To be or not to be in the Presence

Sunday Message

Feel like the ark would be a good conversation

#1. The carrying of the ark, The Carrying of God’s Glory.

How we carry the Glory matters. How we carry the Glory determines how far the Glory goes with us.

Point 1. There is a Specific way. What is the way?

Part 2. It also Matters. What;s the application, what could we see?

Part 3. Its guided. Trust in the Lord, for you will do greater things.

Maybe the hour for your glory has not yet come, but it IS with you.

Introduction:

Ushers Please come Down.

Thank you for being with us today.

Story:

An atheist and a Christian walk into a bar…..okay thats not how the story goes. Trying to see who is paying attention.

An atheist and a Christian were debating the value of prayer, and the atheist said “I never pray”

The Christian said, "But you must have prayed at sometime in your life." "Yes," he admitted. "I did

pray once. I was on a hunting trip in the Yukon and got separated from my party. A blizzard came

up, and I became snow blind as I wondered about, and then I was also starving and cold. I finally

fell on my knees and asked God for help." "Well," said the Christian, "it looks like you got it."

"Got it nothing" he responded, "if an Indian guide hadn't come along just then I would have died."

Here was a man who was experiencing the absence of God in the very presence of God's grace

and loving kindness. Unfortunately, this is an experience not limited to atheist and unbelievers.

I mean so many dont see God saving them, protecting them, and calling them.

I want us to hear this, because i fall victim to this very thought.

If someone is still alive, then God’s grace is being extended. Grace....in the magnitude of Gods unobtainable power in this world. The speaker, author and authenticator of Life itself. Brings life, and can take life. At his will. He has created us.

This isnt just about unbelievers…because

Even God's own people can and have all kinds of misconceptions that blind them to the presence of God.

The Jewish leaders had their own ideas about what the Messiah would be like, and so, even in the presence of the Messiah they experienced His absence, and they rejected Him. Christ was objectively there in their presence, but they were not aware of His presence.

Just as a father can be in his child’s life, he can also not be in the same sentence.

Just as a mother can help her child feel better by patching a boo boo, but the child could still have plenty of unrecognized hurt within.

The Father may be in the room, but not attentive to the Childs needs, wants, abilities, and thoughts.

a mother can be caring for her childs physical needs and misplace the value of internal ones.

The child is experiencing the goodness of mother and father, but not the fullness. A parent can speak volumes into their childs life given the time, grace, and directive to do so.

Just the same the Christian can experience the good father and good promises of God without being in the fullness of God.

Let me bring you to an amazing guy in the bible, highly spoken of, highly favored, who not only understood his assignment, he understood the assigner.

Because we are speaking of Spiritual things, i want us to also see the proof.

So lets go on a dig really fast for some information.

(Proof of king David)

#1- The Mesha Stele, also called the Moabite Stone, is a basalt stone slab that has provided historians and linguists with the largest source of the Moabite language to date. Researchers have only now been able to verify with a considerable degree of certainty that the stele contains explicit references to King David.

-The stele was discovered in fragments in 1868 roughly 15 miles east of the Dead Sea and currently resides in the Louvre museum in Paris. While it was damaged in 1869, a paper-mache impression of the inscription was captured before the damage occurred.

-The slab is etched with a lengthy account of King Mesha of Moab going to war with Israel. The events described correspond, albeit imprecisely, with a similar account in 2 Kings chapter 3.

#2- Tel Dan stele: The archaeological evidence for King David's existence is limited, and much of it is controversial. Perhaps the most important piece of evidence linked to King David is known as the Tel Dan stele, which is an ancient and broken inscribed stone discovered in 1993 and 1994. The inscription tells how the ruler of a kingdom named Aram Damascus defeated a king of Israel named Joram and a king of Judah named Ahaziyahu, who were both members of the house of David.

-The reference to "house of David" indicates that King David likely existed

-"At a single blow, the finding of this inscription brought an end to the debate and settled the question of whether David was an actual historical person," Cline wrote.

