Experiencing God: Week 2
Review – God is always at work
Reality 2: God is pursuing a love relationship with us.
Think about your daily routine. What do you do habitually that consumes your time and attention?
Exodus 3:1-4 (NIV) Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
- God used a burning bush and an Angel to get Moses’ attention.
1. God sees us as lost through sin and yet pursues a love relationship with us.
John 6:44 (NIV) “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
- It’s not our great idea to seek God. Left to ourselves, we will run from God because of sin.
Romans 5:8 (NIV) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- Even though God sees us as lost through sin, out of love, He draws us to Himself.
1 John 4:9-10 (NIV) This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
- Our response to this priceless offer of salvation and relationship is to accept it in faith.
2. Faith is our response to God’s invitation to relationship.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
- Moses moved towards God as God called Him in the burning bush. Moses was learning to seek and trust
Exodus 33:11-16 (NLT) 11 Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting. 12 One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ 13 If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.”
14 The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.” 15 Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. 16 How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.”
Philippians 1:12-13 (ESV) I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served
- Notice Moses wanted to see what God saw and live accordingly.
3. To experience relationship with God is to see what Jesus sees.
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
- We are no longer to seek the things of this world but rather the things of Christ.
4. How do we experience God today?
One way we experience real relationship with God is through His Word.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
- God speaks in very unique and specific ways when we spend time in the word.
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
We experience real relationship with God through prayer.
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- He lifts our burdens and brings peace.
We experience God when we engage others the way God does.
Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV) 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
- When we see the heart of God for others, we are to do the same.
We experience relationship with God as we join Him on mission.
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- As we care about the things God cares about, and do what He loves, we experience Him!
Application:
What concrete steps will you take this week to experience relationship with God through:
Your time with Him in the word. Your time with Him having two-way conversation in Prayer. Your time investing in loving relationship with others. Your time living out the Great Commission with Him
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION:
Scripture to Consider:
John 5:39-40, 17:13 – John 15:13-15 – 1 John 4:16, 5:14-15
Questions:
- How did some of your best childhood relationships start? How did some of your best adult relationships start?
- How does a relationship with God differ from a relationship with another person?
- What distracts your attention from a growing relationship with God?
- When do you have the hardest time accepting the fact that God loves you?
- Why is it hard to feel loved by God? When is it easiest to believe that He loves you?
- If we know that God is pursuing a continuous relationship with you that is both real and personal, how do you pursue God in response?
- How would you like to experience God this week?