Understanding God's Presence Through Prophecy and Transformation

In our journey to understand the true mark of God's presence in a church, we must first dispel the misconceptions that often cloud our perception. Many equate the presence of God with physical sensations or emotional experiences, but the true essence of His presence is far deeper and more profound. It is not about what we feel or do, but about the transformative power that His presence brings into our lives, homes, and churches. The devil often deceives us into believing that the presence of God is merely a feeling, but the real test lies in the Word of God. Just as a counterfeit currency can be detected by a specific mark, the authenticity of God's presence is verified through His Word.

True prophecy is a significant mark of God's presence. It is not about foretelling the future but about speaking God's message to His people in a way that edifies, exhorts, and comforts. Prophecy reveals the secrets of the heart, leading to conviction and transformation. It is a gift that every believer should earnestly desire, as it builds up the church and manifests God's presence among us. Unlike the gift of tongues, which is often misunderstood and misused, prophecy is for the benefit of others and is a sign for believers.

To prophesy, we must be eyewitnesses of Christ's majesty. This means having a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus, where we experience His glory and nature in our daily lives. It is not about having a physical encounter but about seeing Him with the eyes of our hearts. This revelation of Christ's majesty fuels our prophetic utterance, allowing us to speak from God and not from our own understanding.

Moreover, to be vessels of prophecy, we must remove all worthless speech from our lives. Our words should be like refined silver, pure and edifying. This requires a conscious effort to sift through our words, ensuring that what we speak is valuable and builds up others. As we refine our speech, we align ourselves with God's heart, allowing His Spirit to move through us and speak His truth.

Finally, the call to prophecy is not limited to adults. Children, too, are encouraged to seek the Holy Spirit and desire the gift of prophecy. As they learn to obey their parents and listen to God's voice, they can become powerful instruments of His presence, bringing conviction and transformation to those around them.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The true presence of God is not about physical sensations or emotional experiences but about the transformative power that His presence brings into our lives, homes, and churches. It is verified through the Word of God, which acts as a microscope to test the authenticity of His presence. [02:07]
• 2. True prophecy is a mark of God's presence, revealing the secrets of the heart and leading to conviction and transformation. It is a gift that every believer should earnestly desire, as it builds up the church and manifests God's presence among us. [03:26]
• 3. To prophesy, we must be eyewitnesses of Christ's majesty, experiencing His glory and nature in our daily lives. This revelation fuels our prophetic utterance, allowing us to speak from God and not from our own understanding. [41:12]
• 4. Removing worthless speech from our lives is essential to being vessels of prophecy. Our words should be refined, pure, and edifying, aligning with God's heart and allowing His Spirit to move through us. [49:11]
• 5. Children are encouraged to seek the Holy Spirit and desire the gift of prophecy. As they learn to obey their parents and listen to God's voice, they can become powerful instruments of His presence, bringing conviction and transformation to those around them. [57:19]
  ** [57:19]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:15] - Introduction to God's Presence
• [01:04] - The Deception of Feelings
• [02:07] - The Word as a Test
• [03:26] - Prophecy as a Mark of Presence
• [06:43] - Tongues vs. Prophecy
• [11:31] - The Role of Prophecy
• [14:03] - The Spirit of Prophecy
• [17:28] - Prophecy for Believers
• [22:06] - Eyewitness of Christ's Majesty
• [33:02] - Definition of Prophecy
• [37:35] - Prophecy for Others' Benefit
• [41:12] - Testimony of Jesus
• [49:11] - Removing Worthless Speech
• [57:19] - Encouragement for Children

1. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25
2. 2 Peter 1:16-19
3. Jeremiah 15:19

1. According to 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, what is the effect of prophecy on an unbeliever or an ungifted person when they enter a church gathering? How does this relate to the mark of God's presence in a church? [05:29]
2. In 2 Peter 1:16-19, what does Peter emphasize about the nature of their message concerning Jesus Christ? How does this relate to being an eyewitness of Christ's majesty? [41:12]
3. What does Jeremiah 15:19 suggest about the importance of our speech in relation to prophecy? How does this connect to the idea of removing worthless speech from our lives? [49:11]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between the gifts of tongues and prophecy, and what is the intended purpose of each within the church? [17:28]

1. How does the concept of prophecy as described in 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 challenge the common perception of God's presence being linked to physical sensations or emotional experiences? [03:26]
2. In 2 Peter 1:16-19, Peter talks about being an eyewitness of Christ's majesty. How can believers today experience this kind of revelation in their daily lives, and how does it fuel prophetic utterance? [41:12]
3. Jeremiah 15:19 speaks about extracting the precious from the worthless. What might this process look like in the context of refining our speech, and why is it crucial for being vessels of prophecy? [49:11]
4. The sermon mentions that prophecy is for the benefit of others. How does this align with the biblical definition of prophecy, and what implications does it have for how we use our spiritual gifts? [37:35]

1. Reflect on your personal experiences in church. Have you ever equated God's presence with physical sensations or emotional experiences? How might this sermon challenge you to seek a deeper understanding of His presence? [02:07]
2. Consider your relationship with Jesus. How can you cultivate a more intimate connection with Him to become an eyewitness of His majesty in your daily life? What practical steps can you take this week? [41:12]
3. Think about your daily conversations. Are there instances where you use worthless speech? What specific changes can you make to ensure your words are more refined and edifying? [49:11]
4. The sermon encourages children to seek the Holy Spirit and the gift of prophecy. How can you support and encourage the younger generation in your church to pursue spiritual gifts? [57:19]
5. Reflect on the role of prophecy in your church community. How can you contribute to creating an environment where prophetic words are encouraged and valued for the edification of the church? [37:35]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel powerless or lacking in God's presence. How can you apply the principles from this sermon to invite His transformative power into that area? [02:40]
7. How can you actively seek opportunities to prophesy in your church or home, ensuring that your words align with God's heart and build up others? What steps will you take to prepare yourself for this role? [26:19]