#3- A clay jar dated back to 3,000 years ago with the inscription, the researchers found, read: Eshba'al Ben Bada', who the archaeologists say was likely an important person since his name was inscribed on a jar. (Eshba'al Ben Shaul ruled over Israel at the same time as King David during the first half of the 10th century B.C.) This newly deciphered inscription, along with three others from the same time period, suggest writing was more widespread in the Kingdom of Judah than previously thought, the archaeologists noted. 2 sam 4…speaks of this man who was sauls son whom died and was brought to david in hebron.

Outside the Bible these are just some of the archagoical evidences that prove to us there is a king David. Just in case you were ever in doubt. The reason i did this is because this very real man, this very real anointed shepherd’s story is true.

He was King over Israel.

And King David said theses words here

In Psalm 139:7

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

- David has become King over Jerusalem. One of his first acts as king was to make Jerusalem the Capital of Israel.

-Its amazing what David has accomplished at this point and time. First he became king in hebron, Which made him king over Judah. Then God Moved him to Jerusalem which made him King over both Judah and Israel.

-This was amazing because his predesesor King Saul, would be the first King to unite both israel and judah but in his kingship there was a breaking away by the kingship of Judah.

-David has not only reunited the kingdoms again but he has been successful in many battles as king, growing and sustaining the power and rule of God’s Kingdom as well as made many riches.

-While all this is going on he is building a palace, his home in Jerusalem. After some time he moves in and this is Davids response.

To be in the presence or not to be that is our question?

To be means you are more concerned about Him, than whats yours.

1 Chronicles 17:1–2 NIV

1 After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.” 2 Nathan replied to David, “Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you.”

We need to understand a few things.

3 things

To be or not to be in the presence of God

Difference of walking in the presence of God

#1. What the presence looks like

( target acquired)

What is the Presence of God?

Point 1. The face of God

Okay thats even more complicated. It means biblically an implication of a close and personal encounter with the Lord. “Presence” is panim” also Face…the influence of God…or the touch of God.

i think all of us as children sang the song. “We got the whole world in our hands...”

Right God is holding us in his hands looking down, Shining his face upon us.

Hebrews 1:3 NIV

3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Jesus is the radiance of God’s Glory, Jesus is receiving the attention of God. God is looking upon his son. and Jesus is receing this glory to represent this glory. Jesus is reciprocating the Glory, and the Presence that he receives from his father to all mankind. until the day came for him to ascend into heaven to sit with his father.

We often talk in the church about God’s presence being everywhere. Omnipresent. This is a theological term.

Theology is the study of something. ITs not what God intends. -So as we look into scripture today were not man trying to study who God is, where his children trying to get to know him better.

Having the right perspective matters.

God is omnipresent, but God doesnt focus on telling us that. God’s focus in the word having to do with this omnipresent presence is the Manifestation. Or the action of his presence in our lives.

God wants us to experience the power of him, not just know he could do it, But to know he is doing it, and then give him glory in all of it.

His omnipresent power isnt for an effect, its for a cause. To strengthen the believer, and to Grow the believers faith, then for the believer to actively Glorify God who did it.

1 Kings 8:27–30 NIV

27 “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 28 Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. 29 May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. 30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

what about this

Mark 9:17–19 NIV

17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” 19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

JEsus stops and is mad…becasue the discples have been walking with Jesus, have been seeing the move of God through Jesus, But when it comes to there life. they werent able to allow God to act through them.

To be saved is one thing, to neglect the fellowship of the Spirit in you life is a bad thing.

later the disciples go into a quiet room and they ask Jesus why couldnt we do that, what else are we not capable of doing lord?

See listen…the disciples failed, made jesus mad. but they were still able to go into a quiet room with him.

We can be in fellowship with the savior, without the power of the savior.

We can fail to pray, we can fail to be hungry for more of God, we can fail at remembering all that we ought to, we can fail at our faith walk, and in our failure Jesus doesnt cast us aside, Instead he goes into a quiet room and awaits you to come to him to ask him what you SHOULD, OR COULD be doing.

