Dynamic Theology (Intimacy with God)

We were created for a conversational relationship with God.

Adam and eve walked with God in the cool of the day.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 3

8 They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

That word Cool is the hebrew word ruach and it means breath or Spirit. So Adam and Eve participated in Spirit time, communion or intimacy with God.

When we read Hosea we see the heart of God and how it hurts Him when we are not in alignment with Him and neglect that intimacy. Hosea was called to not just be a prophet but also marry a prostitute.

This was to be a sign and witness of what God felt because of Israel’s backslidden state.

Just like Hosea's wife Gomer (in that he knew from the word of God she would cheat on him) Israel was cheating on their God.

This also gave Hosea a burden because he personally felt what it was like to be married to someone unfaithful.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 4

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

Because you have rejected knowledge,

I also will reject you from being My priest.

Since you have forgotten the law of your God,

I also will forget your children.

The root of the word used here for knowledge is the same word used in Genesis when it says Adam knew or had relations with his wife. The Hebrew bible interprets it as an intimate knowledge, or devotion.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 4

1 Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the LORD.”

These people knew Gods law but had forgotten the importance of an intimate relationship with God.

They were going through the motions but had no substance in their relationship with Him.

Sacrifices were at an all-time high but their spirituality was at an all time low.

They had a form of godliness but were denying the power of

they were going through the motions.

and the reason they were going to be judged was because they had no intimate conversation or relationship with God.

highly religious but no spiritual intimacy

WHEN INTIMACY WITH GOD IS WEAK PEOPLE REPLACE IT WITH RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

3 THINGS THAT HINDER INTIMACY WITH GOD

Religiosity

• As Christians, it can be very easy to get caught up in religious acts and rituals.

• Religiosity is the enemy of being in the presence of God.

• A.W. Tozer says, “The essence of true religion is spontaneity, which is the sovereign moving’s of the Holy Spirit upon and in the free spirit of redeemed man. Which is the opposite of routine

• He says when we lose this spontaneity religion then becomes mere form, and we get into the FILE-CARD mentality, which is simply put a life of mental habits.

• We divide the Bible into sections fitted to the days of the year, which compels the Christian to read according to rule.

• No matter what the Holy Spirit is trying to tell them they go on reading where the card tells them dutifully checking it off each day.

• We do our youversion devotion or read the verse of the day.

• There is nothing wrong with these calendar devotions but God desires more than just a calendar-structured reading or a daily verse quote.

• This mentality goes from being focused on His presence to becoming mere duty.

• God wants more than duty He wants Intimacy.

• We were created for an intimate relationship with God created for conversation.

• Adam and eve walked with God and He talked with them in the cool of the day.

• There was perfect communion between them and God until the fall.

• Today God still desires that communion with us. Jesus did not redeem us just so we wouldn’t go to hell he redeemed us to bring us back into that intimate relationship with the father where we can cry abba father.

• God wants us to know Him personally, He wants a conversational relationship.

The second is distractions Paul tells us to pray without ceasing

1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing;

Israel had become distracted by their prosperity and forgot who was the source of that prosperity (God)

Distractions can hinder us poor time management. Paul said pray without ceasing. Brother Lawrence said include God in your daily activity

The third hinderance is shopping list prayer

Oftentimes we come to Him in prayer wanting direction, “should I take this job or that job” should I start this business, should I marry this person.

• We seek direction and information when God wants conversation.

• We want to know answers God, but God wants us to know Him.

Then there are times we use prayer as a vehicle to get to a destination. We need provision so we pray, need healing so we pray deliverance or cleansing. But what if instead of prayer being the vehicle to get us to the destination it is the destination.

Prayer is not just a step of the journey it is the Journey.

Don’t just talk about, God talk with God Instead of just Learning about God We should EXPERIENCE Him just like our spouse or loved one.

So for us to have an intimate prayer life we need to have a continual conversation with God and when we realize that then our relationship with God deepens to new levels and our intimacy grows with Him.

3 things to help us grow in intimacy

1. Listen

2. Expectancy FAITH (God is in us) In him we live and move and have our being.

3. Practice His presence.

DISCUSSION

What does a life of intimate relationship with God look like? Spend a few minutes thinking about your relationship with Jesus. Reflect on Psalm 139 and Philippians 3:8. What’s your relationship with Jesus like? Is it more about facts and rules than an intimate, personal relationship?

Discuss briefly the clash between ‘intimacy’ with God and the ‘intimacy’ as culture defines it in our present day and age. How is true intimacy with God fostered?

Intimacy is a risk. But it’s a risk worth taking. You can only experience the fullness and meaning of love when you take the risk of moving closer. Agree or disagree and why?What might you be missing out on in your relationship with Jesus? What needs to change in order for you to have a more intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ?