The Revealed Presence | Living in the Presence of God (Series 2 of 3)
May 24, 2020
Big Picture
As we continue our series, we turn our attention to the revealed presence of God. There are several ways that the Bible speaks of the presence of God and how it is revealed. Most people are aware of God’s omnipresent attribute (Psalm 139:7-8), meaning that God is continuously everywhere at all times. Many believers will also agree that God’s in-dwelling presence dwells within them, through the Holy Spirit, as it states in 1 Corinthians 3:16. As important as it is to acknowledge these truths, our prayer for you is that you step into the transformational and experiential presence of God, that is filled with a heightened sense of his nearness (Psalm 145:18).
Sermon Recap
Last week we looked at how God’s original intent in creating mankind was for them to have a uniquely special bond with him, by always being in his presence. Although sin entered the world and created a barrier, God longs to dwell with his creation and therefore instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle. The word “Tabernacle” means dwelling place and it was an exclusive way for God to dwell, meet, protect, lead, and provide for his people. This Tent of Meeting, as it was also called, was a type or shadow of what would later be manifested and fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ.
The revealed presence of God is seen vividly in Jesus Christ. When John wrote that, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,” he was making the direct correlation that Jesus Christ is the true Tabernacle, God’s manifest presence on earth. Man may have been made in the image of God, but Jesus Christ is “the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being” (Hebrew 1:3). When asked by one of his disciples to show them the Father, Jesus answered, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:18-19). Jesus’ resemblance to God his Father was not in mere appearance, but in full uniformity to who God is. Wherever Jesus is, there is freedom, healing, wisdom, guidance, and everything that is found in the presence of God (Luke 4:18-19).
Today, even though Jesus Christ has ascended to heaven, our capacity to experience his presence has in fact been increased. Christ now dwells in our hearts so that we may “be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:16-19). This occurs when we experience God through his word (John 1:1). We don’t simply read God’s word for information, rather “the word of God is alive and active … it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrew 4:12).
God’s word is relational, and not a textbook.
God’s word is directional, leading us in the course of our lives.
God’s word is positional, requiring us to submit our emotions and attitudes.
Lastly, we experience God’s presence through a lifestyle of worship. In Psalm 100:4, we find that giving praise and thanksgiving to God is the key that unlocks his presence.
Pastor Paul Hanfere
Paul Hanfere is the lead pastor of Overflow City Church in the heart of downtown Silver Spring, which is located only 7 miles away from the Washington D.C. Capitol. Along with his wife and co-pastor, Christina Hanfere, they planted OCC in September 2018 with the vision, "To encounter God, discover purpose, and make a difference."