I think we must remember. the distance between glory to glory in our lives is time between the quiet room.

Mark 9:29 NIV

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

other gospels say Fasting and Prayer.

These are line items believers do to show God that we are dependent on the Presence of God to be the bread and water of thier spirits.

So what is the presence of God?

Its the close encounter, Face to Face, Glory , That every child of God wants and undoubtably needs.

#2. What the presence does to you

(side affects kicked in)

remember king david....Yeah lets get back to him, He was sitting in this palace…away from the Ark..which was the presence of God.

here in 2 sam David is finally able to bring that ark home. After trying once and his team failing due to neglect, now the ark is parading towards its resting place.

2 Samuel 6:20–23 NIV

20 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!” 21 David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. 22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.” 23 And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.

When the Presence of God comes over you there are some side effects that come over you as well.

you will celebrate

you will become undignified

in your emotions

in your responses

in your walk

you will become someone you aren't aware of

becoming humiliated

being a disgrace to this world is the best thing i can do For my God.

But you will be honorable

as embarrassing as accepting this physically invisible spirit may feel, you will be respectable

You listen and Obey God and he will raise you to honarable standards

The best praise comes from the hardest times, when you are faced with issues in your life, trauma buried within, an identify crisis in the middle of a life crisis. When you are dealing with those things and its only by the intervention of God.

your praise just gets a little bit louder, your eyes get a little softer, your hands get a little higher, your feet get a little lighter.

I mean in the heaviest times, the Spirit has the opportunity to lift that weight off of you and set you free from the issues, Heal you in the trauma and connect you with the King. Life crisis turns to Life of Praise.

next question is....

#3. How to obtain this.

(lift off)

John 14:16–17 NIV

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Acts 1:4–5 NIV

4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Has it been a little longer than a few days for you?

Do you pray in the spirit? Do you pray? Do you hold this promise and will of the Father?

Listen to this verse again.

jesus says “ Do not leave jerusalem, but wait for the gift my FATHER has PROMISED.

For us to obtain..we must understand the truths in this passage.

Just as before. the disciples were to pray in order to do what was necessary. Here Jesus gives us an action to do.

Perimenō- Wait (acts 1 4-5)

Wait for, wait around, be in the neighborhood of, or Live in the neighborhood.

So wait in Jerusalem. “City of Peace” Wait in God’s Peace.

Has your life looked like peace recently?

Have you felt the abounding mercy of peace coming over you?

My life has been wrecked recently myself. and i speak nothing but peace over you. But as yourself have you been sitting in peace?

Peace to the world is

The peace symbol in the 60’s & 70’s has actually a list of pillars it was wanting to achive. They are

The eight key factors, or Pillars, that comprise Positive Peace are: Well-functioning Government. ...

Sound Business Environment. ...

Equitable Distribution of Resources. ...

Acceptance of the Rights of Others. ...

Good Relations with Neighbours. ...

Free Flow of Information. ...

High Levels of Human Capital. ...

Low Levels of Corruption.

All of these things are good. But they are temporary, and they kill the true meaning of peace.

Peace is an action…and according to the word

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7

Philippians 4:7 NIV

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Peace stands watch over your heart and mind. It will come against any foreign invaders like anxiety, worry, or fear to keep them our so you can remain calm and focused in the middle of your life and all your lifes situations.

Peace that transcends. Peace thats omnipresent. Not just physical calming, but a Spiritual revealing. Guiding leaning and learning your ways.

How would you obtain this peace?

Again our question is still How do we obtain the presence of God.

2 John 1:3 “Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.”

2 John 3 NIV

3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

Wait in peace, Live in the neighborhood of The Truth and Love.

If I could give some guidance this morning.

The presence of God isn’t watching your kids play, its not coming to church, its not listening to podcast,

Those are things we do for fun let me use some other examples we do for fun

The presence of God isn’t watching a movie, or binging another tv show, its not found in the middle of the joint or at the bottom of that beer.

Ill tell you exactly where....

