Practicing the Presence of God, Part 2 (sermon notes)

I Like to start with something funny…
Negotiations between union members and their employer were at an impasse. The union denied that their workers were flagrantly abusing their contract's sick-leave provisions. One morning at the bargaining table, the company's chief negotiator held aloft the morning edition of the newspaper, "This man," he announced, "called in sick yesterday!" There on the sports page, was a photo of the supposedly ill employee, who had just won a local golf tournament with an excellent score. The silence in the room was broken by a union negotiator. "Wow," he said. "Just think of what kind of score he could have had if he hadn't been sick!"

Today I’m continuing a new sermon series entitled PRACTICING THE PRESENCE OF GOD
Have you ever heard of Brother Lawrence?
He is the author of a classic book on Practical Christian Devotion…In it he shared the spiritual secrets of a humble brother who enjoyed closeness with God…
He is probably most known for his pilgrim’s prayer…LORD of all pots and pans and things…Make me a saint by getting meals And washing up the plates!
Brother Lawrence was able to turn even the most commonplace and menial task into a living hymn to the glory of God!
No conceited scholar was Brother Lawrence; theological and doctrinal debates bored him, if he noticed them at all. His one desire was for communion with God…You would find him worshipping more in his kitchen than in his cathedral…

1 day a week we gather together as Christians…Some of us show up 2x and week…and then there are special times when we get together even more in Jesus name…
But what about the rest of the week?
Are we Practicing the Presence of God everyday?
I don’t believe in religion…I believe in a relationship with Jesus, and that’s a 24/7 commitment…
So in this sermon series I plan to give some practical advice in Living everyday with Jesus, Practicing the Presence of God…

2 Sundays ago we covered the first three practices
1. for the Love of God
This is not a earning of God’s love…
Jesus already took care of that on the cross…
This is a matter of motivation…
Obviously when we are reading the word of God or having a time of focused prayer it is practicing His presence, it is for the love of God…but, don’t leave Him there and go do your living…Let Him be with you in the ordinary…
Luke 10:27, Jesus summed up all of scripture: Love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself
...Everything…for the love of God

Still reviewing…
2. Without Being Discouraged
Proverbs 24:16 says for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again
...you fall down then you get up again
Every day is a new beginning
Never Give Up

3. To receive equally from His Hand the sweet and bitter
Everyday carries some sweetness and some bitterness
To Practice His Presence requires such a surrender that you thank Him for both…
Remember what James said?
chapter 1 verse 2
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds
There are many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand, But I know who holds tomorrow, And I know who holds my hand.

Practicing the Presence of God
1. For the Love of God
2. without being discouraged
3. receiving equally from His hand the sweet and bitter
And today we tackle 3 more practices
4. the examined life

James 3
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

You’ve heard it said…the unexamined life is not worth living
I agree with this sentiment…and James obviously does too!
We live in a world where 2 Wisdoms exist... (I personally wouldn’t call worldly wisdom, wisdom at all) but James is making a point, submit to God’s ways, wisdom from heaven!
James gives us a blueprint here for examining our days, our lives, our moments…
Wisdom from heaven is pure
Practicing the Presence of God demands that I examine my life to see that it is pure before my God…
Wisdom from heaven is peace-loving
What have I done recently to promote peace?
Wisdom from heaven is considerate
Examining my words reveals that a lot of what comes out of my face could be a lot more considerate
Wisdom from heaven is submissive
How have I pushed my own agenda instead of living His Kingdom and Purposes…
Wisdom from heaven is full of mercy
Wow, are you challenged as much as I am by this list?
Wisdom from heaven is impartial, sincere, righteous…
Father, teach us to examine our lives with your WORD!

Practicing the Presence of God
4. the examined life
5. the most excellent method
Philippians 4:8…Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Titus 3
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

I still believe in right and wrong, that which is birthed out of heaven, and that which is from the pit of hell…
Everything is not relative, Integrity still works! Excellence can still be the goal!
As the book of Titus, points out, sometimes excellence requires a parting of ways with those who refuse to practice His Presence. (That's really hard for me...I really have a hard time letting people go)
But that is never an excuse to not live mercy and grace in every circumstance…Titus began with reminding his readers of our justification by grace and then called them to a high standard of excellence! We need to keep things in order. God’s Grace triumphs over judgment!

Practicing the Presence of God
4. the examined life
5. the most excellent method
and finally 6. perfect resignation to God

2 Corinthians 13:11… Finally, brothers, Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Yes, Scripture demands perfection, but offers strength for it’s aim…
2 Corinthians 12:9… But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

The truth is, I am not calling anybody to perfection with this practice of His Presence…
This practice says perfect resignation to God…
True Surrender
Resign from being the master of the universe, He’s better at it anyway…

Deuteronomy 32:4… He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
2 Samuel 22:31… As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

I always hear people using the scripture…God doesn’t give you more than you can handle…
I think we’re taking it out of context…God certainly does allow more than you can handle…
It’s about letting Him handle it…Letting His strength be perfect in our weakness...
Perfect Resignation to God is the only way for a Christian to truly enjoy His Presence to truly live in Peace and Joy, Practicing the Presence of God…

A teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relationship. The father believed in encouragement. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game.This young man was the smallest of the class when he entered highschool. His father continued to encourage him but also made it veryclear that he did not have to play football if he didn't want to.But the young man loved football and decided to hang in there. He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd get to play when he became a senior.All through high school he never missed a practice nor a game, butremained a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him.When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for thefootball team as a "walk-on." Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster because he always puts his heart and soul to every practice, and at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college games.This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his fouryears at college, but he never got to play in the game. It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice field shortly before the big play off game, the coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and he became deathly silent.Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?" The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't even plan to come back to the game on Saturday."Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear.As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful team-mate back so soon."Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play today," said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close playoff game. But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. "All right," he said. "You can go in."Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before, was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His team-mates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you've never heard!Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed that the young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic!Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?" He looked at the coach with tears in his eyes, and said, "Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?" The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, "Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!"
That’s like Practicing the Presence of God…It’s living your life only for the Father’s Eyes in heaven…