Expereincing the Presence of God
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We understand that today is PALM SUNDAY it is the beginning of what many call HOLY WEEK - the week leading to the cross where Christ Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the 3rd day.
During the entry to Jerusalem people took off their coats and laid them on the ground, cut branches and waved them and gave Jesus the ROAYL treatment as a KING.
Even as the coatless multitudes waved the palm branches and shouted for joy, they missed the true reason for Jesus’ presence. They could neither see nor understand the cross. That’s why, “as [Jesus] approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies . . . will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you” . It is a tragic thing to see the Savior but not recognize Him for who He is. The crowds who were crying out “Hosanna!” on Palm Sunday were crying out “Crucify Him!” later that week. They had completely missed Jesus’ purpose but also His presence.
I believe we all want & need to experience the presence of God in our lives - but just like the people gathering in the streets to welcome Jesus who missed who He truly was - we will miss God’s best for us by missing His presence.
SO, How do we experience the presence of God in our lives?
I want to share with you today
Gaining the favor of God
Living in the Presence of God
Sin and Disobedience leading to the departure of God’s presence
Living in the Presence
Regaining your Praise & Worship in God’s presence
Gaining the Favor of God.
Gaining the Favor of God.
9 Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward. 10 So David went on and became great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. 11 Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built David a house. 12 So David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.
The favor of God comes from doing only ONE thing - Being Obedient.
David was successful in battle, in life, and in worship.
David made every attempt to please God
David led a life of repentance - we all know David had an up and down life. But he was after God’s heart.
We should be after God’s heart as well.
Living in the Presence of God.
Living in the Presence of God.
Long time ago Jamie and I lived between 3 chicken farms and a dairy. I grew up having the windows open and letting the fresh air blow through the house. In fact, I still love to do that. Well, we moved in, and it was a nice cool day and I told Jamie - I think I’ll open up the house. Let me tell you - we knew at that moment exactly where we lived - between chicken farms and a dairy - when the wind blew and we caught us a good smell of the air - I couldn’t get the windows down quick enough. We were in the presence of those things - so the area was consumed by the smell of those farms.
We we are in the presence of God - we are consumed by Him. His presence is seen in everything we do and everything we say.
There is only two ways to live life - INSIDE the presence of GOD or OUTSIDE the presence of God - there is NO in-between.
1 Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the Lord of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. 3 So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark. 5 Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the Lord on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals.
LET’S GO BACK TO OUR SERIES ON THE TABERNACLE -
WE KNOW THAT THE ARK IS THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
THE GOD BETWEEN 2 CHERUBIM HE IS CALLED BECAUSE ON THE ARK - AT EACH END SAT TWO CHERUBIM OF GOLD LOOKING TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE ARK - WINGS REACHING INWARD AS TOWARDS THE VERY PRESENCE OF GOD.
IT ALSO HAD ONE RING AT EACH CORNER AND THIS WAS THE WAY (THE ONLY WAY) IT WAS TO BE TRANSPORTED. BY RODS BEING PLACED THROUGH AND CARRIED.
CAN YOU HEAR DAVID - WE’RE GOING TO GET THE ARK - IT’S COMING WITH US.
NOW AN ISSUE ARISES - AND OFTEN WE LOOK RIGHT OVER THIS - THEY BUILT A NEW CART TO CARRY THE ARK ON. VS - 3
NOW WE HAVE THE TRANSPORT OF THE ARK.
NOW WE HAVE THE TRANSPORT OF THE ARK.
THE SONS OF ABINADAB ARE DRIVING THE NEW CART,
DAVID AND ALL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL ARE DANCING AND SINGING AND PLAYING INSTRUMENTS - IT’S A GREAT DAY OF WORSHIP - THEY HAVE HOLD OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD. IN OTHER WORDS - WORSHIP GOT LOUD!
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE IN GOD’S PRESENCE - WE SING, WE DANCE, WE SHOUT, WE MAY EVEN CRY, WEEP, REPENT, AND ASK FORGIVENESS - BUT THE IS ABSOLUTE POWER IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD - NOT BECAUSE WE GIVE GOD POWER BUT BECAUSE GOD IS ALL POWERFUL, ALMIGHTY, ALL KNOWING, AND WORTHY OF OUR WORSHIP AND PRAISE.
