Manifest Presence (2)

Manifest Presence

Adam and Eve- wanted to hide from the presence of God.

Sin separates us from God

4 Actions That Lead to God's Presence

Desire(1a)

Isaiah 64:1 “1 Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence—”

"Oh that you would"- a desire to be in the presence of God.

Rend the heavens"-- to be in the manifest presence of God.

ILL= The curtain in the Temple.

So why do we get satisfied not living in his presence.

Omnipresence

Manifest presence-- Jesus was the greatest example.

1 John 4:9 “9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”

Worst affliction is for God to remain silent (64:12)

Isaiah 64:12 “12 Will you restrain yourself at these things, O Lord? Will you keep silent, and afflict us so terribly?”

They were experiencing the worst time in Israel's history. Taken into captivity and temple destroyed.

What was worse than these horrible calamities was for God not to be present.

But Isaiah was concerned and crying out to God for the spiritual condition of the nation not the physical condition.

Isaiah 63:18–19 “18 Your holy people held possession for a little while; our adversaries have trampled down your sanctuary. 19 We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name.”

Connect to Isaiah 64:1

But what should drive us to our knees is the spiritual condition of our country.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Desire God’s presence more than anything- more than a pastor, more than a building, more than wealth.

Spending time with God causes us to desire him more.

Moses had spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai with God receiving the 10 Commandments.

Was that enough to satisfy him? No

Exodus 33:18–23 “18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” 21 And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.””

God rewards Moses’ desire- he doesn’t rebuke him as selfish.

Spending time with God in prayer and devotion causes us to want him more.

Change (1b-2)

Isaiah 64:1–2 “1 Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence— 2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence!”

There is never a question when God shows up.

Earthquake November 5, 2011-- Saturday night after watching football- sitting at computer looking at sermon. Jonathan had not yet gone to sleep. Whole house shook.

Pentecost-- No one had to ask the person next to them if The Holy Spirit had just come. It was obvious.

When God is in control of your life it will be evident to everyone.

"filled with the spirit"= We always have the Holy Spirit in our lives. But there are times when the power is different.

Acts 4:8 “8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,”

Acts 4:31 “31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”

Stephen before being stoned in Acts 7:55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

Ephesians 5:18 “18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,”

No one ever experiences the presence of God without change.

Remembrance (3)

Isaiah 64:3

More than likely a reference of Mt. Sinai

Deuteronomy 5:22-29

Do you remember times in your life when you experienced God's power?

Do they drive you, like Moses, to want even more of God?

Monday night at Southern Baptist Convention was one of those times. I want to stay close to that God who touched my heart and brought me back to where I needed to be.

Patience (4)

Isaiah 64:4

God acts- but for those who wait on him.

Are you trying to do it on your own?

If you act like you don't need God you are saying you don't need God.

Would you rather do nothing than to do something without God?

We must stop being busy without God.

We must stop doing ministry without God.

We must stop teaching without God.

We must stop singing without God.

It's just empty religion without the presence of God.

It's about relationship. I love him so much I don't want to live without him.

Are you satisfied living without God’s presence in your life?

Are you comfortable living without God's presence in your life?

CONCLUSION

God is here waiting on us. We do not have to do it alone.

Isaiah 65:1–2 “1 I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that was not called by my name. 2 I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;”