mighty stream, illustrates the potential for spiritual growth and blessing. Our role is to ensure we do not obstruct this flow but instead cultivate an environment where God's presence can flourish. [07:55]

3. Revitalizing Connect Groups: Our connect groups are essential for fostering community, spiritual growth, and empowerment. By creating spaces where God's presence is tangible, we encourage members to use their spiritual gifts and support one another in their faith journeys. [16:31]

4. Launching a Sunday Night Service: This new service aims to engage youth and young adults, providing a unique worship experience that meets their needs. By involving them in leadership and service, we empower the next generation to take ownership of their faith and ministry. [21:29]

5. Advancing Development Plans: Our development project is a crucial step in expanding our ministry and impacting more lives. By preparing for God's presence and His people, we align with the vision of having a life-giving church within reach of every Australian. [24:56]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:26] - Are We Ready for God's Move?
- [02:44] - Personal Experience in Singapore
- [04:27] - Elijah's Story and God's Provision
- [06:10] - Prophecy of Growth and New Building
- [07:55] - Ezekiel's Vision of the River
- [08:57] - Cultivating God's Presence
- [10:44] - Isaiah's Vision and Our Role
- [12:51] - Preparing for God's Move
- [15:03] - The Power of Lingering in God's Presence
- [16:31] - Revitalizing Connect Groups
- [17:49] - Empowerment and Growth in Groups
- [19:29] - Short-term and Long-term Group Initiatives
- [21:29] - Launching a Sunday Night Service
- [23:14] - Youth and Young Adult Involvement
- [24:56] - Advancing Development Plans
- [27:08] - Preparing for God's Presence and People

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ezekiel 37:1-10 - The vision of the valley of dry bones and the breath of life.
2. Isaiah 2:2-3 - The prophecy of the mountain of the Lord and the nations streaming to it.

#### Observation Questions
1. What imagery does Ezekiel 37 use to describe the transformation brought by God's presence? How does this relate to the sermon’s theme of readiness for God's movement? [06:10]
2. In Isaiah 2, what is the significance of the nations streaming to the mountain of the Lord? How does this connect to the sermon’s vision for the church's growth and outreach? [08:57]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of connect groups in fostering spiritual growth and community? [16:31]
4. What are the key initiatives mentioned in the sermon that aim to prepare the church for God's presence and movement? [24:56]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might the vision of the dry bones in Ezekiel 37 symbolize the current state of readiness in the church? What does this imply about the potential for spiritual renewal? [06:10]
2. In what ways does the prophecy in Isaiah 2 challenge the church to become a beacon for the community? How can this be practically achieved? [08:57]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being ready for God's new work. What does spiritual readiness look like in the context of personal and communal faith? [01:26]
4. How does the sermon suggest that the church can cultivate an environment where God's presence can flourish? What practical steps are involved? [07:55]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal readiness for God's movement in your life. What specific areas do you feel need more preparation or openness to change? [01:26]
2. The sermon talks about God's presence as a river. How can you ensure that you are not obstructing this flow in your personal spiritual journey? [07:55]
3. Connect groups are highlighted as vital for community and growth. Are you currently involved in a connect group? If not, what steps can you take to join one or start a new group? [16:31]
4. The new Sunday night service aims to engage youth and young adults. How can you contribute to this initiative, either by participating or supporting its development? [21:29]
5. The sermon mentions advancing development plans for the church. How can you support these efforts, whether through prayer, volunteering, or other means? [24:56]
6. Consider the prophecy of growth and a new building for the church. How does this vision inspire you to be part of the church's mission and outreach? [06:10]
7. The sermon encourages lingering in God's presence. What practical steps can you take to deepen your prayer life and experience more of God's presence daily? [15:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Readiness for God's New Work
God is always ready to move in our lives, but the question is whether we are prepared to follow Him. Readiness involves spiritual preparedness and openness to change, allowing God to pour new wine into new wineskins. This means being willing to let go of old habits, mindsets, and comforts to embrace the new things God wants to do in our lives and in our church. Are we ready to embrace what God has in store for us? This readiness is not just about waiting passively but actively preparing our hearts and minds to receive His guidance and blessings. [01:26]

"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into." (Matthew 24:42-43, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to prepare your heart and mind for the new things God wants to do in your life?


Day 2: Cultivating an Environment for God's Presence
The imagery of God's presence as a river, starting as a trickle and growing into a mighty stream, illustrates the potential for spiritual growth and blessing. Our role is to ensure we do not obstruct this flow but instead cultivate an environment where God's presence can flourish. This involves creating spaces in our lives and communities where God's presence is tangible, allowing His blessings to flow freely. By doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His Spirit, enabling us to grow in faith and impact those around us. [07:55]

"And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes." (Ezekiel 47:9, ESV)

Reflection: What are some ways you can create an environment in your daily life that welcomes and nurtures the presence of God?


Day 3: Revitalizing Community through Connect Groups
Connect groups are essential for fostering community, spiritual growth, and empowerment. By creating spaces where God's presence is tangible, we encourage members to use their spiritual gifts and support one another in their faith journeys. These groups provide a platform for individuals to grow in their relationship with God and each other, building a strong foundation for the church community. As we revitalize our connect groups, we aim to create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to live out their faith. [16:31]

"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: How can you contribute to fostering a sense of community and spiritual growth within your connect group or church community?


