The Journey of Living the 'With God Life'

 

Summary

In this message, we explore the profound concept of the "with God life," a theme that runs throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. This journey begins with the creation of humanity, where God places Adam and Eve in positions of responsibility, highlighting the divine intention for humans to live in close relationship with Him. Despite the fall, God continues to engage with humanity, offering guidance and presence, as seen in His interactions with figures like Cain, Enoch, and Abraham. Abraham's relationship with God marks a shift from individual to family, and eventually to a nation, illustrating God's desire to dwell among His people.

The narrative progresses through the history of Israel, where God's presence is manifested through the Tabernacle, the Temple, and the prophets. Even in exile, the Israelites learn that God's presence is not confined to a specific location or government, but is accessible everywhere, a lesson that prepares them for the coming of Jesus. Jesus embodies the "with God life," bringing the kingdom of God to earth and demonstrating what it means to live in constant communion with the Father. His life, death, and resurrection pave the way for the church, the continuing incarnation of God's presence on earth.

The church, as described in the book of Acts, becomes a diverse community of believers, united by the Spirit and living out the love and presence of God in the world. This community transcends cultural and social barriers, embodying the vision of an all-inclusive community of loving persons with God at the center. This vision extends into eternity, as depicted in the book of Revelation, where the ultimate fulfillment of the "with God life" is realized.

Key Takeaways:

1. The "With God Life" as a Biblical Theme: From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible presents a narrative of God's desire to dwell with humanity. This theme underscores the importance of living in close relationship with God, as demonstrated through the lives of biblical figures like Adam, Eve, and Abraham. The "with God life" is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that shapes our daily existence. [03:38]

2. God's Presence Beyond Physical Boundaries: The Israelites' experience in exile teaches us that God's presence is not limited to a specific place or government. This realization is crucial for understanding that God is always with us, regardless of our circumstances. It challenges us to seek God's presence in every aspect of our lives, knowing that He is near and accessible. [12:10]

3. Jesus as the Embodiment of the "With God Life": Jesus' life and ministry exemplify what it means to live in constant communion with God. He is the Shekinah in person, bringing the kingdom of God to earth and inviting us to participate in this divine life. His example calls us to live with the same intimacy and obedience to the Father. [15:08]

4. The Church as the Continuing Incarnation: The church, as the body of Christ, is the continuation of God's presence on earth. It is a diverse community of believers, united by the Spirit and called to live out the love and presence of God in the world. This community transcends cultural and social barriers, embodying the vision of an all-inclusive community of loving persons. [16:58]

5. The Eternal Vision of the "With God Life": The book of Revelation projects the ultimate fulfillment of the "with God life" into eternity. This vision encourages us to live with hope and anticipation, knowing that our present experiences are part of a larger divine narrative that culminates in eternal communion with God. [20:02]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:47] - The Bread of Life
[01:19] - Understanding Divine Guidance
[01:44] - The Aim of God in History
[02:13] - The All-Inclusive Community
[03:38] - The "With God Life"
[04:14] - Responsibility in Creation
[05:36] - The Fall and Distance
[06:46] - God's Cosmic Project
[07:25] - Abraham: Friend of God
[08:32] - The Tabernacle and God's Presence
[09:42] - Israel's Desire for a King
[11:33] - Exile and God's Presence
[14:35] - Jesus: The Embodiment of God
[16:05] - The Church: Continuing Incarnation
[18:24] - Pentecost and the Spread of the Gospel
[20:02] - Revelation and Eternal Vision

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The "With God Life"

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:26-28
2. John 1:14
3. Revelation 21:3

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Observation Questions:

1. How does Genesis 1:26-28 illustrate the responsibility and relationship God intended for humanity from the beginning?
2. In what ways does John 1:14 describe Jesus as the embodiment of the "with God life"?
3. According to Revelation 21:3, what is the ultimate fulfillment of God's desire to dwell with humanity?

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of the "with God life" evolve from individual relationships, like with Adam and Eve, to a communal experience as seen in the church? [07:38]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of God's presence beyond physical boundaries, especially during the Israelites' exile? [12:10]
3. How does Jesus' life and ministry redefine the understanding of living in constant communion with God? [15:08]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. How can you cultivate a deeper "with God life" in your daily routine? [03:38]
2. Consider a situation where you felt distant from God. How can the understanding that God's presence is not confined to a specific place help you in such times? [12:10]
3. Jesus exemplified living in constant communion with God. What practical steps can you take to follow His example in your own life? [15:08]
4. The church is described as a diverse community united by the Spirit. How can you contribute to fostering unity and love within your church community? [16:58]
5. Revelation offers a vision of eternal communion with God. How does this vision influence your perspective on current challenges and your hope for the future? [20:02]
6. Identify one area in your life where you can actively seek God's presence and guidance this week. What changes will you make to prioritize this? [09:42]
7. How can you embody the "with God life" in your interactions with others, especially those who may not share your faith? [18:24]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Desire for Relationship
The Bible presents a continuous narrative of God's desire to dwell with humanity, from the creation of Adam and Eve to the ultimate vision in Revelation. This "with God life" is not merely a theological concept but a practical reality that shapes our daily existence. Throughout the scriptures, figures like Adam, Eve, and Abraham exemplify living in close relationship with God. This theme underscores the importance of seeking a personal and intimate connection with the divine, as it is central to our purpose and existence. [03:38]

Genesis 5:24 (ESV): "Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally cultivate a closer relationship with God in your daily routine this week?


