Why does God seem Far?

bunmi omidiran / General

Spiritual development / Psalm 24:1–5

Why does God seem Far?

Key text: Ps 24:1-5

Introduction

Despite God's love many still don't acknowledge His sovereignty our their lives reaching out to other gods to find significance and purpose.

Invariably ostracising oneself from the rich fellowship they could have with God.

In this message, we will learn about some of the idols of our hearts and how to get rid of them, so that we can enjoy the rich fellowship God has called us to

Message – Primary Text Ps 24:1-5

1. God owns and controls all the universe, including you and i that live in it.

2. But what does it take to enter His presence?

3. Although God’s standards is very high, without compromising it, He made it possible for us to reconnect with Him through HIs Son, our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.

4. When we give up our gods and submit to Him unconditionally He promises to be with us without fail.

Our focus will be on Ps 24:3-5

It is not uncommon for people to think sure i have a clean hands and a pure heart, i have not hurt anyone and i serve or give to charity.

However Isa 64:6 & Rom 3:23 gives us a better assesment of our true state

lifted his soul to an idol?

You be forgiven if you are thinking that i have no idol because you don’t have a carved image.

However idolatry is anything that you exalt in your life above God Ex 20:3-4. I dear to say that the biggest god in the lives of many in the 21st century is that of self.

Examples of Greek idols

i. Aphrodite – the goddess of beauty

ii. Artemis – the goddess of fertility and wealth

iii. Hephaestus – the god of craftmanship

So, ......

a. Don’t live a lie

b. non-have an idolatrous life.

Most people live a lie, because they are {Fearful or afraid, Vain, Greedy, Or Hatred}

i. in a bid to give significance to their lives because of the insecurity they create idols in their heart.

ii. Idolatry like any sin separates us from God and so makes him very distant –

Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. 2 It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. 3 Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin. Your lips are full of lies, and your mouth spews corruption {NLT} Isa 59:1-3

24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money- Matt 6:24

What is idolatry?

“There are many idols in the world than there are realities – Friedrich Nietzsche – Twilight of Idols.

Modern gods are of the heart – beauty, power, money & achievement {Col 3:5; Eze 14:3-6} and they are …….

i. Anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you look to give you only what God can give. i.e., fulfilment, satisfaction.

ii. Anything so central and essential to your life that should you lose it, your life would feel hardly not worth living.

iii. Something we cannot live without, we must have it and therefore it drives us to brake rules we once honoured, to harm others and even ourselves to get it.

iv. They have such a commanding position in your heart that you can spend most of your passion and energy, your financial resources in it without a second thought, and this could be legitimate things like family, carrier, etc.

v. Anything more fundamental to your happiness, meaning in life and identity than God then is an idol.

vi. Anything that promises safety, peace, happiness if only we base our lives on them.

vii. “Idols are spiritual addictions that lead to terrible evil”

We are not controlled by ourselves but by the Lord of our lives; so, whatever we submit ourselves to, is what controls us

When a good thing place its demands on you, and exceeds its boundaries you know it’s become your lord- Thomas Keller {Matt 6:24}

Conclusion

· Humble yourself before the Almighty God and call upon Him and you will be saved.

· Repent – that is feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin. Turning away from sin and iniquity and turning unto God.

How?

Romans 10:8-11 (NKJV) 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."