Day 4: Engaging the Next Generation through Worship
The new Sunday night service aims to engage youth and young adults, providing a unique worship experience that meets their needs. By involving them in leadership and service, we empower the next generation to take ownership of their faith and ministry. This initiative seeks to create a vibrant and inclusive environment where young people can encounter God and grow in their relationship with Him. By doing so, we ensure that the church remains relevant and impactful for future generations. [21:29]

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you encourage and support the youth and young adults in your community to take an active role in worship and service?


Day 5: Advancing God's Vision through Development
Our development project is a crucial step in expanding our ministry and impacting more lives. By preparing for God's presence and His people, we align with the vision of having a life-giving church within reach of every Australian. This involves strategic planning, building partnerships, and creating spaces that facilitate growth and outreach. As we advance these plans, we remain open to God's leading, ready to embrace His presence and the opportunities He presents. Together, we can prepare the way for His presence and His people. [24:56]

"Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes." (Isaiah 54:2, ESV)

Reflection: What role can you play in supporting the development and expansion of your church's ministry to reach more people with the love of Christ?

Quotes

"God loves it when we've talked to him. Just like you as a dad or a mom love it when your kids talk to you and hate it when your spouse doesn't talk to you. Like you, you know, you love it when people are talking to you. God loves it when we come close. And he is calling us up the mountain. And he is saying to us today, I want you to come and be in part of my presence. But the thing I hear so consistently as I'm praying to God this year and as I hear you praying as well is, are we ready? Are we ready? Are we ready for what God is going to do? Are we ready for what God wants to do in our lives?" [00:00:10]

"I wonder if so often God is ready to move, but we're not ready to go with him. We're ready. We're ready that he's ready to pour out new wine into our old wineskins. And he's saying, come on, exchange that thing. It was a great preaching last week from Mel. Like, yeah, it's time to get ready for the presence of God to move and the people of God to come." [00:00:50]

"And it was a big deal to Jesus, who on many occasions said to his disciples, just be ready. Don't be caught unaware. Prepare. Prepare the way of the Lord. He echoes Isaiah. Prepare. Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight the paths for God. Make straight the paths for God's presence to go out and the people of God to come in." [00:02:18]

"And so I want to look at two scriptures that kind of unpack this prophecy, that give us a context for this to see what this means. First of all, I want to look at Ezekiel chapter 37. Some of you have seen this before. It says, I was led to the temple, led up the top of the mountain, and I was shown the way. I was led to the temple. And then he said, he led me out of the temple and around to the side, and there I saw a water leak. There I saw a little trickle. Go back to the scripture." [00:06:35]

"There is a trickle of God that he wants to let grow in your life. And then he led me through the water and it was ankle deep. And then it was knee deep. And then it was waist deep. And then it was enough to swim in. So the picture of the presence of God going out from the church was such that it started small, but it grew." [00:08:14]

"The presence of God in your life is that if we would not obstruct it, that it would only grow. That it would go from a little bit to a medium amount to a large amount. The God's presence in our church, in our services, we want to cultivate this thing. We want to prepare the way in our church that the presence of God would only increase." [00:08:57]

"There's a river of God's blessing, the river of God's presence that he wants to fill you and I in our connect groups, in our services, in your day to day life, in your building sites, that God would like to come by his presence and add what he, add his ease, add his presence, his peace, his joy to your family, that he would come and soften the hearts of your family, that he would increase the grace in your body, that he would bless you with healing, that he would cause you to grow and flourish like the river of God does." [00:10:44]

"Are we ready for the river of God to move, sweep powerfully through our services, through our connect groups? Are we ready? It won't always suit our agenda, but help us to say yes, like we just prayed. It won't always suit it. It won't always suit what you want to do in your day. But God, help us to say yes." [00:12:03]

"To say, God, whenever we meet together, whenever I wake in the morning, what do you want to speak to us? We want to plan the move of God, plan space for God to move in our lives. Not just to be caught up into the routine, but to go, God, there is space for you to do what you want to do in our lives." [00:12:51]

"We're helping people to grow. We're helping people to go. We're doing what we can to cause. For people to belong in the presence of God. We've got to make sure we're doing this in order. We're going to make sure that we're preparing first, that the presence, our hearts are full of the presence of God so we can make way for the people of God. So we see us doing this in three big things this year." [00:15:56]

"We would love you to meet in a way that would usher in the presence of God. That you would dedicate your life to prayer. You may not pray every single Connect Group, but you would turn up to Connect Group prayed up. You'd turn up to Connect Group knowing that you have a gift of God to give to somebody at that group. Because you are powerful. Because you have the presence of God. And the presence of God raises the dead. It saves the lost. It heals the sick." [00:16:40]

"I want to make it attractive and welcoming to youth and young adults, not to say it's exclusive to youth and young adults. Absolutely come if that time works for you, if you like the feel of it. But we're going to be including youth and young adults in the actual preparation of it, in the leadership of it, in the inspiration of it, in the prayer of it. I want it to be youth and young adult backed and supported because these people can, if these people can run army, sorry, navy carriers, they can run a church service." [00:22:39]

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