3 Hinderances To God’s Presence (In America) Series

THREE HINDERANCES TO GOD’S PRESENCE:

Hebrew 9:1-5

CONTENTMENT IS THE GREATEST ENEMY TO TRUE CHRISTIANITY.

-I’ve looked around me and noticed a vast trend which has been spoiling myself and

various others within the church in America. Instead of pressing in to a greater depth of

walk with Christ we have become content with the place where we find ourselves.

Instead of striving for the pinnacle of the mountain we have become satisfied with the

ground view. Instead of looking for the inner-sanctuary of the temple we have become

CONTENTED with the outer-gates.

What hinders us from pushing in?

-The OT has an amazing example which signifies that deepest walk with the Lord- the

inner-sanctuary. It’s a representation of God’s covenant, of heaven itself, and of the

glorious presence of the Holy Spirit which comes with a deep walk with Christ.

** FROM: Just a closer walk with thee, grant it Jesus it’s my plea.

TO: Just a quicker walk with thee, footballs waiting on my tv.

What hinderances would keep people out of the inner-sanctuary of the temple?

Various but I want to focus on three found in the OT example of inner-sanctuary.

UNHOLY LIVING:

1- When Adam & Eve fell they could no longer eat of the tree of life. God sent two

cherubim to guard the tree and assure they could no longer eat of it. Two

cherubim standing wing to wing in inner-sanctuary and two were embroidered

onto the veil which separated the Holy of Holies (inner sanctuary). (vs. 5)

2- The high priest could not enter until he had been completely purified. Be ye holy..

3- You cannot earn your way into heaven or into God’s presence, but by the blood of

Jesus we have been made holy and acceptable to enter in. By our continual

repentance and continual cleansing by Christ’s blood we maintain our purity.

NOT UNDERSTANDING THEIR STANDING:

1- Only the priests could enter in to the holy of holies in the OT and that only with

blood (vs. 7) Unfortunately many do not understand their role as believers or

their standing as children of God and this impedes them. WE’VE BEEN GIVEN

FULL ACCESS, THE CURTAIN IS TORN!!

2- How many here are in full-time ministry? That’s the problem! You don’t look at

yourself as full-time ministers, but Jesus Himself called us priests.

3- When/how we began. Not as preachers or pastors- as lay people working fulltime

in secular employ.

4- We live in a day of superstar Christianity and that is not Biblical. The goons on

TBN have NO special anointing, position, or financial blessing on their lives.

Jesus Christ leveled the playing field and Christianity is a sport for ALL, it is not

a spectator sport- everyone is meant to participate!! (Hebrews 10:19-22)

THE WRONG DIET:

1- What could diet possibly have to do with the Holy of Holies (vs 10)

2- Malachi 1:7 WE ARE OFFERING DEFILED FOOD on Christian radio, in

Christian books, on Christian tv. We have substituted the nutritient filled diet of

God’s HOLY WORD for fast food!

I had a revelation while eating a fastfood hamburger. NO REALLY! I ate it and was full

for about 10 minutes then got hungry again. Within moments I realized that I had taken

in an ounce of nutrition mixed in with about 2 pounds of garbage. It tasted good and

came at a very low cost but if I ate it on a daily basis I’d be dead within years.

=>> Anyone ever see the documentary “SUPERSIZE ME”? Explain it a bit.

We are no different in the church. We have become content with a diet of fast food, but

God wants to satisfy us with a 12 course meal of approved food! We are offering up

defiled food from our pulpits and in our homes! Sure, it tastes good, sure it comes at a

low cost, sure it’s convenient and easy to get ahold of- BUT IT’S NOT NUTRITIOUS

and IT’S NOT GOING TO TRULY FILL YOU.

The number one reason we do not go deeper with Jesus is because we have become

content with doctrine, content with emotion, content with the newest and most exciting

teachings AND WE HAVE NOT BECOME CONTENT WITH JESUS HIMSELF!

The only thing that should ever satisfy our spiritual appetite is more of Jesus Christ.

Don’t be satisfied in the outer-courts.

Don’t be satisfied with undefiled living and right standing.

Only become satisfied once you’ve wound through the three foot deep maze of curtains,

walked into the presence of the Holy of Holies and stood in the very presence of Christ

himself.

He is our all-sufficiency and should be our only satisfaction!!

Let’s determine today to:

1- Live holy, for He is holy!

2- Recognize that in Him we are more than conquerers and priests called to do