God Is ____
In the Old Testament, God’s people lived in a “visitation culture.”
Biblical examples of “visitations”…
Jacob wrestled [Gen. 32]
Gideon in the winepress [Jdg. 6]
Joshua fell on his face [Jos 5]
Theophany — "God has appeared."
Biblical examples of “anointings”…
Jephthah in battle [Jdg. 11]
Samson and the lion [Jdg. 14]
Saul prophesying [1 Sam. 14]
David being set apart [1 Sam. 16]
Major & Minor Prophets [Is. — Mal.]
Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Immanuel — “God is with us.”
Matthew 1:18-23 (NLT) This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 20 As he considered this, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sin." 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through His prophet: 23 "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'"
John 1:14 (MSG) The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.
John 1:14 (WNT) And the Word came in the flesh, and lived for a time in our midst, so that we saw His glory—the glory as of the Father’s only Son, sent from His presence. He was full of grace and truth.
Before Jesus died, He promised…
1. I am going to prepare a place for you. [Jn. 14:2]
2. I will come again and get you. [Jn. 14:3]
3. I will not leave you as orphans. [Jn. 14:18]
How did God fulfill the third promise?
John 14:16-17 (NASB) I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper [Comforter], that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him nor know Him, but you know Him because He abides [dwells] with you and will be in you.
Due to the fulfillment of this promise we no longer live within the confines of a “visitation culture,” instead we have the wonderful privilege to live in a “habitation culture.”
This means; we can live with an awareness that God is always with us and that He wants to be actively involved in every part of our lives.
1. God is WITH us
Acts 2:25-28 (NLT) King David said this about Him: ‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. 26 No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts His praises! My body rests in hope. …28 You have shown me the way of life, and You will fill me with the joy of Your presence.’
Psalm 139:1-10 (NLT) O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. 4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. 5 You go before me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! 7 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from Your presence! 8 If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I go down to the grave, You are there. 9 if I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,10 even there Your hand will guide me, and Your strength will support me.
A) No matter what we face — we’re never alone.
Isaiah 43:1-3 (NLT) Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
B) Whatever we need — we’ve been given access.
2 Peter 1:3 (NLT) By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.
What do you have need of today?
C) Wherever we go — we don’t have to be afraid.
Joshua 1:9 (NLT) This is my command — be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Isaiah 41:9-10 (NLT) I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. 10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious [righteous] right hand.
2. God is FOR us
Romans 8:31 (NIV) What then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Have you ever been in a spot where you felt like your back was up against the wall?
Psalm 5:12 (NKJV) For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.
Romans 8:34 (NKJV) It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Hebrews 7:23-25 (NIV) Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.
Who does He want to be “for you” in this season?
3. God is IN us
John 14:23 (AMP) If anyone [really] loves Me, he will keep My word (teaching); and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling place with him.
Colossians 1:27 (NIRV) God has chosen to make known to them the glorious riches of that mystery. He has made it known among the Gentiles. And here is what it is. Christ is in you. He is your hope of glory.
When we know God is in us we know...
The Godhead is fully inside of us
God isn’t hard to find
He has given us His mind
We have the ability to be His hands & feet
We have the ability to be His mouthpiece
We have the ability to be a conduit of His power
His divine nature/character is in us
We are seated in heavenly places
“God no longer comes ON US, because He now live IN US.”
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must [first] believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.