Seeking Jesus: Embracing His Presence and Guidance

 

Summary

In reflecting on the presence of Jesus in our lives, we are reminded of the times when we feel distant from Him, often due to our own actions and choices. The Spirit is always with us, but when we repeatedly ignore His guidance, we can quench His voice, making it harder to hear Him. This was evident in my own life during a difficult period at 18, where poor decisions led to the loss of friendships. Despite the pain, I realized that Jesus was present even in those moments, guiding and protecting me, as Psalm 91:11-12 assures us of His angels guarding us.

A personal story from 2010 illustrates this divine protection. While driving to a wedding shower, I experienced a severe car accident. Miraculously, I emerged unscathed, a testament to Jesus' presence and protection. This incident serves as a reminder that Jesus is with us in our accidents and trials, holding us up as Psalm 37:23-24 promises.

As we move forward, we are encouraged to seek Jesus more intentionally, asking Him where He is in our lives and what He wants us to know. This pursuit of His presence should be a daily endeavor, whether in moments of worship or quiet reflection. Jesus is always with us, and He desires to be more than just present; He wants to be actively involved in our lives.

Looking ahead, we will explore the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, understanding how He anoints and commissions us for His purposes. As we enter a new year, let us surrender our lives, wills, and lifestyles to Jesus, seeking less of ourselves and more of Him. May our resolutions and plans be guided by His presence and strength, as we strive to live in alignment with His will.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Quenching of the Spirit: Ignoring the Spirit's guidance can lead to a quieter voice in our lives, making it harder to hear Him. It's crucial to remain sensitive to His presence and seek Him actively, especially in times of confusion and loss. [00:57]

2. Divine Protection in Trials: Jesus is with us in our accidents and trials, providing protection and guidance. This assurance allows us to trust in His presence, even when circumstances seem dire. [05:39]

3. Intentional Pursuit of Jesus: We are encouraged to seek Jesus intentionally, asking Him where He is in our lives and what He wants us to know. This pursuit should be a daily practice, fostering a deeper relationship with Him. [08:03]

4. The Promise of His Presence: Jesus promises to be with us always, upholding us even when we stumble. This promise is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us of His unwavering support. [08:58]

5. Surrendering to the Holy Spirit: As we look forward, we are called to surrender our lives to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to work through us. This surrender involves seeking less of ourselves and more of Jesus, aligning our lives with His will. [09:38]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - Reflecting on Past Mistakes
[03:40] - Divine Protection in Accidents
[05:39] - Miraculous Survival
[06:40] - Jesus in Our Trials
[08:03] - Seeking Jesus' Presence
[08:58] - The Promise of His Presence
[09:38] - Surrendering to the Holy Spirit
[10:00] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 91:11-12
- Psalm 37:23-24

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Psalm 91:11-12, what role do angels play in our lives, and how does this relate to the sermon’s story about divine protection during the car accident? [03:40]

2. In the sermon, the speaker reflects on a difficult period at age 18. What were the consequences of ignoring the Spirit's guidance during that time? [00:57]

3. How does Psalm 37:23-24 describe the Lord's support for those who delight in Him, and how was this illustrated in the sermon? [08:58]

4. What specific actions or choices can lead to quenching the Spirit, as mentioned in the sermon? [00:57]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the assurance of angelic protection in Psalm 91:11-12 influence a believer's perspective on facing trials and accidents? [03:40]

2. Reflecting on the speaker's story of losing friendships at 18, what might this teach about the importance of seeking Jesus' presence during times of confusion and loss? [00:57]

3. How does the promise in Psalm 37:23-24 that the Lord upholds those who delight in Him provide comfort during personal failures or mistakes? [08:58]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between intentional pursuit of Jesus and experiencing His presence in daily life? [08:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Have you ever experienced a time when you felt distant from Jesus? What steps can you take to actively seek His presence in your life today? [08:03]

2. Think about a recent trial or accident in your life. How did you perceive Jesus' presence during that time, and how might Psalm 91:11-12 offer reassurance? [03:40]

3. Reflect on a decision or action that may have quenched the Spirit's voice in your life. What changes can you make to be more sensitive to His guidance? [00:57]

4. The sermon encourages surrendering to the Holy Spirit. What specific area of your life do you feel called to surrender, and how can you begin this process? [09:38]

5. Consider the promise in Psalm 37:23-24 that the Lord upholds those who delight in Him. How can this promise influence your approach to challenges or setbacks? [08:58]

6. Identify a daily practice that could help you intentionally pursue Jesus' presence. How can you incorporate this practice into your routine? [08:03]

7. As you look forward to the new year, what resolutions or plans can you align with Jesus' presence and strength, seeking less of yourself and more of Him? [09:38]

Devotional

Day 1: Sensitivity to the Spirit's Whisper
Ignoring the Spirit's guidance can lead to a quieter voice in our lives, making it harder to hear Him. It's crucial to remain sensitive to His presence and seek Him actively, especially in times of confusion and loss. When we choose to ignore the Spirit, we risk quenching His voice, which can lead to feelings of distance from God. This distance is often a result of our own actions and choices, not a lack of His presence. By intentionally seeking the Spirit's guidance, we can maintain a close relationship with God, even in challenging times. [00:57]

Ephesians 4:30-31 (ESV): "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."

Reflection: Think of a recent decision where you ignored the Spirit's guidance. How can you seek His voice more intentionally today?


