ENCOUNTERS WITH GOD

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.

2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. —Romans 12:1–2 (CSB)

We foster tangible

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with the Living God.

One moment in God’s presence can change your life forever.

DEFINING “PRESENCE”

God can be present in multiple ways: his omnipresence and/or

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presence. (Psalms 16:11; 27:4; 34:8; 84:10)

When our hearts are prepared and worship is rightly offered, an

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is created for God’s presence to manifest.

FOSTERING ENCOUNTERS:

True worship revolves around two dynamics:

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Christ and
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self.

For that reason, we need to…

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and respond to God’s mercy in Christ.
(Rom 1:17; 3:26; 4:16; 5:6; 6:23; 8:1, 10, 39; 10:13; 11:29; 12:1)

Worship must be

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on Christ & grounded in the Gospel.

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and reserve your life for God’s glory.
(Rom 14:17-18; Eph 5:10 Phil 4:18; Col 3:20; Heb 13:15-16)

A total, continual joyful act of

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is pleasing to God.

Practically this can happen at three different levels:

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: Get humble, honest, and hungry before God.
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: Seek God intensely and sincerely.
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: Keep disobedience and distractions at bay.

Discussion Questions

  1. Reflect on a time when you encountered God. How did that experience change or influence your life and faith?

  2. Discuss the difference between God’s omnipresence and His manifest presence. Is there a difference? How so? Is there value in pursuing/desiring God’s “manifest presence?”

  3. How do you differentiate between an emotional manipulation and a genuine encounter with God’s presence? How do you navigate resisting the former and promoting the latter?

  4. How does Romans 12:1 inform our understanding of true worship? In what ways can we present our bodies as a living sacrifice? What does this look like day to day?

  5. The message talked about “recognizing and responding” to God’s mercy towards us in Christ. Share practical/helpful ways you’ve gone about this in the past. Share tools/resources.

  6. In addition to exalting Christ there’s also a surrendering of self. How do you practically put yourself in a posture of total surrender before the Lord?

  7. To experience God we must properly prepare our hearts. How do you prepare your heart to experience God in worship?

  8. God’s Spirit can also be quenched. How do you deal with the things that jeopardize God’s manifest presence in your life?

  9. “Fostering tangible encounters with the living God” is a core value at Broadview. In what ways could we improve our effectiveness of creating these kind of environments?

  10. How did God speak specifically to you today and what are a few things you’re going to do as a result of his revelation?