IT IS ONLY WHEN WE TRULY RECOGNIZE GOD FOR WHO HE IS - THE CREATOR, SUSTAINER, INFINITE, NEVER CHANGING, ALWAYS EVERYWHERE, PERFECT, FAITHFUL, COMPASSIONATE, MERCIFUL, KIND, LOVING, RIGHTIOUS JUDGE, GOD IS EVERYTHING WE ARE NOT - AND UNTIL WE RECOGNIZE OUR DESPERATE NEED FOR HIM - WE WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE PRESENCE AND EVEN SALVATION OF GOD.
SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE LEADS TO A DEPARTURE OF GOD’S PRESENCE.
SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE LEADS TO A DEPARTURE OF GOD’S PRESENCE.
REMEMBER - IF GOD SAID IT - IT IS FACT. NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
RECALL THAT THEY HAD A BRILLIANT IDEA TO MAKE A NEW CART TO CARRY THE ARK TO THE CITY AND HOUSE OF DAVID. (V3)
6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God.
THE ARK WAS ALREADY BEING CARRIED IN THE WRONG FASHIONED AS COMMANDED BY GOD.
THIS SEEMS LIKE A GOOD DEED - THE ARK MIGHT HAVE FALLEN AND BEEN DAMAGED - AS THE OXEN STUMBLED. THIS COULD BE SEEN AS A GOOD DEED.
SOMETIMES WE THINK THINGS ARE OKAY AND WE TRY TO JUSTIFY THEM. BUT SIN IS SIN. THERE IS NO GREY AREA.
15 And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. “These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.
GOD KEEPS HIS WORD. UZZAH WAS STRUCK DEAD ON THE SPOT.
THIS IS A GOOD PLACE FOR ME TO MENTION THIS - BECAUSE IT IS SO VERY POPULAR TODAY. PEOPLE SAY “I LIVE MY OWN TRUTH” “I AM TRUE TO MYSELF”
LISTEN - THAT DOES NOT EVEN EXIST! THERE IS NOT YOUR TRUTH AND MY TRUTH, AND THEIR TRUTH - THAT IS HOW PEOPLE JUSTIFY LIVING A LIFE APART FROM GOD. THIS IS MY TRUTH - IT’S OKAY TO SIN IN THIS WAY… YOU BETTER LISTEN CLOSELY - THAT IS A LIE FROM THE DEEPEST PARTS OF HELL. THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUTH IN THIS WORLD AND IT IS GOD’S TRUTH.
YOU WIL NEVER EXPERIENCE THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE TRYING TO LIVE YOUR OWN TRUTH AND BEING TRUE TO YOUR SELF. YOU CAN’T JUST DO YOUR OWN THING AND EXPECT GOD TO JUST GO ALONG WITH IT.
LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO UZZAH - DOING HIS OWN THING. UZZAH DIED! THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH. I DESERVE DEATH FOR MY SIN - YOU DESERVE DEATH FOR YOUR SIN - BUT GOD’S LOVE AND COMPASSION OFFERS ALL THAT ASK - COMPLETE FORGIVENESS.
WHILE YOUR DEATH SENTENCE MAY NOT BE IMMEDIANT - SIN WILL LEAD YOU TO DEATH, A PLACE CALLED HELL, AN ETERNITY SEPARATED FROM GOD.
BUT - YOU AND I CAN HAVE LIFE - (JOHN 14:6) IN JESUS - HE ALONE IS THE WAY - THE TRUTH - AND THE LIFE.
DAVID’S RESPONSE
DAVID’S RESPONSE
8 And David became angry because of the Lord’s outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day. 9 David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” 10 So David would not move the ark of the Lord with him into the City of David; but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
THERE ARE 2 FOUNDATIONAL THINGS THAT WILL KEEP YOU FROM THE PRESENCE OF GOD - HEAR ME CLOSELY.
FEAR
ANGER
DAVID HAD THEM BOTH IN THIS SITUATION.
