“PRESENCE DRIVEN II”
Sunday AM Nov. 30, 2008
INTRODUCTION:
Last week I started a sermon topic I’m continuing with until the Lord changes my direction. I spoke on the “PRESENCE OF GOD” or being “PRESENCE DRIVEN”!
I’m all at once fascinated with this topic God has put in my spirit. I know in my heart that if we’re to be the church God wants us to be, if we’re to be a church that sees souls saved, lives, transformed, bodies healed, & people delivered, then without a doubt WE MUST BE “PRESENCE DRIVEN” & NOT JUST IN THIS CHURCH BUT IN OUR LIVES & HOMES!
WHEN I LOOK AT THE GREAT MEN & WOMEN OF OLD, THE HEROS OF FAITH, & EVEN THE CONTEMPORARIES OF YESTERDAY & TODAY I SEE SOMETHING IN COMMON WITH ALL OF THEM!
THEY’RE ALL “PRESENCE DRIVEN”!
In Exodus 33:14 We find thie this Presence Driven Moses saying...
“If Your (PRESENCE) does not go with us do not send us up
from this place. How will anyone know that you are pleased with
your people...unless you go with us. What else will distinguish
your people from all the other people...?”
FOLK, BEING “PRESENCE DRIVEN” IS WHAT WILL “CHANGE YOUR GET BY CHRISTIAN EXISTENCE” INTO SOMETHING “DRAMATIC!” IT IS WHAT WILL “CHANGE YOUR OUTLOOK” ON THE “CHURCH!” IT IS WHAT WILL “CHANGE YOUR WALK” WITH GOD! IT IS WHAT WILL “CHANGE YOUR TESTIMONY” IN THE WORLD YOU LIVE IN! IT WILL “BRING A DIFFERENCE ABOUT YOU” NO BODY WILL BE ABLE TO IGNORE!
Last week I said that as great as the “PURPOSES OF GOD” are without being “PRESENCE DRIVEN” they’re not as powerful as they could & should be!
I said the “PURPOSES” of God do not outweigh the “PRESENCE OF GOD”! The “PRESENCE OF GOD” will always supercede the “PURPOSES OF GOD”! For without the “PRESENCE OF GOD” the “PURPOSES OF GOD” WILL NOT HAVE THE PLACE IN YOUR LIFE THEY NEED TO HAVE!
The “PURPOSES OF GOD” will only find their “RIGHTFUL PLACE” once the “PRESENCE OF GOD” has the PREEMINENCE IN YOUR LIFE IT SHOULD HAVE!
YOU WILL NEVER BE THE “MAN or WOMAN” OF GOD YOU DESIRE OR MORE IMPORTANTLY GOD DESIRES W/OUT THE “PRESENCE OF GOD” IN YOUR LIFE THE WAY INTENDED!
I want to share with you today “SOME OF THE RESULTS” of the “PRESENCE OF GOD” in your life! What happens in the “PRESENCE OF GOD”! WHAT YOU FIND IN THE “PRESENCE OF GOD”!
Remember, “EVERYTHING” IS SECONDARY TO THE “PRESENCE OF GOD”! THE “PRESENCE OF GOD” IS THE “PRIMARY ISSUE” IN YOUR LIFE! FOR IN THE “PRESENCE OF GOD” EVERYTHING ELSE IS BIRTHED, ALL YOU NEED IS USHERED IN BY THE “PRESENCE OF GOD”!
THE “PRESENCE OF GOD” BRINGS DELIVERANCE!
In Matthew 8:29 two demon possessed men met Jesus. They recognized Him because they “RECOGNIZED & KNEW” & the “PRESENCE OF GOD”! They cried out to Him before He ever spoke to them. They said “Jesus, You Son of God! Have you come here to torment us before the time..”
Understand something, the “TIME” they were referring to was the “FINAL DAY OF JUDGEMENT”! But they also “RECOGNIZED & KNEW” the “PRESENCE OF GOD” was bringing “DELIVERANCE” to the man they tormented! They knew the “PRESENCE OF GOD” of was to STOP them at that moment as well as the final “DAY OF JUDGEMENT”! They knew they could not stand against the “PRESENCE OF GOD”!
