Experiencing God PDF

EXPERIENCING GOD CREATED FOR A LOVE RELATIONSHIP In the fiirst two um·ts I 1·ntroduced you to some basic....

EXPERIENCING GOD CREATED FOR A LOVE RELATIONSHIP In the fiirst two um·ts I 1·ntroduced you to some basic. truths for knowin. g 'ancl d01. , A love relationship with the will o f God. Th e seven realities you have exammed summanze the kind of 0g... rela, God is more important h'1p through whi'ch God works to accomplish His purposes. As I said earlier, th· t10ns 11 than any other single course was not wn·tten to teach you a program,.. a for kno\v1ng a method,. or a. formul. factor in your life. · God's will. It was written to pomt you. to a relationship with God. God IV1II. an d domg then work through that relationship to accomplish through you whatever He pleases. o God created you for a love relationship.. a. Has there been a time in your life when you questioned God's love for you? If there has, describe it here. b. In that experience, were there ways God was expressing His love for You c. What Scriptures do you turn to when looking for assurance of God's love for you?. This unit will focus on the second reality. ~rite the second reality in the margin, but replace the word you with me. WITH ALL YOUR HEART In this unit I want to help you see that God Himself pursues a love relationship with you, He takes the initiative to bring you into this relationship, He created you for fellowship with Himself. That is the purpose of your life. This love relationship can and should be real and personal to you. e If you were standing before God, could you describe your relationship with Him by saying, "I love You with all my heart and all my soul and....................... ···················· all my mind and all my strength"? □ Yes O No REALITY 2 If not, how would you describe your current relationship with God? ~ One of our church members was always having difficulty in his personal life, with his family, at work, and in the church. In a church meeting he became extremely angry and stormed out of the room. It was obvious his life was filled with anger. Soon after, I met with him and asked, "Can you describe your relationship with God by sincerdy ', 1~ saying, 'I love You with all my heart'?" RELATIONSHIP The st rangest look came over his face. He said, "Nobody has ever asked me that. No, I co~ld not describe my relationship with God that way. I could say I obey Him , I serve Him, I worship Him, and I fear Him. But I cannot say I love Him."This man had a ~ather who never told him he loved him. The son feared his father, but he didn 't lo:7e him. The man had wrongly assumed God was the same kind of Father. I helped this man realize God loved hi d d h · · h m an wante to ave lovmg fellowship with him.T at truth set the man free to experience the love of His heavenly Father. 52  UN IT 3 l A LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD Picture in your mind a tall ladder leaning against a wall. Now think about your life as a process of climbing that ladder. Wouldn't it be a tragedy to ascend to the top and find To be loved by you had placed the ladder against the wrong wall? One life to live, and you missed it! God is the highest Earlier in the course we talked about your life being God-centered. That means your relationship, the highest life must be properly related to God. This is the love relationship for which you achievement, and the were created-a God-centered love relationship. Your walk with God (Father, Son, highest position in life. and Spirit) is the single most important aspect of your life. If it is not as it should be, nothing else will function properly. I have known businesspeople who lost their business, their money, and their property.With everything stripped away, they had to decide if having Jesus was enough for them to still have joy. If you lost all of your money and possessions, but you had a vibrant walk with God, could you truly be happy? We are a doing people. We feel worthless or useless if we are not busy doing something. Scripture leads us to under- stand that God is saying, "I want you to love Me above everything else.When you are in a relationship oflove with Me, you have everything you need."To be loved by God is the highest relationship, the greatest achievement, and the noblest position in life. That does not mean you will never accomplish anything as an expression of your love for God. He will call you to obey Him and do whatever He asks of you. However, you do not need to do something to feel fulfilled. You are completely fulfilled in a relationship with God. When you are filled with Him, what else do you need? 0 Read the following hymn by Rhea Miller and circle everything that may compete with Jesus for a person's love and attention. I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I'd rather be His than have riches untold; I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands, I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand. I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause, I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause; I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame, I'd rather be true to His holy name. He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom, He's sweeter than honey from out the comb; He's all that my hungering spirit needs, I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead. Refrain Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin's dread sway; I'd rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today. 