Sunday, March 14, 2010 - Northwest Region

 

Communion – Labi Oyapero
Is 52:3-9
Is 50:6
Is 52:14
form marred beyond any human likeness
so painful
6 hours hanging on the cross
Rom 6:1-4 
need to hate sin; it's a big deal

 

FRANK RADCLIFF
Hebrews 11:1-6
Genesis 5:21
Enoch walked with God
He was no more, that's all we know
walking with God:   in a relationship with God; a three-legged race, walking in step together; following God wherever He goes, not wandering off on your own; obedience; living your choices the way God would want you to
In the Old Testament - walking the way of the Lord, in the way of the prophets

 

Prayer walk - God is on the sidewalk with me
What would I be thinking differently?
1)  who's it all about?   It's about God, not me
Enoch had it on straight;  so many people in the old testament did not
the Israelites were focusing on themselves
What happens to us when we focus on self? 
angry; frustrated; impatient; doubt God is with us; don't have faith
The Hebrew writer talks about Enoch having great faith
faith expressed through great humility
pride gets in the way of faith
It's not about me, my way, my plan

 

2)  what makes us uncomfortable about God being with us at all times?
our knowledge of sin; God will tell us no ; shame; lack of control;
It doesn't work to be with God part-time, to have shame and guilt.  He's there, we need to recognize he is there all the time.   It's not about us inviting him to come on in.
after the law was given to Moses, the people were not comfortable being in the presence of God
"they were no more"
In the Old Testament, dread of being in the presence of God because of impossible consequences
God is no different today
What is different now?   the new covenant
a new relationship with God because of Jesus
He is the High Priest
He's greater then Moses and the angels
His sacrifice was once and for all
That has been paid
Therefore, we need to have faith, understanding that God exists and he rewards those who earnestly seek him
the reward is salvation, we can be in the presence of God
we cannot have this without Jesus'  sacrifice

 

Challenge: 
Think about walking with God
How can I do it in my times of prayer, reading, driving, school, work?   whatever circumstance we are in