Seeking God's Transformative Manifest Presence in Our Lives

 

Summary

In this message, I explored the profound difference between the omnipresence of God and His manifest presence, urging us to seek the latter in our lives. Drawing from the story of King David and the Ark of the Covenant, I highlighted the importance of bringing God's presence into our midst, not just as a symbol, but as a transformative force in our lives. David's journey to bring the Ark to Jerusalem serves as a powerful metaphor for our own spiritual journey. Despite being anointed as king, David faced numerous challenges and had to learn valuable lessons along the way. Similarly, we are called to overcome obstacles and grow in our faith, embracing the promises God has for us.

The Ark of the Covenant, a symbol of God's presence, was neglected and left in a house in Judah. Yet, when it was brought into the city, it brought blessings and favor. This story reminds us that God's presence is not about rituals or symbols, but about a genuine relationship with Him. We must desire His manifest presence in our lives, as it brings peace, wholeness, and fulfillment. In 2025, let us be a people who seek God's presence, not just going through the motions, but truly encountering Him.

I emphasized the need to fear and obey the Lord, recognizing His ultimate authority in our lives. Our faith is not based on superstition, but on the substance of a relationship with God. We must learn to walk in obedience, seeking His ways and plans rather than our own. By doing so, we invite His blessings and presence into our lives, transforming us from the inside out.

As we enter this new year, I encourage us to set ourselves apart for God's purposes, consecrating our lives to Him. Let us be a people who honor and love God with all our hearts, seeking His presence and living for His glory. May we not neglect His presence, but instead, embrace it fully, allowing it to guide and bless us in 2025 and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Distinction Between Omnipresence and Manifest Presence: While God is omnipresent, His manifest presence is a deeper, more tangible experience that transforms lives. We should seek this presence, as it brings peace, fulfillment, and a sense of God's nearness. [56:18]

2. The Importance of Relationship Over Rituals: The Ark of the Covenant was a symbol, but the true power lies in a genuine relationship with God. Our faith should not be based on rituals or symbols, but on a real encounter with Jesus Christ that changes us from within. [57:55]

3. Learning from David's Journey: Like David, we are anointed and called by God, but we must overcome challenges and learn valuable lessons to fulfill our purpose. This requires faith, patience, and a teachable heart. [58:55]

4. The Role of Obedience in Experiencing God's Presence: Obedience to God's ways invites His blessings and presence into our lives. We must seek His plans and walk in surrender, recognizing that our obedience benefits us and those around us. [01:20:28]

5. Consecrating Our Lives for God's Purposes: As we enter a new year, we should set ourselves apart for God's plans, seeking His presence and living for His glory. This involves honoring Him, loving Him with all our hearts, and allowing His presence to guide and bless us. [01:24:15]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [46:09] - Prayer for Missionaries
- [47:31] - Personal Encouragements
- [50:43] - Introduction to King David's Story
- [52:21] - The Ark of the Covenant
- [54:39] - The Glory Has Departed
- [56:18] - Omnipresence vs. Manifest Presence
- [57:55] - Relationship Over Rituals
- [58:55] - Learning from David's Journey
- [01:00:02] - God's Ultimate Authority
- [01:01:52] - Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem
- [01:03:10] - Uzzah's Mistake
- [01:04:31] - Blessings of God's Presence
- [01:09:06] - Fear and Obey the Lord
- [01:24:15] - Consecrating Our Lives

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Samuel 6:1-15
2. John 10:10

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the significance of the Ark of the Covenant in the story of King David, and how did it symbolize God's presence? [52:21]

2. How did David's initial attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem result in Uzzah's death, and what was David's reaction to this event? [01:03:10]

3. What was the outcome for Obed-Edom's household when the Ark of the Covenant was kept there, and how did this influence David's actions? [01:04:31]

4. How does the sermon describe the difference between God's omnipresence and His manifest presence? [56:18]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the story of David and the Ark illustrate the importance of seeking a genuine relationship with God rather than relying on religious symbols or rituals? [57:55]

2. How does the sermon suggest that obedience to God's ways can lead to experiencing His blessings and presence in our lives? [01:20:28]

3. What lessons can be drawn from David's journey about overcoming challenges and growing in faith to fulfill God's purpose for our lives? [58:55]

