Martyn Lloyd-Jones: Do you have His Presence?

Christian Rabi

15 Sept 201306:16

Summary

TLDRThe script explores the profound realization of the Israelites that God's presence is more valuable than any material blessing. It narrates their dismay when God, who had been their guide and protector, decides not to accompany them into Canaan, offering only an angel instead. The narrative underscores the spiritual understanding that true fulfillment lies in God's fellowship, not in worldly success or possessions. It challenges modern believers to reflect on their personal relationship with God, questioning whether they truly value His presence over all else.

Takeaways

😔 The people realized that God's absence due to their sins was a more significant issue than any physical blessings or victories.
😳 The fear of being without God's presence was greater than the fear of being consumed, highlighting the importance of divine companionship.
🙏 The realization that material prosperity and success are meaningless without God's presence is a profound spiritual understanding.
🌟 The presence of God is considered more valuable than any other blessings, even the Promised Land itself.
🔍 The script questions the modern church's focus on success and prosperity, urging a return to seeking God's presence and fellowship.
📢 The narrative emphasizes that true satisfaction comes from knowing God, not from achievements or material gains.
🙌 The call to prioritize a personal relationship with God over external signs of spiritual success is a central theme.
😢 The script describes a deep longing for God's presence, akin to physical thirst, indicating the necessity of divine connection.
🤔 It challenges believers to introspect about the presence of God in their lives, beyond mere religious activities and rituals.
⚠️ The warning against trading a deep relationship with God for temporary worldly gains is a stark reminder of spiritual priorities.

Q & A

What realization did the people in the script come to regarding God's presence?
-The people realized that without the presence of God, all other blessings and successes hold no value. They understood that God's fellowship and company were infinitely more important than anything else.
What was the 'evil tiding' that caused the people to mourn in the script?
-The 'evil tiding' was the message that God would not accompany them to the land of Canaan, but would only send an angel. The absence of God's presence was what truly alarmed and saddened them.
How did the people react to the news that God would not be going with them to Canaan?
-The people refused to go to Canaan without God's presence, expressing that they would rather not have the blessings of the Promised Land if it meant being without God.
What does the script suggest is the essence of spiritual understanding?
-The essence of spiritual understanding, as suggested by the script, is the profound realization that the presence of God is more valuable than any material blessings or successes.
What comparison is made between the physical journey of the Israelites and the spiritual journey of believers?
-The script compares the physical journey of the Israelites through the Red Sea and into Canaan with the spiritual journey of believers, emphasizing the necessity of God's presence for both.
What does the script imply about the value of material blessings without God's presence?
-The script implies that material blessings such as prosperity, success, and even the Promised Land itself hold no value if one does not have the presence and fellowship of God.
How does the script relate the Israelites' experience to the modern church?
-The script relates the Israelites' experience to the modern church by suggesting that even if the church experiences outward success and prosperity, it is essential to have God's presence in the midst of it.
What question does the speaker pose to the audience regarding their relationship with God?
-The speaker asks the audience whether they have a personal relationship with God, and whether they are aware of His presence in their lives, rather than focusing on outward religious activities.
What does the script suggest is the ultimate desire of a spiritually awakened person?
-The script suggests that the ultimate desire of a spiritually awakened person is not material blessings or success, but rather the presence, fellowship, and relationship with God.
How does the script use the Psalm 106 reference to emphasize the importance of God's presence?
-The script uses the reference to Psalm 106 to show that even when God granted the children of Israel their requests, He sent leanness into their souls, highlighting that without God's presence, even blessings can lead to spiritual emptiness.
What is the central message of the script regarding the importance of God's presence?
-The central message of the script is that the presence of God is essential and that no amount of material success or prosperity can compensate for His absence in one's life.

Outlines

00:00

😔 The Dismay of God's Absence

The first paragraph explores the profound realization of a group of people who come to understand that their sins have caused God to withhold His presence. They are being told to proceed to the land of Canaan without His direct involvement, which fills them with dismay and mourning. The narrative emphasizes that the absence of God's presence is more alarming than any threat of being consumed. The people's refusal to proceed without God underscores the importance of His presence over any other blessings or material prosperity. The speaker challenges the audience to reflect on the significance of God's presence in their lives, suggesting that without it, even the promised land and its blessings hold no value.

