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.

The wrong question—what am I doing wrong?

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

Extra Material

Felt him before but not in a long time.

4 One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. Ps 27:4

24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 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 17:24-27!

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.Matt 18:20

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. John 14:21

Jesus reveals himself to those who obey him!

17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. 18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Ps 145:17-18

24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 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 17:24-27

WHY don't I always feel God? Craig Smee

Share