[ WEEK 16 ] GOD SPEAKS TO THOSE WHO SERVE HIM

JOKES

An elderly woman had recently died.  Having never married, she requested no male pallbearers.  In her handwritten instructions for her memorial service, she wrote …

“They wouldn’t take me out while I was alive; I don’t want them to take me out when I’m dead.”

What do you call pastors living in Germany? German Shepherds

INTRO

Good morning everyone! If we have not had the pleasure of meeting: My name is Paul and I have the privilege of serving alongside this team here in Bennington alongside my beautiful Bride Bridgette and our 5 children. I am so glad you guys are here. I hope that you felt welcomed this morning, I hope that you felt like part of the family.

How are we all doing this morning? Before we jump into this mornings message I want to take a moment and have a little fun. Anyone at the mens breakfast yesterday? Don’t lie to me because I know the 5 of us who were there, okay?! At the mens breakfast, we always have trivia. Yesterday was baseball trivia and it was a lot of fun. Except my son beat me….. by one point… and he received a home depot gift card. Anyways, I have a great book to give away this morning. Does anyone like reading? Does anyone like The Chosen series? I have a riddle I would like you to solve. the first one to solve correctly when called upon, wins.

STAR WARS TRIVIA:

What weapon do Jedi Knights use? Lightsabers.

What is Darth Vaders real name? Anakin Skywalker

Who says "Do or do not. There is no try."? Yoda.

What is the actual name of "Baby Yoda"? Grogu.

What are the bear creatures that live in the forests of Endor? Ewoks.

What is the name of the Mandalorian's ship? The Razor Crest.

What is the language of the Wookiees? Shyriiwook.

It kept him steady and others away. It kept them safe and showed the way. Once thrown down upon the ground, it came alive with a hissing sound. It hit the rock as it was told, and that was when thew water flowed. What is it? Moses Staff

START

How have you guys liked going through Psalms 119?! I think it has been really good. I think sometimes we forget that we have everything we need in this life when we are living in the presence of the Lord. What does that look like though? What does it mean to live in the presence of the Lord. What does it mean for Gods presence to be palpable. How do we engage with the Lord on such a level that everything else seems like just a blip on the radar. The problems we encounter, the challenges we face, the world that tries to lure us, are but a mere surface imperfection compared to the eternal glory we will find when we are living in relationship with Jesus. I found myself thinking this weekend. Actually it was friday night. I was on my knees in our bedroom , I could smell the spring air, I could hear the birds chirping outside and I could hear my family chattering in the other room. The busyness of having a family of 7 playing in my mind. All of the things to do. About to leave for a baseball game. Opening night for Bennington Little League but attending a game for the travel ball league Bennet plays in. As all of these things were playing through my head: BUSYNESS…BEAUTY… I have this song playing in the background ( came to my rescue ) . All of this going on around me and I am thinking about how Blessed we are to serve a king and to serve a father in that when we call, he answers. it is a promise that is given to us by Jesus.

Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.”

NOT ONLY WILL HE ANSWER YOUR CALL BUT HE WILL RAISE YOUR CALL WITH INCOMPREHENSIBLE THINGS THAT YOU DO NOT YET KNOW!

We have a lot to get to this morning, I hope you are ready!

LETS PRAY: HOLY SPIRIT, GODS PRESENCE , WISDOM

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE:

Psalm 119:121–128 121“I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Guarantee your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me. 123 My eyes grow weary looking for your salvation and for your righteous promise. 124 Deal with your servant based on your faithful love; teach me your statutes.125 I am your servant; give me understanding so that I may know your decrees. 126 It is time for the Lord to act, for they have violated your instruction. 127 Since I love your commands more than gold, even the purest gold, 128 I carefully follow all your precepts and hate every false way.”

BACKROUND: LONGEST CHAPTER -RIGHT IN MIDDLE OF BIBLE - MEDITATION ON THE GREATNESS OF GODS WORD AND A PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING GODS WORD.

This section, verses 121-128, reflects:

deep commitment, distress over the wickedness and his desire for divine justice. The psalmist calls upon God for protection and guidance, acknowledging his own vulnerability to temptation and the influence of evil. He expresses a sense of longing for God’s law and a firm stance against those who would disregard it. The section, structured as an acrostic following the Hebrew alphabet, uses the letters “Ayin” (121-124) and “Pe” (125-128) to convey the psalmist’s plea for understanding, strength, and righteousness. These verses highlight the pursuit of holiness, the battle between good and evil, and the importance of meditating on God’s Word as a source of hope and wisdom in our life.

