PURSUING THE PRESENCE OF GOD
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“THE PASSIONATE PURSUIT OF GOD’S PRESENCE” — In the mission statement of a church.
WHY ? — IF WE LOVE HIM, WE WANT MORE OF HIM. HOW MANY SEEK HIM MORE ?
HOW ? Prayer. Study. Walking. Seeking. Service.
GOD INITIATED THE PROCESS.
1 John 4:19 We love Him, because He first loved us.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
1. WHY PURSUE AFTER GOD ?
A. IT IS MORE THAN JUST KNOWING HIM.
Zechariah 8:22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.
B. IT TAKES PREPARATION.
ARE YOU PREPARED TO GIVE MORE OF YOURSELF TO HIM ? SEEKING GOD IS NOT JUST TO SATISFY YOUR CURISITY. IT COMES WITH GREATER SENSE OF APPRECIATION AND RESPONSIBILITY.
2. PURSUING GOD HAS A PURPOSE.
A. IT IS TO HAVE A GREATER KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT HE WANTS THROUGH KNOWING HIM AND HIS WAYS.
Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of Him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
B. IT IS TO RESTORE THE BLESSINGS OF THE PAST.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
C. IT IS TO RESTORE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD THAT HAS BECOME BROKEN DUE TO SIN.
Hosea 5:15 (GOD SAID) I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek My face: in their affliction they will seek Me early.
3. DOES PURSUING GOD MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE ?
A. ONE MAN’S PRAYERS CAN CHANGE MANY OTHER PEOPLE. HE CAN MAKE THEIR SPIRITUAL DESIRES COME ALIVE.
HEZKIAH
2 Chronicles 30:19 That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.
B. WHEN WE FAIL TO PREPARE OUR HEARTS AFTER GOD BURDENS US WITH THE DESIRE TO SEEK HIM, WE COULD END UP DOING EVIL.
REHOBOAM.
2 Chronicles 12:14 And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.
C. GOD DOES NOT WANT PEOPLE TO SEEK HIM AS A HOBBY. HE REWARDS ONLY THOSE WHO SEEK HIM WITH ALL THE HEART.
Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.
4. HOW DID PEOPLE PURSUE GOD IN THE PAST ?
A. PRAYER.
Daniel 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
B. STUDY HIS WORDS.
C. SEEKING HIM IN EVERY ACTIVITY OF LIFE.
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
D. IN PRAISE.
Psalms 22:3 But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
SOME PEOPLE SEEK AFTER GOD FOR BLESSINGS. THEY FAIL TO SEEK THE PERSON OF THE LORD INSTEAD. Like a woman seeking a rich man to marry. It isn’t the person she loves, it is his money.
Luke 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
SOMETIMES SEEKING GOD IS INCONVENIENT. MANY TIMES GOD MAKES IT THAT WAY SO THAT YOU MUST PROVE YOUR SERIOUSNESS TO HIM.
John 6:24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither His disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
“Pursuing The Presence Of God”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
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