Communing with the God of Glory

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the importance of communing with God, who is glorious in His presence. We've lost sight of this fundamental aspect of our faith, focusing instead on secondary things. As we reflect on our relationship with God, let's rediscover the joy and intimacy that comes from seeking Him above all else.

Key Scripture References

• Psalm 29:1-2 - "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Bless the Lord, O you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word!" Here we see the psalmist's desire to ascribe glory to God, acknowledging His majesty and worthiness of worship.
• Psalm 42:1-2 - "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." This psalm highlights our deep-seated longing to connect with God, to satisfy our spiritual thirst.
• Romans 1:21 - "Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened." This passage warns us of the dangers of losing sight of God's glory, becoming distracted by secondary things.
• Psalm 16:9-10 - "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor allow Your holy one to see corruption." Here we see the psalmist's confidence in God's presence and care for him, even in death.
• Hebrews 12:28-29 - "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken—our great High Priest reigning forever, so that we may serve God acceptably with reverence and with godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire." This passage reminds us of the awe-inspiring nature of God's presence, calling us to reverence and worship.
• Psalm 95:6-7 - "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker! For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand." This psalm invites us to approach God with humility and reverence, recognizing our position as His people.

Key Takeaways

• We've lost sight of communing with God due to a focus on secondary things, neglecting the fundamental aspect of seeking Him above all else. This is evident in how we prioritize our time and energy, often placing human endeavors above spiritual pursuits.
• The psalmist's desire to ascribe glory to God (Psalm 29:1-2) serves as a model for us, reminding us of the importance of acknowledging His majesty and worthiness of worship. We must make space in our lives for this kind of worship and adoration.
• Our spiritual thirst can only be quenched by communing with God (Psalm 42:1-2). This requires a deep-seated longing to connect with Him, to satisfy our soul's deepest needs.
• Losing sight of God's glory leads to futile thinking and darkened hearts (Romans 1:21), causing us to become distracted from the primary pursuit of knowing Him. We must be intentional about maintaining a focus on His presence in our lives.

This Week's Challenge

Take time this week to schedule a dedicated block for worship and adoration, setting aside distractions and focusing solely on seeking God's glory. Additionally, reflect on your priorities, asking yourself if you're allocating sufficient time and energy towards spiritual pursuits.

Reflection Questions

• What are the secondary things in my life that I've allowed to take precedence over communing with God? How can I realign my priorities to focus more intently on seeking Him?
• How do I currently express worship and adoration to God? What changes can I make this week to prioritize this aspect of my relationship with Him?
• What are some common distractions that prevent me from communing with God, and how can I mitigate these obstacles in my daily life?