Seeking the Transformative Presence of God

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of seeking the manifest presence of God in our lives and our church community. Drawing inspiration from the lush, rain-soaked village of Masanram in India, we envisioned Freshwater Church as a place similarly drenched, not in physical rain, but in the life-giving presence of God. This vision is not about the perfection of our programs or the eloquence of our sermons, but about the tangible movement of God among us. We are called to measure our success by the stories of transformation, healing, and spiritual awakening that occur when God is truly present.

We reflected on the biblical narrative of Ezekiel 47, where the temple is filled with water, symbolizing God's presence. This vision is a reminder that the presence of God is not confined to a physical building but is meant to flood into our very beings. Jesus, in John 4, speaks of a living water that satisfies our deepest thirst, a metaphor for the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. This presence is not a one-time experience but a continual flow that refreshes and empowers us.

We were reminded that the Holy Spirit is like a never-ending spring, constantly pouring into us, and that without this fresh inflow, our spiritual lives can stagnate. We are encouraged to seek deeper immersion in God's presence, moving from ankle-deep experiences to being fully submerged in His Spirit. This requires a heart posture of desperation and submission, leaving behind idols and distractions that hinder our relationship with God.

As we concluded, we were challenged to cultivate God's presence through prayer, worship, and a heart that longs for Him above all else. This pursuit is not just for Sundays but is a daily journey of seeking and experiencing the fullness of God in every aspect of our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Presence of God as Our Measure: Our church's success is not measured by programs or performances but by the presence of God among us. We seek stories of transformation and healing as evidence of His movement. [32:16]

2. The Manifest Presence of God: We are created to experience God's presence, not just His omnipresence but His manifest presence, where we become acutely aware of Him. This is the essence of our spiritual journey. [42:37]

3. Continual Flow of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is a constant source of life and refreshment. Without regular encounters with God, our spiritual lives can stagnate. We are called to seek a deeper immersion in His presence. [49:13]

4. Desperation and Submission: To experience more of God, we must be desperate for His presence and willing to submit, leaving behind idols that hinder our relationship with Him. This requires a heart posture of surrender. [01:05:44]

5. Cultivating God's Presence: We can cultivate God's presence through prayer, worship, and a heart that longs for Him. This pursuit is a daily journey, not just a Sunday experience, and requires intentional seeking. [01:00:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [30:37] - The Wettest Place on Earth
- [32:16] - Vision for Freshwater Church
- [33:50] - The Power of God's Presence
- [34:22] - Prayer for God's Presence
- [36:07] - Vision of the Church
- [37:09] - Seeking God's Manifest Presence
- [38:34] - Prayer for Clarity and Life
- [42:37] - Created for God's Presence
- [45:20] - Jesus and the Living Water
- [46:47] - The Temple of Our Bodies
- [48:16] - The Flowing River of the Spirit
- [49:13] - Regular Experience of God's Presence
- [52:12] - Continuous Filling of the Spirit
- [53:14] - Deeper Immersion in God's Presence

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ezekiel 47:1-12
- John 4:13-14

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Observation Questions:

1. In Ezekiel 47, what does the water flowing from the temple symbolize, and how does it relate to the presence of God? [43:21]

2. How does the sermon describe the vision for Freshwater Church in relation to the village of Masanram? [30:37]

3. What are some of the manifestations of God's presence mentioned in the sermon that Freshwater Church has experienced? [32:16]

4. According to the sermon, what is the primary measure of success for Freshwater Church? [33:50]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of the "manifest presence" of God differ from His omnipresence, and why is it significant for believers? [42:37]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of desperation and submission in experiencing God's presence? [01:05:44]

3. How does the imagery of water in Ezekiel 47 and John 4 help us understand the nature of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives? [45:20]

4. What might be some modern-day "idols" that could hinder a believer's experience of God's presence, according to the sermon? [01:06:48]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your personal spiritual journey. Are you currently experiencing God's presence in an "ankle-deep," "knee-deep," or "fully submerged" way? What steps can you take to seek a deeper immersion? [53:14]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of cultivating God's presence through prayer and worship. What specific changes can you make in your daily routine to prioritize these practices? [01:00:03]

3. Consider the idols in your life that might be hindering your relationship with God. What practical steps can you take to remove these idols and submit more fully to the Holy Spirit? [01:06:48]

4. How can you create an environment in your home or workplace that invites the presence of God? What role does intentionality play in this process? [56:50]

5. The sermon challenges us to measure success by stories of transformation and healing. Can you identify a recent story of transformation in your life or community? How can you share this story to encourage others? [32:16]

6. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What factors contributed to this feeling, and how can you address them to prevent spiritual stagnation in the future? [50:31]

7. How can you encourage others in your church or small group to seek the manifest presence of God? What role can you play in fostering a community that prioritizes His presence? [34:22]

Devotional

Day 1: Measuring Success by God's Presence
In a world where success is often measured by numbers and achievements, the true measure of a church's success lies in the presence of God among its people. This presence is not about the perfection of programs or the eloquence of sermons but about the tangible movement of God that brings transformation, healing, and spiritual awakening. When God is truly present, lives are changed, and stories of His work become the evidence of success. As a community, we are called to seek and celebrate these stories, allowing them to guide our journey and mission. [32:16]

"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: Think of a recent story of transformation or healing in your life or community. How can you share this story to encourage others and celebrate God's presence?


