Draw Near To God
Scripture Reading: Exodus 19:1-19; 20:18-21
Scripture Text: James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
Introduction:
There is a great need for the church to draw near to the Lord. Matthew 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Christ is looking for a people who long to be near Him and will do all that is necessary to bring
this close fellowship to pass. Our Heavenly Father desires a close relationship with His children.
I. When We Draw Near to God, Good Things Will Happen.
A. Israel was blessed with the Ten Commandments and the Law of God (text).
B. Abraham was blessed.
1. Isaac was born in his old age.
2. He became the Father of Nations.
3. He received a promise from the Lord that through him all nations would be blessed.
C. Jacob received a new name (Israel).
1. No longer Jacob the supplanter, but now Israel, “wrestler with God”.
D. Daniel drew near to the Lord and received deliverance from the lions.
E. Moses received directions for service.
F. David received forgiveness of his sins after drawing near to the Lord in repentance.
G. The Early Church drew near to the Lord and received the Holy Spirit baptism.
1. Power for ministry.
2. Gifts for ministry.
H. When the church of today draws near to the Lord, we, too, will receive blessings from Him.
II. Some (like Peter) Are Following Christ “Afar Off”.
A. They do not want to be cut off completely from the fellowship of Christ, but they are not willing to follow Him close enough to run the risk of suffering persecution for His sake.
Philip. 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
B. We need an attitude like that of the Apostle Paul.
Philip. 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
C. Christians should regularly take an “Intimacy Inventory”.
III. Revival Only Comes When We Draw Near To Christ.
A. Never when we worship at a distance.
1. Unwilling to suffer for Him.
2. Unwilling to make a real commitment to Christ.
Psalm 73:27-28 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. [28] But it is good for me to draw near to God:
IV. The Blessings of Drawing Near to God.
Psalm 63:1-11 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; [2] To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. [3] Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. [4] Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. [5] My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: [6] When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. [7] Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. [8] My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. [9] But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. [10] They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. [11] But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
IV. How To Draw Near To God.
A. Through Jesus Christ, the only Way to salvation.
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Ephes. 2:13 [GW] But now through Christ Jesus you, who were once far away, have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
B. Through prayer.
Psalm 145:18 [GW] The Lord is near to everyone who prays to him, to every faithful person who prays to him.
C. Through holiness of life.
Psalm 24:3-5 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? [4] He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. [5] He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
The Full Life Study Bible: (pg. 1934) -To be holy is to be separated from sin and set apart for God; it is to be close to God, to be like Him, and to seek His Presence, righteousness and fellowhsip with all our hearts. Above all things, holiness is God’s priority for His followers.
Ephes. 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; [23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; [24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
1) Holiness was God’s purpose for His people when He planned their salvation in Christ.
Ephes. 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
2) Holiness was Christ’s purpose for His people when He came to this earth.
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
3) Holiness was Christ’s purpose for His people when He gave Himself for them on the cross.
Ephes. 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church,and gave himself for it; [26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, [27] That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not
having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
4) Without holiness there is no nearness to or fellowship with God.
Psalm 15:1-5 [Living] Lord, who may go and find refuge and shelter in your tabernacle up on your holy hill? [2] Anyone who leads a blameless life and is truly sincere. [3] Anyone who refuses to slander others, does not listen to gossip, never harms his neighbor, [4] speaks out against sin, criticizes those committing it, commends the faithful followers of the Lord, keeps a promise even if it ruins him, [5]
does not crush his debtors with high interest rates, and refuses to testify against the innocent despite the bribes offered him--such a man shall stand firm forever.
D. Through Faith.
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: [2] By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
E. Through the Holy Spirit.
Ephes. 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
The Full Life Study Bible: (pg.1827) - Access to God the Father is through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. “Access” means that we who have faith in Christ have the freedom and right to approach our Heavenly Father with confidence that we will be accepted, loved and welcomed.
1) This access is gained through Christ -- His shed blood on the cross and His heavenly intercession for all who come to Him.
2) Access to God requires the Holy Spirit’s help. The Spirit’s indwelling power makes it possible to pray and call on God according to His will and purpose.”
Conclusion: Let us draw near to Christ that we may experience His love and power!!
