Return to Intimacy

“Call them to intimacy”

He wants to awaken His people to a new level of intimacy

Vision of worshippers going to look at Gods face

Some caught a glimpse and then left

Doing things constantly

Others sat down, and remained. It was like Gods face was known to them, but all that He is was revealed to Him.

Catching a glimpse and saying: “Ok, I did that. I saw Him. Instead of waiting and saying “What else do You want to show me?”

When they went to play instruments there was 2 viewpoints from the congregation;

The people who had dwelled, when they began to play, people were actually looking through them to the face of Jesus

For those who caught a glimpse and left, the people saw them play and they were looking at the person

Who will return to intimacy?

Martha & Mary

Luke 10:38–42 “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.

She “did” the right thing

It is possible to open your home (heart) to Him & never spend time with Him

39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

Distracted = to draw away, distract; passive metaphorically, to be driven about mentally, i. e. to be over-occupied, too busy, about a thing.

Doing but not dwelling

It is possible to be constantly playing but never sitting to dwell

LIFE: What if it’s not perfect?

“Less perfection. More love”

When will you stop letting the devil rob you of intimacy?

What do you need to say no to so you can return to intimacy?

Whats the better choice?

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.””

“Only one thing is needed”

“I can’t feel His presence”

Wait upon the Lord

Isaiah 40:31 “but those who hope in (or wait on) the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”)

Remain in Him

John 15:4 “Remain (abide) in me, as I also remain in you.”

Reciprocal relationship.

LORD: “You get to choose where you dwell”

“I’ve prepared something. Do you want it?”

LIFE: Worship relentlessly

This is not intimacy: I need. I want. Too long. Only me talking.

True intimacy is communion & fellowship

Heart connection w/ God

What if the greatest preparation is seeking Him?

Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Seek = seek the face of God

Jeremiah 29:14 “I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile (Jerusalem).”

God promised 70 years of captivity “then an end to captivity and suffering.” (Jer. 29:10-11)

He kept His promise but always gives a choice to obey or reject Him.

LIFE: Pray more than you practice

Can it be Him above perfection?

LIFE: 6 songs in the pipeline

Could feel striving. Lay it down.

Doesn’t mean you don’t play & practice

Find your true identity in Him first & then play

Can do both

Get still first

Identity isn’t in what you do

Thats the avenue for them to look beyond you and see Jesus. Business, school teaching, doesn’t matter.

LIFE; last Sunday we were worshipping & at one point I was so lost in worship, I thought I was going to fall through the stage. I moved my hand after being on my knees and I actually got startled.

I’m fully present but fully caught up in love with Him

I’m more concerned with what He is doing and saying b/c of intimacy

Holiness is a secret to intimacy

“If you love me, you won’t keep doing those things that hurt me.”

Hurt?

There’s a tendency to back away a little bit

Fellowship gets hurt

Repentance? Receive the fullness of God’s love & forgiveness

Intimacy can:

Break off limitations

Faith that produces power for miracles/healing/deliverance

Boldness

Prayers more effective

Awaken to who God is in you

Do you know who you are?

You can’t be stopped

Temples of God

2 Corinthians 6:16 “What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with (or DWELL IN) them and walk among (IN) them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Temple = naos (nah-ahs) comes from the root word to dwell

Dwell = enoikeō (en-or-kay-oh) = God dwelling in us

Carriers of the glory of God

TEMPLE STRUCTURE:

Outer courts, Inner Courts, Most Holy Place

Hebrews 9:2 A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place (SANCTUARY).

· EX: We are in the sanctuary right now

3 Behind the second curtain (veil) was a room called the Most Holy Place,

1) Ark of the Covenant = Symbols of faith and God’s presence

2) Mercy Seat= meeting place with man + judgement

o Exodus 25:22 “There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites”

Who will return to intimacy?

Invitation - Activation - Impartation

REPEAT:

· I am the Lords anointed

· I am the Lords chosen

· He loves me

· He chose me

· My sins are forvien

· My debts have been paid

· I have His image

· I rebuke all lying spirits

· I rebuke all evil tormenting spirits

· I believe God’s words

· I agree with God’s promises

· I am royalty