Day 2: Trusting in Divine Protection
Jesus is with us in our accidents and trials, providing protection and guidance. This assurance allows us to trust in His presence, even when circumstances seem dire. In moments of crisis, it can be easy to feel abandoned or alone, but the truth is that Jesus is always with us, offering His protection and guidance. By trusting in His presence, we can find peace and strength to navigate through life's challenges, knowing that we are never truly alone. [05:39]

Psalm 121:7-8 (ESV): "The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore."

Reflection: Recall a time when you felt protected during a difficult situation. How can this memory strengthen your trust in Jesus' presence today?


Day 3: Intentional Pursuit of Jesus
We are encouraged to seek Jesus intentionally, asking Him where He is in our lives and what He wants us to know. This pursuit should be a daily practice, fostering a deeper relationship with Him. By actively seeking Jesus, we open ourselves to His guidance and wisdom, allowing Him to be more than just a presence in our lives. This intentional pursuit can transform our relationship with Him, making it more dynamic and fulfilling. [08:03]

Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to seek Jesus more intentionally in your daily routine?


Day 4: The Comfort of His Promise
Jesus promises to be with us always, upholding us even when we stumble. This promise is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us of His unwavering support. In times of weakness or failure, it can be easy to feel discouraged, but Jesus' promise to be with us offers hope and reassurance. By holding onto this promise, we can find the strength to persevere, knowing that we are supported by His love and grace. [08:58]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: When you feel overwhelmed, how can you remind yourself of Jesus' promise to be with you and uphold you?


Day 5: Surrendering to the Holy Spirit
As we look forward, we are called to surrender our lives to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to work through us. This surrender involves seeking less of ourselves and more of Jesus, aligning our lives with His will. By surrendering to the Holy Spirit, we open ourselves to His transformative power, allowing Him to guide and shape our lives according to God's purposes. This act of surrender can lead to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God, as we learn to rely on His strength and wisdom. [09:38]

Galatians 5:25 (ESV): "If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to surrender more fully to the Holy Spirit? How can you begin this process today?

Quotes

"But you sat in him enough over time, it quenches the Spirit. He becomes softer spoken. You lose your 18, I had the opportunity to go to senior week. Terrible idea. And as I was at senior week, I made a series of mistakes, relational mistakes, substance abuse mistakes. And it led to me losing every relationship I had in high school, every single one, every single one." [00:00:04] (52 seconds)


"I would just do it all over again. But I lost every friendship. My mom, who's a pastor, is like, Eddie, I think that maybe it had to happen so that you lost some of those friends. Those friends weren't good friends. It's like, you didn't lose anything. And I was like, no, I grieve it still a little bit. It still weighs on. And I asked Jesus, Jesus, where were you during that whole mess of a week?" [00:01:05] (24 seconds)


"Lord, this isn't enough time, Lord. I feel like there's so much more time. I feel like there's so much more time that we need with you. Maybe this hunger and thirst that we feel and that we sense, may it spur us to just spend more time with you in our living rooms with some worship music leaning on you." [00:02:46] (22 seconds)


"Psalm 91, 11 through 12 says, For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their hands so that you will not struggle, strike your foot against a Because the Lord loves you and he watches over you. He protected you. He sent his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." [00:03:40] (59 seconds)


"It was 2010, spring of 2010, and I was driving down to Colorado. Columbia, South Carolina to go to a wedding shower that Nicole's nursing unit was putting on for us. And the wedding shower was supposed to be in the afternoon. And so I'm driving there in the morning. I'm about two miles away from Nicole's house." [00:04:46] (22 seconds)


"And I looked down at my phone. And when I looked up, the car was right in front of me. And so I swerved out of the way and I hit a raised embankment and the car went straight up. And I saw sky. The windshield was filled with sky. And I said, okay, Jesus, let's just keep going up. It's okay. You know what I mean? And then all of a sudden, all I saw was gravel, straight gravel. Boom. And then just the car just flipped three times." [00:05:08] (30 seconds)


"And the rest of the car was like smushed down. And I was like, oh, my God. And I got out of the car and I was like, okay. And I got to the, like, you know, to the level, not almost, but almost to the level of the trunk. It's a 1986 Corolla. So, you know, it was going to, it's going to be okay. You know what I mean? Jesus was with me." [00:05:48] (16 seconds)


"Go spend time with him and ask him about this. Where were you when people looked down on me? When were you in the sickness? When were you in the desert? When were you in the sin? Where were you in the accidents? Ask Jesus, where are you? Jesus, what do you want me to know about these things?" [00:08:03] (18 seconds)


"Psalm 37, 23 through 24 says, The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him. Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. And what a beautiful promise that Jesus is with us. He's interacting with us. He's available to us all the time." [00:08:35] (23 seconds)


"But let's look forward to 2025. Let's begin the year next week with the idea of like, Holy Spirit, what do you desire for me? As we go forward, as you live in me, what is my work? What are you doing to anoint, commission and work through my life as I surrender my life to you, my will to you, my lifestyle to you?" [00:09:38] (26 seconds)


"Thank you for your goodness. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for protecting us. Thank you that you've always been worship with abandon we would be moved to worship with a sense of desperation because all we have is you all we have is you we have nothing have will and we might have strategy and we might have new year's resolutions that we want to push and press into but god we we have to do all these things by your presence lord in in your pace lord we don't want to do things by our strength lord may there be less of me and more of you this year we pray that prayer corporately maybe there be less of tab more of you jesus more of our family less of our family more of you jesus you less of me my person more of you" [00:10:09] (80 seconds)


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