Application in the Preaching of Grace

By Bryan Chapell

Goal of this lecture: To see how grace motivates and enables powerful application of Biblical truth for obedience and hope.

1. What is Application?

So you preached a fantastic sermon. Dr Rayburn's "So what?"

We are not ministers of information. We are ministers of transformation.

• The duty God requires of man.
• What the Scriptures principally teach
• What preachers principally preach

• The personal consequences of expounded truth.

We may know a lot of meaning but if we do not know it's significance, we do not really know it's meaning.

• Eg. What is the significance of the truth of the trinity? It's about a relational God.
• Eg. What's the significance of justification is by faith alone? Maybe it's to know that it's what Jesus did and not your good works.

• The attitude or behaviour a Biblical truth requires.

What should my heart do in response to this? Out of the heart are the issues of life (Prov 4:23)

• Application of biblical truth is not only about behaviour but about the attitude of the heart. If we can change behaviour but the heart has not changed, what is it's significance?
• We tend to focus on the exposition of Scripture and not on its application.
• Topical exposition where the source is from the text but the development is from everywhere else, we can use the word to say what we want. We need to get the topic, the main points, sub-points all from the text. Say what God says and not what I think. That is Expository preaching. Explanation, Illustration and Application all comes from the text.
• Explanation (exegesis, organisation, outline, argument) is not our goal in Expository preaching but it's Application.

What is important doesn't help you if you don't know why it's important.

The young may hear the Bible explained while growing up but they hear no relevance to their lives. They also did not see the impact of the word in their parents' lives. So they leave church once they leave the home.

2. How Important is Application?

• Broadus - "The main thing to be done".

• "If we leave it to men's choice to follow what is taught them, they will never move one foot. Therefore, the doctrine in itself profits nothing at all. - John Calvin (Sermon on 2Tim 4:1-2)

• Our Generational Experience (sola Spiritus)

Theologians sometimes objects to application because it's not the Pastor's job but that of the Holy Spirit. And that if we do try to apply we limit the work of the Holy Spirit. The Sola Spiritus (Spirit alone) argument.

• Just as we explain what the Spirit must ultimately interpret, we must apply what the Spirit will ultimately apply.

• Our Personal Ethos

The perceived character of the speaker.

Logos - verbal content. The written text.

Pathos - emotive content. Not just the message but the manner in which we say the message. If manner contradicts the message, which will we believe? Our manner has to reflect our message.

Ethos - credibility + compassion

Are you speaking truth or are you a truthful person? The most persuasive part of your message is whether you care or not.

• Logos - Explanation - Principles (least remembered except maybe the topic or inspiring thought)
• Pathos - Illustration - Demonstrate (last one likely to be remembered or the first one)
• Ethos - Application - Particular

(I will remember if I strongly disagree or the one I strongly agree)

This is only true as external memory. But there is also an internal memory, the message itself has a redemptive impact. We remember more than the content of the message, we remember the messenger (credibility and compassion). You can trust me but more than that you trust the word I represents. If application is avoided we damage the message. Move from the general to the particular application.

3. What are Perspectives on the "Place" of Application?

Traditional Practice: At the conclusion of the Exposition (ie at the end of the sermon; But consider advantages and disadvantages of Puritan tradition).

• Application that goes at the end of a sermon is a Puritan tradition. It follows a theological essay. Doctrine development from various passages. Followed by the uses. They became ministers of information instead of ministers of transformation. They were not thinking of how people were hearing. We have been thought to preach in an academic model.

Homiletical Advice: In each minor point's "Exposition" (ie integrating meaning and significance to expound understanding of the biblical text).

 

• Deductive Model (inverted pyramid)

The Homiletical advice means the Explanation, Illustration and Application is not the structure for the whole sermon but for each point. The introduction includes what and why. The application begins the message and not an afterthought. People are thinking even as we go along. We deduce the application from the principles.

• Inductive Models (conversational pyramid)

Application/Illustration, Illustration/Application and Explanation. Give people a reason for the subject. The reverse methodology is to start with the particular to the principle. That's where most people are at. We relate to our situations. We present the issues first and then what biblical principles apply.

• Integrated Models

Application from a Rhetorical need. ("Put a man in a hole" = Communications Model) And they want to know how to get out of the hole. Identifying the burden of the text.

Application from a Biblical FCF (Fallen Condition Focus). Identify a redemptive burden = Pastoral Model.

The "Swiss Cheese" effect of 2Tim 3:16-17, Rom 15:5. These are the holes in us. What is going to make them complete?

The Fallen Condition Focus Process.

• Identify the Big Idea of the text. The what question.
• Identify the Concerns causing the text (in context). The why question.
• Show how we Share the struggle (mutual condition). The how question. Mutual condition. How are we like them.

