Recognizing God's Presence: A Call to Transformation
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound theme of recognizing God's presence in our lives and the consequences of failing to do so. The narrative began with a humorous anecdote about being compared to a character from a movie, which served as a metaphor for how we often miss seeing God in the ordinary and unexpected. This led us to consider the Pharisees' failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, despite the clear signs and wonders He performed. Their preconceived notions and expectations blinded them to the truth standing before them. This blindness wasn't due to ignorance but a willful refusal to accept Jesus for who He was.
We delved into the story of Lazarus, a powerful testament to Jesus' identity as the resurrection and the life. Despite witnessing this miracle, the Pharisees chose to deny the evidence, even plotting to kill Lazarus to suppress the truth. This rebellion against God is not unique to the Pharisees; it is a pattern repeated throughout history and in our lives today. We often create idols, whether they be power, money, or even family, that take precedence over God, leading us down a path of spiritual death.
The sermon challenged us to examine our own perceptions of Jesus and to ask ourselves if we are truly open to recognizing Him in our lives. It is not enough to know about God; we must take responsibility for that knowledge and allow it to transform us. Worshiping anything other than the true God leads to spiritual death, as He is the source of life. The call to action is clear: we must say yes to God, allowing His presence to change every aspect of our lives.
As we enter this sacred time of the year, we are encouraged to seek divine appointments and invite others to experience the life-changing power of Jesus. The story of Lazarus and the Pharisees serves as a reminder that recognizing God is not about seeing Him but about responding to Him. Let us not miss the opportunity to say yes to God and to share His love with others.
Key Takeaways:
1. Recognizing God in the Ordinary: We often miss God's presence because we expect Him to appear in grand, unmistakable ways. Yet, God often reveals Himself in the ordinary and unexpected moments of life. We must remain open and attentive to His presence, even when it challenges our preconceived notions. [08:39]
2. The Danger of Preconceived Notions: The Pharisees missed Jesus because they had a fixed image of what the Messiah should be. This serves as a warning to us not to let our expectations blind us to God's work in our lives. We must be willing to let go of our assumptions and embrace the truth of who God is. [11:03]
3. The Responsibility of Knowledge: Knowing about God is not enough; we must take responsibility for that knowledge and allow it to transform us. The Pharisees knew who Jesus was but refused to accept Him. We are called to act on what we know and let it change us. [14:12]
4. Idolatry Leads to Spiritual Death: Worshiping anything other than the true God leads to spiritual death. Idols, whether they be power, money, or relationships, cannot give us life. Only by placing God first can we experience true life and fulfillment. [30:49]
5. Saying Yes to God: Recognizing God is not about seeing Him but about responding to Him. Once God reveals Himself to us, we have a choice to make. Saying yes to God means allowing His presence to change every aspect of our lives, from our relationships to our daily actions. [28:15]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [08:39] - Missing Jesus: A Frightening Concept
- [11:03] - Knowing vs. Owning the Truth
- [14:12] - The Raising of Lazarus
- [18:27] - The Pharisees' Rebellion
- [26:01] - Evidence of God in Our Lives
- [28:15] - The Choice to Say Yes
- [30:49] - Idol Worship and Its Consequences
- [33:25] - Jesus' Continued Call to Us
- [38:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 11:1-44 - The Raising of Lazarus
2. John 12:9-11 - The Plot to Kill Lazarus
3. Romans 1:20-21 - God's Revelation and Human Rebellion
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 11, why did Jesus wait four days before going to see Lazarus, and what was the significance of this timing? [14:12]
2. How did the Pharisees react to the miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead, and what does this reveal about their priorities? [18:27]
3. According to Romans 1:20-21, what are the consequences of not acknowledging God despite knowing Him?
4. What does the sermon suggest about the Pharisees' understanding of Jesus' identity, and how did their preconceived notions affect their actions? [11:03]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Lazarus challenge our understanding of Jesus as the "resurrection and the life," and what implications does this have for our faith? [14:12]
2. The Pharisees' decision to plot against Lazarus highlights their fear of losing power. How does this reflect the dangers of idolatry in our own lives? [18:27]
3. Romans 1:20-21 speaks of people knowing God but not honoring Him. How does this passage relate to the sermon’s theme of recognizing God in our lives?
4. The sermon discusses the difference between knowing and owning the truth about Jesus. How can this distinction impact our spiritual journey? [11:03]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you might have missed recognizing God's presence in your life. What can you do to be more attentive to His presence in the future? [08:39]
2. The Pharisees had a fixed image of the Messiah. Are there any preconceived notions you hold about God that might be limiting your relationship with Him? How can you address these? [11:03]
3. Consider the idols in your life that might be taking precedence over God. What steps can you take to realign your priorities and place God first? [30:49]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of saying yes to God. What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to respond, and how will you take action? [28:15]
5. How can you create opportunities to invite others to experience the life-changing power of Jesus, especially during this sacred time of the year? [33:25]
6. The sermon mentions the responsibility of knowledge. How can you ensure that what you learn about God transforms your daily actions and decisions? [11:03]
7. Reflect on the concept of rebellion against God as discussed in the sermon. Are there areas in your life where you might be resisting God's will, and how can you surrender those to Him? [18:27]
Devotional
Day 1: Seeing God in the Everyday Moments
In our daily lives, we often overlook God's presence because we expect Him to manifest in grand, unmistakable ways. However, God frequently reveals Himself in the ordinary and unexpected moments. This requires us to remain open and attentive, challenging our preconceived notions of how God should appear. By doing so, we can cultivate a deeper awareness of His presence in our lives, recognizing that He is always with us, even in the mundane. [08:39]
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent ordinary moment where you might have missed God's presence. How can you train yourself to be more attentive to His subtle appearances in your daily life?