[ MAIN POINT ] God is Present in the Lives of Those Who Serve Him

Here is how we say that here at Mission City Church:

GODS PRESENCE IS PALPABLE!

Palpable meaning that the presence of God is so overwhelming, so tangibly thick, that it presses on your spirit like a holy weight. It’s not just sensed—it’s undeniable. Your heart races, tears may fall, and every distraction fades because He is there—not in concept, but in consuming reality.

It’s the fire Moses felt at the burning bush, the trembling Isaiah experienced in the temple, the awe the disciples knew on the mountain of transfiguration. His glory becomes inescapably real—you don’t just know He’s near, you feel it in your bones.

GODS PRESENCE IS PALPABLE MEANS THAT…

1) People who serve the Lord [ highlight ] pursue what is just and right

BECAUSE….

Psalm 119:121–124 “I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. Guarantee your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me. My eyes grow weary looking for your salvation and for your righteous promise. Deal with your servant based on your faithful love; teach me your statutes.”

It is a reflection of Gods character and nature: We are “ Transformed Followers of Jesus who Develop and Deploy Disciples”

And if we are Transformed Followers of Jesus, we will

Want and fight To do what is Right.

Psalmist David was TRANSFORMED . Not perfect, but TRANSFORMED. His DESIRE, his HEART was to follow the commands of God. He says in verse 121: “I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.”

Transformed followers of Jesus means that we no longer live in the same sin and we no longer walk the same walk. It doesn’t mean that we don’t struggle to do what is right. But it does mean that we PURSUE what is Right, that we PURSUE what is just. Our sins are buried and we are

Raised to walk in that transformation.

RAISED TO WALK IN THE NEWNESS OF LIFE

Romans 6:4 “Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.”

Do you realize that if you are a believer in Christ, we have Holy Spirit power!?! THIS ISN’T A GAME OR SOME HOBBY ! IT IS NOT A MYTH, HIS PROMISES ARE NOT A MAYBE, THEY ARE A YES AND AMEN!

IF WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF CHRIST, YOU BETTER BELIEVE THAT THERE IS AN ENEMY WHO IS PROWLING AROUND LIKE A ROARING LION. 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.”

God’s Nature: As Christians we believe that God is inherently righteous, and by pursuing righteousness, we reflect His character. Living a righteous life is a way to align one’s actions with the nature of God. It’s not about attaining perfection but about striving to live in harmony with God’s will and holiness.

JUSTIFICATION vs SANCTIFICATION

Justification: The starting point of the Christian journey. The process by which believers declared righteous before God through our faith in Jesus Christ.

Gods Grace on our lives that says no matter how imperfect we are, through Christ we are made perfect and acceptable and Right with God. No guilt, no condemnation, no longer defined by our failures.

Sanctification: Sanctification is the process by which we as believers are made holy, becoming more like Christ over time through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a lifelong process of growing and working to pursue holiness and righteousness - It is a natural outflow of a transformed heart

We no longer have to pursue righteousness and justice as a means to our salvation, thank you Jesus! But… WE STILL PURSUE THEM BECAUSE IT REFLECTS THE CHARACTER AND NATURE OF OUR FATHER!

“Working to pursue holiness and righteousness is the natural outflow of a transformed heart. While works do not earn righteousness, they are the evidence that one has been made righteous. True faith in Christ will always manifest itself in a life of good works and obedience to God.”

1 Peter 2 “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God—you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and honored cornerstone, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame. So honor will come to you who believe; but for the unbelieving, The stone that the builders rejected— this one has become the cornerstone, and A stone to stumble over, and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word; they were destined for this. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that…”

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”

GODS PRESENCE IS PALPABLE WHEN WE PURSUE WHAT IS JUST AND RIGHT, AND NUMBER TWO GODS PRESENCE IS PALPABLE WHEN…

2) People who serve the Lord pursue His wisdom and His action [ 125-126]

Psalm 119:125–126 “I am your servant; give me understanding so that I may know your decrees. It is time for the Lord to act, for they have violated your instruction.”

David says “ I AM YOUR SERVANT, GIVE ME UNDERSTANDING“ . Davids life exists to be in relationship to the one who created him.

People who serve the Lord actively:

SEEK HIS WISDOM AND ASK GOD FOR A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING. They recognize their need for God’s guidance and desire to grow in knowledge of His ways, so they can live in alignment with His will.

Proverbs 2:3–5 “Furthermore, if you cry out for insight and ask for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.”