2 55 EXPERIENCING GOD A Reflect on the meanings of the wo rds. If you could have W r: ll pairs, w h.ich the other in each of the 10 owing would y onlyh 0 Ile Ot choose? Check your response. ou on est1y I would rather have: □ Jesus. O silver, gold, riches, houses and 1 I would rather have: □ Jesus. a , ands peop1e s app1ause and worldwid f: I would rather: 0 have Jesus. □ be the king of a vast domain. e ame. e If you chose Jesus for each anSWer' is this the way you have been IiVltlg 0 Yes O No y our life~ Do you really want to love the Lord your God with all your heart? He will allo competitors, not money and possess ions' not fame and popularity' and \V no not power or authority. God says:.. "No one can serve two masters since either he will hate one and love ,. the other or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.You cannot serve both God and money" (Matt. 6:24).. "When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your ancest. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that he would give you-a land with large and ors beau. tiful cities that you did not build, houses full of every good thing that you did not fill them with, cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant-and when you eat and are satisfied, be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. Fear the LORD your God, worship him, and take your oaths in his name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God" (Deut. 6:10-15). Once your love for God is in place as your greatest priority, God will provide everything else you need (Matt. 6:31-33). Matth ew 6:31- 33 "So don't worry, saying, 'What CREATED FOR ETERNITY will we eat?' or 'What will God did not_ create you for time; He created you for eternity. Time- your we drink?' or 'What will lifetime on earth-_provide~ the opportunity for you to become acquainted with Him. we wear?' For the Gentiles It provides occasions for Him. to develop your character into Hi's l'k Th · eager\~ seek a\l these things,. its fullest dimensions for you. 1 eness. en eternity will hoId and your heavenly Father If you live only for time-the h. f. d. ere knows that you need them. of creation. I you live for time you willanall now-y ou will miss the ultimate purpose But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, Your life as a child of G d h. ow your past to determine your life today. God uses your present e:p o~g t to be driven by the future-what you will be one day. and a\\ these things wil\ be in eternity. enences to mold you for future usefulness here on earth and provided tor you." C, What are some things in your on your life today? These ~aS t tbat have a strong limiting influence may tnclude a tro bl d £'.. ures; shame over a personal r. ii u e or ,arnily sur st b 1amily background; ,a - £'.. d str £'.. e e ,or success farn.. ' pa a use; pride or unhealthy ' e, recogrution, or wealth. , A Do you think V you are currend b. your future? Why? - y eing shaped more by your past or by 56 - 11111 ------ UN IT 3 - WALKING WITH GOD God created the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, for a love relationship with..._._......::;:::;s;~~:z.::m:!!! Himself. After Adam and Eve sinned, they heard God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. They hid from Him because of their fear and shame. Try to sense the When your relationship heart of a loving Father when He asked that tenderhearted question "Where are you?" is as it ought to (Gen. 3:9). God knew something had happened to their love relationship. be, you will always When your relationship is as it ought to be, you will always be in fellowship with be in fellowship the father.You will remain in His presence, enjoying your love relationship with the God with the Father. of the universe. When Adam and Eve were missing, something had gone terribly wrong. QUIET TIME WITH GOD Early each day I have an appointment with God. I often wonder what happens when the God who loves me comes to meet with me and I have missed our appointment. How does He feel when He asks, "Henry, where are you?" and I am not there (see Jer. 7:13). This applies to my daily time with God. I keep that time alone with God, not in order to have a relationship, but because I have a relationship. Because I have a close walk with my Lord, I want to meet with Him and spend time with Him. Time with God enriches and deepens the relationship I already have with Him. I hear many people say, "I really struggle trying to have time alone with God." If that is a problem you face, let me suggest something: make the priority in your life to love Him with all your heart. That will solve most of your problem with your quiet time. People who struggle to spend time with God don't have a scheduling problem; they have a love problem.You have a quiet time because you know Him and therefore 2 Corinthia ns 5: 14 love Him, not just because you want to learn more about Him. The apostle Paul said "For the love of Christ Christ's love compelled or constrained him (see 2 Cor. 5:14). compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, Suppose you were dating someone you loved and intended to marry. that one died for all, and What is the primary reason you would spend time with that person? therefore all died." Check only one response. □ Because I would want to find out about his likes and dislikes □ Because I would want to find out about her family background □ Because I would want to find out about his life goals and future plans lJ Because I would love her and enjoy being with her When two persons love each other and plan to marry, they want to find out informa- tion about each other. However, that is not the primary reason they date. They spend time together because they love each other and enjoy being together. Similarly, you will learn much about God, His Word, His purposes, and His ways as you spend time with Him. You will come to know Him as you experience Him working in and through your life. But learning about Him is not why you should want to have a quiet time with Him. The more you know Him and experience His unfathomable love, the more you will love Him. The more you love Him, the more you will enjoy spending time fellowshipping with Him. 59  GOD PURSUES A UN IT 3 l LOVE RELATIONSHIP God always takes the initiative in our love relationship. The witness of the entire Bible testifies that God pursues us and orchestrates ways for us to experience Him. He came God takes the initiative. to Adam and Eve in the garden. In love He had fellowship with them and they with He chooses us, loves us, Him. He came to Noah, Abraham, Moses, and the prophets. God took the initiative and reveals His eternal for people in the Old Testament to experience Him in a personal fellowship of love. purposes for our lives. In the NewTestament,Jesus approached His disciples and chose them to be with Him and to experience His love. He came to Paul on the Damascus road. In our natural human state we do not seek God on our own initiative. 