Encountering the Presence of God

ENCOUNTERING THE PRESENCE OF GOD: YOUR GREATEST NEED TO IMPACT GENERATIONS WITH THE PENTECOSTAL FIRE.

Bible Texts: 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Ephesians 1:1-14; 2Peter 1:2-4.

Presented by Apostle Emmanuel Achim Gyimah during Communion week prayers at The Church of Pentecost, Kaneshie Central Auditorioum (30th - 31st August, 2014).

INTRODUCTION:

(THE LAW OF FOUR KEY PRIORITES IN IMPACTING GENERATIONS)

1.0 You are a person representing God on earth: Have a daily intimate relationship

      with God (James 4:8), through prayer, meditation, and the study of His word.

2.0 You are a partner: Prioritize sound relationship with your spouse (Eph.5:22-32).

3.0 You are a Parent: Prioritize your relationship with your children (Eph.6:4).

4.0 You are a minister: Prioritize your relationship with your ministry/church and fulfill it.

      (2 Tim.4:5).

If these key priorities are effectively put in place, believers will daily encounter God's presence, fan their God-given gifts to impact generations.

I strongly believe that this year's Theme is one of the greatest revelations to turn the fortunes of our fast-growing Church to promote her holistic growth and development.

Our Church started with illiterates and semi-literate folks who encountered God's presence through faith, trust, obedience to God's word and their leaders, reliance on the Holy Spirit and commitment to the great Commandment and Commission.

From the study of the entire Bible, one could see that all Bible Chatacters who encountered God's presence were faithfully committed to specific mission and ministry.

The greatest blessing that Adam enjoyed was God's presence that visited him daily in the Garden of Eden, probably because he was alone meditating and worshipping on God's wonderous creation. The image of God and His likeness in Adam was another vital factor that attracted God's presence which gave him control over all creatures.

Adam failed to fully impact his wife, Eve, with the message of God concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Hence his fall and the loss of God's presence,

blessings and authority. Satan took advantage of his failure to instruct his wife, and caused the ruin of mankind through deception.

Noah found favour with God because he was righteous and walked with Him (Gen.6:7-9). This implied that Noah encountered God's presence in the midst of a perverse generation, hence he was used by God to build an ark for the salvation of his  family when all the human race perished in the flood.

Noah also failed to impact his family and children with the message of God, hence the generation that followed him rebelled against God when they decided to settle at one location and build a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens to make a name for themselves on the plains of Shinar. This rebellious act moved God down to confuse the tongue or language of the human race (Genesis 11:1-8).

Abraham walked with God by faith and it was credited to him as righteousness (Gen.15:6). He trusted and obeyed God (Gen. 17:1-4), hence he was called the friend of God. Thus he encountered the presence of God that enabled him to impact his son, Isaac and the Hebrew Nation,when God covenanted with him that he will become a powerful nation.

Moses, the great grandson of Abraham, became one the greatest leaders of the Bible after his remarkable encounter with God's presence, at the burning bush fire on the derset of Midian. Moses, a wanted person in Egypt for murdering an Egyptian, was overwhelmingly transformed, empowered and commissioned to go and rescue the Isrealites from bondage in Egypt.

It was the presence of God that led Isreal during their 40 years exodus on their derset journey to Caanan. This presence of God was symbolized by the pillar of fire at night, and a pillar of cloud at daytime (Exodus 13:21-22). The about two million people involved in the exodus never hungered, nor lacked in anything due to the presence of God they encountered.

Moses was called unto the top of Mount Sinai, and encountered God's presence for Forty days to receive the Ten Commandments which has impacted the entire world for centuries.

All the miracles that was performed through Moses in Egypt (Exod.12); the crossing of the Red Sea that was parted for Isreal to pass through on dry land, and which swallowed up Pharaoh and the army of Egypt; the miraculous provision of food from heaven (manna); the conquest of powerful Kingdoms on their journey were all made possible because of God's presence that led them.