The presence of God is in the Word of God, its stopping to find truth, in the truth, God teaches you, when you fail he extends grace and mercy over you.

And he waits for you in the quiet room. To come sit with him, lean in,

Ill tell you now. If you want the presence of God. Read your bible and Pray without ceasing. Fall asleep reading the bible.

Lets Pray.

Are you feeling light today?

Would you say you are ready to lead someone to Christ right now?

Have you felt close to God lately?

Do you notice the actions of God?

were going to come into agreement with solomon today. We know God gave us the instructions for this place. But we arent naive to think, He is held only in this building. He is to magnificant, His glory is too much. He is with you at the places you go and in the things you do.

His longing is for you to also be with him in those places.

#2 To be or not to be in the presence of God.

David is overcome with joy in the passage, but why? What does one even mean to be in or not be in the presence of God?

Three answers to the question.

Point 2. The Power of God.

This brings us great restraint in how we act, but also our enemy great fear, because it is the only power that can drive out sin.

We all experience this. For when God’s presence enters a room, space or our lifes and we are living in sin, we tend to hide.

Adam and Eve’s sinfulness drove them to hide from the Lord’s Holiness.

Point 3. It is your right.

As believers of Christ. We have the right to be again in the presence of God.

And if you attempt to understand but messed up and failed and lost the presence

And if you attempted to walk in faith but accidentally looking into or held the glory wrong,

And if you once walked with God’s magnificent glory and understanding…

But today you aren’t. Dont give up keep trying.

For when David failed he didnt rejoice, when David failed he didnt beat himself up..when David failed he inquired of the lord, and the Lord gave David strength bring that ark back.

Notice even without the Presence of God in this battle God still allowed David and Israel to win.

Notice that even if you havent begun to speak in tongues, notice that even before youve been baptized, notice that even before you cried out even the first time.

That God is still on your side.

Thats because you believed, Thats because you inquired.

Notice the difference in David’s walk however when the ark of the covenant comes home, notice the difference in peter when the face of Glory fell upon him .

Notice the atmospheric change in all of Rome when jesus began to walk with the gentiles.

Notice the rebellion transformation in Jacobs life when he found out God was with him

Notice the verbal transformation when Moses spoke because God showed up

notice the change in your life since you said yes and amen to a still small quiet quick prayer.

Imagine ….if you were to grab your right…imagine if you were to walk in the creators original plans for you

Imagine….with me. The walls falling down of separated families.

Imagine with me…the rebuilding of your life when the face of God deals with your inner trauma

Imagine with me the total transformative power of God’s Glorious Presence resting in you, upon you, and surrounding you.

Because it doesnt have to be an image placed in your head it can be yours.

Stop what you are doing in this life.

And come clean

Repent of your ways

Turn from your youthful behaviors

Walk towards wisdom and knowledge

Walk towards truth and ability

Take the cup.

Jesus said let this cup be taken from me and later in Matt 26 42 he says my father if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it.

Now in that passage Jesus is talking about the crux i fiction, the torment, the turmoil, the abuse, the insurrection.

But this world begins to cringe so hard, and turn a blind ear to the presence of God as if it was that same turmoil, that same type of torture.

It’s so sad to see the bride of Christ be so distant from the bride the Bible speaks about.

It’s your hour, the time has come. And it’s not overwhelming, it’s not going to hurt you.

Rather quite the opposite.

The presence of God makes you shine, makes you stand out. And it’s amazing. Because when it accept it. The whole world will see the difference. They will say wow she is glowing.

Wow he is happy.

Wow they found joy unspeakable, they found the fountain that never runs out but always is pouring.

Wow they found satisfaction in life

Wow…I WANT THAT.

So in this room, take a breath, Breathe in deeply, and stop thinking to hard on this.

The presence of God is the face of God, the close encounter of him always upon you

The presence of God is not only a nearness but it’s the full power of God for your own good.

The presence of God is your right as a daughter and son of God.

Will you choice to accept him.

Repent, Believe, and let us pray.