Let It Pour In 2004
Thesis: We need to pray to the Lord to let it pour in 2004. Then we need to expect more of His presence, His oracles, His understanding and His revelations. When He pours out more of His presence in our lives then His oracles come alive with divine understanding which then in turn brings forth divine revelations that help us to know him better and serve him better.
Opening Illustration: Video Clip of Let it Rain song from Michael W. Smith’s video Worship.
This is what we are praying for in 2004. In this video I feel more of His presence when they sing this song. It always opens my heart toward God. I listen to this CD pretty much every time I work out at the gym and every time I get to this point in the CD I feel a surge of the presence of the Lord. It inspires me and always moves me closer to the heartbeat of the Lord.
Michael says, “Let it rain Lord, open the floodgates of Heaven, this is our prayer!” This is my prayer for you in 2004. I sincerely am praying for the Lord to open the floodgates of Heaven into your hearts and lives. Why? Because I know if this happens it will change renew you and transform you.
Did you observe the people in this worship service and see how they are pouring out themselves to the Lord and praying for more of Him and His presence?
Scripture Text: Psalm 62:8:
“Trust in him at all times, O People; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Truth is if we pour out our hearts to the Lord like the ones in this worship moment did then He will pour out His heart to us and it will transform our lives.
Action point for New Life Community Church:
We need to pray and ask the Lord to POUR out more of Him into our lives! Let’s pray these words together: “Lord I pray that you would let it rain into my life and open the floodgates of Heaven so that I may experience more of you in 2004.”
When I get more of his presence in my life and I open my heart to his oracles and teachings then understanding starts flowing to me along with divine revelations from Him and I get to know Him better and I learn how to serve Him better.
God has promised us that in the last days He would POUR out more of Himself to us. Listen to these two Bible texts:
Scripture reference:
Joel 2:28-32:
28“And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
30 I will show wonders in the heavens
and on the earth,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
31 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
32 And everyone who calls
on the name of the LORD will be saved;
for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be deliverance,
as the LORD has said,
among the survivors
whom the LORD calls.
Acts 2:14-21:
14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Introduction:
The key to receiving more in 2004 comes from praying to the Lord to pour out more of Spirit to us 2004. It’s all about His presence – His Oracles to us- His understanding flooding into our hearts and His divine revelations being unveiled to our minds. If we want more in 2004 then we must open our lives and hearts to these 4 dimensions of God. How many here believe that we need the Lord to POUR out more in 2004?
More of His:
P-Presence
O-Oracles
U-Understanding
R-Revelations
I honestly believe that the Lord wants to do more at New Life Community Church and for that to happen we have to1st of all pour our hearts to Him. Then stand back and watch God pour out Himself to us.
Henry Blackaby in his book Experiencing God (Which is the best book I have ever read and suggest if you have not read it to read it)says, “John 17:3: This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. Jesus said that eternal life is knowing God, including God the Son-Jesus Christ. Jesus did not mean that eternal life is knowing about God. In the Scriptures knowledge of God comes through experience. We come to know God as we experience Him in and around our lives. You will never be satisfied just to know about God. Really knowing God only comes through experience as He reveals Himself to you. Throughout the Bible God took the initiative to reveal Himself to people by experience, Frequently when God revealed Himself to a person, that person gave God a new name or described Him in a new way. For the Hebrew, a person’s name represented his character or described his nature. This is why we frequently see new names or titles used for God following an event where a Bible character experienced God. To know God by name required a personal experience of His presence” (5).
If this were my last sermon to New Life Community Church and I went to be with the Lord tomorrow I would be glad that this message was preached but I would pray that it would repeatedly impact your hearts and minds as the Lord kept bringing it back to your remembrance. Why? Listen! This is the greatest life changing truth you could ever hear and internalize. The promise of the Word of God is: “IF you chose to pour out your hearts to Jesus then He will pour out his heart to you and it will radically change and transform your life for all eternity.”
This is not an empty promise but a promise backed up by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. So my prayer for the New Year is that God will POUR out MORE in 2004. More of His Presence in your life and my life, More of His oracles into your heart and my heart, more of His understanding into your mind and my mind, More of His divine revelations into your lives and my life.
Let us now look at these 4 essential ingredients to get More in 2004 from the Lord.