BUT WHY?! : BECAUSE GODS WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING:

GUIDES OUR LIFE ,

TRANSFORMS OUR HEARTS

TRANSFORMED HEART [ BRINGS US TO GREATER ] INTIMACY WITH FATHER

INTIMACY WITH FATHER = DESIRE TO KNOW HIS HEART, HIS WILL, AND HIS WAYS, IT…..

PREPARES AND EQUIPS US TO LEAD AND SERVE HIS KINGDOM

“LORD, GIVE ME UNDERSTANDING SO THAT I MAY KNOW YOUR DECREES”

HE THEN GETS THIS SENSE OF URGENCY - Hear it in his PLEA For God to intervene , BUT WHY?! …

[DAVIDS DESIRE]DAVID KNOWS that people are failing to live according to GODS commandments. David knows that the SIN of the current generation not only affect them, but they affect GENERATIONS TO COME. GENERATIONAL SIN.

A PLEA BECAUSE people have disregarded or neglected God’s law. David is deeply concerned about the widespread disregard for God’s commands and the consequences that follow when His law is ignored. The plea is an appeal for God’s justice and action in a world where unrighteousness and lawlessness seem to prevail. David calls on God to act in response to the dishonoring of His word, seeking God’s intervention to restore righteousness and uphold His truth. IT IS …..

A CALL FOR THOSE WHO SERVE THE LORD TO NOT ONLY SEEK HIS WISDOM BUT ALSO CALL FOR HIS ACTION WHEN THEY SEE HIS LAWS BEING ABANDONED, DISTORTED AND PERVERTED. They desire God to intervene and they are moved to act through:

Intercessory prayer and Guidance

Studying Gods Word

Walking in obedience and humility

IT IS A call to Servant Leadership and intercessory prayer ! FOR YOU AND FOR ME

[ A WORLD DEFILED! ]

WE LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE WE CONSISTENTLY SEE GODS CREATION AND GODS INSTRUCTIONS BEING DEFILED! This world needs Kingdom men and Kingdom women to stand up and fight ! We are at critical mass in 2025 ! Our fight needs to be fought in the Spirit! On our knees, PLEADING and ASKING God to intervene and change hearts and minds. Of Unbelievers AND BELIEVERS! We need people to stop being luke warm…

WE NEED PEOPLE WHO DECLARE THAT IT IS WAR TIME IN MY WAR ROOM !

The world needs more of you who are courageous [ CALL SPECIFIC PEOPLE OUT ] ! HE DOESN’T NEED YOU, HE WANTS YOU !

HE CALLS YOU AN AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

2 Corinthians 5:20 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

Matthew 5:14 ““You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.”

We cant be ambassadors for christ and the light of the world when we are knowingly living in sin

We are not the light of the world when we are living double minded and willingly participating in activities that directly contradict who God has called you to be. We cant be ambassadors for Christ when we are busy being double minded.

YOU ARE A TRANSFORMED FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST! We ARE SERVANTS OF THE MOST HIGH. THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE END!

DON’T LOOK BACK! [ Wisdom is not.. ] BEING LIKE LOTS WIFE:

DISOBEDIENT TO GODS COMMANDS

PARTIAL OBEDIENCE AND DELAYED OBEDIENCE, IS DISOBEDIENCE . [ AND ]

HAVING A HEART THAT IS STILL ATTACHED TO THIS CORRUPT WORLD.

GOD IS CALLING YOU FORWARD, BUT YOU ARE TOO BUSY LOOKING BACKWARDS. GOD WANTS TO DELIVER YOU BUT YOU ARE TOO BUSY BEING ABOUT THE WORLDS BUSINESS , DELIVERING YOURSELF UP INTO OLD HABITS AND DESIRES. THINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BURIED WITH CHRIST WHEN YOU ACCEPTED HIM INTO YOUR HEART.

WE NEED TO BE ABOUT GODS BUSINESS!!

James 1:5 “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.”

Matthew 7:24 ““Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

GODS PRESENCE IS PALPABLE WHEN PEOPLE WHO SERVE HIM:

PURSUE WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST -

PURSUE HIS WISDOM AND HIS ACTION

& LASTLY #3…

3) People who serve the Lord pursue His Word and hate every false word

Psalm 119:127–128 “Since I love your commands more than gold, even the purest gold, I carefully follow all your precepts and hate every false way.”

People who serve the Lord pursue His Word with passion and devotion because they understand its immeasurable worth.

Love for God’s Word SHOULD DRIVE YOU TO:

prioritize it above all else, seeking His guidance, truth, and wisdom in their lives.