4. How does the concept of consecrating our lives for God's purposes relate to the idea of seeking His manifest presence in the new year? [01:24:15]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's manifest presence in your life. What were the circumstances, and how did it impact you? How can you seek more of these experiences in 2025? [56:18]

2. Are there any rituals or symbols in your spiritual life that have become more important than your relationship with God? How can you refocus on building a genuine connection with Him? [57:55]

3. What obstacles or challenges are you currently facing that might be hindering your spiritual growth? How can you apply the lessons from David's journey to overcome them? [58:55]

4. In what areas of your life do you need to practice greater obedience to God's ways? How can you take practical steps to align your actions with His plans? [01:20:28]

5. As you enter the new year, what specific actions can you take to consecrate your life for God's purposes and seek His presence more intentionally? [01:24:15]

6. How can you cultivate a deeper fear and reverence for God in your daily life, recognizing His ultimate authority? What changes might this require in your attitudes or behaviors? [01:09:06]

7. Identify one area in your life where you have been neglecting God's presence. What steps can you take this week to invite His presence back into that area? [01:25:35]

Devotional

Day 1: Seeking God's Manifest Presence
In our spiritual journey, we often acknowledge God's omnipresence, but there is a deeper, more transformative experience available to us: His manifest presence. This presence is not just about feeling God's nearness; it is about experiencing His peace, fulfillment, and transformative power in our lives. The story of King David and the Ark of the Covenant illustrates this beautifully. David's desire to bring the Ark to Jerusalem was not merely about having a symbol of God's presence but about inviting God's transformative power into the heart of the nation. Similarly, we are called to seek God's manifest presence in our lives, allowing it to bring peace and fulfillment. [56:18]

"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.'" (Exodus 33:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to invite God's manifest presence to bring transformation and peace today?


Day 2: Relationship Over Rituals
The Ark of the Covenant was a powerful symbol of God's presence, yet its true significance lay in the relationship it represented. Our faith should not be based on rituals or symbols but on a genuine relationship with God. This relationship is transformative, changing us from within and drawing us closer to Jesus Christ. The story of the Ark reminds us that God's presence is not about going through the motions but about a real encounter with Him. We are encouraged to move beyond rituals and seek a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. [57:55]

"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6, ESV)

Reflection: What rituals or routines in your spiritual life might be hindering a deeper relationship with God, and how can you shift your focus to truly encounter Him?


Day 3: Overcoming Challenges Like David
David's journey to bring the Ark to Jerusalem was fraught with challenges, yet it serves as a powerful metaphor for our own spiritual journey. Despite being anointed as king, David faced numerous obstacles and had to learn valuable lessons along the way. Like David, we are called by God and must overcome challenges to fulfill our purpose. This requires faith, patience, and a teachable heart. As we navigate our spiritual journey, we can draw inspiration from David's perseverance and commitment to God's calling. [58:55]

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one challenge you are currently facing, and how can you approach it with faith and patience, trusting in God's purpose for your life?


Day 4: The Role of Obedience in Experiencing God's Presence
Obedience to God's ways is crucial in inviting His blessings and presence into our lives. It is through obedience that we align ourselves with God's plans and experience His transformative power. This obedience is not about following rules but about surrendering to God's will and recognizing His ultimate authority in our lives. By walking in obedience, we not only invite God's presence but also become a blessing to those around us. [01:20:28]

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

Reflection: In what specific area of your life is God calling you to greater obedience, and what steps can you take today to align with His will?


Day 5: Consecrating Our Lives for God's Purposes
As we enter a new year, we are encouraged to set ourselves apart for God's purposes, seeking His presence and living for His glory. This involves consecrating our lives to Him, honoring Him, and loving Him with all our hearts. By doing so, we invite His presence to guide and bless us, transforming us from the inside out. Let us not neglect His presence but embrace it fully, allowing it to shape our lives and lead us into His plans for us. [01:24:15]

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21, ESV)

Reflection: How can you consecrate your life to God in this new year, and what practical steps can you take to live for His glory each day?