Day 2: Letting Go of Expectations
The Pharisees missed recognizing Jesus as the Messiah because they held a fixed image of what the Messiah should be. This serves as a warning to us not to let our expectations blind us to God's work in our lives. We must be willing to let go of our assumptions and embrace the truth of who God is, allowing Him to reveal Himself in ways that may challenge our preconceived notions. By doing so, we open ourselves to a fuller understanding of His divine plan. [11:03]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." (Isaiah 55:8, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an expectation you have about how God should work in your life. How can you release this expectation and be open to the unexpected ways God might be moving?
Day 3: Acting on the Knowledge of God
Knowing about God is not enough; we must take responsibility for that knowledge and allow it to transform us. The Pharisees knew who Jesus was but refused to accept Him. We are called to act on what we know and let it change us, moving beyond mere intellectual understanding to a lived experience of faith. This transformation requires a willingness to be changed by the truth we encounter, allowing it to shape our actions and decisions. [14:12]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a truth about God that you know but have not yet acted upon. What steps can you take today to let this truth transform your life?
Day 4: The Perils of Idolatry
Worshiping anything other than the true God leads to spiritual death. Idols, whether they be power, money, or relationships, cannot give us life. Only by placing God first can we experience true life and fulfillment. This requires a conscious effort to identify and dismantle the idols in our lives, redirecting our worship and devotion to God alone. By doing so, we align ourselves with the source of true life and joy. [30:49]
"Little children, keep yourselves from idols." (1 John 5:21, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you may have placed something above God. How can you begin to dismantle this idol and re-center your life on God?
Day 5: Responding to God's Call
Recognizing God is not about seeing Him but about responding to Him. Once God reveals Himself to us, we have a choice to make. Saying yes to God means allowing His presence to change every aspect of our lives, from our relationships to our daily actions. This response requires a commitment to follow where He leads, trusting in His guidance and allowing His love to transform us. [28:15]
"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'" (Isaiah 6:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to respond? How can you say yes to Him today and allow His presence to transform that area?
Quotes
And he looks at Jerusalem and he weeps on Palm Sunday. We know the celebration that was happening when they saw Jesus coming in. But right after that passage, there's a verse that says, because you didn't recognize that God was with you. It's the last part of this one verse that I remember as a new Christian. That verse freaked me out. It scared me. [00:06:59] (31 seconds)
And really, as I thought about that, I'd hear about the Pharisees and the high religious people and how they missed God being in their midst. They missed Jesus as the Messiah. And I'd almost feel bad for them, feel sorry for them. Except for one thing as I went through that whole process. Because you didn't recognize that God was with you. That's a frightening concept. [00:07:30] (35 seconds)
But I thought, you know, how is that fair for those Pharisees? They didn't get it. And so they're doomed forever. Ever. Eternity in hell. Because they missed Jesus as the Messiah. Does that seem fair? I mean, what if Jesus had come with like a different vibe? Instead of showing up in this obscure little place as a baby wrapped in cloths from a manger, laid in a trough, what if he had a, you know, a more impressive entrance? [00:08:05] (34 seconds)
And then 4,000 years later, he shows up, and he's not at all what they expected. They missed Jesus. And I think the thing that freaks me out about that, or used to freak me out about that, is that I thought, what if I miss him? What if he comes today? He shows up in my life in some small, obscure way, and I miss Jesus just like these religious leaders did. And I'm not a religious leader. What if I miss him too? Could I stumble into eternity because I didn't see the signs? [00:09:33] (46 seconds)
It's not about getting the memo. It's not about missing the note that comes to you about who he is. It's not that those men, those Pharisees, those religious leaders, couldn't see Jesus. It's that they wouldn't see Jesus. They didn't, what the Scripture says, is they did not recognize him. Because he was like a stranger in the crowd. They refused to admit what was staring them in the face. And deep down, they knew. They knew who Jesus was. [00:10:32] (40 seconds)
Knowing it and taking responsibility for what we know, those are two completely different things at the opposite ends of the spectrum. We can know a lot. But until we take responsibility for what we know, it doesn't mean a thing. That's why the Bible actually says, you are responsible for the word that you take in. If you read your Bible on a daily basis, everything that you read and you comprehend and take in, you're responsible for that information from that point forward. [00:12:16] (32 seconds)
But I remember a line in there that says, Batman is the hero that we needed, not the one we wanted. Guess what? For these Pharisees, Jesus was the Messiah that they needed, but he wasn't the one that they wanted. They pushed back against him. It wasn't that they didn't recognize who Jesus was. They just didn't like who he was. Where are we along that spectrum of belief? He wasn't the Jesus they wanted. [00:13:37] (38 seconds)
And the big one, that's what I want to talk about today. It's basically the chapter of John 11. It's the raising of Lazarus. Lazarus. John 11. It's not in the slides, Kirsten. We know the story. He was from Bethany. That's just where he was coming from when Frank started reading that scripture. The village of Mary and her sister Martha. [00:14:39] (28 seconds)
And Lazarus gets sick and they send word to Jesus your friend is sick and he's going to die please come and Jesus waits for a day no, he waits for three days no, he waits for four days before he comes to visit and see about Lazarus and he has a little interchange in John 11 with his disciples before he gets there book note that put that on your phone as a note to read a little bit later, it won't take you but five minutes to read that chapter and it's interesting here's the thing he hangs out for four days before he goes to see Jesus why? [00:14:47] (42 seconds)
And when we do it the right way and God has first place and then our wife or husband or our kids come in second place and everything else kind of falls in place, then life is good even when it's not. It doesn't lead to death. I mean, back in the Old Testament, as I was thinking about this, God didn't mess around with idol worship, did he? I mean, the punishment was so harsh and strict. Why? Not because God's mean. [00:31:08] (38 seconds)
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