God has always wanted a relationship with humanity. If we look from the beginning of our faith history, from the account of creation to the very end of the scriptures, in Revelation, it becomes apparent that God desires to have his dwelling with us. This is the story of the tabernacle, this is the story of the Solomon's Temple, this is the story of the Second Temple, this is the story of the Synagogue, this is the story of Jesus Christ, and it is the story of the Church. God wanting to be in a relationship with you and I, and with the whole of humanity beyond these walls. This brothers and sisters is the reason Jesus was born, lived, taught, died and rose again. So, that we, all of humanity, can know that we are loved by our God.
Prayer
A. There are times that we shy away from God. Times when we are scared, ashamed, or just overwhelmed by think we know of God. Much of this though, is really about our misconceptions of God.
1. The Story from the Gospel of Matthew is really illustrative of this very real problem.
A. Jesus crossed over the Sea of Galilee or Tiberius if you wish to the Decapolis region, on the east side of the sea, and here Jesus encounters two men possessed by demons.
1. Jesus, at the request of the demons, sends them out to a herd of pigs.
2. Two men returned to their families and friends, freed from their own torment, and pain
A. You'd think that the people of Gadarenes would have rejoiced about this turn of events.
B. You'd think that their family, friends, relatives, business associates and neighbors would have rejoiced at this news.
3. But rather they were scared, terrified, and fearful.
A. Their friends had been returned to them, their fathers, brothers, husbands, cousins and yet, they feared
B. Perhaps it was because they lost their herd pigs, no doubt a large investment of the community, but still their friends had come back to them, those who had been dead were alive again.
B. What happened, here? It may be hard to say, but what we know is that they had encountered the living God. And they became fearful. Why?
1. Perhaps they encountered the Holy God, and were faced with their sinfulness
2. Maybe they saw power, and it overwhelmed them
3. It could be that they felt inadequate to be God's presence
4. Some may simply have not realized what had happened
2. It seems to me that this too could be our story today.
A. At times we too become embarrassed when we, sinful people face holy God
1. Our response to sinfulness, is always repentance and confession
2. In 1 John we are told that if we confess our sin, God is faithful and Just and will forgive us our sin
3. So, this does not need to be a fear for us, so we can approach our God without fear
B. Maybe we too are scared of the uncontrollable power of God
1. At times we become scared because we cannot control God
2. Considering the way that pray, we often try to control God, but we cannot
3. What we really need to do is to come to trust our God
C. It could be that we just feel inadequate
1. I've heard people say, I've just sinned to much, and there is no way that God can forgive me.
2. I don't feel worthy
3. God's love is given not, because we are worthy, but because God loves us
A. This is never something we earn, something we buy, something we work for B. But, God's love and forgiveness is what God gives to us freely
D. Others have simply just not realized what has happened
1. Brothers and sisters, it is important for you and I to open our eyes and see just what has happened
2. God has come close!
II. God has freed us to have a relationship with him, and this has always been the agenda that God has been pursuing. .
A. If we look at the Revelation of John, we receive a very powerful picture of consummation of this relationship that God is calling us to.
1. John wrote, 1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared s a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
A. As we look at this imagery, this is what God is preparing for us, this is the dream that God is holding out for us to see, to taste to feel and to participate in, if only we will.
B. John is like a travel agent showing us where God wants to take us, if we are willing to go.
2. John continues this picture tour in these words, 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
A. God tells us, that in this vision, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them....
1. That in the realization of this vision of the future, there will no longer be any separation between God and humanity
2. Not only is the promise given for the end of all separation,
3. But that death will be done away with, and justice, righteousness and peace will be the norm, not a long away dream that will never berealized.
B. We have been freed to see, hope for and enjoy this vision
B. So, what shall we do?
III. In the text from Deuteronomy we are challenged with our tendency to wander from where we ought to be.
A. Barron, our dog, knows where he's allowed to go and do what he does.
However, he also knows where he is not allowed to go, but if Pat or I do not keep an eye on him, he will wander off.
1. I know that when Pat and I our out shopping, we at times pick a place to met after so long, but, if I get there early, or Pat is just a little late, I have a tendency to go look at things that I find interesting.
2. But, this is really our tendency as humans though isn't it
B. When we get comfortable, bored, tired, or otherwise cease to be entertained,
we as humans, have a tendency to wander off.
1. This text from Deuteronomy really speaks to this
A. God does not want to loose his people
B. God does not want our relationships to drift off in
nothingness
2. God is seeking us, speaking to us, calling us to deeper relationships
C. You see the only reason we will become comfortable, bored, tired or
distracted, is because e have stopped deepening our relationship with God
1. God never moves away from us, it is always we who move away from God
2. So, brothers and sisters, we have seen the vision, the vision of the future of God's dwelling with humanity.
1. We have been freed from bondage to sin
2. We have been given a relationship with our God
3. So, what shall we who have been freed do?
