Finding God's Presence Lesson 2 Series

A. INTRODUCTION

“We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle (i.e., the worship center in the Old Testament) have no right to eat … therefore, let us go forth to Him (Jesus) outside the camp … let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:10, 13, 15).

1. Illustration of deer prints around the camping tent.

2. What was greatest lesson learned from 40 days of fasting and prayer?

3. The greatest benefit of prayer is not answers, but your relationship with God. Blind Bartimaeus yelled, “Jesus … have mercy on me” (Mark 10:48).

4. How, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).

5. A hungry baby cries, does he/she care about time, your schedule, place?

6. Prayer is not like going to a computer to see if your program is there.

7. When a deer is pursued by dogs, hunters, what does water do for it?

a. Make sure you pursue life’s necessities.

b. Water refreshes, gives new strength, and new life. “He who come to Me (Jesus) … shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

8. It is not what you get – what do you give God?

9. Tenney’s book The God Chaser, a preacher would not go to visit a member – chair too little for him.

B. WHAT DOES GOD WANT FROM YOU?

1. “You (God) are holy enthroned in the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:3). God comes to receive praise and worship.

2. Paul and Silas jailed, beaten, chained in shackles “At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praise to God” (Acts 16:25). How did God come to them? Suddenly and immediately.

3. What is result of worship? Captives freed (v. 26). If you are a prisoner of habits/sins – worship.

4. You must experience the heart of God in fellowship before you experience the hand of God in answered prayer.

5. My children met me at airport, “what did you bring me?” Best ever, “they came to meet me and brought me a pie.”

6. Man asks for hand in marriage, but he wanted all of her and she wanted him.

7. Two ways to know God. First in salvation, second in intimacy.

8. Daily. “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). How much must you give up? Money, time, energy, possessions, future, everything.

C. TEN PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES TO FIND GOD’S PRESENCE

1. When you are searching for God, He is searching for you.

2. Finding God is not a one-time blessing, it is a life-long passion.

3. When you really want to know God, you must search for Him with your intellect, emotion, will, every part of your life.

4. When you prepare a place of God, He will come to fill it.

5. The size of the place you prepare for God will determine how much of God you experience.

6. You must seek God for Himself, not what He does for you.

7. When you search for God and cannot find Him, He is not lost.

8. When you search for God and cannot find Him, the problem is with the one searching for Him.

9. Blind Bartimaeus cried out for Jesus with his whole heart, how sincerely have you searched for Him?

10. Paul and Silas cried out to God in spite of their shackles. What shackles keep you from worshiping Jesus?

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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