1. We need the Lord to pour out more of his Presence in 2004.
a. Psalm 89:14-18:
14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.15Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.16They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness.17For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn.18Indeed, our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel.
b. When we pray for more of his presence and God sends it to us we will be changed.
i. In his presence there is holiness and when we experience his holiness we understand how unworthy we are.
1. Isaiah demonstrates what happened when he was in the presence of the Lord in Isa. 6:1-9: 1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” 6Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
2. When you find yourself in the Presence of God you discover how unworthy you are. How unholy you are.
3. Isaiah said, “Woe to me…I am unclean…and I have seen the Lord!” Then God sends an angel who purifies Isaiah and forgives him of his sin.
a. Notice this whole experience changed Isaiah!
b. He was in God’s Presence and he discovered his unholy condition and God showed him mercy and forgiveness.
c. This act of God touched Isaiah so much that when God wanted to send someone to the people Isaiah said, “Send Me!”
d. You see when you find yourself in God’s presence then you see your true self in comparison to He that is perfectly holy and it will affect you.
i. You will repent and God will send His purifying fire into your life and that moment of grace will change the direction of your life.
ii. Whenever someone has that personal encounter with the Lord that individual is willing to do what God wants. They say Lord “Yes me” and “No not me!”
ii. In His presence there is love and when we experience our unworthiness he pours out his love. Just like he did with Isaiah.
1. Romans 5:5:And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
iii. In His presence is the breath of life.
1. When you are in God’s presence you experience the breath of life and it energizes you.
a. You get to take a deep breath of His heavenly air and it is filled with His presence.
b. You breathe and wow what a rush into your lungs and spirit.
c. That holy presence surges into you spirit and soul and you feel revitalized-refreshed.
iv. In his presence is eternal light
1. When you are in the presence of the Lord all the darkness is pushed away and you experience a light that shines so bright that it helps you see things clearly.
a. It’s like the blinders have been removed and you really see!
v. In His presence is righteousness
1. Righteousness surrounds the presence of God.
2. Righteousness is a must to be in his presence and that righteousness only comes from Jesus.
vi. In His presence is justice
1. When you are in the presence of God justice always prevails. His presence always deals with people fairly and just. He is never unfair or unjust!
vii. In His presence is faithfulness
1. His faithfulness floods our hearts and minds and we know that truly he will never leave us or forsake us.
c. When we find ourselves in His presence there is always a life changing moment.
i. Exodus 33:12-23: 12Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” 14The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. 15Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” 17And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” 18Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” 19And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” 21Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”
d. Since we have prayed for the Lord to Pour out more in 2004 lets do the next part of the Worship Video. Watch what happens next in this service. They asked for more of the Lord and now watch as God’s presence shows up in this service.
i. Video Clip from Worship continued play the worship time when they sing – Holy – Worthy is the Lamb! – You are Holy Lord God Almighty!
1. Do you feel His presence?
2. Let it soak into your life!
3. Worship Him He’s here!
4. I cannot teach you this you have to experience Him for yourself!
T.S. – Listen to me we must experience more of God’s presence in 2004 and when we do the next spiritual moment occurs when God speaks to us personally and intimately.
2. We need the Lord to pour more of His oracles to us in 2004 so that we can be spiritually transformed by knowing Him and His ways better.
a. His oracles, his teachings always bring forth direction into our personal life.
i. Holman Dictionary: Says ORACLES are communications from God. The term refers both to divine responses to a question asked of God and to pronouncements made by God without His being asked. In one sense, oracles were prophecies since they often referred to the future; but oracles sometimes dealt with decisions to be made in the present. Usually, in the Bible the communication was from Yahweh, the God of Israel….Although the word oracle is not very frequent in the Old Testament, oracles were common in that period….Moreover, in the KJV the English word oracle is used to refer to the holy of holies in the Temple. Concordance study shows the following meaning and use of “oracle.” Sometimes “oracle” refers to the whole of a prophetic book (Mal. 1:1 NRSV) or a major portion of one (Hab. 1:1 NRSV). In Isaiah, several smaller prophecies of judgment or punishment are called “oracles” (13:1 NRSV; 14:28 NRSV). The NRSV also entitles Zechariah 9 and 12 “An Oracle.” Specific sayings about God’s judgment on Joram (2 Kings 9:25 NRSV) and Joash (2 Chron. 24:27 NRSV) are also called oracles. Other examples, although the word oracle is not used, include Elijah’s word to Ahab (1 Kings 21:17-19) and Elisha’s word to Jehoram (2 Kings 3:13-20). On the basis of these kinds of usages, many Bible students understand oracles to be divine words of punishment or judgment. However, Balaam’s oracle (Num. 24:3-9) is a blessing. Also references to Ahithophel’s counsel (2 Sam. 16:23) and to oracles in Jerusalem which were pleasing but false (Lam. 2:14) show us that prophetic pronouncements were not always negative. The New Testament does not reflect quite the same use of oracles or the word oracle as does the Old. The early church did have prophets like Agabus (Acts 21:10-11), who expressed God’s word regarding what was to come. The word oracles in the New Testament most often refers to the teachings of God in the Old Testament (Acts 7:38; Rom 3:2). It may refer to Christian teachings, too (Heb 5:12).
