Speaker: Bobby McDonald
Title: God's Presence And Our Will
Date: 08-23-2015
Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29)
We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3)
We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Summary
The central message is that to experience God's presence, one must surrender their own will and ambitions, mirroring Jesus' life. The speaker draws parallels from Jesus' time in the temple and his quiet moments with God to illustrate that true closeness to God requires focusing solely on Him. Ultimately, the speaker equates the 'veil' separating humanity from God's presence with our own will, suggesting that crucifying our will is the way to enter into God's presence.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What is the secret to the Christian life?A story about DL Moody highlights that the key to the Christian life is the day a person dies to their own will, ambitions, and plans.
Jesus died to His own will as a childEven as a twelve-year-old boy in the temple, Jesus demonstrated that His only ambition was to be in His Father's house and seek God.
One thing I have asked from the LordInspired by Jesus, the psalmist's singular desire is to dwell in the house of the Lord and behold His beauty all the days of life.Psalm 27:4
Seeking God with all our heartJust as promised in Jeremiah, seeking God with our whole heart allows us to find Him, mirroring the dedicated life of Jesus.Jeremiah 29:13
Living in God's presence all the timeJesus constantly sought to get away to be alone with God, maintaining inner communion even when facing intense scrutiny or opposition.
Meditation in the midst of oppositionEven when surrounded by accusers and trials, Jesus maintained perfect peace by meditating on God and His statutes.
What does it mean to be in God's presence?Being in God's presence is not about God's physical distance, but about having a heart in a state of communion and open to listening to Him.
The way to the presence of God is through the willJust as the veil separated the holy of holies in the tabernacle, our self-will must be crucified so we can enter God's presence.
Laying down our will and ambitionsSurrendering our will and remaining in God's presence are two sides of the same coin, requiring us to give up even small distractions or idols.
The kingdom of God brings peace and joyEntering God's presence through surrender brings the true righteousness, peace, and joy of the kingdom of God.
Hope as an anchor of the soulA living hope of being intimate with God acts as an anchor that enables us to easily lay down our will and enter within the veil.Hebrews 6:19
Fasting as mourning over separationJesus explained that fasting happens when the bridegroom is away, pointing to our need to mourn and fast when we drift from God's presence.Matthew 9:14–15
Keep your foot on the gasInstead of slowing down when we stumble, we must keep pressing hard into God, refusing to let go until He blesses us with His presence.
Speaker: Bobby McDonald
Title: God's Presence And Our Will
Date: 08-23-2015
Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29)
We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3)
We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Summary
The central message is that to experience God's presence, one must surrender their own will and ambitions, mirroring Jesus' life. The speaker draws parallels from Jesus' time in the temple and his quiet moments with God to illustrate that true closeness to God requires focusing solely on Him. Ultimately, the speaker equates the 'veil' separating humanity from God's presence with our own will, suggesting that crucifying our will is the way to enter into God's presence.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What is the secret to the Christian life?A story about DL Moody highlights that the key to the Christian life is the day a person dies to their own will, ambitions, and plans.
Jesus died to His own will as a childEven as a twelve-year-old boy in the temple, Jesus demonstrated that His only ambition was to be in His Father's house and seek God.
One thing I have asked from the LordInspired by Jesus, the psalmist's singular desire is to dwell in the house of the Lord and behold His beauty all the days of life.Psalm 27:4
Seeking God with all our heartJust as promised in Jeremiah, seeking God with our whole heart allows us to find Him, mirroring the dedicated life of Jesus.Jeremiah 29:13
Living in God's presence all the timeJesus constantly sought to get away to be alone with God, maintaining inner communion even when facing intense scrutiny or opposition.
Meditation in the midst of oppositionEven when surrounded by accusers and trials, Jesus maintained perfect peace by meditating on God and His statutes.
What does it mean to be in God's presence?Being in God's presence is not about God's physical distance, but about having a heart in a state of communion and open to listening to Him.
The way to the presence of God is through the willJust as the veil separated the holy of holies in the tabernacle, our self-will must be crucified so we can enter God's presence.
Laying down our will and ambitionsSurrendering our will and remaining in God's presence are two sides of the same coin, requiring us to give up even small distractions or idols.
The kingdom of God brings peace and joyEntering God's presence through surrender brings the true righteousness, peace, and joy of the kingdom of God.
Hope as an anchor of the soulA living hope of being intimate with God acts as an anchor that enables us to easily lay down our will and enter within the veil.Hebrews 6:19
Fasting as mourning over separationJesus explained that fasting happens when the bridegroom is away, pointing to our need to mourn and fast when we drift from God's presence.Matthew 9:14–15
Keep your foot on the gasInstead of slowing down when we stumble, we must keep pressing hard into God, refusing to let go until He blesses us with His presence.