Those demons knew it was over for them & there was nothing they could do! He granted them to be cast into the pigs & the pigs ran headlong in the water & died sending them back from whence they came & THE MAN WAS DELIVERED!
FOLK, AS THE CHILDREN OF GOD, WE CARRY THE VERY “PRESENCE OF GOD” IN OUR LIVES, OR WE’RE SUPPOSED TO!
MY BOYS HAVE MY “DNA”, THEREFORE, MY “PRESENCE” IS WITHIN THEM NO MATTER WHERE THEY GO! THEY’LL NEVER BE OUT OF THE INFLUENCE OF MY “DNA/PRESENCE” BUT HOW THEY “RESPOND” TO IT DETERMINES THE DRIVING FORCE IN THEIR LIVES!THEIR RESPONSE WILL DETERMINE THEIR DIRECTION! WITH GOD’S “DNA”, IN YOUR LIFE YOUR RESPONSE WILL DETERMINE YOUR DIRECTION!
FOLK, THE SAME THING APPLIES IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT THIS MINUTE! YOU HAVE THE VERY “DNA OF GOD” WITHIN YOU! YOU WERE “BORN AGAIN” NOT OF FLESH BUT OF “SPIRIT”, MAKING YOU “SONS & DAUGHTERS OF GOD”!
The terms “SONS & DAUGHTERS” indicate more than JUST AN ACQUAINTANCE but a “BLOOD RELATIONSHIP” a “DNA” if you will!
YOU CAN DENY IT OR IGNORE IT! ITS UP TO YOU!
BUT YOU CAN’T ESCAPE IT AS A CHILD OF GOD!
WE HAVE GOT TO GO BEYOND A “CASUAL EXPRESSION” OF FAMILY WITH GOD! WE HAVE GOT TO GO BEYOND A “NAMESAKE IDEA” OF CHRISTIANITY! FOLK, I’M CHALLENGING YOU TO A “NEW & DEEPER” WAY OF LIFE BEING “PRESENCE DRIVEN”!
WE HAVE TO GOT TO RECOGNIZE THE “PRESENCE OF GOD” IN A “NEW WAY & MANNER!” “A NEW WAY & MANNER” THAT CHANGES WHO WE HAVE ONLY “PARTLY BECOME” & BECOME WHO WE ARE “DESTINED TO BE” IN THE “DNA/PRESENCE OF GOD!”
WE HAVE GOT TO GO BEYOND A “CASUAL EXPERIENCE & RELATIONSHIP” WITH GOD! WE HAVE GOT TO GO TO THE PLACE WHERE THE VERY “PRESENCE OF GOD” IS SO EVIDENT IN OUR LIVES THAT WHEN WE WALK ON THE SCENE THE ENEMY WILL KNOW WE ARE & CRY OUT!
IF YOU’RE NOT “PRESENCE DRIVEN” THEN YOU’RE MORE “CASUAL” THAN YOU MAY LIKE TO ADMIT!
John 14:12 Jesus said...
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me,
THE WORKS I DO HE WILL DO ALSO...”
Folk, the “PRESENCE OF GOD” was with Jesus in the same fashion that should be in us! Jesus said it Himself in the scripture I just read! In essence Jesus was saying; “IF THE PRESENCE OF GOD IS IN YOU, YOU WILL DO WHAT I DO...” & then He went on to say, “EVEN GREATER THINGS SHALL YOU DO!”
IN ACTS 5:15 WE SEE IT IN THE LIFE OF PETER WHEN HIS VERY SHADOW HEALED PEOPLE! BECAUSE THE “PRESENCE OF GOD” WAS WITH HIM! HE WAS “PRESENCE DRIVEN”!
People recognized the “PRESENCE OF GOD” within his life!
IN ACTS 19:11SCRIPTURE SAYS THAT “GOD WORKED UNUSUAL MIRACLES BY THE HANDS OF PAUL...SO THAT HANDKERCHIEFS & APRONS WERE BROUGHT FROM HIS BODY TO THE SICK, & THE DISEASES LEFT THEM & EVIL SPIRITS DEPARTED OUT OF THEM.”