What is much more amazing with these Old Testament characters or giants was the fact that they were not sanctified by the blood of Jesus, they had no pastors to teach them the ways or commands of God, and there were no churches for regular fellowship and edification like we enjoy today. Yet by their simple faith,trust and obedience to the voice of God, they encountered His presence, lived and walked with Him in purity and righteousness. Hence they accomplished greater works for God and impacted their generation. Other Bible characters like Joseph, David, Samuel, Job, and the Prophets are clear examples of ordinary men who made great impact in their generation all because they encountered God's presence.

The reading from Ephesians 1:2-14 teaches that God by His grace, has given to believers in Christ all the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ. And grace is the empowering presence of God that enables the believer to be who God created him to be, and to do what he was called to accomplish.

The Apostle Peter also wrote that :"His divine power has given to us everythingpertaining to life and Godliness through the knowledge of Son Jesus Christ" (2Peter 1:3). These two key verses show that Christ Jesus has restored the Presence of God that Adam lost in the Garden of Eden to all believers in Him. And that this Presence of God imparts all the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ.

This presentation aims at What these spiritual blessings consist of and how believers in Christ can access them to impact their generation (families, the Church, and the world).

PART TWO

GOD'S ROLE AND THE BELIEVERS RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENCOUNTERING HIS PRESENCE TO IMPACT GENERATIONS:

According to the leading  NT Apostles: John, Paul and Peter, God by His grace and divine power (His presence) has given to us (The Church) all things that pertain to live and godliness in the knowledge of Him and of Jesus Christ our Lord (John 6:40; Eph.1:3; 4:7-13; Rom. 12:6-8; 1Cor.12:7-11,28; 2Peter 1:2-4):

1.0 The gift of Jesus Christ and eternal life for all who believe in Him (John 3:16; ?

2.0 The gift of the Holy Spirit to indwell, transform, empower, and use every  

      Believer in Christ.

3.0 The Ascention gifts for Church Leaders to equip God's people (Eph.4:11-13).

4.0 Grace gifts of the Father to every born again believer (Rom. 12:6-8).

5.0 Spiritual gifts for edification during Church services (1Cor.12:7-11).

BELIEVERS' RESPONSIBILITY: John 6:40; Php. 2:12; Rom.12:1-3; Job 8:5-7.

1.0 Faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ, trust and Obedience to God.

2.0 Consecration of your entire life to God: Prayer/fasting, and communion with God.

3.0 Separation from all defilements, sins and corruption in the world.

4.0 Renewal of your mind daily in the Word of God.

5.0 Demostration of the perfect will of God in your life:

 5.1To be holy and blameless in His sight (Eph.1:4)-Love, humily, the fear of

      God, and righteousness implied.

5.2 To identify, develop and use your God given talents and gifts for the benefit of

       others, the holistic growth of the church, and the glory of God.

5.3 Sacrificial service and giving for the welfare of others, and the holistic growth of

     the church (Acts 2:42-47)

God has given everything we need for this life and His work or service and it is our responsibility to tap in to access them in His presence to bless His church and the needy in this world. Those who obey to sow their talents, gifts, tithes, offerings and other generous acts never lack.