0 Read Romans 3:10-12 in the margin and answer these questions. Romans 3:10-12 a. How many people are naturally righteous? · b. How many people understand spiritual truths on their own? _ _ _ __ "There is no one ri ghteous, c. How many people naturally seek God? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ not even one. There is no one d. How many people instinctively do good? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have No one! Not even one! Sin has marred us so deeply that we don't seek God on our turned away; all alike have own initiative. Therefore, if we are to have a relationship with Him and His Son, God become worthless. There must take the initiative. This is exactly what He does. is no one who does what is e Read John 6:44-45,65 in the margin and answer these questions. a. Who can come to Jesus without being drawn by the Father? good, not even one." John 6:44-45,65 "No one can come to me b. What does a person do who listens to the Father and learns from Him? [Jesus] unless the Father who sent me draws him... Everyone who has listened c.What is the only way a person can come to Jesus? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ to and learned from the Father comes to me. "The LoRD appeared to him from far away. This is why I told you that I have loved you with an everlasting love; no one can come to me therefore I have continued to extend faithful love to you" unless it is granted to Qer. 31:3). him by the Father." I led them with human cords, with ropes oflove. To them I was like one who eases the yoke from their jaws; I bent down to give them food (Hos. 11:4). God reaches out to you with an everlasting love. Based on that love He pursues you. He has drawn you with cords of love when you were not His friend but His enemy. He gave His Son to die for you. If you are going to experience God and know His will, you must be absolutely convinced of God's love for you. 61  A REAL, PERSON l~ God's planfor the The relationship God wants to have with you will be re. a1 and advancement of His I mean that God is more than a doctrine or a person in histo Personal. b kingdom depends on. I.. ry. f-Ie w oy ,, with you on a personal level to day. H e is a so practical m how H ants to. t~ His relationship P eople ask ' Can a person actually have a real, personal, and prac; rellates to Yo~~t\ r. ff d Ica rela 0.¾-. with His people. God? They seem to think God IS iar O an unconcerned ab ~' nshi..... h S out their d h1 living. That 1s not the God we see in t e cnptures. ay,t0i Read each Scripture passage and describe at least one f.. h act nd· the relationship the person(s) ha d wit God was real pe icatib, r. il.. ' rsonaJ a o or practical If you are already 1.am 1ar with the account ' lldt d ,~u~ answer from your present knowle ge of the passage. ay a. Adam and Eve after they sinned (see Gen. 3:20-21): ~ b. Hagar when she fled from Sarai (see Gen. 16:1-13): - - - - - - c. Hannah when she poured out her grief to God (1 Sam. 1:9-18): d. Twelve Jesus sent out to preach (see Mark 6:7-13): _ _ _ _ _ __ e. Peter in prison awaiting trial (see Acts 12: 1-17): _ _ _ _ _ _ __ f. John on the island of Patmos (see Rev. 1:9-20): From Genesis to Revelation we see God relating to people in real, personal, intimatt and practical ways. God had wonderful fellowship with Adam and Eve, walking in the garden with them in the cool of the day. When they sinned, God pursued them to restore the love relationship. He met a practical need by providing clothing to cowi their nakedness. Hagar fled for her life after Sarai used and n1istreated her. When she reach~ the end of her resources, had nowhere else to turn when all hope was gone, an everyone h ad forsaken her, God came to Hagar. In 'her relat10nsh1~... h God she Wit cod learned that God saw her, knew her needs, and would lovingly provide for her. is extremely personal.. Hanna h experience d years of disappointment.. h and hurt. She poured out e r sorro" in worship and God met her need in a very practical and powerful way, giving her asoo. Samuel, the following year. 64 I  EXPERIENCING GOD What ev1. den ~ ~ Ho w do you kn ow God lov es you? you? ce in " con vin ces you that God loves JOI.J r J lfe r known as Pau l (see Acts 9: 1-19) sau1Was 0 God came to Saul' late d' S Go s on. Jesulis came to sauJ and.. PPosj0 people and was fighting aga·inst a1sO true m our ves. We do g C0 reveaJ d da~ oflove for him. Thi s ts not choo e th Purposes. purpos es for us (see Ro m. 8 29-Jo\ se liirn et f-Ie ~ us, loves us, and reveals His eternal d 'd h ch ;. c~ri I not c oose me, but I UV, Jesus said to His disciples, iou h ose You.1 the world, but I have c ose ap ,. vou However, because you are not.of , foll ow ] n You Out p% Dtdn t Peter cho ose to Ma tth ew 16 : 13 -17 world hates vou" aohn 15:16, 19). ' 1.. 