ii. Once God’s presence shows up in our lives by us inviting Him to POUR out more to us He will also speak to us.
1. It could be a corrective word.
2. It could be a directive word.
3. Or it could be a word of encouragement.
4. But either way we need to listen to it and respond to it.
5. To better understand why God speaks to us through oracles lets look at why oracles were given in the past. Holman Bible Dictionary gives good insight into how oracles were given and how the people responded to them:
a. Why Were Oracles Given? We must distinguish between oracles that were sought and those that came without any request. The first kind might be called “decision oracles.” The second kind will be referred to as “pronouncement oracles.” Decision oracles came when people asked God a question or sought His counsel. For example, David needed to know the right time to attack the Philistines. So he asked God. The answers he received were oracles (2 Sam. 5:19, 23-24). Saul, the first king of Israel, was chosen through an oracle (1 Sam. 10:20-24). In that case, the communication from God was through the casting of lots. The falling of the lots was considered an oracle from God. Decision oracles, then, were God’s response to questions and concerns in the present. They did not condemn sin or predict the future in any specific sense. Pronouncement oracles were God’s word to a situation or a person even though no word (from God had been sought. (But, see comments below on Balaam’s oracle.) The pronouncement oracles were sometimes brief as when Elijah foretold a drought in Israel (1 Kings 17:1). The message could be long; thus the whole Book of Malachi is a pronouncement oracle. This kind of oracle usually told what was going to happen. It also frequently condemned sin. It expressed God’s view of present acts or circumstances. In that sense, many of the prophecies in the Old Testament were pronouncement oracles. Because they were God’s word, these pronouncements were true, even though they could be changed as in the case of Jonah’s pronouncement over Nineveh (Jonah 3:4-9). Pronouncement oracles were given to produce an effect. People were to hear and to change their ways….God cared for the other nations even though they cared little for Him. God’s expression of concern by pronouncing judgment (or salvation as in Isa. 19:19-22) was intended to remind Israel of her mission to share God with others. At least, these words reminded the hearers of God’s international, even universal, power and expectations. Balaam’s oracle (Num. 24) is a special case. Balak sought a pronouncement through the prophet Balaam. Balak’s intention was to curse or to pronounce judgment on the Israelites. God did not allow this but gave Balaam an oracle of blessing to pronounce. Balaam’s oracle, then, was positive and sought—a positive pronouncement oracle. The seeking of a pronouncement like this may have been more common than we know. Oracles came either in response to human questions or when God wished to make His views known to produce a change.
b. How Did People Respond to the Oracles? Again, a distinction should be made between the decision and the pronouncement oracles. Those who were seeking God’s help or counsel in a decision-making process undoubtedly acted on what they learned. Others, who heard oracles they had neither sought nor welcomed, may not have been as quick to accept the pronouncement (consider Elijah’s words to Ahab, 1 Kings 21:20-24). Most often the response of those who heard or read the oracles of God can be guessed at. Two points should be recognized. First, oracles were remembered long after their pronouncement. When Jehu killed Joram (2 Kings 9:25), he had the body taken to Naboth’s vineyard in order that an oracle pronounced in Ahab’s day might be fulfilled. Second, though we do not know the response of the original hearers, God’s pronouncements are still being read and are producing change in people in our day. Thus, the oracles are still functioning. See Inspiration; Priest; Prophet; Spirit. Albert Bean
b. Exodus 33:13 states, “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”
i. The Oracles of God always teach us more about God’s desires.
ii. They always lead us to a closer relationship with the Lord if we obey His oracles
c. Psalm 32:8: 8I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. 9Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. 10Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’S unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.11Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
i. His oracles and teachings will always instruct us on which way to go.
ii. His oracles and teachings will counsel us in our life.