DAVID BECAME ANGRY BECAUSE GOD KILLED UZZAH
DAVID NAMED THE PLACE : PEREZ UZZAH
LITERALLY MEANING -BURSTING OUT AGAINT UZZAH-
V9 NOW DAVID IS AFRAID - DAIVD HAS FEAR.
REMEMBER THE ARK IS THE PRESENCE OF GOD. LOOK WHAT HAPPENS BECAUSE OF ANGER AND FEAR -
9 David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” 10 So David would not move the ark of the Lord with him into the City of David; but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 11 The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months. And the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his household.
FEAR AND ANGER MOVED THE PRESENCE OF GOD AWAY FROM DAVID.
FEAR AND ANGER ARE 2 FOUNDATIONAL REASONS THAT WE MISS THE PRESENCE OF GOD AS WELL.
FEAR:
FEAR:
WE FEAR THE FUTURE
WE FEAR GOD ASKING US TO DO SOMETHING BIGGER THAN WE ARE (BUT NOTHING IS TOO BIG FOR HIM)
WE LIVE IN A CONSTANT STATE OF FEAR - FEAR CRIPPLES US SPIRITUALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND SOMETIMES EVEN PHYSICALLY. FEAR IS A GREAT ENEMY OF GOD’S PRESENCE.
WE ARE TOLD IN GOD’S WORD 365 TIMES - ONCE FOR EACH DAY OF THE YEAR - “DO NOT BE AFRIAD”
I WILL NOT STAND HERE AND TELL YOU THAT CERTAIN CHALLENGES DO NOT STRIKE FEAR IN MY HEART - BUT I AM TELLING YOU THAT I SERVE THE ONLY GOD THAT CAN.
YOU MAY DOUBT GOD TODAY - BUT LET ME TESTIFY TO YOU - I HAVE SEEN IN MY SHORT LIFE MORE MIRACLES THAT I DESERVE TO SEE - LIVES CHANGES, PEOPLE HEALED, FAMILIES RESTORED, EMOTIONS CALMED, PEOPLE SAVED, AND PEOPLE CELEBRATING VICTORIES - INCLUDING ME. GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME. AND ALL THE TIME - GOD IS GOOD.
HE HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN. AND YOU CAN’T LET GOD DOWN EITHER - YOU AREN’T HOLDING HIM UP.
LET GO OF FEAR AND TAKE HOLD OF GOD.
ANGER:
ANGER:
I’VE BEEN MARRIED FOR AROUND 8,760 DAYS. AND THE ONE THING I AM STILL ASKING MY BEUTIFUL WIFE IS “ARE YOU MAD?” YOU UPSET ABOUT SOMETHING?, WHAT ARE YOU ANGERY ABOUT”? MOST OFTEN SHE REPLIES - I AM NOT UPSET, MAD, ANGER. SO, I JUST KEEP ASKING - NOT BECAUSE I DON’T BELIEVE HER BUT BECAUSE I WANT EVERYTHING IN HER LIFE TO BE THE BEST IT CAN BE. I ALSO DON’T WANT TO SLEEP WITH ONE EYE OPEN! IT’LL REACH THE POINT THAT SHE’LL SAY - I AM NOT ANGRY - BUT IF YOU ASK ONE MORE TIME YOU MIGHT SEE JESUS BEFORE YOU TIME. (ALL IN JOKES)
ANGER IS AN EMOTION THAT ROTS US FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
WE WASTE SO MUCH TIME ON ANGER.
ANGER CAN STEM FROM EMOTIONAL HURT, EVENTS, OR JUST PRECEPTION.
THE THING IS -
ANGER IF NOT DEALT WITH LEADS TO BITTERNESS, AND BITTERNESS WILL LEAD TO RESENTMENT (THIS ARE SINS) BUT LOTS OF US ARE WALKING AROUND WITH IT IN OUR HEARTS AND WONDER WHY WE CANNOT EXPEREINCE THE JOY AND PRESENCE OF GOD
ANGER CAN GET SUCH A STRONG HOLD ON US THAT IT MAY SEEM IMPOSSIBLE TO DEAL WITH, IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGIVE, AND IMPOSSIBLE TO LET GO
WE SERVE A GOD THAT MAKE WHAT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE - POSSIBLE; IF YOU’LL LET HIM.
