In God's Presence

In God’s Presence

Text: John 14:6 (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

I.        Introduction: Far away, yet close in heart. Close in proximity, yet far away in heart.

II.      Trust the Person of Christ.

A.      Trust Jesus as the Way.

*There is a way that seems right to a man,

but in the end it leads to death.

(Pr 14:12 NIV)

**Different people with different ways, One church, one way.

B.      Trust Jesus as the Truth.

*the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (Jn 14:17 NIV)

**They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

(Ro 1:25 NIV)

***If you were a banana and God peeled you, would he find the truth or lies.

C.      Trust Jesus as the Life.

*Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (Jn 6:35 NIV)

**Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn 11:25-26 NIV)

***A life not only given for us, but also given to us.

III.   Enter the Presence of God.

A.      A Wall Exists. (No one comes)

*But your iniquities have separated

you from your God;

your sins have hidden his face from you,

so that he will not hear.

(Is 59:2 NIV)

**Sin is a Barricade, Like walls with glass, nails, and razor wire.

B.      A Way Exists. (Except through me)

*For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

(Eph 2:18 NIV)

**I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. (Jn 10:9 NIV)

***A gate through the wall—Jesus is the way to God.

IV.    Conclusion: Enter the presence of God through the person of Christ. Only as we trust in him as the way, the truth, and the life can we enter the presence of God. Otherwise, we may enter into his very house, yet remain far away.