Reviving the Church: Seeking God's Glorious Presence

 

Summary

In reflecting on the history of Israel, particularly the contrasting events in 1 Samuel 4 and Exodus 40, we are reminded of the vital importance of God's glory in the life of His people. The story of Ichabod, where the glory of God departs from Israel, stands in stark contrast to the moment in Exodus when God's glory fills the Tabernacle. These narratives serve as a powerful reminder of what truly constitutes a church: the presence of God's glory. Without it, we are left with mere structures and organizations, devoid of true spiritual vitality.

The church today faces a similar challenge. We live in times where the church is highly organized, yet often lacks the palpable presence of God's glory. This absence is not due to a lack of effort or organization but rather a failure to prioritize and seek the presence of God above all else. The story of the Israelites using the Ark of the Covenant as a mere talisman illustrates the danger of treating God's presence as a mechanical or magical force rather than a living, relational reality.

The key to a vibrant church is a deep sensitivity to God's presence. This sensitivity was exemplified by the wife of Phinehas, who, despite the birth of a son, could not rejoice because the glory of God had departed. Her spiritual awareness highlights the need for us to prioritize God's presence over all else. The church must cultivate this sensitivity, recognizing that without God's glory, all efforts are in vain.

To truly experience God's presence, we must acknowledge our dependence on Him, obey His commandments, and earnestly seek His return. This involves a willingness to be humbled and a readiness to cry out for His presence, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Jacob and Isaiah. When God's glory is present, it brings a sense of awe, reverence, and fear, transforming the church into a powerful force for His kingdom.

Key Takeaways:

1. The presence of God's glory is what truly defines a church. Without it, we are left with mere structures and organizations, lacking spiritual vitality. The contrast between the glory filling the Tabernacle and its departure from Israel serves as a powerful reminder of this truth. [11:40]

2. The church today often focuses on organization and activity, yet it lacks the presence of God's glory. This absence is not due to a lack of effort but a failure to prioritize God's presence above all else. We must seek His glory as the vital element in our midst. [14:08]

3. Sensitivity to God's presence is crucial for a vibrant church. The story of Phinehas' wife, who could not rejoice at the birth of her son because God's glory had departed, highlights the need to prioritize God's presence over all else. [20:43]

4. We must acknowledge our dependence on God and earnestly seek His presence. This involves obeying His commandments and crying out for His return, recognizing that without Him, all efforts are in vain. [40:12]

5. When God's glory is present, it brings a sense of awe, reverence, and fear, transforming the church into a powerful force for His kingdom. This is the missing note in many churches today, and we must cultivate a deep sensitivity to His presence. [32:47]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Israel's History
- [01:24] - The Glory of God: A Contrast
- [03:14] - The Church's Current Condition
- [05:29] - The Vital Factor: God's Presence
- [06:39] - The Role of God's Glory in Israel's History
- [08:01] - The Danger of Contentment Without Glory
- [09:15] - Building the Tabernacle: Man's Part
- [11:40] - The Essential Presence of God's Glory
- [14:25] - Illustration: The Electric Tram
- [17:34] - Sensitivity to God's Presence
- [20:43] - The Story of Phinehas' Wife
- [25:50] - The Missing Note: Awe and Reverence
- [32:47] - Revival and the Presence of God
- [40:12] - Our Dependence on God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Samuel 4:19-22
2. Exodus 40:34-35

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Observation Questions:

1. In 1 Samuel 4:19-22, what events led to the naming of Ichabod, and what does his name signify about the state of Israel at that time? [01:03]

2. How does Exodus 40:34-35 describe the presence of God's glory in the Tabernacle, and what was Moses' reaction to it? [11:40]

3. According to the sermon, what was the significance of the Ark of the Covenant to the Israelites, and how did their perception of it lead to their downfall? [37:49]

4. What contrast does the sermon draw between the glory of God filling the Tabernacle and its departure from Israel? [02:52]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of Phinehas' wife in 1 Samuel 4 illustrate the importance of spiritual sensitivity to God's presence? [20:43]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between church organization and the presence of God's glory? How can this be applied to modern churches? [14:08]

3. In what ways does the sermon highlight the dangers of treating God's presence as a mechanical force rather than a relational reality? [38:16]

4. How does the sermon use the story of Jacob in Genesis 28 to illustrate the awareness of God's presence? What can this teach us about recognizing God's presence in our lives? [27:58]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own church experience. Have you ever felt that the church was more focused on organization than on seeking God's presence? How did that affect your spiritual life? [14:08]

2. The sermon emphasizes the need for sensitivity to God's presence. What practical steps can you take to cultivate this sensitivity in your daily life? [18:05]

3. Consider a time when you might have treated God's presence as a "talisman" or a mechanical force. How can you shift your perspective to view it as a living, relational reality? [38:16]

4. The sermon mentions the importance of crying out for God's presence. What specific prayers or actions can you incorporate into your life to earnestly seek His return? [40:12]

5. How can you foster a sense of awe and reverence for God's presence in your personal worship or within your church community? [32:47]

6. Reflect on a time when you felt the absence of God's glory in your life. What changes did you make, or can you make, to invite His presence back? [21:16]

7. Identify one area in your church or personal life where you feel the need for revival. What steps can you take to initiate change and seek God's glory in that area? [32:47]

Devotional

Day 1: The True Essence of the Church

The presence of God's glory is what truly defines a church. Without it, we are left with mere structures and organizations, lacking spiritual vitality. The contrast between the glory filling the Tabernacle and its departure from Israel serves as a powerful reminder of this truth. The church is not just a building or a gathering of people; it is a place where God's presence dwells. When God's glory is absent, the church loses its true purpose and power. The story of Ichabod, where the glory of God departs from Israel, highlights the danger of losing sight of what truly matters. We must strive to ensure that God's presence is central to our church life, seeking His glory above all else. [11:40]

"And the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." (Exodus 40:34-35, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively seek to prioritize God's presence in your church community this week?


Day 2: Prioritizing God's Presence

The church today often focuses on organization and activity, yet it lacks the presence of God's glory. This absence is not due to a lack of effort but a failure to prioritize God's presence above all else. We must seek His glory as the vital element in our midst. The danger lies in becoming so consumed with programs and activities that we forget the essence of our faith. The Israelites' mistake of treating the Ark of the Covenant as a mere talisman serves as a warning. We must remember that God's presence is not a mechanical force but a living reality that requires our attention and devotion. [14:08]

"Thus says the Lord: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.'" (Isaiah 66:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from church activities to seeking God's presence in your personal life today?


Day 3: Sensitivity to God's Presence

Sensitivity to God's presence is crucial for a vibrant church. The story of Phinehas' wife, who could not rejoice at the birth of her son because God's glory had departed, highlights the need to prioritize God's presence over all else. Her spiritual awareness serves as a model for us to follow. We must cultivate a deep sensitivity to God's presence, recognizing that without it, our efforts are in vain. This sensitivity requires us to be attuned to the Holy Spirit, seeking His guidance and direction in all that we do. [20:43]

"And he said, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.' And he said to him, 'If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?'" (Exodus 33:14-16, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to become more sensitive to God's presence in your daily life?


Day 4: Dependence on God

We must acknowledge our dependence on God and earnestly seek His presence. This involves obeying His commandments and crying out for His return, recognizing that without Him, all efforts are in vain. Our dependence on God is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of our need for His guidance and strength. Biblical figures like Jacob and Isaiah exemplify this dependence, showing us the importance of seeking God's presence with humility and sincerity. [40:12]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to acknowledge your dependence on God today, and how can you practically do so?


Day 5: The Transformative Power of God's Glory

When God's glory is present, it brings a sense of awe, reverence, and fear, transforming the church into a powerful force for His kingdom. This is the missing note in many churches today, and we must cultivate a deep sensitivity to His presence. The presence of God's glory has the power to transform not only our churches but also our individual lives. It calls us to a higher standard of living, one that is marked by holiness and devotion. We must seek to experience this transformative power, allowing it to shape us into vessels for God's kingdom work. [32:47]

"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." (Isaiah 40:5, ESV)

Reflection: How can you invite the transformative power of God's glory into your life and community this week?

Quotes



The presence of the glory of God, the glory of the Lord, the thing that is mentioned in both my texts, the thing that was mentioned in the hymn we sang, the second hymn which we sang, you remember Isaac Watts puts it like this: my tongue repeats her vows, peace to this sacred house. [00:06:00]

What makes a church truly a church is the presence of the glory of God. I could easily show you this in the long history of the children of Israel. What a strange and checkered story it is, times of great triumph, times of abject failure, miserable defeat. [00:06:36]

The world, as you know, has got many institutions, many societies, many clubs. People meet together in so many different ways. What makes a church different? Why is this place unique in this area now? Well, the answer is the presence of the glory of the Lord. [00:08:01]

Our greatest danger, even today and at all times, is to be content with these other things and to fail to realize that without this presence of God's glory, we are not only functioning not functioning as a church, but finally, our work is entirely in vain. [00:08:31]

The most important thing, therefore, for us is to be sensitive, isn't it, to the presence of the glory and the power of God. This is the most important thing in the life of the church. I'm not saying again it's the only thing, of course, it doesn't. [00:18:02]

This woman, the wife of Phinehas, had been looking forward. Here she was to have a child, and she hoped and longed for it to be a male. Nothing greater, nothing better could happen to her, and at last, she gives birth to a male child, but she's not rejoicing. [00:20:04]

The tragedy, she was sensitive to this and was therefore troubled and in an agony of soul when the glory of God had departed with the capturing of the Ark by the Philistines. Well, now here I say is something that is most important for us. [00:21:23]

The church alone has the message, but the church is impotent without the presence of the glory of God. So the supreme thing for us is to be sensitive to this presence. The saints have always been sensitive. You remember some of these hymns of William Cowper. [00:25:32]

The presence of God, whenever you get revival, this is one of its first manifestations: a humbling, a breaking, a sense of awe, a sense of reverence, a sense of fear. My dear friends, are we sensitive to the presence of the glory of God? [00:32:47]

Without God, we can do nothing. We can build buildings, of course, we can. We can multiply our institutions and our organizations. We're experts at it, but it all comes to nothing without God, without this glory, without his presence in the midst. [00:40:12]

We must plead with him to return. We must not be content until we are aware of the glory in the midst. It'll frighten us, remember, as it frightened Moses. Did you notice that incident there in that 40th chapter of Exodus? [00:41:02]

We must plead with him to come back amongst us to manifest the glory of his power, and when he does, believe me, whatever the forces that may be against the church, they'll become as nothing. They'll vanish, they'll be routed, and the church will again be victorious. [00:42:48]

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Transcript
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