Day 2: God's Presence in All Circumstances
The Israelites' experience in exile teaches us that God's presence is not limited to a specific place or government. This realization is crucial for understanding that God is always with us, regardless of our circumstances. It challenges us to seek God's presence in every aspect of our lives, knowing that He is near and accessible. This understanding invites us to live with the assurance that we are never alone, and God's guidance is available to us at all times. [12:10]

Jeremiah 23:23-24 (ESV): "Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord."

Reflection: How can you become more aware of God's presence in your current situation, especially in moments of difficulty or uncertainty?


Day 3: Jesus as Our Model for Communion
Jesus' life and ministry exemplify what it means to live in constant communion with God. He is the Shekinah in person, bringing the kingdom of God to earth and inviting us to participate in this divine life. His example calls us to live with the same intimacy and obedience to the Father, demonstrating love, grace, and truth in our interactions with others. By following Jesus' model, we can experience the fullness of the "with God life" and become conduits of His presence in the world. [15:08]

John 5:19 (ESV): "So Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.'"

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to align your daily actions and decisions with the example set by Jesus?


Day 4: The Church as a Living Community
The church, as the body of Christ, is the continuation of God's presence on earth. It is a diverse community of believers, united by the Spirit and called to live out the love and presence of God in the world. This community transcends cultural and social barriers, embodying the vision of an all-inclusive community of loving persons. As members of this community, we are invited to actively participate in God's mission, sharing His love and grace with those around us. [16:58]

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."

Reflection: How can you contribute to fostering a sense of unity and love within your church community this week?


Day 5: Living with Eternal Hope
The book of Revelation projects the ultimate fulfillment of the "with God life" into eternity. This vision encourages us to live with hope and anticipation, knowing that our present experiences are part of a larger divine narrative that culminates in eternal communion with God. By keeping this eternal perspective in mind, we can navigate life's challenges with resilience and joy, trusting in God's promises and His ultimate plan for our lives. [20:02]

Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV): "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"

Reflection: How does the promise of eternal life with God influence your perspective on current challenges and opportunities?

Quotes

"Jesus is the whole wheat bread of life and he's come to give us life he said so I've come that you might have life and that you might have it abundantly hearing God comes within the context of a life that's why the fully satisfying word for salvation in the Bible is life life life life here now and Life to Come." [00:00:28]

"The aim of God in history is the creation of an all-inclusive community of loving persons with God himself at the very center of that community as its prime sustainer and most glorious inhabitant remember that I remember that I'm glad you wrote it down because I wouldn't I couldn't say that in one sentence if my life depended on it." [00:02:08]

"You see from the very beginning that God places human beings in positions of responsibility and we actually have no way of Discerning the degree of responsibility and power that Adam and Eve had in the garden but it was a position of great responsibility because it clearly says in the first chapter of Genesis that we had to take charge of the fish and all the other living things." [00:04:01]

"And this is crucial to the whole story and when we look at the woeful path of human history what we we wonder where is God and I think the answer is well the real question is where is man and he's away from God and that's his choice God hasn't left him alone but now uh you see God showing up in the garden." [00:05:33]

"God is saying to Abraham through you and through your seed all the families all the nations of the earth will be blessed and the Tabernacle then becomes part of that with God that's right sensibility that's right it is it gives a focal point for human beings to locate God in relationship to themselves now that really is crucial to this whole story." [00:08:29]

"God is present with the people of Israel through judges that are raised up and the people of Israel finally say we don't do this anymore we need a king we need a king and God says that's not a good idea and so he says to the last of the judges Samuel now tell him what's going to happen this King you want is going to make your life miserable." [00:09:44]

"They went to Babylon and they thought God isn't here and lo and behold he was there God's here right he's here and you have these wonderful stories Daniel is so magnificent that book is so magnificent because it is always bringing in there is a God in heaven yep oh you have a dream we can do something about that the God there is a God in heaven." [00:12:08]

"Jesus then becomes the embodiment of a with God life that's right he is the Shekinah in person and he returns to the temple and of course there's a future to that but we can't go into it but now that the life of Jesus is so important because it is helping us catch a picture right this with God life that's right and so that's Emmanuel right Emmanuel he is it." [00:14:50]

"The continuing Incarnation is the church and the way that forms is he of course says now we're dealing with the Jewish people they're the ones that have been prepared for this right and they are the ones through Whom The abrahamic Blessing comes to all of the earth and all the families there and so now you get a you get a body of people animated by the presence of the spirit of God." [00:15:58]

"Everyone comes from all the nations around yep and they are imprinted and in many cases inhabited by this God that came in Jesus through his Spirit now and they spread out across the world and take that message out completely non-secretarian as we might say it's it isn't just religion it is a life now and it's available to it without any cultural cultures." [00:18:20]

"Here they are they're sitting together loving one another ministering to one another loving their people people in their community and it all comes out of one thing and that is Christ is all in all in all and then John in his revelation projects that on right that's right into eternity right because by the time you get to John they have begun to understand who Jesus was." [00:19:39]

"These things are written that you may know that Jesus is the Christ and I always like to think of the Lone Ranger you know at the end of the old sequences who was that masked man." [00:20:11]

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Transcript
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