Pursuing the Presence of God
About This Sermon
Jarrett Stephens teaches from Psalm 24 about the connection between pursuing God's presence and growing in practical holiness. He traces how God's presence was central to Israel through the ark of the covenant, and how David's celebration shows us what our hearts should feel. Yet our flesh, the devil, and the world system work against us. We suppress our desire for God, exchange time with him for lesser things, or presume upon him casually. Jarrett shows that no one can meet Psalm 24's standard of clean hands and a pure heart on their own. The real answer to "who can stand in God's presence?" is no one, until Jesus, the King of glory, opens the way.
Scripture: Psalms 24; Psalms 19:1; Exodus 25:22; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 2:3-5; Colossians 1:13
Study Guide
A few ideas to carry with you, discuss with your group, or revisit during the week.
Practical Takeaways (5)
- We become what we behold as we spend time in God's presence.
- The flesh, the devil, and the world system work to keep us from pursuing God.
- We rarely trade God for something evil; we usually trade him for something easier.
- No one can ascend to God's presence on their own merit.
- Jesus opens the way to God's presence that we could never make for ourselves.
Discussion Questions (4)
- What does Psalm 24 teach us about who can enter God's presence?
- Which of the three dangers, suppressing, exchanging, or presuming, do you most easily fall into?
- What would it look like for you to pursue God's presence more intentionally this week?
- How does understanding Jesus as the King of glory change the way you approach God?