MAYBE TODAY YOU NEED TO OPEN YOUR HEART AND HANDS AND SURRENDER YOUR ANGER AND FEARS TO GOD - I KNOW THAT HE WILL MEET YOU WHERE YOU ARE AND TAKE YOU TO A PLACE OF HEALING.
LIVING IN THE PRESENCE
LIVING IN THE PRESENCE
WE HAVE COVERED SO MUCH ABOUT GOD’S PRESENCE - HOW SIN SEPARATES US FROM GOD, HOW FEAR AND ANGER CAN COST US THE PRESENCE OF GOD, AND OUR NEED TO SURRENDER OUR LIFE TO GOD - LET’S SEE NOW WHAT HAPPENS IN GOD’S PRESENCE-
11 The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months. And the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his household. 12 Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness.
THE ARK IS NOW WITH OBED-EDOM AND GOD IS BLESSING THE WHOLE HOUSEHOLD. V11
V12 DAVID FINDS OUT THAT GOD IS BLESSING EVERYTHING OVER AT OBED-EDOM’S HOUSE.
HIS CATTLE ARE DOING GREAT, THEY HAVE BEEN PHYSICALLY, AND FINANCIALLY WELL, EVEN THAT ONE BAD KID IS ACTING RIGHT AND GETTING BETTER GRADES IN SCHOOL. GOD. IS. BLESSING THEM!
DAVID WENT - THIS IS SIGNIFICANT! THIS IS AN ACTION.
DAVID TOOK ACTION TO REGAIN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. AND HE DID SO WITH GLADNESS.
IF YOU WANT TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD - IT WILL TAKE ACTION!
SCRIPTURE
PRAYER
PUTTING OFF AND PUTTING ON
COMITMENT
SEEKING GOD
FASTING
REPENTANCE
ATTENDING WORSHIP TOGETHER NOT JUST WHEN IT FITS YOUR SCHEDULE
TAKING A STAND FOR GOD
BEING A WITNESS TO THE GOODNESS OF GOD
SHARING THE GOSPEL
LEADING YOU FAMILY
NOT DOING IT YOUR WAY - OR “LIVING YOUR TRUTH” BUT LIVING FOR JESUS
LOOKING FOR HIS RETURN
IT WILL TAKE ACTION.
WHO WANTS THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN THEIR LIFE? I DO! WILL YOU DO WHATEVER IT TAKES?
REGAINING THE PRESENCE OF GOD
REGAINING THE PRESENCE OF GOD
TAKE THE STEP - DO WHATEVER IT IS TO GET TO GOD - DON’T LET ANYONE HOLD YOU BACK.
DON’T LET THE PERSON BESIDE YOU KEEP YOU FROM EXPEREINCING GOD AND SALVATION.
13 And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep. 14 Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.
BEING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD TOOK OFFERING AND SACRIFICE.
DAVID DANCED - HE WAS EXCITED TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD.
WHEN SOMEONE COMES TO THE LORD FOR SALVATION, BAPTISM, REDEDICATION - WHATEVER - IT IS A TIME TO REJOICE WITH GREAT JOY. IT MIGHT EVEN BE LOUD!
IF ALL OF HEAVEN REJOICES WHEN SOMEONE GETS SAVED - WHY DOES THE EARTHLY CHURCH SIT SILENT AND DO THE GOLF GOLF CLAP AND WHISPER “AMEN”
WE TOO SHOULD BE SHOUTING AND DANCING, AND SINGING, CLAPPING, AND CELEBRATING - ONE THAT WAS IN A DARKNESS HAS SEEN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST. THE ONE WHO WAS LOST IS NOW FOUND.
PEOPLE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD BEHAVE DIFFERENTLY. THEY NOT WORRIED ABOUT YOU - THEY HAVE AN AUDIENCE OF ONE - AND IT AIN’T YOU -IT’S GOD AND GOD ALONE.
