GOD’S PRESENCE PRODUCES TRANSFORMATION

1. GOD’S PRESENCE PRODUCES TRANSFORMATION His Sanctuary Ministries M.N. Ngcobo 22 March 2009

2. In His presence • Acts 10:9-21 – Peter went to pray upon the roof and he received a vision • He is asked to do what he has never done before – something had to be done • He suffered “rooftop syndrome” – he did not want to leave and do what God wanted him to do. • God’s determination – to take Gospel and the revelation of his presence from the rooftop to the streets: Acts 10:20-21, “behold three men are seeking you. Arise, therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

3. Rooftop syndrome • How do we respond to Gods call? – “excuse me I am having a [my] vision.” • What should we know? – “the mission for the vision of God’s presence is to take it to the streets.” • Peter suffered serious relapses of his rooftop syndrome – Galatians 2:11-21 we hear that the Apostle Paul publicly challenged Peter for clinging to the comfortable circles of his prejudiced religious friends rather than reaching beyond that closed circle to extend God’s love to people that his church culture taught were unlovely.

4. Jesus commission to us and as a role model • Mark 16:15 – “Go to all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” • This must be done “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” – Acts 1:8b • How should this be done? – closet prayer • Jesus pulled away to pray before and after ministering to people all day • He longed for the Father’s presence • He prayed often, but he also went back to the crowds

5. Jesus - role model • Luke 7:11-15 – he performed miracles and helped people • He was motivated by the very compassion of God - the presence of the Father moved and directed Him from within • The Gospel of Jesus Christ is practical – it is concerned with doing something as opposed to being something • Godly people do godly things or they are not godly • Where are the Christians? – crowded in church buildings

6. Servant hood • The practical servant hood – John 13:1-10 • Peter resisted – he did not realize the power of the towel – he also thought that Jesus being the Christ should not do such a servant’s job • The towel is a powerful weapon together with the sword (the Word) – but each weapon must be used appropriately – e.g. Peter preferred a sword • The example of Dave and his wife Carol – they resigned their jobs and they practically washed the strangers feet and wiped with towels – a sign of showing compassion, mercy and grace of God

7. God’s presence and transformation • You cannot dwell in God’s presence and remain unchanged • James 1:22 “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” • The world must see a difference in the lives of those who claim to have been in God’s presence • Moses was transformed in the presence of the Lord – Exodus 3:10 – he is called to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt • His life demonstrated a divine difference – Exodus 34:29-33 - in mount Sinai Moses’ face literally reflected the glory of God’s presence. He had to cover it with a veil in front of the Israelites

8. Transformation • The Apostle Paul was also transformed – Acts 9:3-5 • He became the greatest apostle • He evangelized to gentiles • He wrote most epistles found in the New Testament • God still desires that all people be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:3-4) • God’s presence should not be reserved or held for an elite few

9. Repentance as a condition to God’s presence • In God’s presence we find a strong sense of love, forgiveness and compassion • In his presence we also find joy – Psalms 16:11 • Acts 3:19 – “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from [the presence of] the Lord.” • Therefore a condition to our entrance into God’s presence is repentance.