SURPRISED BY HIS PRESENCE

 

Matthew 1:18-19 (NKJV): Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

 Matthew 1:20-21 (NKJV): But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

 Matthew 1:22-23 (NKJV): So, all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Behold the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated God with us.”

 Matthew 1:24- (NKJV): Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

 Jack Hayford – God is looking for a place to dwell.

Exodus 25:8 (NKJV):  – And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.

 

Dwell – Shakan – to settle, reside, dwell, abide, be enthroned

Mischan – a dwelling place, a tabernacle

Shekinah – Abiding Presence and Glory of the Lord

 

Exodus 24:16-17(NKJV): Now the glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.

 John 1:1 (NKJV):  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 (NKJV):  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

 Dwelt – tabernacled

 Matthew 1:20-21 (NKJV): But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

 Matthew 1:22-23 (NKJV): So, all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us.”

 How do we experience a greater sense of His Presence and Glory?

 

WELCOME HIS PRESENCE IN WORSHIP

 

Jack Hayford – Worship ushers in the Presence of God.

 2 Chronicles 5:13 (NKJV): Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voices with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: For He is good, for His mercy endures forever, that the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud.

 2 Chronicles 5:14 (NKJV): So that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.

 FOR HE IS GOOD, FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!

 Psalm 22:3 (NKJV): But You are Holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.

Psalm 100:4 (NKJV): Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name.

 

ABIDE IN HIS PRESENCE THROUGH OBEDIENCE

Matthew 1:24 (NKJV): Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord command him.

When we obey the Voice of God, it can open the door for a fresh anointing and a fresh wave of His glory.

Philippians 2:8 (NKJV): And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Philippians 2:9-11 (NKJV): Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

CARRY HIS PRESENCE INTO THE WORLD

Joshua 3:6 (NKJV): Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.

1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV): But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NKJV): Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, who you have from God, and you are not your own?

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NKJV): But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

 Matthew 5:14 (NKJV): You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

 

Discussion Questions

1.      Have you experienced the Manifest Presence of God in your life?

2.      Where were you and how did it happen?

3.      Where you surprised by His Presence? What was your response?

4.      Is it difficult for you to believe that the Presence of the Holy Spirit is in us as believers?

5.      Are you aware of His Presence during the day?

6.      How can you grow in awareness of His Presence?

7.      Is there anything in your life that is grieving His Presence or hindering His Presence?