Text: 2 Samuel 6
Intro: The Most exciting place in the world is the presence of the almighty God. In 1 Samuel chapter six we find that the Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant from the children of Israel. The Ark is symbolic of the presence of God with Israel. Jesus is God with us. The devil is out to steal away our relationship with Jesus just like the Philistines stole away the Ark from the Israelites. He has stolen revival. He has stolen our joy, peace and happiness. But, all of these can be replaced by getting back into the presence of God.
Verse 1: David was a man after God’s own heart. He prayed and wrote songs about the Lord and to the Lord. He desired to dwell in the presence of the Lord. The Ark was left at Abinadab’s house for over 20 years. No body seemed to notice it was missing. They went through the motions of praise and worship but without experiencing the presence of God. King Saul didn’t even seem concerned about God’s presence being missing. But David gathered all the choice men of Israel together to bring back the presence of God.
Verse 3-5: They set it on a new cart. No artificial means will return us to His presence. We must into His presence his way. Good music, the right utensils, none of these things will return His presence.
Verse 6 -10 Nachon=prepared Uzzah=strength
It is one thing to be around the presence of God. It is another to walk and hold onto the presence of God. In order to do that something has to die.
Verse 11: Where the presence of God is there is blessing Obed-Edom and all that belonged to Him was blessed. We should focus less on our religiosity and more on dwelling in His presence. Go to I Chronicles 15.
Verse 1 David prepared a place for the presence of God. We are the temple of the Holy Ghost, we must prepare a dwelling place for Him. David studied the word of God and learned how to bring back the presence. We must spend more time in his word in order to dwell in His presence.
Verse 12-15 David called on the people to sanctify themselves. They returned the Ark the way God’s word said to. Go to 2 Samuel 6:13
Verse 13 We must sanctify our steps in order to walk in the presence of God.
Verse 14 Freedom and Joy is restored to our spiritual lives . Our dance is restored. The worst place in the universe is away from the presence of God. There is a hell and men do go there.
Verse 15-16 Some may despise you. Some may ridicule you. Women who won’t dance, can’t have babies. Where there is freedom in the Holy Ghost, new Christians are born.
