20-Sep-2025: In His Presence
Opening Prayer
Introduction
Psalm 16:11
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Let me ask you a question that every single person must eventually wrestle with: Who is God?
And if you’ve ever asked that question — even once — then here’s the follow-up: Do you want to know Him? Do you have the desire to truly know Him — not just about Him, but to know Him personally and intimately?
Because here’s the truth: You can know Him. You should know Him. And most importantly, He desires to be known.
The Bible Begins with His Presence — Not Heaven: The Bible doesn’t start with a vision of Heaven or angels singing. It begins with God’s presence on Earth.
God’s Presence
Genesis 1:1-2
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
- The earth was formless and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”
- Before anything was formed, before humans, before beauty — God’s Spirit was already present.
- This is the first glimpse of one of God’s most powerful attributes: His omnipresence.
- The Spirit Was Hovering — God is Always There: The Hebrew name used here is Ruach Elohim — The Spirit of God. This wasn’t a passive presence. It was active. Hovering. Ready. Watching. Moving.
- Let this encourage you: God was there before creation, and He is still there in your life right now.
Deuteronomy 31:6
“He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…”
- Even before you knew Him, He was near. Even when you ignored Him, He was watching. This is not just doctrine — it’s divine love.
God’s Presence is Inescapable and Intimate: King David had a revelation:
Psalm 139:7-10
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
- God’s presence isn’t limited to temples, church buildings, or mountain tops. He is present in your highs and your lows. In your celebrations and in your suffering. And more than just being everywhere — He wants to be close. This isn’t just about omnipresence — it’s about personal presence.
Genesis 3:8
“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day…”
- Adam and Eve knew the sound of God’s footsteps. When was the last time you heard Him walking in your life? Because He is walking still.
- Jesus — The Manifestation of God’s Presence: God’s ultimate expression of His presence is found in Jesus Christ.
- Jesus was Emmanuel — God with us. John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
- And when Jesus ascended, He didn’t leave us empty. He sent the Holy Spirit — God’s presence in us. Ephesians 2:22 “You too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.”
Jesus Promises The Holy Spirit
John 14:15-21
“If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
- “I Will Send You the Comforter” – A Promise from Jesus
- The statement “I will send you the Comforter” refers to a powerful and comforting promise made by Jesus to His disciples in the Gospel of John. This declaration is found in several passages (notably John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, and 16:7), where Jesus prepares His followers for His departure by assuring them that they will not be left alone.
- The Speaker: Jesus Christ – speaking to His disciples before His crucifixion, during what is often called the Farewell Discourse.
- The Promise: Jesus promises to send another Comforter (also translated as Helper, Advocate, Counselor, or Intercessor) to be with His followers after His physical departure.
- The Sender: The Comforter is sent by: The Father, at Jesus’ request (John 14:16). Jesus, in the Father’s name (John 14:26).
- The Comforter’s Identity: The Comforter is the Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17). He is not a temporary presence, but one who will dwell with believers and be in them forever.
- The Comforter’s Role: To Abide with Believers Forever. The Holy Spirit is not just a visitor, but a permanent indwelling presence for all who believe in Christ (John 14:16-17)
- To Teach and Remind: He will teach believers all things and bring to their remembrance everything Jesus taught (John 14:26). This means the Spirit helps interpret and apply Jesus’ words to life.
- To Bear Witness about Jesus: The Holy Spirit will testify about Jesus and empower believers to do the same (John 15:26-27). He confirms Jesus’ identity and mission in the hearts of His followers.
- This promise of the Comforter remains central to Christian faith today, reminding believers that they are never alone — God’s Spirit lives within them to guide, teach, comfort, and empower.
Through Jesus, the presence of God moved from hovering above the waters, to walking in the garden, to now dwelling within us. That’s a divine progression of intimacy.
The Fruit of His Presence: Joy, Peace, and Power:
Psalm 16:11
“In your presence there is fullness of joy…”
Psalm 16:11
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
- There is something deeply satisfying about being in the presence of God. Not a cheap happiness — but a fullness of joy that can’t be taken by circumstances.
The presence of God doesn’t just make you feel good. It transforms who you are:
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
God Knows You — Intimately, Personally, Deeply: Some of you might feel small, lost, overlooked. But I want to remind you:
Psalm 147:4
“He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.”
Luke 12:7
“Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”
- You are not forgotten.
- You are not anonymous.
- You are seen, known, and loved.
We Are Living in the Last Days: The Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost — God’s very presence placed inside believers. And now, we carry that presence with us. We are temples of the Holy Spirit and ambassadors of Christ. Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon!”
This is not the time to sleep. This is the time to awaken to God’s presence. To walk in His joy. To proclaim His Word.
The Challenge:
Do You Want to Know Him?
We circle back to where we began:
- Who is God?
- Do you want to know Him?
- Do you desire to know Him?
Because the invitation is open. God is not hiding.
Jeremiah 23:24
“Do I not fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.
God does not play hide and seek.
Wherever you are — He is there. The only question is — will you make room for Him?
Let me leave you with this:
- You were made for His presence.
- You were redeemed by His blood.
- You are being built into His dwelling.
- You are known, loved, and called.
Let the presence of God fill your life.
- Return to Him
- Walk with Him
- Live in Him
Because in His presence, you will find everything your soul has ever longed for.
Everyday we need to give Thanks, Honor and Worship not for what God does for us but for Who God is.
May The Joy of The Lord be your Strength and God Bless you all in The Mighty Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.