Day 2: Experiencing God's Manifest Presence
We are created to experience not just God's omnipresence but His manifest presence, where we become acutely aware of Him. This is the essence of our spiritual journey, a deep longing to encounter God in a way that transforms us from the inside out. The manifest presence of God is a powerful reality that can change the atmosphere of our lives and communities. It invites us to move beyond routine and into a vibrant relationship with the Creator, where we are continually aware of His love, guidance, and power. [42:37]

"And the Lord 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: In what ways can you cultivate an awareness of God's manifest presence in your daily life? What changes might you need to make to prioritize this experience?


Day 3: The Holy Spirit's Continual Flow
The Holy Spirit is a constant source of life and refreshment, like a never-ending spring that pours into us. Without regular encounters with God, our spiritual lives can stagnate, leaving us dry and weary. We are called to seek a deeper immersion in His presence, moving from ankle-deep experiences to being fully submerged in His Spirit. This continual flow of the Holy Spirit refreshes and empowers us, enabling us to live vibrant and fruitful lives. It requires intentionality and a willingness to open ourselves to His work within us. [49:13]

"For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams." (Isaiah 44:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel spiritually stagnant. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring new life and refreshment to this area today?


Day 4: Desperation and Submission to God
To experience more of God, we must be desperate for His presence and willing to submit, leaving behind idols and distractions that hinder our relationship with Him. This requires a heart posture of surrender, where we acknowledge our need for God above all else. Desperation for God leads us to a place of humility and openness, where we can fully receive His love and guidance. It is in this place of submission that we find true freedom and fulfillment, as we align our lives with His purposes and desires. [01:05:44]

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one idol or distraction in your life that you need to surrender to God? How can you take a step towards submission and desperation for His presence today?


Day 5: Cultivating God's Presence Daily
Cultivating God's presence is a daily journey, not just a Sunday experience. It requires intentional seeking through prayer, worship, and a heart that longs for Him above all else. This pursuit invites us to create space in our lives for God to move and speak, allowing His presence to permeate every aspect of our being. As we cultivate this relationship, we become more attuned to His voice and more aligned with His will, experiencing the fullness of life that He offers. It is a journey of continual growth and transformation, as we seek to know Him more deeply each day. [01:00:03]

"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord." (Proverbs 8:34-35, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally create space for God's presence in your daily routine? What specific practices can you incorporate to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him?

Quotes

"There's a small village in northeast India named Masanram. And it's a city that's truly bursting with life. The town and the surrounding area are covered in lush green forests and rushing waterfalls. And plant and animal life are all around. And all of this vibrancy for the area comes from one particular thing. It comes from the rainfall that this area gets. It's tucked into the Kasi Hills in India. Masanram actually receives more than 37 feet of rain annually." [00:30:37] (28 seconds)


"The power of the church is not perfect music or a persuasive speaker. It's not even smart strategy. The power of the church has always been the presence of God with his people. And that's what we long for here. And I just want to exhort us this morning and remind us this morning that that's not changing. That's the vision for our church. That's who we are as a people of Freshwater." [00:34:02] (25 seconds)


"Listen, you can encounter the manifest presence of God. He is available to you and he actually wants to show himself to you in real and evident ways. And maybe he can even and will even show you himself in that way today. And so as we begin our time together, what I want to do is I just want to pray. I want to ask the Lord, give us an encounter." [00:37:34] (22 seconds)


"God met with Abraham face to face. He showed up to Moses in the burning bush and on Mount Sinai. He led the people of Israel in a pillar of cloud. He revealed himself to Isaiah in a vision. And Isaiah actually fell face first before the presence of the Lord. He also poured out his glory in the temple as the people worshiped him and sought after him. And then in the New Testament, God himself came to earth as Jesus Christ." [00:42:06] (22 seconds)


"And if you are in Christ, you are experiencing that manifest presence right now as we speak in your soul. But as is always the case with God, there's more of his presence. There's more of him than what you've actually experienced to this point. For many of us, we think that the inflow of the Holy Spirit, it ends at salvation. We think he fills us. So we believe in Jesus. He fills us. And that's it." [00:48:04] (27 seconds)


"For some, you may be at the small beginnings. You may be at the trickle of his presence. And you've experienced the indwelling of the spirit. You're experiencing his restoring love and healing nature. And you didn't know that you could experience God like this. It's like water to a parched land. And yet I want to encourage us. If we will open ourselves to more, there's a greater inflow coming." [00:54:17] (25 seconds)


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