Unwrapping The Presence

1. Francis Chan in his book “Letters to the Church,” tells about a conversation he had with his daughter about her birthday party:

I asked my daughter how many kids would come to her birthday party if all we offered was cake. No games, no entertainment. They could come to the house to spend time with her and bring gifts to celebrate her, but we wouldn’t have anything else for them. She thought for a minute and said, “Maybe just a couple.” Then I asked her how many would come if I rented out Dave & Buster’s and let them have unlimited tokens, food and prizes. She laughed and said confidently that the whole school would show up.

So let’s say that for her birthday party I rent out the arcade and her whole school comes. They’re all going nuts, having the time of their lives. Imagine if I pulled her aside during the party, put my arm around her, and said, “Look at all the people who came to be with you!” Would she actually believe those people were there because they love her and want to spend time with her? Or would my comment actually be insulting?

Isn’t this basically what we do with God? We have learned that we can fill church buildings if we bring in the right speaker or band. Make things exciting enough and people will come. We say “God, look how many people are coming because they love being with You!” But do we really think God is fooled by this? Do we think God is pleased? He knows how many would show up if it was just Him. He knows there might be only a few if all we offered was Communion or prayer.

TRUTH: If GOD is the only attraction, fewer will show up.

2. A Few verses on the Presence

Exodus 13.21-22

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

Exodus 33.14-15

14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.

Psalm 51.11

Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

3. The Puritans knew God was always present but wanted His “Manifest Presence.”

4. What happens when the Presence of God is experienced?

5. Do we really want the Presence? In unwrapping the Presence we find:

I. The Presence of God is Awesome and Overwhelming

A. Reactions to the Presence

1. John – Revelation 1.17-18

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

2. Adam and Eve in Garden (post-sin) – Hiding

3. Solomon and Israel at the dedication of the Temple 2 Chronicles 7.1-3

As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD's house. 3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

4. Isaiah 6.1-7

B. The Question – Do I want that Presence?

1. Pretty content going my own way and making my own decisions

2. It seems we truly want the Presence of God when we run out of options.

II. The Presence of God is Consuming

A. The Presence of God is Addictive – we want more and more. [Joshua at the Tent of Meeting; the Disciples at the Mount of Transfiguration; David

B. God and Fire

1. Fire Can be destructive – California Fires

2. Fire Can be constructive – Heat and light

Deuteronomy 4.11-12

11 And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, cloud, and gloom. 12 Then the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of words, but saw no form; there was only a voice.