WHY—1
WHY DON’T I ALWAYS FEEL GOD?
Why didn’t God answer my prayer?
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Why would God use me?
How many of you have ever felt the presence of God?
How many felt the presence of God in church today?
How do you know? Tingly feelings, calming, goose bumps, tears.
God’s presence can give goosebumps, so can sitting next to girlfriend
God’s presence can make you cry, so can cutting onions.
God can give you a warm sensation, so can going to bathroom in pool.
If you didn’t feel God today…
Is it your fault? God’s fault? The worship pastor’s fault?
- ïIF YOU DON’T ALWAYS FEEL GOD’S PRESENCE, YOU’RE NOT ALONE.
13 But I cry to you for help, O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. 14 Why, O Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me? Ps 88:13-14 (Psalmist)
WHY DON’T I ALWAYS FEEL GOD?
- MAYBE YOU ARE OVER SENSATIONALIZING IT.
30 So they asked him, “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? John 6:30
Spectacular. God often reveals himself…Sometimes peace.
Really charismatic church—Red bull.
- MAYBE YOU’RE SIMPLY DISTRACTED.
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. Luke 10:38-40
Facebook, Tweeted, Soccer, Yard, Television show, etc.
Just got distracted…
- MAYBE YOUR HEART HAS HARDENED.
You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Matt 13:14-15
God didn’t answer prayer
Thought God showed you something
Someone hurt you
- MAYBE YOU’VE BUILT A WALL OF SIN.
Listen! The LORD is not too weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf. He can hear you when you call. 2 But there is a problem — your sins have cut you off from God. Isa 59:1-2 NLT96
Still married, but broken intimacy
- MAYBE YOU DON’T KNOW GOD.
You do not know him, 29 but I know him because I am from him and he sent me. John 7:28-29
PRESENCE PROMISES
- 1.YOU WILL FIND GOD WHEN YOU SEEK GOD.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD… Jer 29:13-14
Prayer, word, worship… talk to him… Watch for him…
God wants you to know him so much that he sent Jesus.
Where 2 or 3 come together in my name…
Radio—tuned in—Antenna is up!
- 1.YOU CAN DO LIFE WITH GOD’S PRESENCE.
I’m in church… worship music
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. John 14:16-17 NLT96
He is here—most don’t believe it!
Who moved?
- 1.YOU CAN EXPERIENCE GOD NOW.
27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
Acts 17:27