“his Presence—our Only Hope” Part 2 Series

Manifest Presence Series

“His Presence—Our Only Hope” Part 2

(Inspired by Don Nori Sr.’s Manifest Presence: You Can Live Within The Veil)

January 18, 2015 CFBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker

E Pencil Principles are traditions/methods that help in our understanding/response to the Lord at a given moment in time. (Not doctrine . . . but a principle.)

1 For example, I remember hearing sermons about the evils of dancing growing up. (I’ve never preached against dancing . . . not after watching “Footloose.”)

a Many churches get LCD projectors to display the words of songs and think hymn books are not of God. (Thank God for hymn books! They served a purpose for their season.)

aa Training Union/Discipleship Training was something many of us grew up on & now many modern Baptist churches have no idea what these are. (Not bad, wrong . . . they’re still churches even without these two.)

bb Sunday School is on Sunday (Cell Groups/Care Groups).

b There are some things that existed for the need of the moment and that moment may never come again.

2 There are “Pencil Principles” we follow in our worship/other areas of our lives that when the Manifest Presence of God comes, we erase them.

a When God comes we must be able to move, sway, and change rhythm as He sets the pace.

b When God comes to us, changes the order of things we should be able to whip out our erasers, remove our “pencil principles” and move with/in Him.

F We’re living in a time when nearly half of all Christians believe God is about to move upon His Church. (Huffington Post, go figure.)

1 Isaiah 60:1 (NASB) 1 "Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

a When the glory of the Lord arises in His church it will be visable; people will know that Lord is in our midst.

b People will come to the light!

Isaiah 60:2-3 (NKJV) 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.

2 The days of counterfeiting religion are about to come to a screeching halt . . . saying you believe something and yet live like you don’t are fast coming to a close.

a The only way we’ll be able to survive is to find the true living God, discover the true/living tabernacle (His Presence) and abide in Him.

b When that day comes it will not matter if you’re a church member, choir member, pastor, SS teacher, pew warmer, possessor of great talent . . . . only God can help, give shelter & strength.

3 We won’t just believe in miracles/power of God . . . we’ll need them/Him to live from moment to moment.

a Our only hope for revival/restoration is a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, for God to establish His glory among His people.

b God is moving forward with His plan as scheduled irregardless of what the world thinks, says, believes.

aa I’ve learned God isn’t happy when we get in a rut, stay in the same place too long. (IL. Dr. Croft, 20 year teacher with one year experience.)

bb We’ve always done it that way and we’ll do it that way Sunday and next Sunday and next Sunday.

c He comes in and changes things around . . . because He is the One who wants to make the decision; He is the One who chooses.

aa When His glory rises in the Church, there will be a people who will simply respond by saying, “Yes, Lord! Whatever you want to do. We’re with you.”

bb They won’t be bound by traditions, pet doctrines, pencil principles.

G The people God is raising up will know the difference between their traditions and the Will of God. (Denomination/Revelation, Not captive to Baptist/Charismatic Stream . . . they’ll flow & go where the Lord leads.)

1 The prophet Isaiah said the nations will run to the light.

a This will be a happening, occurrence in the last day church.

b His Glory will arise, abide upon the Church.

Isaiah 60:3 (NASB) 3 "Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.

2 God wants to light up your life (& this church) with His Presence.

a Isaiah 62:1 (NASB) 1 For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, And for Jerusalem's sake I will not keep quiet, Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, And her salvation like a torch that is burning.

Psalm 132:13-17 (NASB) 13 For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. 14 "This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. 15 "I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her needy with bread. 16 "Her priests also I will clothe with salvation, And her godly ones will sing aloud for joy. 17 "There I will cause the horn of David to spring forth; I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed.