Sermon Title: This Changes Everything, Pt 3

Scripture: Phil. 4:6-8, Eph. 3:14-21, 8-12, Josh. 1:9, Ps. 34:7, Matt. 18:20 & 28:20, Heb. 13:5

Main Points:

1. Fix Your Eyes On God: We tend to believe that the Presence of God is only in church services or in quiet moments. We can invite God’s presence into everything in our lives!

2. More Than You Can Imagine: God does not give us his power for our use or to do work through us. He wants to give himself to us; just him for no other reason than relationship.

3. God Is Inviting You: We shy away from God because we feel unworthy. We are sinful, but he is merciful. He longs to bring us to the King’s Table and refresh us with his love.

1. What barriers keep you from living in and experiencing the presence of God?

2. When and where do you feel like you are experiencing the presence of God in your life?

3. How could you invite God into the everyday things that keep you busy?

4. Are you a cup or a pitcher? Does God give himself to you for others or just so you can receive?

5. What practical steps can you take in your life to begin practicing the Presence of God?

Notes: Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection was a cook in a French monastery who learned that service for God is more than spending time in solitude and silence. While the Monks around him were devoting themselves in solitude, he was devoting himself in service. He invited God into his work, even work that he did not enjoy, and learned how to Practice the Presence of God in everything. The two greatest barriers to God’s presence are busyness and worthiness. We think that we can only experience God in services or solitude, but we can invite him into everything and then experience even greater times of joy in those places. We also consider ourselves unworthy. We are unworthy, but Jesus did not come for worthy people. His invitation is not for worthy people. His invitation is that of a King to wretches who have no business in his presence, but whom he desires to invite to his table and feed from his own hands. He delights in wretches and elevates us to the status of “Child of the King.”