1. It will show us what to do
2. It will show us how to do it
3. It will show us why I should do it
4. It will show us what to expect
d. Psalm 143:10: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”
i. His oracles will always teach us His will for a given situation.
ii. His oracles will keep us on level ground.
e. John 14:23, 24: 23Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
i. His oracles and teachings will always lead us home to him.
ii. Do you know that if you follow God’s way you will discover that place you have always longing for home sweet home.
f. Play Michael W. Smith Worship CD track 7 “Breathe”: Listen and hear God is speaking to you about what He wants you to do with your life in 2004.
i. Open your hearts and listen- I believe He is going to speak with to you.
T.S. – We are now going to move into the next phase of our message today and that has to do with understanding. I believe God has spoken to some of you today and now comes another important point you must understand.
3. We need the Lord to pour more of His understanding to us in 2004 so that we can know Him and his ways better.
a. Psalm 119:97-104: 97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.99I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.100I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.101I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. 102 I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
i. Understanding of God’s word will make us wiser and makes us want to shun the path of evil.
ii. Meditating on God like we are doing today will give us understanding.
b. Proverbs 3:5: 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.7Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
i. Understanding of God’s word will make our path straight.
ii. Understanding of God’s oracles will bring health to out bodies.
c. Proverbs 4:1-9:1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.2I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.3When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and an only child of my mother,4he taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.7Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. 9 She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.”
i. Understanding brings wisdom and wisdom is supreme.
ii. Understanding leads us closer to God and further from evil.
iii. Understanding leads us into a closer intimate relationship with the Lord.
T.S.- When God’s presence is around us then we hear his oracles to us and along with those oracles comes divine understanding and this all leads to a supernatural revelation of Jesus Christ.
4. We need the Lord to pour more of His revelations to us in 2004 so that we can know him better.
a. Holman Bible Dictionary: REVELATION OF GOD The content and process of God’s making Himself known to people. All knowledge of God comes by way of revelation. Human knowledge of God is revealed knowledge since God, and He alone, gives it. He bridges the gap between Himself and His creatures, disclosing Himself and His will to them. By God alone can God be known. Modern thought often questions the possibility and/or reality of revelation. Biblical faith affirms revelation is real because the personal Creator God has chosen to let His human creatures know Him. The question remains, “How can a person know God.” The Bible appears to distinguish two ways of knowing God, general and special revelation. Biblical emphasis points to Jesus Christ as God’s final revelation. God has provided ongoing generations of believers a source of knowledge about Himself and His Son. That source is the Bible.
b. Easton’s Bible Dictionary on Revelation: An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Heb. 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF GOD.) The Scriptures are not merely the “record” of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate preservation and propagation of the truth. Revelation and inspiration differ. Revelation is the supernatural communication of truth to the mind; inspiration (q.v.) secures to the teacher or writer infallibility in communicating that truth to others. It renders its subject the spokesman or prophet of God in such a sense that everything he asserts to be true, whether fact or doctrine or moral principle, is true, infallibly true (Easton’s Dictionary).
c. Ephesians 1:17-19: 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
i. Revelation is supernatural unveilings about the Lord Jesus Christ and his kingdom.
ii. These divine revelations will reveal and enlighten us to who we are in Jesus and what Jesus wants us to do for Him..
d. Nothing in life is more exciting and rewarding than the sudden flash of insight that leaves you a changed person--not only changed, but for the better. --Arthur Gordon
Conclusion:
Play video segment when Michael W. Smith plays “God Is An Awesome God” and concludes this section talking about the presence of the Lord and the truth that He is coming back.
Summary: The key to receiving more in 2004 comes from praying to the Lord to pour out more of him to us 2004. It’s all about His presence – His Oracles to us- His understanding flooding into our hearts and His divine revelations being unveiled to our minds and hearts.
Lord Pour out more in 2004!
More of His:
P-Presence
O-Oracles
U-Understanding
R-Revelations
We need to pray to the Lord to let it pour in 2004. Then we need to expect more of His presence, His oracles, His understanding and His revelations. When He pours out more of His presence into our lives then His oracles come alive with divine understanding which then in turn bring forth divine revelations that help us to know him better and serve him better..
Conclude with track 8 from Michael W. Smith Worship CD. Let It Rain!
