Let the power of the Lord come down x 2………………………….fire, glory
Let power of the Lord from Heaven come x 2
Main Text: Acts 1: 4 & 5; Acts 2: 1- 8; 38-41
God is love; and because God loves His children He wants to be present with them all the time – for His pleasure; for their protection and blessing; to respond to their requests, both corporate and individual petitions; to give them direction so as to remain in His will; above all, to sustain the peace given to them.
That’s what we also do and like to do as parents. The mother of a newborn baby is so ever protective in love; she loves to hold the baby and attend to all its needs; hold the baby and speak to him even when the young one has no language and is unable to speak back; give him food; make the baby comfortable; shower blessings upon the baby all the time.
When God created Adam and Eve, He treated them as new babies born by Him. He made them comfortable; they enjoyed His presence; He provided for them and protected them. They had peace and to enjoy the peace He gave them Divine guidance: Gen. 2: 15 – 17….. thou shall not.
After man ate the forbidden fruit, God separated Himself from His presence. Gen 3: 6-8
What does the presence of God mean?
I Chro. 29:11 “Thine O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty (and authority): for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all”.
Means the Holy Ghost is present: Acts 2: 1-8; to bless with the Power of God
Psalm 16:11….in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
The presence of God in our lives mean absolute security: Mark 4: 36-41 When Jesus is with you, there is nothing to fear….Peace be still.
The presence of God commands deliverance: Exodus 3: 7&8 8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey;
Are you in any bondage? You need the presence of God today!
In the presence of God, you can receive individual blessings: while in church meetings, at outreach mission, at Conventions.
At Church – Mark 3: the story of a man with withered hand in the synagogue on a Sabbath day. The man unexpectedly experienced the presence of God the Saviour and redeemer.
At annual Convention – 1 Samuel 1: Hannah attended the Convention in Shiloh that year and tapped into the presence of God…..she poured out my soul before the Lord. And her persistent problem was solved
The presence of God gives direction: Exodus 33: 14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. 15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
How can His presence be attracted
For you to attract God’s presence in your life, you must belong to His Kingdom; you must believe in Jesus Christ and your Lord and Savior; you must be dead to sin; you must be born again, born of water and Spirit and sanctified.
In preparation for the mission of Jesus on earth, John the Baptist was appointed as prophet to prepare the people, and he preached: “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” Matt. 3:2. That God will send his kingdom to man, through the Redeemer.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about the Kingdom of God (and His righteousness). Mark 1:14,15 “ …Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel”.
“Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
“…Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God” (John 3:5)
The presence of God can be attracted individually and corporately through high praise and worship: after the completion of the Temple built for God by Solomon, the Ark of the Covenant was brought in. 2 Chronicles 5: 10-14.
That is what the presence of God entails – high praise and worship in holiness: The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Rom. 14:17).
What do you do in the presence of God?
God is holy and there is no unrighteousness in Him; therefore you must humble yourself, repent from your sins and be holy in His presence.
Habakkuk 2:20 But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
God appeared to Moses as he led the flock of Jethro to the mountain of God. Exodus 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
Wherever God is, everything, even the ground, must be Holy.
The presence of God comes through revelation; and it calls for repentance and sanctification. Isaiah saw the God in His glory and immediately realized that he was unclean: Isaiah 6: 5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.
How can you and I sustain His presence in our lives
New Life in Christ: Jesus came to extend invitation to all concerning the Kingdom of God. That is where God dwells. If you want His presence, come to His Kingdom and be blessed. (Luke 6: 20-23). Response to the call to His Kingdom is to live a changed life, a New Life in Christ, characterized by:
a) the Kingdom of God – remain a child of the Kingdom of God
b) Love for God and neighbor; Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
c) Obedience to the commands of Jesus. God sent the Prophet Samuel to Saul, saying go and destroy Amalek and everything they have. But Saul pleased himself rather than obey God. 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
In His presence forever and ever
To be in the presence forever, you must be an overcomer and true child of God in Christ Jesus.
Rev. 21: 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Rev. 7: 9-17: 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Call to salvation
Jesus is calling you today> Come unto me all ye………………….GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS
Songs
1. Create a clean heart in me O Lord
A renew a right Spirit within me…………Cast me not away from your presence O Lord
2. Goodness and mercy shall follow me; everyday of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
3. Hallelujah in Heaven one day
I want to see my Jesus one day
Prayer points
Psalm 51: 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.