People who serve the Lord are committed to rejecting lies, falsehoods, and any path that leads them away from God’s truth. Their reverence for God’s Word leads them to discern and avoid deceitful ways, as they are deeply committed to walking in the light of His truth.

PEOPLE WHO SERVE THE LORD AND WHO LOVE GODS WORD:

PUT GOD FIRST [ spoken word ]

Put. God. First.

I’m not talkin’ about when it’s easy.

I’m talkin’ about when your faith is bleeding,

When your prayers feel hollow

And there’s no hope to swallow—

Still…

Put God first.

Not second to your hustle,

Not third behind your dreams,

Not last when you’re broken

And crawling at the seams.

Put God first when your name’s in the lights—

And when no one’s watchin’ in the dead of night.

When your strength is spent,

When your fire’s low,

That’s when you say,

“God, You run this show.”

This ain’t no part-time praise.

This is full-throttle faith.

This is war in the spirit

Every second, every day.

This is tear-stained pages,

And knees on the floor,

Shoutin’ through the pain:

“God, I need You more!”

Put God first—

Above the cash, the fame, the plans.

’Cause what’s the point of gainin’ the world

If you lose GREAT I Am?

He’s not your backup when the plane don’t land.

He’s the Rock, the Alpha,

The blood in the Lamb.

He’s the reason your lungs even breathe—

The only One who truly never leaves.

Put God first—

When they mock you.

When they block you.

When they say you’re too bold,

Too deep, too much truth—

Keep goin’.

’Cause your worship is a weapon,

And your walk is the proof.

Put God first,

Even if your voice shakes.

Even if the earth quakes.

Even if they all break—

Stand tall.

This is Kingdom work.

You were born for the call.

Put God first—

Before your crown, before your climb.

’Cause He was God before there was time,

And He’ll be God after it ends.

No rivals.

No equals.

No need to pretend.

So I dare you—

Before you chase the world…

Before you chase the win…

Put.

God.

First.

And let the real victory begin.

THAT'S GREAT, NOW WHAT?

God is Present in the Lives of those who Serve Him

HIS PRESENCE IS PALPABLE

Every person here today is designed to have a role. Your life, your story, your gifts are part of God’s redemptive work.

Before you work for God, YOU HAVE TO walk with Him, You have to KNOW HIM. Your highest calling is to be His.

Don’t ask, “Am I needed?” Ask, “Am I available?”

Maybe the question you need to ask is for Him to be in your life…..

God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. [ CALL PEOPLE OUT INDIVIDUALLY, UNKNOWN PEOPLE TOO ]

Will you answer that call? Will you step into the role God has given you—not because He needs you, but because He loves you and wants you to be part of something eternal? He wants for you to understand that HIS PURPOSE FOR YOU IS TO BE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM .

AND THEN, ONCE YOU KNOW HIM, YOU CAN JOIN IN ON THE MISSION TO SERVE THE LORD IN HIS PRESENCE

BEING KINGDOM MINDED AND KINGDOM FOCUSED.

WITH EVERY HEAD BOWED AND EVERY EYE CLOSED:

Before we leave today, we want to give you an opportunity to respond. A PERSONAL MOMENT TO RESPOND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKING IN YOUR LIFE. A BOLD CALL TO ACTION:

WHO HERE TODAY WOULD ACCEPT THE CALL…. THE CALL TO:

PURSUE WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST

PURSUE HIS WISDOM AND HIS ACTION

PURSUE HIS WORD ABOVE ALL OTHER

WOULD YOU RAISE YOUR HAND WITH ME? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH WITH

If you do not know Jesus today and you want to know him, this is for you. If you want Jesus as the foundation of your life, If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired and sick of relying on this world to give you life, this is for you. If you want to spend eternity with Jesus, if you want your finally live your life with the purpose in which it was designed, if you want to build your life on Jesus, this is for you. It is as simple as this. You need to:

1. Realize you are a sinner. 2. Recognize that Jesus died on the cross and rose again, FOR YOUR SINS. 3. Repent of your sin. TURN FROM 4. Receive Jesus Christ into your life.

God gives us free access to talk to him, just the same as I am talking to you here today. If you want to accept Jesus into your life, I would invite you to say this with me:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.

If you prayed that prayer with me I want you to raise your hand and look up at me. I have something to tell you… “”WELCOME TO THE FAMILY” . You are not alone. We would love to connect with you after service, please stick around and talk to Chris and Franky . We are all finished here today.

Numbers 6:24–26 “May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” . Shake a hand and hug a neck. We love you guys and will see you next week!