Sunday, December 27, 2020 - Christmas Presence

Sermon

Genesis 3:8 NLT

8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees.

Exodus 33:15-16 NIV

15 Then Moses said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How 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?”

Matthew 1:23 NLT

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!

    She will give birth to a Son,

and they will call Him Immanuel,

    which means ‘God is with us.’”

Matthew 13:17

17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.

Revelation 21:3 NLT

3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them.

Discussion Questions

1. What are some ways that I have gotten off track in my thinking about God’s plan? Have I lost track of the relationship and made it more about following the rules?

2. Looking forward, what are some ways I can begin to incorporate God’s Presence into my life and begin to move into deeper relationship with Him?

Ideas

• Read the Gospels

• Read The Shack

• Spend time doing something you enjoy, with God

• Stop doing spiritual disciplines that feel like a chore

• Stop "praying" and just start talking to God