Pastoral effect: Truth❓Struggle

God gave you truth to help you with your struggles. Instead of burdening people we are shepherding people.

The common denominator of all the great preachers of all time is that they gave people hope.

Explanation, Illustration and Application are all needed for full exposition of a Biblical Text (though each has been debated in preaching history); but we still have questions regarding proportion, order and components.

4. What are Appropriate Proportions for Application?

We have a generic model but there is no generic congregation. Age, interest, occasions are decisions we make based on the demographics. We vary our Explanation, Illustration and Application proportions depending on who we are preaching to.

• It is the preacher's responsibility to both think of their congregations' capacities and necessities.
• Generic Model
• 1/3 Explanation
• 1/3 Illustration
• 1/3 Application 
• Appropriate Proportions for Application.
• The Seminary Error
• 2/3 Explanation
• 1/3 Illustration
• 1 sentence Application 
• The Popular Error
• 1 sentence Explanation
• 2/3 Illustration
• 1/3 Application 
• A Pastoral Model
• Audience - needs, learning, expectations, hostility
• Text - nature, subject
• Occasion

5. What are the Components of Application?

• Components of Explanation of Text.

General Processes

• Repeat it. Repeating is explanation.
• Re-state the truth in more familiar terms.
• Define terms or Describe people or events.
• Proof or Argument.

The most common is no. 2. We re-state in more familiar terms to be helpful to people. We know when not to keep going when it's clear and convincing. That's when we start applying.

• The Components of Application
• What should I do?  - Instructional Specificity. The what question. What does the text require me to do, believe, accept, change etc.
• Where should I do it? - Situational Specificity. Good application = situational specificity = Instructional Specificity. Where will it make a difference? Where should I do it? This is through the who door. Who needs to hear this? We don't identify them but their situation or struggle.
• Why should I do it? - Proper Motivation. The right things for the wrong reasons are wrong.
• How should I do it? - Proper Enablement. We may preach the first three but if we do not address the how, we are not just negligent but also cruel. How to do what you are told to do in Christ.

6. Prudent use of Application Options

• Open the horizon
• Reverse the train
• Turn the radio on
• Love a Puritan and a Parable.

7. What troubles us about Application

The four questions that application addresses are What, Where, Why and How.

• The Courage required to be specific. Considered the "Breaking Point". The call to change. Transformation hurts. It requires a confrontation with people. It's hard because we fear rejection.
• The interpretation required to be specific.
• Mistaking duties required by the text. Eg Jesus wore sandals, so we wear sandals. Samson is strong when he had long hair and weak when he had short hair, so we should all have short hair?
• Requiring duties not developed from the text.
• Not matching tone to task. Eg We angrily tell people they need to love.
• Confusing a "good idea" with a Biblical mandate. Eg You should have a 20 minute quiet time every morning. It's a good idea but not a mandate. A church can go to war over a good idea.
• The sense that the Holy Spirit is limited by requiring specific duties.
• The Grace that may be denied by requiring specific duties.

Is it ungracious to talk about duty?

1. To redeem from an empty way of life is gracious. 1Peter 1:18
2. To teach to say NO to ungodliness is gracious. Titus 2:12
3. To lead to the blessings of obedience and godliness is gracious. 
4. To teach that there is discipline for disobedience is gracious.

What is ungracious with regard to duty?

1. To teach that there is merit in obedience is ungracious.

Eg Sunday school teacher saying: If you are a good little girl, Jesus will love you. There is blessings in obedience but no merit in obedience. Isaiah 64:6

2. To teach that God rejects for disobedience is ungracious.

Romans 8:39. We are dependent upon the grace of God. Your obedience is not the basis of your acceptance or rejection.

3. To teach that God does not require godliness is ungracious. Lev 19:2, John 14:15
4. To teach the law apart from grace is ungracious.

You teach what is required but if it's not in the redemptive context of God it damages people. It is through grace that people response to obedience. The provision of God in Christ.

1. Teaching the "Deadly Be's" alone. They are not wrong in itself but is wrong by itself.

1. Be Like eg Be like Barnabas or David or Abraham except non of them were sinless. The exception is Jesus. But if you asked someone to be like Jesus you'll get 3 response: I can't. I can (The young rich man). Despair. Paul says follow my example even as I follow Christ (the redemptive context).

2. Be Good. It's not wrong in itself but wrong by itself. How good? We are required to be holy. Your status before God is not what you do but who you are in God.

3. Be Disciplined. Eg read your Bible, pray and go to church. After preaching that what do you say? Read more. Pray more. Go to church more. How much more? Do God love you more because you pray more? What did we make God to be? That he can be bribed by our works. We can't buy the affection of God or buy favour from God.