I HAVE TO ASK “WHY?” “WHY” AREN’T WE DOING THE THINGS HE SAID WE WOULD DO!
LETS LOOK AT WHAT HE “DID NOT” SAY! HE “DID NOT” SAY:
“IF YOU’RE AN ORDAINED MINISTER!”
OR “IF YOU’RE SPECIAL” OR “IF YOU’RE A PASTOR,
EVANGELIST OR MISSIONARY!”
THERE WAS NO DISTINCTION! LET’S LOOK AT WHAT HE “DID SAY” THAT WAS SO SIMPLE & PROFOUND! HE DID SAY...
“HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME...”
AGAIN! I HAVE TO ASK “WHY?” “WHY” AREN’T WE DOING THE THINGS HE SAID WE WOULD DO! IT’S BECAUSE WE ARE NOT WALKING IN THE “PRESENCE OF GOD” THE WAY INTENDED!
WHEN WE SEE THE MIGHTY “MIRACLES, HEALINGS & DELIVERANCES” IN THOSE EVANGELISTS, MISSIONARIES & PASTORS WHO MINISTER IN THOSE AREAS WE ENTER THE “WOW FACTOR” BECAUSE THEY HAVE “CONSCIOUSLY TAPPED” INTO THE “PRESENCE OF GOD” IN THE MANNER INTENDED!
THE “WOW FACTOR” SAYS, “I WISH I COULD!” I SAY TO YOU YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO! JESUS SAID “HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME...”
I KNOW IN MY HEART THAT EACH & EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS CHURCH COULD & NOT ONLY COULD BUT SHOULD TAP INTO THAT VERY “PRESENCE OF GOD” & WALK IN THE SAME POWER WE SEE A FEW OTHERS!
BUT WE HAVE TO SEEK THAT “PRESENCE OF GOD!” WE’VE GOT TO HAVE A WHOLE CHANGE OF THOUGHT! WE’VE GOT TO MAKE A CONSCIOUS DECISION TO ACTIVELY SEEK FOR THE “PRESENCE OF GOD!” DON’T JUST SAY THAT WAS A GOOD MESSAGE OR IDEA! DON’T WALK OUT OF THIS HOUSE & JUST CASUALLY THINK ABOUT IT!
When was the last time you knelt down & began to seek the “PRESENCE OF GOD?” No other agenda, nothing else, JUST THE “PRESENCE OF GOD?”
WE KNOW THAT WHAT COMES WITH THE “PRESENCE OF GOD” MAKES A “DISTINCTION” ABOUT US! THAT “DISTINCTION” THAT SHOWS WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD & THAT GOD IS PLEASED W/US!
How does that happen or come to be? It is SOLELY by the ABSOLUTE MANIFEST “PRESENCE OF GOD” ALMIGHTY! Do you think that can’t happen to you? DON’T BE DECEIVED! REMEMBER WHAT JESUS SAID...”
John 14:12 Jesus said...
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me,
THE WORKS I DO HE WILL DO ALSO...”
Folk, the indication of “...HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME...” indicates “...ANYONE who believes in Me...”
MOSES KNEW IT! WE MUST TAKE A LESSON FROM HIM WHEN HE SAID “IF YOUR PRESENCE DOES NOT GO WITH US....” . Folk, we need that same conviction in our very own lives! GOD, I REQUIRE YOUR PRESENCE!
Folk, have you required the “PRESENCE OF GOD” this past week? Have you sought & asked for the “PRESENCE OF GOD” in your life? Since last week, I’ve spoke about the “PRESENCE OF GOD” to almost everyone I’ve come in contact with! I’m currently seeking & “PRESENCE OF GOD” in my life more than I am seeking anything else!
I dare say this, “WE’RE NOT MOVING FROM THIS PLACE WITHOUT “HIS PRESENCE!” BUT WHEN WE DO GET THAT “PRESENCE OF GOD” IN THE WAY INTENDED THIS CHURCH, YOUR LIFE, YOUR HOMES WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!”
PRAY