EXTRA CREDIT.
EXTRA CREDIT.
THERE WILL BE SOME THAT DESPISE YOU FOR YOUR WORSHIP.
16 Now as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.
DON’T LET IT PHASE YOU
DON’T LET THEM STEAL YOUR PRAISE
DON’T LET THEM KEEP YOU FROM THE PRESENCE OF GOD
YOU KEEP JUMPING, DANCING, WHIRLING, LEAPING, SINGING, SHOUTING, AND PRAISING GOD.
DAVID HAD HIS ANSWER FOR HER - AND THIS CAN BE YOUR RESPONSE TOO:
2 Samuel 6:21–22 (NKJV)
21 So David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the Lord. 22 And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight.
DAVID TOLD HER - THINK WHAT YOU WANT - SAY WHAT YOU WANT - DO WHAT YOU WANT - BUT IMMA PRAISE THE LORD.
GOD CHOSE ME SO I WILL WORSHIP.
JESUS IS CALLING YOUR NAME TODAY - HE CHOSE YOU. HE LOVE YOU. HE WANTS YOU. JESUS CAME TO SEEK AND SAVE (THE LOST) HE IS LOOKIING FOR YOU. JESUS WANTS TO SAVE YOU SO YOU CAN LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
VS 22 - I’LL BE UNDIGNIFIED. LORD - LET IT BE IN THIS CHURCH THAT WE ARE NOT THE STIFF DIGNIFIED BUT THE HUMBLE WORSHIPPING UNDIGINIFED TO THE WORLD BUT GLORIOUS IN YOUR SIGHT WHEN WE BRING WORSHIP TO YOU.
THAT IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN SAY - ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER - ALL TO HIM I FREELY GIVE.
MY DESIRE IS FOR EACH OF US TO LIVE IN GOD’S PRESENCE - I DESIRE FOR YOU TO EXPERIENCE WHAT OBED-EDOM DID, AND WHAT DAVID DID, AND WHAT EVERY BELIEVER THAT LONGS FOR GOD’S PRESENCE AND DOES WHATEVER IT TAKES TO BE THERE EXPERIENCES.
JUST LIKE ON THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM - WITH ALL OF THE PEOPLE SHOUTING “HOSSANNA” BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD - JUST LIKE THOSE THAT TOOK OFF THEIR COATS AND LAID THEM ON THE ROAD TO MAKE WAY FOR THE KING, WAVING BRANCHES, AND PAVING THE WAY FOR JESUS - YOU CAN KNOW ABOUT JESUS (JUST LIKE THEY DID) BUT NOT BE SAVED FROM HELL. IT BROUGHT JESUS TO TEARS, IT BRINGS ME TO TEARS.
YOU CAN BE “SPIRITUAL’ AND GO TO HELL - SATAN IS SPIRITUAL.
YOU CAN KNOW ABOUT JESUS AND STILL NOT KNOW JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOR.
THOSE SAME PEOPLE WELCOMING THE PRESENCE OF JESUS TO JERUSALEM LATER THAT WEEK YELLED “CRUCIFY HIM” -
KNOWING ABOUT JESUS IS NOT ENOUGH.
WE MUST HUMBLE OURSELVES AND COME TO THE SAVIOR CHRIST JESUS.
JESUS IS STILL PASSING BY AND YOU’LL EITHER ACCEOT HIM AS THE SAVIOR OF YOUR LIFE AND BEGIN TO EXPERINCE THE PRESENCE OF GOD, OR YOU WILL TURN YOUR BACK ON THE GOD THAT LOVES YOU SO VERY MUCH ONE MORE TIME WITH NO PROMISE OF TOMORROW.
GOD LOVES YOU,
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
THE BIBLE SAYS IN ROMANS 10:9
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
TODAY IF YOU BELIEVE THIS SIMPLE STATEMENT - I WANT YOU TO COME SHARE IT WITH A PASTOR OR DEACON AND I WANT YOU TO GET BAPTIZED ON THE 23RD OF THIS MONTH. IT’S GOING TO BE CELEBRATION DAY.
LET’S PRAY