The missing Christ

THE MISSING CHRIST: Me ni Yesu betra,woye madamfo pa
Preserve my life, keep me Ever at Your feet to sit
Bind me to Your will, Your will alone Oh Lord
You bought my salvation Before my life began
You solemn charge gave me That is a heavenly call
Lessons for Christians
Key Text: Luke 2:40-52
Lesson 1: Pattern for Christian Growth-V.40
 ‘’ The child grew- physiological growth
 ‘’ Waxed strong in spirit- all Christians must be strong in spirit to the extent of overcoming the wicked and having the word of God firmly abiding in them ( see 1 John 2:13,14)
 ‘’And the grace of God was upon him’’ In 2 Peter 3:18a, Christians are to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. We need more of the favour or grace of God to excel in our Christian life-2 Cor.9:8;
 We must grow from grace to grace. Jn.1:16,17;
 We must grow from faith to faith. Ro.1:17
 We must grow from glory to glory 2 Cor.3:18
It is very interesting that Jesus was only twelve years old when he grew or ‘’ waxed’’ strong in spirit- vs.41-42.
Lesson 2:​Journey from Nazareth to Jerusalem vs. 42, 43.
​​Christ, Author and Finisher of our Faith.
​The parents started well with Christ-vs.42
​But they failed to return with him-vs.43
​Remember, Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb.12:2). But Mary and Joseph made Him​
​Only Author, not the finisher! This is dangerous to Christian growth.
​A note of caution! You can lose Christ in your life without knowing it!! Mary and Joseph missed Christ without knowing it! Verse 43, ‘’……….and Joseph and his mother knew not of it’’!
 A paradigm of Backsliding 1 Cor.10:1-11; Heb.10:38-if you lose or miss Christ in your life, you have lost the foundation in Christian life
 You have lost your first love- Rev. 2:4; 1Cor 13:1-3
 You have lose your strength and vitality ‘’ for without me, ye can do nothing’’ (Jn 15:15)
 A case of grieving the Spirit- Eph.4:30
 A case of quenching the Spirit- I Thess. 5:19
Lesson 3:​Irresponsibility and unpardonable Mistake –vs.43
 It was the responsibility of Joseph and Mary to take good care of their child.
 They had to ensure the security or safety of the child.
 It was their duty, as good parents, to feed the child,etc. but for three days they did not know how Christ got his daily bread in Jerusalem
 Many Christians have become irresponsible parents, not taking good care of their children and not bringing them up in the fear of the Lord. I Tim.5:8; Isaiah 49:15
What Joseph and Mary did- missing Christ without knowing it- is surely a case of irresponsibility and unpardonable mistake.
But many Christians are going same way!
Lesson 4:​irresponsible Christians-Luke 2:43
Just as Joseph and Mary shirked their responsibility of taking care of their child, so many Christians have shirked their spiritual responsibilities.
a. Apathy to Evangelism. How many Christians are doing personal evangelism?
b. Disrespect for Biblical Authority-    today, many Christians do not attend evening services, nor do they read their bibles! The early Christians continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrines (Acts. 2:42; Heb. 10:25
c. Will a man rob God? Yet, many Christians are robbing God of tithes due Him.
Mal.3:8
Lesson 5:​Misplaced Priority-vs.41-43
​​Until Christ was 12 years (vs.42) the parents went to Jerusalem alone every year.
​​They took Christ to Jerusalem for a purpose. What was the purpose? The law of
​​Moses required that every first born male child to be redeemed at the age of 12.
​​This the parents did at this time they went with Christ to Jerusalem at the feast of the  Passover.
​​Redeeming Christ to be their child then was their PRIORITY as this year of going to the Feast of the Passover.
They paid the redemption fee and Christ was released to them. They were to take him back to Nazareth after the feast.
But they left Christ Behind in Jerusalem and travelled a day’s journey- the two alone without the child- back home to Nazareth! Vs. 44.
It occurred to them that they had left the boy alone in Jerusalem-Vs.43
MISPLACED PRIORITY INDEED!

Christ’s Priorities for the Church Misplaced
Christ’s priorities for His church, and for every Christian for that matter, are as follows:
1. Preaching the Gospel (Evangelism and Missions) Mark 13:10 ‘’ And the gospel must first be published among all nations.’’
a. Do before you do any other thing else or before someone else does it;
b. The most important thing;
c. The best.
So preaching the gospel and planting churches, must be done before we do any other thing; is the most important duty of the Church; is the best the church can do to please her bridegroom.
But what do we see? Preaching the gospel has been relegated to secondary position by churches! Prosperity, faith, deliverance, etc., have become the first to many churches
2. The Kingdom of God and its Righteousness- Matt. 6:33
According to Rom.14:17,’’ the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but RIGTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.’’
How many pastors are preaching righteousness and holiness (Luke 1:74-75), as a priority?
Where is the peace that must reign in Christian homes, churches, schools, etc.?
‘’ Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord’’ (Heb12:14). Many Christian homes are broken down; rife disunity and malice have filled many churches. Integrity has fallen! Misplaced priority, indeed.
3. Respect for Biblical Authority 2 Peter 1:20-21- Christ’s third priority for Christians is that all may treat Bible with respect and believe its authority, as the Word of God-
 To be studied-2 Tim 2:15;3:16-17
 To be read-Isa.34:16’ 1 Tim.4:13
 To be preached-2 Tim.4:1-3
According to 2 Peter 1:20, there is something all Christians must know FIRST-and that is the Word of God; it must be loved, read, Studied, preached, and obeyed.
In Mark 3:14-15 we read that Christ called His disciples-first, that they may be with Him; through disciplined study of the World, we maintain fellowship with  Christ.
 Next, that He might send them forth to preach; it is when we have unperturbed relationship with Him that we can be effective in preaching the gospel.
 Last, that they may have power to heal and cast devils.
Note carefully:
Christ never lost sight of His Priority-vs.49
In this verse Christ said to His mother…………. I must be about my father’s business’’
Living a holy life, preaching and teaching were Christ priority.

