3-3-19 Sermon Notes
“Presence” –Matthew 28:19-20 and 1 John 4:13-16
Introduction to the series
This is the beginning message from the “Unbreakable” series. This series is designed to encourage us by reminding us of God’s promises – Presence, Protection, Preservation, Persecution, Provision, and Position.
Read Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” New International Version (NIV)
Read 1 John 4:13-16
“We know that we live in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” New International Version (NIV)
Message
In Matthew 28:19-20, we get the promise of Jesus’ presence being with us.
This promise is Christ’s assurance to His followers who are actively involved in reaching and “winning” those who are spiritually lost (i.e., gaining them for Christ’s kingdom) and teaching them to obey His standards of truth. God is personally interested in the lives of each and every one of His followers
How do we know He is with us?
1 John 4:13-16 helps us answer that question. Here is how we know… we remain in Him and He remains in us.
His Holy Spirit – He has given to us His Holy Spirit (v. 13). There will be evidence of His Spirit working in our lives, and being in us… fruit of the Spirit, conviction of the Spirit (reference John 14:15-18, John 16:13-14). A key ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to provide us with the assurance of God’s presence.
Verse 15 – gives us the positional statement of relationship – whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in Him and he in God… true recognition in, and belief of the truth about Jesus.
His love – is another sign of His presence – remaining in His love… what does remaining in His love practically look like?
Verses 11 and 12 of 1 John answer this question. “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.”
What happens if we are living a life that wouldn’t be described as remaining in His love – our behavior can get in the way of our experiencing the assurance of His presence?
Obviously, this would be a picture of quarreling, being full of envy, gossiping, wishing ill upon others, turning a ‘blind eye’ to the needs of others, not trusting God and the list goes on…..
Concluding Remarks and Application
There are times and those yet to come when God seems far away. Let’s remember the key points of today’s message. God is not the one who distances Himself from us; we are the ones that distance ourselves from Him. We need to be reminded that the Holy Spirit does not come and go from us, but is with us at all times.
Psalm 139:7-10 “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
God’s presence can fill every believer with joy in any circumstance. Jesus’ promise to be with us is the Christian’s answer to every fear, every doubt, every trouble, every heart-ache, and every discouragement. After all, He is with us every step of the way!
Next Week – “Protection”