0 G0 d k esus :i N 0 -Je501 \ Of'1 , ~v~t~~ ~·. ~o~ the initiative. "When Jesus came to the Peter. Peter responded to Gods 1at1ve m his life (see Matt. l G: 13_1 ct. Peter was responding ~o Gods 1rut region of Caesarea Philippi, was. Then He asked them who th 7)Jeslll the disciples who people said He h M h "Th en Jesus madeey tho ught ½a,1., he asked his disciples, t e essia Peter correctly answered, "You are Profound'~ 'Who do people say the Son al this to you, but my Father in haeaven: ~ ment: "Flesh and blood did not reve of Man is?' "They replied, 'Some was the Christ, the promised Ho w did Peter learn that Jesus say John the Baptist; others _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Messiah? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the ld never have known and confessed th In essencejesus said, "Peter, you cou k m your e. e caused you to kat{ lllo lifc H a prophets.' been at wo r Christ unless My Father had now% "'But what about you?' hers activity in your life." I am. You are responding to the Fat ned to he asked. 'Who do you say inning of time, God determi 1ove l Do you realize that from the beg om e a Chr istia n. Be~ I am?' you never would hav e bec "Simon Peter answered, Apart from His work in your life, you r life. You ~ ed you. He began to work in something in mind when He call open d d when He took the initiative. He exr, 'You are the Christ, the Son e~ rienced a love relationship with Go. of the living God.' sel£ understanding. He drew you to H1m "Jesus replied, 'Blessed _ __ are you, Simon son of Jonah, you to Himself, specifically? E) W ba t did God do to draw for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my ship iiic Father in heaven.'" you resp onded to His invitation, He brought you into a love relation When hed out to yoi that love if God had not first reac Himse1£You would never experience al it to you. unless He takes the initiative to reve You cannot recognize God's activity e Number the following items fro in the development of a love m 1 to 4 in the order they occ relationship wit h God. ur fellowships with me. __ a. God comes into my life and life and invite Him _ b. I respond to Gods activity in my to do in my life what He pleases. als Himself to me. _ c. God expresses His love and reve love. _ d. God chooses me because of His 1 can be sure of ~ e of th ese actions can seem to happen at the same time. Yet we 2, &,I. Som initiative; then we respond. I numbered the items a-4, b-3, c- God takes the ing us. God always takes the initiative in lov  UN IT 3 The disciples also had a real, personal, and practical relationship with Jesus. Jesus chose them to be with Him. What a joy it nmst have been to walk with Jesus daily as the twelve disciples did! When Jesus gave them a difficult assignment, He did not send them out ,vithout any help. He gave them instruction and authority they had never known before, even over evil spirits. In some places of the world, obedience to the Lord results in imprisonment. This was Peter's experience. In answer to prayer, the Lord miraculously delivered him. This was so dramatic Peter first thought it was a dream. The Christians who were praying for Peter thought he was an angel when he appeared at the door. Soon they discovered the Lord's deliverance was real. That deliverance probably saved Peter's life. In exile on the island of Patmos, John was spending the Lord's Day in fellow- ship \vith God. During this time of communion in the Spirit, the revelation of Jesus Christ came to John to "show his servants what must soon take place" (Rev. 1:1).This message has encouraged churches from John's day until now. Do you sense, as you read Scripture, God expressed Himself to people in personal and practical ways? Do you see their relationships with God were practical? Was He also real and personal to Noah? to Abraham? to Moses? to Isaiah? Yes! Has God changed? No! What was true in the Old Testament also occurred during the time of Jesus' life and ministry. It was the same after the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Your life can also reflect a real, personal, and practical relationship as you respond to God's work in your life. Briefly describe an experience in your life when God was real, personal, and practical in His relationship with you. Love must be personal and practical.A person cannot love without someone to love.A love relationship with God takes place between two persons. A ~elationship with God is not merely a belief system, it is personal. This has always been His desire. His efforts are e:Kpended to bring this desire to reality. God is a Person pouring His life into yours. Christianity is a personal, practical, progressive relationship with almighty God. If for some reason you cannot think of a time when your relationship with God was real, personal, and practical, spend time evaluating your current relationship with Him. Go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to reveal the true nature of your walk with Him. Ask Him to bring you into the kind of relationship He desires for you. If you realize you have never entered a saving relationship with God, turn to the activity on page 8 for help in settling that most important issue now. GOD'S PRESENCE AND WORK IN YOUR LIFE ARE PRACTICAL God's constant Some people say to me, "Henry, what you are suggesting about doing God's will is not presence is the practical in our day." I always differ with them. God is an extremely practical God. He most practical was in Scripture. He is the same today.When He provided manna, quail, and water for the children of Israel, He was being extremely practical. When Jesus fed five thousand part of your life people, He was being practical. The God I see revealed in Scripture is real, personal, and ministry. and practical.You can trust God to be exceedingly practical as He relates to you too. 65 EXPERIENCING GOD v. Today's lesson is shorter than normal to. allow time fcor t he foll iou n1ay be able to do it today, but you 1n1ght. choose to set, a