The Promise of God's Presence

Introduction

What does the presence of God have to do with our purpose in life?

Last week, Stacy preached that God has promised a purpose in our life—no matter what we are going through.

Today, I want to show you another promise—a purpose empowered by the presence of God!

Text: Deut 31:7-8

Deuteronomy 31:7–8 NLT

7 Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. 8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Background

Moses is reaching the end of his life. He confirms that God has chosen Joshua to take over and lead the people into the Promised Land.

Israel is at a point of vulnerability. Change and transition is always filled with peril.

Present Issues

Like Israel, when we face times of change or transition, we enter a season of vulnerability. When the pandemic was beginning in 2020 it exposed weaknesses and challenges in our personal lives and in the life of society.

Purpose—why we exist—came into question! Stress points of doubt, fear, and uncertainty began to appear. Flaws in our approach to life put many into confusion. Families became divided. Anger became the predominant emotion.

Big Idea

But God has a promise for you. He is the God who is WITH you! In His presence you will have peace, joy, hope, assurance, and a purpose to fulfill.

We need to know that He has never left us or forsaken us. In His presence you can live confidently! HOW?

Point 1

1. Embrace God’s Purpose!

God gave Israel a purpose: take possession of the land.

Jesus has given His followers purpose. We need to take possession of that purpose!

Principle: Every genuine Christian has a God-given purpose to love God, love people, make disciples, and help others know the truth of Jesus Christ.

Text: Matthew 22:37-40

Matthew 22:37–40 NLT

37 Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Text: Matthew 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 NLT

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Without knowing our purpose in life, we drift in confusion and despair, always looking but never finding.

Embracing God’s purpose requires:

Relationship

Knowledge (study God’s Word)

Intentionality and obedience

Restatement: Embrace God’s purpose for your life!

2. Cultivate Strength and Courage!

Moses knew that the people and Joshua needed be strong and courageous. They would face enemy nations and war. And fear would be their most powerful foe.

Principle: Strength and courage is a choice that involves determination, discipline, and commitment in the face of intense opposition.

Illustration: Firefighters and first responders at 9/11—who sought to rescue people.

Text: 1 Cor 16:13-14

1 Corinthians 16:13–14 NLT

13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love.

Strength and courage are necessary to reach our God-given purpose. Without strength and courage, our purpose becomes unattainable—a pipe-dream that will never be fulfilled.

Restatement: Cultivate strength and courage.

3. Follow the Leading of God!

It was important that Joshua and the people of Isreal knew that going into the Promised Land was more than a dream of Moses—it was God’s purpose and they needed to follow God.

Principle: One of the most important lessons of life is to learn to follow God and His Word!

Jesus reached out to a tax collector by the name of Matthew. In this encounter, Matthew was faced with a choice.

Text: Matthew 9:9

Matthew 9:9 NLT

9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.

Following God’s leading is the only way to find and fulfill your purpose in life. Without the leading of God, you will eventually get confused and lose your way.

Illustration: Getting lost while hiking by misunderstanding the map.

Restatement: Follow the leading of God.

4. Live in the Promise of God’s Presence!

Moses knew by personal experience that the ultimate purpose of a person’s existence is to be in the presence of God. (Burning bush, desert meetings, facing impossibilities, receiving the Commandments)

Principle: A Christian’s purpose is more than a destination, it is also the journey—a journey to be WITH Him, not just to KNOW about Him.

Text: Deut 31:8

Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT

8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

God leads the way in front of us, is with us, and promises not to leave or forsake us. We have a responsibility to be aware of His presence.

How can a person know the presence of God:

Prayer

Study the Word of God

Worship

Restatement: Live in the promise of God’s presence.

5. Choose Faith Over Fear!

Moses reminded Joshua and the people to overcome fear and confusion by living in the presence of God.

Principle: Christians must learn to live by faith in order to confront the temptation to run and hide.

Text: Rom 1:16-17

Romans 1:16–17 NLT

16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Living a life by faith in God overcomes that challenges of living in a sinful world. Without faith, fear and confusion takes over every time.

Restatement: Choose faith over fear!

Conclusion

The presence of God is a promise to all who have put their trust in Jesus Christ.

Psalm 16:11 NLT

11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Altar Call

The promise that God gave through Moses is a promise He offers to you.

John 14:6 NLT

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Jesus is the door to the presence of God.

Through His death for our sins and His resurrection—He demonstrates the power and authority to to be a part of His family.

Restatement of Points:

Embrace God’s Purpose!

Cultivate Strength and Courage!

Follow the Leading of God!

Live in the Promise of God’s Presence!

Choose Faith Over Fear!