The unifying theme of the Bible

2. The unifying theme of the Bible

3. The Presence of God Creation In the beginning God created...

4. The Presence of God God’s Name I am Yahweh! The God who is present among his people

5. The God who is present among his people Symbolised by:

6. The Presence of God Localised • Tabernacle • Jerusalem • Temple

7. The Presence of God Tabernacle - Exodus 25:8,22

14. The Presence of God Jerusalem - Deuteronomy 12:4-7

15. The Presence of God Temple - 2 Chronicles 6:1,2

16. The Presence of God Universal Psalm 139 Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens… If I make my bed in the depths… If I settle on the far side of the sea… If I say the darkness will hide me… YOU ARE THERE!!!

17. The Presence of God Universal All of God is everywhere present all of the time. Everything in the universe is immediately in the presence of God.

18. The Presence of God Promised I Will Be With You When you call to me, I will answer you. I will be with you when you are in trouble. (Psalm 91:15)

20. The Presence of God The Word פּנים Panyim Before the eyes of… Under the gaze of…

21. The Presence of God In The Gospels Emmanuel (God with us) - Matthew 1:23 There am I - Matthew 18:20 I am with you - Matthew 28:20 The Word became flesh - John 1:14

22. The Presence of God In The Believer Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you.

23. The Presence of God In The Church We are the temple of the living God.

24. The Presence of God In The New Jerusalem Now the dwelling of God is with men and he will live with them. Revelation 21:3

25. The Presence of God The Problem of Unawareness Why??? God is invisible God is crowded out We don’t discipline ourselves

26. The Presence of God The Problem of Unawareness Sometimes I envy the Catholic priests. They carry a crucifix around all the time. I need a reminder of the cross of Christ because I forget so easily what Jesus did for me through his death for us. James Denney, The Death of Christ

27. The Presence of God The Problem of Unawareness Biblical Examples

28. Jacob - Genesis 28:10-17

29. Jesus’ Disciples - John 21:4-7

30. Emmaus Disciples - Luke 24

31. The Presence of God The Rewards of Awareness What would happen to us if we lived with an awareness of the presence of God?

32. Intimacy

33. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

34. Security

35. Do not fear, for I am with you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

36. Holiness

37. If Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. Romans 8:10

38. The Presence of God Tuning into God’s Presence I have set the Lord always before me. (Psalm 16:8) To Keep in Prominence

39. The Presence of God The Goal Raising our level of awareness of God’s presence. How???

40. Practising God’Presence • Remind yourself God is with you

41. Practising God’s Presence • Remind yourself God is with you • Decide to talk to God

42. Practising God’s Presence • Remind yourself God is with you • Decide to talk to God • If you forget, confess and continue

43. Practising God’s Presence • Remind yourself God is with you • Decide to talk to God • If you forget, confess and continue • Do everything for the Lord

44. Practising God’s Presence • Remind yourself God is with you • Decide to talk to God • If you forget, confess and continue • Do everything for the Lord • Take control of your senses

45. Practising God’s Presence Using our senses to experience God’s presence?

46. Practising God’s Presence • Remind yourself God is with you • Decide to talk to God • If you forget, confess and continue • Do everything for the Lord • Take control of your senses • Aim to experience God more