2. Teaching Polarities of Perspectives alone.

Liberal Christians vs Legalistic Christians. These are the two ends of the faith spectrum. The legalists says Moral Don't eg smoke, drink, gamble, modest dressing

Liberals says Social Do's eg care for the poor, environment, orphans, widows, tolerant. What it both does is to say your standing before God is based on what you do. They are not wrong in itself but wrong by itself. It's not a bad thing, it's bad theology. It's not based on works. 

8. How do we Properly Apply?

Regular use of ALL FOUR questions of Application. What, Where, Why, How.

• Provide Instructional Specificity (answering the What question):
• The specific instructions derived from and proved by the exposition's concepts and terms.
• The importance of "expositional rain".

What it is:

Consistent use of main points and/or sub-point key terms in applicational instructions. 

What it does:

Establishes your scriptural rationale.

Maintains your scriptural authority.

Overcomes the "Breaking Point".

We want to take them from truth to struggle. From principle to particular.

• Provide situational specificity (answering the Where question).
1. Identify where in real life the concept applies. Focus on what's appropriate for that group.
2. Be concrete by going in through the who door. If I try to speak to everyone, I will end up speaking to no one.
3. Spotlight one situation, then move quickly "unroll" (ie identify other situations your people face where the expositional principle also applies - "Don't fence me in").
4. Illustrate the application vs explanation - discover the motivation power of illustrations vs clarification power. The primary purpose of illustration is not to clarify but to motivate. To show how truth operates in real life eg a Human Interest Account.

• Provide Biblical Motivation (answering the Why question)
1. Love over Fear (self-protection)

If the primary purpose of serving God is so that he loves you, you are actually serving yourself. If we motivate by fear rather than love, they cannot serve him. Why do we do things for God? Because we love him. Biblical fear is not terror. It's reverence. He never punishes his children, to impose penalty to damage you for wrong. He may hurt you but he won't harm you. Christ took ALL the punishment on the cross. God disciplines not punish.

2. Gratitude over Gain (self-promotion)

We are not bribing them. If we are faithful we will want what he wants.

The motive hierarchy (Why should I do what God requires?)

• Love for God (motivated God's gracious character in the text). This has to be the first motivation. We live and die for him.
• Love for others (motivated by love for those our God loves). If we love God above all else we will love all that Jesus loves.
• Love for self (motivated by love for the person my God loves). There is a proper love for self. There are self destructive people who hates themselves. We need to remind people they are God's special people and they are the temple of the Holy Spirit and it's okay to love themselves.

The motivation layers (maintaining proper reasons for repentance)

• What can change.
• Fellowship
• Blessings
• Our assurance
• His delight in our actions
• Discipline
• Conviction
• What cannot change
• Sonship
• Welfare
• His affection
• His desire for our good
• Destiny
• Justification (no condemnation)

In Christ-centred (grace oriented) preaching the rules don't change; the reasons do.

Luke 14:27 Rom 15:4

9. How does God reveal his gracious character?

Answer: Through "Christ-centred exposition" that discloses the grace in all Scripture culminating in Christ.

• Alternative Approaches (Redemptive/Historical; Doctrinal Instruction; Relation Interaction; Literary Motif)
1. Predictive of the Work of Christ

Prophecies in the OT.

2. Preparatory for the Work of Christ

John the Baptist. Passover. The sacrificial system. Tabernacle. Jesus tabernacled among the people. All has been a dead end to prepare us for the perfect sacrifice. He will provide what we cannot provide for ourselves. 

3. Reflective of the Work of Christ

The most common way of identifying God's grace in our lives. The still small voice of God to Elijah who ran into the dessert after a great victory. He called a stiff neck people his treasured possession. A faithful God who gave land back to the unfaithful. He reveals his gracious character in taking care of people who cannot take care of themselves. His affection drives them to obedience.

4. Resultant of the Work of Christ

This is after Christ, the epistles. How can we sinful people now go boldly to the throne of God. It's the result of the great high priest that have made the way for us. The Holy Spirit interceding on our behalf.

• Universal Approach (Two lenses to uses in all contexts)
1. God's nature which provides the work of Christ.
2. Our nature which requires the work of Christ

Ask what does this text tell me about God and what does this text tell me about me. When we ask these questions, it will help us see the redemptive plan of God.

10. What is the Purpose of Expounding Grace from All Scripture?

• Too many people confuse their Who and their Do (ie confuse their justification with their sanctification). The young ruler asked "what must I do?"
1. What we do does not determine who we are
2. Who we are determines what we do

• Faithful exposition shows the "imperative rests on the indicative and the order is not reversible" (Deut 5:6; Epistle structure Heb 10:14).

If you capture that truth, it will change all your relationships with people.

11. How does Expounding Grace enable the Application of Scripture?

How do we discover the power for Christian Living. What gives people the power to obey God?