Quotes


2025, you know, we say God is always with us. He's omnipresent. He's everywhere at once. Everywhere. Everywhere. No, you can't get away from it. You can't get away from the presence of God. But let me remind you that there's a very distinct difference between the omnipresence of God, where He's everywhere at once, and the manifest presence of God. You know, when we come together, we start to worship, and you start to sense God. And it's like, wow. God's in this place. It's His manifest presence. And I want to declare to you this morning, there are different depths of the manifest presence of God. [00:56:18]

It's not about rituals, it's about relationship with the living God, with the ultimate authority. It's not about religion, but it's about being real. It's not about, you know, going through the motions of stuff. It's actually having an encounter with the presence of Jesus Christ that changes us from the inside out. And I want to encourage you this morning, let's be a people hungry for the manifest presence of God in our lives. [00:58:04]

See, just like you and I, just like David, David was, you know, given promises by God. He was anointed to be the king. But it took many years and struggles and having to overcome obstacles and challenges to get to when he was king. And then he still had to learn lessons. And it's no different to you and I. God gives us great promises in Jesus Christ. The yes and amen in him, but we have to learn to overcome. We have to learn to win the battles in our lives to be the people that God wants us to be, yeah? Amen. Amen. [00:58:55]

The people of Israel didn't understand that God cannot be boxed up or manipulated or used for personal agendas. See, our faith is not based on superstition, but it's based on substance. The Apostle Paul speaks of, give out a form, the form of religion, but not the substance of religion. When the Israelites went into battle, they didn't realize that God had already left them. But you know, God is the ultimate authority in life. [01:00:02]

Let me pause for a moment and say, when the manifest presence of God in your life, God pours out his blessing, pours out his favor, pours out his mercy, pours out his direction, pours out his love and his grace like nothing else. And we see it, this picture. Obed-Edom accidentally has the Ark of the Covenant in his house and everything he touches is blessed. Everything that goes on is blessed. Why? Because God's presence is there. I don't know about you, but I desire so strongly the presence of God in my life. [01:04:31]

I am sure I can speak on everybody's behalf this morning that we all desire the manifest presence of Jesus in our lives, in our families, in our community, in our church. We desire his presence for our lives for we know that his presence changes everything. It's his ultimate authority in our lives that takes us from chaos to peace. Yeah, from brokenness to wholeness, from despair to victory, from ruin to success. [01:07:04]

But Uzzadine shook David to the core and it caused him to look and to research and try to understand what went on here. Can I encourage you? Whatever's happened in 2024, 2023, 2019, whatever it be, whatever's happened and stuff you don't understand, can I encourage you to seek God? Ask questions of him because he's not afraid to answer you. [01:09:06]

There's a right way to do things and there's a wrong way to do things. And we have a society today that says it's okay you can do it like this. But I'm going to tell you that in God's eyes there's a right way and a wrong way and I don't know about you but I want to do things the right way. I want to please God. I want to live under the understanding that he is God and I am not. [01:10:41]

I'm not my own master. I'm not the Lord of my life. He's the Lord of my life and if he's the Lord of my life that means that I do what he says not what I think. I'm not the Lord of my life. Are you hearing me this morning? He is the ultimate authority. I fear him because he is God. I fear him because I'm going to give an account to him one day. [01:11:32]

We need to learn obedience and it's not easy because we all like to do things the way we want. James says in his book don't just be hearers of the word but let's be doers let's outwork it let's do what he asks us to do let's bring the manifest presence of god into our midst in 2025 by number one fearing god number two obeying him and i'm going to pull up right there i could say more but i'm going to say it next week what we need to be a unified people if we're going to see the presence of god usher into our lives and and into our church, and into our community. [01:22:20]

It's a big word for just setting ourselves apart for God's purposes and his plans for 2025. Why don't you use your own words right now and just set yourself apart for God this year? Thank you. Thank you, God. Set ourselves apart, Lord. We take a moment to say, Lord, here we are. Send us. Here we are, Lord. Enable us. Fill us with your spirit afresh as we put ourselves upon the altar of sacrifice, a living sacrifice to bring honor and glory to your name. Help us, Lord, to live for your glory this year. [01:24:15]

You know, I can't finish this morning. This is the first Sunday in 2025. I can't finish without giving you an opportunity. You know, just like David said that the Ark of the Covenant has been neglected far too long. It's been neglected. Maybe you've been neglecting the presence of God in your life, too. I don't know. I don't see you at home. I don't see what's going on in your lives. But if you're here this morning and you know that you're estranged from God, that you just want to get right. You want to get right with Him this morning, I want to give you an opportunity to do that, to set yourself up for 2025. [01:25:42]

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Transcript
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