Lesson 6: ​​Taking Things For Granted
One equally important reason why Mary and Joseph left the child Jesus behind in                                     Jerusalem is seen in verses 44 and 45.’’ But they, supposing him to have in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance,’’
What a costly error of judgement! ‘’They supposed,’’ not certified themselves that their son was not in the company. Their supposition turned out to be an illusion. They were greatly disappointed when, after a day’s journey, they realized that their son was not in the caravan but lost. They then had to return to Jerusalem to seek the boy, another day’s journey. What a tedious assignment. But they could have it no other way.
Their negligence and irresponsibility had cost them that much; and they would even pay much more than this when they arrived in Jerusalem to conduct the search.
It is unwise to take things for granted. Yet this is exactly what most Christian are doing and is contributing in no small measure to the fallen standards and stunted growth in the church. In most churches deacons and ‘’elders’’are appointed without regard to biblical standards.
Worldly Attraction
I am inclined to believe that Mary and Joseph got too much involved in the feasting and fanfare that are characteristics of festivals such as the Passover. The law specified how the feast of the Passover should be observed. It was all eating, drinking and merry making for seven days. The couple might have been caught in the web of travelling and so fell into oblivion of their son. The occasion also brought together all Jews in the Diaspora. There was the tendency to meet friends and relations and chat. Moreover, this festival was unique from all others in that many Jews in the Diaspora had heard that a Savior had been born in the house of David. This savior would be present at the festival, so everybody wanted to attend this festival, if for nothing at all, at least to catch a glimpse of the ‘’Miracle’’ boy.
Joseph and Mary became the eye of the occasion. Well-wishers might have poured into the hotel room of the couple to express their well -wishes.
Expensive Decision
St. Luke records that ‘’the child grew, and became strong in spirit; filled with wisdom and grace of God was upon him,’’ (2:20, 52). This phenomenal growth of the child Jesus has some very important implications, which I want t briefly throw light on. The implications are philosophical, theological and sociological, and they illustrate the dimensions of the church.
The record says; the child grew in the following ways:
1. He became strong in spirit
2. He was filled with wisdom
3. The grace of God was on him
4. He won the favour of man
It is very important to note that at this time the child was only 12 years. It is marvelous that at this tender age he child could grow this way and epitomizes the great possibilities divine power holds for the growth of all aspects of individual Christian life and the Christian community in general.
The point to note at this juncture is that this was not a child to be treated the way his parents did, leaving him alone to his fate. Thank God for the grace of God that had made him strong spiritually and full of wisdom; he was able to find his way through in life.
This places a very great responsibility on us as Christians to be extra careful in any decision we take to ensure that it is theocentric or Spirit inspired. We need to be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit so every decision we take would yield the desired result. We will pay heavily for any hasty decision we take. The effective cause of church growth is the Holy Spirit
We are drawing on our past experience with God. We need fresh knowledge of God to partake of His holiness and be fulfilled with the compassion of Christ, that compassion that moved the Son of God to teach and preach in the cities and villages and to call for more laboureres into the harvest. We must allow Christ to reveal Himself to us and infuse more of His compassion, the driving force that will wake us up from our slumber.
A new vision- a fresh revelation of knowledge of God and a contemporary encounter with His holiness and compassion that are new every morning-is what the church needs to motivate us, like Jonah, to turn our’’Ninevehs’’ to God and to ensure the growth of our churches.