Seeking Unity and Worship for God's Presence
Summary
Beloved congregation, as we gather today, I bring you the third part of our series, "More of His Presence." This year, we've anchored ourselves in the theme "More in '24," and the most crucial "more" we seek is the presence of God. Last week, Pastor Jane proclaimed this truth with fervor, and today, I stand before you to explain it, to delve into the depths of what it means to truly dwell in God's presence.
Reflecting on personal testimony, I recall my mother's near-death experience at 35 and her subsequent years of illness. In her struggle, she discovered the transformative power of praise and worship, which led her to a profound encounter with God's presence. This encounter not only healed her but also reshaped our family's destiny. It is this same presence of God that we yearn for more of in our lives.
In John 17, Jesus prays for our unity, emphasizing that the world will recognize God's love through our complete unity. This unity is not optional; it is the foundation upon which God's presence and blessings are poured out. The church cannot impact the world if it mirrors the division seen elsewhere. Unity is the fertile soil for God's presence to thrive.
King David understood this. He worked tirelessly for unity among the tribes of Israel. Once unity was achieved, he sought to bring the Ark of God's presence back to the center of society. This act ushered in the Tabernacle of David era, a time marked by God's outrageous blessings upon His people. Unity and worship were the keys to unlocking these blessings.
The pattern is clear: unity precedes worship, and worship invites the rain of God's presence. As rain nourishes the earth, so does worship bring the refreshing presence of the Holy Spirit into our lives. When we worship, we rise like a water tank being filled, ready to overflow with God's presence.
Today, we are called to be like David, a man after God's own heart, who despite his flaws, was a worshiper. His life teaches us that worship is not about perfection but about pursuit—pursuit of God's presence that shepherds us to our destiny.
As we enter into a time of worship, let us seek unity and offer our praise to God. Let us be vessels ready to be filled with His presence, for in His presence, we find fullness of joy, peace, and every good thing that God is. Let us worship together, desiring more of His presence in '24.
Key Takeaways:
1) Unity is not merely a nice-to-have; it is the essential precondition for experiencing the fullness of God's presence. Just as Jesus prayed for our unity, we must actively reject division and strive for oneness in our families, workplaces, and churches. When we are united, God commands a blessing upon us. [57:57]
2) Worship is the vehicle through which we invite God's presence into our lives. Like the natural process of evaporation and rainfall, our worship ascends to God and returns to us as the rain of His Spirit. In times of spiritual drought, worship is the answer to receiving the refreshing rain we desperately need. [01:03:46]
3) The Tabernacle of David represents a shift from the exclusivity of the Tabernacle of Moses to a more accessible, worship-centered approach to God's presence. This New Testament style of worship, focused on Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit, is what we are called to emulate. [54:42]
4) The story of David's life and his pursuit of God's presence teaches us that worship is not about religious perfection but about a heart fully devoted to God. Worshipers, like David, navigate life's storms with a divine shepherd guiding them to their destiny. [50:31]
5) Our desire for God's presence must be genuine, not settling for a counterfeit experience. As we pray and worship, we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, inviting Him to fill us anew. In this act of faith, we align our hearts with God's, seeking His presence above all else. [01:05:42]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 17:20-23 (NIV)
> "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
2. Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
> "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
3. Acts 15:16-17 (NIV)
> "'After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things'—"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus pray for in John 17:20-23, and why is it significant for believers?
2. According to Psalm 16:11, what are the benefits of being in God's presence?
3. In Acts 15:16-17, what is being rebuilt and for what purpose?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17:20-23 relate to the sermon’s emphasis on unity as a precondition for experiencing God's presence? [58:34]
2. What does the story of David bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem teach us about the importance of unity and worship in inviting God's presence? [56:05]
3. How does the concept of the Tabernacle of David, as described in Acts 15:16-17, differ from the Tabernacle of Moses, and what does this shift signify for modern worship? [54:42]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Jesus' prayer for unity, how can you actively work towards unity in your family, workplace, or church? Are there specific actions you can take to foster this unity? [58:34]
2. The sermon mentioned that worship is the vehicle through which we invite God's presence. How can you incorporate more worship into your daily routine to experience this refreshing presence? [01:03:46]
3. David's life shows that worship is not about perfection but about pursuit. How can you shift your focus from trying to be perfect to genuinely pursuing God's presence in your daily life? [50:31]
4. The sermon highlighted the transformative power of worship in times of spiritual drought. Can you identify a time in your life when worship helped you through a difficult period? How can you apply this lesson to any current struggles? [01:03:46]
5. Unity was emphasized as essential for God's blessings. Are there any relationships in your life that need reconciliation to achieve this unity? What steps can you take this week to mend those relationships? [56:47]
6. The sermon mentioned that our desire for God's presence must be genuine. How can you ensure that your pursuit of God's presence is authentic and not just a routine? [01:05:42]
7. Considering the benefits of God's presence listed in Psalm 16:11, which aspect (joy, peace, guidance, etc.) do you feel you need most in your life right now? How can you seek this through prayer and worship?
Devotional
Day 1: Unity Commands God's Blessing
Unity is the heartbeat of the church, the essential element that allows God's presence to flourish among His people. It is not simply a pleasant ideal but a spiritual imperative. As believers, the call to unity is a call to action, to actively resist the forces of division that threaten to fragment our communities. Unity is not about uniformity but about harmonizing diverse gifts, perspectives, and personalities to create a symphony that glorifies God. It is in this harmonious state that the church becomes a beacon of God's love, a testament to the transformative power of the gospel. When unity prevails, the church stands as a united front, reflecting the triune nature of God Himself—three distinct persons in perfect unity. This unity is not just for the sake of community but is the very condition under which God promises to command His blessing. It is the fertile ground from which the seeds of revival can sprout and grow.
