Who is your God?

Thanks to all of you who have been coming to the prayer meetings in this season of prayer and fasting. Another coming up. We are seeing some great answers to prayer in terms of breakthroughs and seeing God’s power move in the church.

HEALINGS. Deb Legge - last week v painful shoulder (could barely sleep on the Sat night) - prayed for and healed that same day. Jon Guppy had toothache - also completely healed. This is just the start of a greater outpouring of God’s presence and power in our meetings I believe. We continue to press in during prayer and fasting to see God move far more. Amen?

STORY OF MCLEMAN

2 Peter 1:2 (NLT)

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

Jesus taught clearly who God is and at the same time who isn't in order to give the correct picture. To push past the lies we can so easily believe about God. The way we see God is essential as it will affect our relationship with him completely and our attitude in life. The better we know him, the better and stronger our r with Him and the more Grace and Peace flow through us.

So growing in our heart understanding of who God is is vital. But very easy to get at least a slightly distorted view of God.

Why? Where does our distorted views come from?

The Bible shows different ppl who don’t have a clear perspective on who God is. Sarah’s promised pregnancy in old age. Nothing is impossible for God.

We have a God who can do literally anything. All powerful. He is the creator of all things.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. STORY OF DAD “YOU DON’T BELIEVE THOSE MIRACLES IN THE BIBLE”

God created all things. Without Him nothing that was made has been made. The whole universe, the heavens, the stars, the earth … He did it all. God is that powerful. If He can do this He can make a way thru whatever our issues are.

Jesus referred to these distorted views ppl could have of God in his teaching. 1, was a harsh master. This is the view that God is critical of you everytime you get something wrong. He’s quick to judge, harsh, disappointed, unfair. We can get this view if we have had authority figures in our lives who have been overly critical, treated us unfairly.

2. The Hired Hand is the view that God does not care about us. He’s indifferent. Not bothered, won’t help/ lift a finger to aid our lives. We can get this view when we go thru hard times, periods of loneliness. Jesus came and portrayed who God is. If you want to learn more on the character of God, reading the gospels and reflect on how Jesus responds, how He feels.....

John 10:10–11 (NLT)

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.

Straight away we see that God is not someone who wants to take the joy out of our lives. He’s not a killjoy. He’s not a mean God who we can blame when things don’t work out. Not spiteful, not vengeful. He’s someone who wants to pour in His life giving Spirit, His vitality, His love, His joy. He is invested in us reaching our full potential - desiring we aim for the best , not settling for what’s easiest.

He is our protector. He’s deeply caring. He loves us so much He gave His life for us. GOSPEL>

So, we will look at the good shepherd as a good way of seeing who God is.

Psalm 23:1 (NLT)

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

So, He is our Good shepherd. He is our guide, our protector. He is the source of all we need. A provider for all our needs p/e/s. Not only that, but He loves to do so. He delights in us and delights in giving us gifts. He delights in being our provider. It puts a smile on His face to impart something of Himself or something we need into our lives.

STORY: Running out of money- approaching zero, close to the bottom of bank a/c. Consider the lillies.

Psalm 23:2 (NLT)

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He is a refresher of souls. An imparter of strength, of energy, of courage, of boldness. He lifts our burdens and weariness and imparts rest. He is totally invested in our well-being. You more important to Him than you will ever comprehend. He is the satisfication of our souls, He fills, refuels, breathes life into us constantly. We can come to Him exactly as we are and be refuelled by Jesus.

Psalm 23:3 (NLT)

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Jesus is our ever present guide, always prompting us along the right way. He does this because He knows how good it is for us to walk in righteousness. The reason God despises sin is cos He knows how much damage it does to ourselves and others. So God is always teaching us - He’s speaking right now to you. Always inspiring us to go forward - not settle. He accepts us as we are and then empowers us to become more like Jesus. He brings freedom into our lives. He has our best interests at His heart. And so He does all in His Power to keep us and lead us in the right way. God brings clarity - not confusion.

Psalm 23:4 (NLT)

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

God cares enough and has the power enough to lead us thru the most harrowing of times. He is our protector and comforter. In Him we can trust. God is always sticking up for us/ fighting for us more than we know. Jesus is always close, never separated from Him or His love. He is a remover of fear.

STORY OF NIGHTMARE CLASS. Thank you that you’re with me. Fear/ intimidation disappeared.

Psalm 23:5 (NLT)

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Having a feast prepared for us by God portrays Gods desire for intimacy and close r with each one of us. His heart moves more than anything for our hearts. For deep personal r.

Jesus remains always loving, always passionate, always reaching out for us. He is always desiring to spend time with us. Always love to hear our voice.

Song of Solomon 2:14 (NLT)

Let me see your face; let me hear your voice. For your voice is pleasant, and your face is lovely.

STORY: I used to think that God’s emotions to me mirrored mine toward Him. So, if I found no desire to talk to Jesus then He would say “oh suit yourself then - I’ll clear off and find someone else to be with. Someone who is bothered.” I felt that Jesus’ desire to be with me would be determined by my desire to be with Him. Or if I sinned then He would keep his distance.

But nothing could be further from the truth. God is committed to us always. He is always wanting us close. He delights in us. We bring him the greatest joy simply by being in his family. He is incredibly pleased to call us his own, He is proud to call you his child. He enjoys our company. We bring a smile to his face.

Psalm 23:6 (NLT)

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

God is always working love + life + light + joy + goodness into our lives. He constantly works good into our lives. He wants to be involved in every area of our lives as much as well let him. He just waits to be invited in. He is pro-actively pursuing us all the time with His goodness and limitless love. He is always front-footed about connecting with us & pouring Himself into us. The more we slow down and reflect on this truth the more we become aware of this reality.

MISSION: The more we get to know the heart of God, His love for us the more our love for Him and others is fuelled. And it is from this genuine love we can fulfill our vision to IBTC. to love others, to see ppl come to know Jesus, to make disciples and be made whole. A genuine love and passion for God will transform your home, your workplaces, your communities. You are the light of the world. Lets take the presence and power of God out of this place and make a difference.

But, simply reading about who God is doesn’t cut it. We need the HS to open our hearts and eyes.

Ephesians 1:16–17 (NLT)

I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

Its a simple prayer. But one which God will always honour - He desires we get to know Him better and better. For our good and to enjoy Him increasingly.

He desires to have a close, eternal r with every single person on the planet. A r that holds the promise of complete peace, joy and hope. Jesus loves us completely. He desired that r with us so much that He came to this planet and died instead of us that we may have our sins forgiven. Wiped clean. A fresh start. Today is a day to make an extremely important decision.

In a moment I am going to pray and you may find yourself in one of the following three categories. Can I have every head bowed please.

1. You don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You have never had a r with Him and would like to make the decision to follow Him today. To receive forgiveness and begin a r with Him.

2. You used to walk with Jesus and would like to re-connect with Him today.

3. You’re not sure of your salvation. You’re not sure that at the end of your life you will be going to heaven and you desire that certainty that Jesus offers.

If you relate to any of those 3 then please pray along with me now, repeating these words out of your own heart.

Lord Jesus, I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I ask You to forgive me for all my wrongdoing, and receive me as Your child. I commit my life to You now. Amen

With every head still bowed could I ask you to raise your hand if you prayed that prayer?

Pause

Anybody else?

PAUSE – pray for these ppl to receive God’s peace and presence

Thank you Lord for you all incredible love that you have showed us. Pour out your presence. thank you that for everyone today who raised their hands have entered into a most wonderful relationship with you and can be assured of their salvation.

MIN: Stomach, Head (sinuses), aob

Pray to get to know God better/ trust him with issues ur going thru currently