05:02

😳 The Invaluable Presence of God

The second paragraph delves into the idea that no amount of outward success or prosperity can compensate for the absence of God. It poses a rhetorical question, referencing the Christian concept that gaining the world but losing one's soul is futile. The speaker is not concerned with the audience's outward religious activities but rather with their personal relationship with God. The paragraph concludes with a call to prioritize the presence of God in one's life, suggesting that without this personal connection, even the most successful endeavors are empty. The message is a reminder to seek a deep, personal relationship with God over superficial religious practices.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Presence of God

The 'Presence of God' refers to the concept of God being actively involved and near to His people, providing guidance, protection, and blessings. In the video, this is a central theme as it is what the people of Israel deeply desire and mourn the loss of. The realization that God's presence is more valuable than any material blessing is a profound spiritual understanding that the speaker emphasizes as essential for true faith.

💡Sin

In the context of the video, 'sin' is portrayed as actions or attitudes that go against God's will, leading to a separation from His presence. The people of Israel are said to have realized that their sin caused God to withhold His presence, which is a significant point of spiritual distress for them. The term is used to illustrate the barrier that sin creates between humanity and God.

💡Land of Canaan

The 'Land of Canaan' symbolizes the Promised Land, a place of abundance and blessings that God had promised to give to the Israelites. In the video, it represents the material blessings that God offers, but the people value God's presence more. The speaker uses this to contrast the superficial allure of material prosperity with the deeper need for a relationship with God.

💡Angel

An 'angel' in the video is a heavenly being sent by God to guide and protect His people. The script mentions that God would send an angel to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, but they would not have God's direct presence. This highlights the difference between divine assistance and the intimate presence of God, which the people prefer.

💡Stiff-necked people

The term 'stiff-necked people' is used in the video to describe the Israelites as stubborn and resistant to God's guidance. It is a metaphor for their disobedience and the reason God threatens not to accompany them. This phrase is critical in understanding the dynamic between God and His people and their struggle with obedience.

💡Red Sea

The 'Red Sea' is mentioned as a significant event in the Israelites' journey, where God demonstrated His power by parting the waters to allow them to escape from the Egyptians. This event is used in the video to contrast the past experiences of God's direct intervention with the current situation where they fear His absence.

💡Milk and Honey

'Milk and Honey' is a biblical metaphor for a land of abundance and prosperity. In the video, it represents the material wealth and blessings that the Promised Land offers. However, the people of Israel express that these material blessings are meaningless without the presence of God, emphasizing the spiritual over the material.

💡Psalms 106

Reference to 'Psalms 106' is made to illustrate that even when the Israelites received what they asked for, they still experienced a 'leanness of soul' without God's presence. This verse from the Psalms is used in the video to underscore the idea that external success and prosperity are hollow without a spiritual connection to God.

💡Spiritual Understanding

In the video, 'Spiritual Understanding' is the profound realization that the presence of God is the most important aspect of life, surpassing all other blessings or successes. It is the core message that the speaker is conveying, urging the audience to prioritize their relationship with God over all else.

💡Personal Relationship with God

The 'Personal Relationship with God' is emphasized as the ultimate goal of spiritual life. The video suggests that while church activities and religious practices are important, the most crucial aspect is having a personal, intimate connection with God. This is the essence of the spiritual awakening that the speaker is encouraging the audience to experience.

Highlights

People realized God's presence was being withheld due to their sin.

God's view of sin led to His absence, causing dismay and mourning among the people.

The realization that God would not accompany them to Canaan was alarming.

The threat of being consumed was less troubling than God's absence.

The essence of spiritual understanding is recognizing the importance of God's presence.

God's promise of the land of Canaan and its blessings were deemed less valuable without His presence.

The people's refusal to proceed without God's accompaniment highlights the value they placed on His presence.

The presence of God is considered more important than material blessings or success.

The realization that no outward prosperity can compensate for the absence of God.

The question posed is whether God is truly in the midst of the church and its activities.

The importance of God's presence over outward signs of success in the church.

The contrast between material prosperity and spiritual fulfillment.

The call for a personal relationship with God that goes beyond religious activities.

The significance of God's presence in one's life over the accumulation of worldly goods.

The challenge to prioritize God's presence over the pursuit of success and material wealth.

The profound realization that God's fellowship is infinitely more valuable than any other blessing.

The question of whether the church today truly values and seeks God's presence.

The importance of personal dealings with God over institutional religious practices.