"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore." - Psalm 133:1-3 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the unity of your local church body this week, and how might this open the door to experiencing more of God's presence?
Day 2: Worship as Spiritual Rainfall
Worship is not a mere ritual or a Sunday routine; it is the life-giving rain that saturates the parched soil of our souls. As we lift our voices and hearts in worship, we engage in a divine exchange—our praises ascend to heaven, and in return, the refreshing rain of God's Spirit descends upon us. This spiritual rainfall rejuvenates and empowers us, filling us with joy, peace, and the palpable presence of the Holy Spirit. Worship is the answer to spiritual dryness, the catalyst for a downpour of God's presence in our lives. It is through worship that we connect with God on a deep, intimate level, and it is through worship that we are transformed from the inside out. As we worship, we become like wells overflowing with living water, quenching not only our own thirst but also that of those around us. Worship is the key to unlocking the heavens, inviting the rain of God's presence to fall upon us and our communities.
"But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." - Amos 5:24 ESV
Reflection: How can your personal worship be a catalyst for inviting the presence of God into your life, and what steps can you take to make worship a daily practice?
Day 3: Embracing the Tabernacle of David
The Tabernacle of David represents a significant shift in the way God's people approach His presence. Unlike the exclusivity of the Tabernacle of Moses, the Tabernacle of David was marked by accessibility and continuous worship. This foreshadows the New Testament reality where, through Jesus Christ, we all have direct access to God's presence. The Tabernacle of David was a place where all were welcome to come and worship, a place where the barriers between God and His people were removed. This is the model of worship we are called to emulate—a worship that is inclusive, continuous, and centered on the person of Jesus Christ. It is a worship empowered by the Holy Spirit, where every believer is invited to participate in the divine communion with God. As we embrace this model, we step into the reality of God's kingdom, where His presence is not confined to a specific place or time but is available to us at all times and in all places.
"On that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old." - Amos 9:11 ESV
Reflection: What does it mean for you to live out the principles of the Tabernacle of David in your daily life, and how can you foster a more inclusive and continuous worship experience?
Day 4: Worship Beyond Perfection
Worship is not a performance to be graded but a pursuit of the heart. It is not about hitting the right notes or following a perfect liturgy; it is about a heart that seeks after God. David, a man after God's own heart, exemplifies this pursuit. Despite his many flaws and failures, David's life was characterized by a deep, passionate worship of God. His worship was authentic, raw, and unfiltered—a true reflection of his heart's desire to be close to God. This is the kind of worship that pleases God, a worship that comes from a place of sincerity and vulnerability. It is in this place of honest worship that we find guidance for our lives, where the shepherd of our souls leads us to our destiny. Worship is the compass that points us to God, the anchor that holds us steady in the storms of life. It is in worship that we find the strength to navigate life's challenges, with God Himself as our guide.
"I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad." - Psalm 34:1-2 ESV
Reflection: What does authentic worship look like in your life, and how can you cultivate a heart of worship that seeks God beyond the pursuit of perfection?
Day 5: Genuine Desire for God's Presence
The pursuit of God's presence must be rooted in authenticity. It is not enough to go through the motions or to settle for a superficial experience of God. Our hearts must yearn for the true and living God, for an encounter with the Holy Spirit that is real and transformative. As we pray and worship, we must do so with the expectation that God will meet us, that He will fill us anew with His Spirit. This genuine desire for God's presence is what aligns our hearts with His, what opens the floodgates of heaven and allows us to experience the fullness of joy, peace, and every good thing that God is. It is in His presence that we find the answers to our deepest questions, the solutions to our most perplexing problems, and the comfort for our most profound sorrows. Our desire for God's presence must be the driving force behind our worship, the flame that burns continuously on the altar of our hearts.
"For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." - Psalm 107:9 ESV
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper desire for God's presence in your life, and what practical steps can you take to ensure that your pursuit of Him is genuine and not just a routine?
Quotes
1) "The presence of God we can have religious services like the Tabernacle of Moses but we won't have the Tabernacle of David, we won't have that powerful presence." [59:49] ( | | )
2) "One moment of God's presence does that. So what do we need more in '24? We need more of God's presence." [39:59] ( | | )
3) "More of His presence in '24 equals more peace, more joy... more of everything that God is. If God is love, it's more love; if God is peace, it's more peace." [41:17] ( | | )
4) "The more we worship, the more we get filled... we're like that container that God's wanting to fill with His reign." [01:06:27] ( | | )
5) "Worship and unity are the secrets to the presence of God in our lives daily." [01:07:41] ( | | )
6) "When we worship God and we learn how to worship God, things start to happen... no worship, no rain; more worship, more reign." [01:03:46] ( | | )
7) "The presence of God was given by God to protect you, to surround you, to be your comfort, to be your guide, to be your protector, your Shield, your very great reward." [51:06] ( | | )
8) "David's being a prayerful person and a worshiper had this thing that just somehow helped him make it... the presence of God Shepherds you to the end of your destiny." [50:31] ( | | )
9) "God's presence can't come into that place why because God demands Unity to be the place where He blesses." [56:47] ( | | )
10) "The Tabernacle of David was worship based... no barriers between people and God's presence, it was non-religious, it was more of a New Testament style of worship." [52:20] ( | | )
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