29th July 2018 - God Longs To Have Fellowship With Us.
29th July 2018 - God Longs To Have Fellowship With Us.
Summary
The sermon begins with worship, focusing on the theme of God's love and redemption through the blood of the Lamb. The core message draws from Genesis 2:7, emphasizing that God created man from dust and breathed the breath of life into him, making him a living soul. This unique act of breathing life into humanity establishes a God-consciousness in man, enabling communication with God.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Welcome and a call to praiseThe speaker welcomes the brothers and sisters and invites everyone to stand and sing to the Lord, focusing on His goodness.
Celebrating God's loveThe congregation joins together in song to celebrate the gift of God's love.
Reflecting on Christ's sacrificeThe worship continues with songs focused on how Jesus laid aside His majesty and gave everything to suffer for humanity.
A prayer of worship and gratitudeThe speaker begins with a song of praise and a prayer, thanking God for His mercy, for the resurrection of Christ, and for His faithfulness to the church over forty-two years.
Man's unique creation and God-consciousnessBy examining the creation of man in Genesis, the speaker explains that unlike animals, God breathed His own breath into man, creating a spirit that allows for divine communication and a restless heart that only finds rest in God.Genesis 2:7
The broken fellowship and the possibility of walking with GodWhile sin caused Adam to hide from God and led Cain to wander away from His presence, the speaker notes that God still provided opportunities for fellowship, as seen in the life of Enoch who walked with God.
God's history of walking with His peopleFrom Noah to Abraham, God has consistently sought a relationship with humanity and provided support for those whose hearts are His.
God's provision and the instability of the Old CovenantDuring the Exodus, God provided manna and water for Israel, but His presence was not a continual indwelling as it would later become.
Our calling to eternal fellowshipGod has destined believers for salvation and constant fellowship with Jesus Christ, whether in life or in death.1 Thessalonians 5:9
We are the Temple of the Living GodThe Bible describes us as the temple where God dwells, moving from the lost paradise of Genesis to the regained paradise in Revelation.
The necessity of repentance to restore fellowshipBecause all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, we must repent and believe in Jesus to be cleansed and become children of God.
Lessons from Saul's decline in fellowshipUsing King Saul as an example, we see how a lack of accountability and a loss of thankfulness can lead to a disastrous break with God.
Saul's obsession with his throneDriven by jealousy and a desire to retain his power, Saul prioritized his earthly position over the state of his heart and his fellowship with God.1 Samuel 18:8
The consequences of a broken fellowshipBecause Saul failed to value his relationship with God, he eventually reached a low point where he sought guidance from a medium instead of the Lord.1 Samuel 28:5–6
The necessity of surrender and communal supportJust as Moses needed help to hold up his hands in battle, we must acknowledge our weakness and rely on Christ's victory and the support of other believers.