• Knowledge is Power.
1. Proper knowledge  - What honours God and Blessed US (Doctrine and Duty). What to do and Who God is.
2. Who you are. You are human. Susceptible to sin. Vulnerable and helped by practical; But they are also Redeemed - loved by the father, united to Christ, in-dwelt by the Spirit = New Creation - 2Cor 5:17, Gal 2:20, 1John 4:4.
• Love is Power.

What is the primary reason the Redeemed sin? Because we love it. How do we overcome love for sin? A greater love!

1. What is the source of love? 1John4:19 - we love because…
2. What is the effect of love?
1. Holiness: Love to walk with him. John 14:15 - If you love  me… Titus 2:11,12 - The Grace of God teaches us.
2. Service: Love of what and whom he loves. 2Cor 5:14 - the love of Christ controls. Matt 25:40 - as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. Not just obedience but want to.
3. How to build love? Means of Grace (prayer, fellowship) is not Means to Grace (not what we do to obtain favour) (what if we see it as bread and not barter).

Conclusion: Filling up the heart with the Power of Grace.

Bryan Chapell is the Senior Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, IL and President Emeritus of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He is known globally as an established preacher, teacher and speaker especially in the area of homiletics. Bryan has also authored several books, including Unlimited Grace, Each for the Other, Holiness by Grace, Praying Backwards, The Gospel According to Daniel and The Hardest Sermons You’ll Ever Have to Preach and Christ-Centered Preaching—a preaching textbook that is now in multiple editions and languages. Bryan and his wife, Kathy, have four adult children, a growing number of grandchildren. He lives rich with friends, fishing and faith.

Apostle Paul the Theologian - Introduction

The Christian faith is a faith that is both simple and complex at the same time. The message of the cross, in its presentation of salvation by grace and through faith, is a simple enough message for all people. However, the implications of Calvary in relation to the biblical themes such as atonement, justification, sanctification and glorification and the like are definitely complex in nature.

This present Bible study endeavours to look at these themes from the eyes of the apostle Paul. What exactly was on the great apostles' mind when he wrote the 13 letters to the churches of his time? This is the question that we will seek to answer as we work through this study. One verse that captures the essence of how the apostle perceives the Christian faith is Gal 2:20:"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Apostle the Theologian

Lesson 1: The centrality of God in Christ

Lesson 2: Proclaiming God in Christ

Lesson 3: Suffering and the Pauline proclamation

Lesson 4: Dishonouring God

Lesson 5: The exaltation of Christ Jesus

Lesson 6: The righteousness of God

Lesson 7: The transforming grace of God

Lesson 8: Honouring God

Lesson 9: Persevering faith & the hope of glory 

Lesson 10: Agape love & the law In Paul

What was on the apostle Paul's mind when he wrote the 13 letters of the NT? Hebrew is not included because we are not sure who's the author.

Galatians 1:11-17

Paul Called by God

11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.

Judaism  (verse 13)

Jewish faith and way of life developed during the period between OT and NT. Much of it is legalism and gave way to the biggest group, the Pharisees. The major sect to Judaism. Paul keeps emphasising that he received from Jesus Christ and not from man.

1. There is a strong emphasis that Paul says the 13 letters are a revelation from Jesus Christ. If you take all of the NT which has 14 other letters, our doctrine will be at best half baked if we do not have Paul's 13 letters. Revelations is on his second coming and the gospels are about Jesus on earth.
2. The apostle Paul was an expert of the OT. He is one of the top, the Pharisee of the Pharisees. He even persecuted the church and is competent in the law. He knew all Judaism tradition and law.

This is the background of Paul.

The interpretation of the Bible.

What was on Paul's mind

-> Pauline Letters <-

What is on our minds

When we read the bible we should not read it just from an academic view point but do not draw near to God. We are taught that we need the illumination of the Holy Spirit. But what does it mean to be illuminated or guided by the Holy Spirit? Some will tell you no need Bible study, or commentaries. You just read and the Holy Spirit will teach you. They may use verse 12 as defence, but what they forgot is they are not the apostle Paul. These people read the scriptures based on what's on their mind but not based on what was on Paul's mind.

Interpreting the Bible is not subjective. We must enter our study by looking at the Pauline letters through the eyes of Paul because he wrote them. This is the basic ground work. We must start with the author.

Many of these letters are written because of situational problems. He wrote to address certain problems at the church at that point of time.

Why do we have bible study? We already have preaching on Sunday. Or we have the Holy Spirit to teach us. One of the 5-fold ministry is teaching. You have to understand a little bit of church history.

Jesus at Calvary - AD30

Apostolic Era - AD100 (the first century church, early church or Apostolic church)

Church Fathers - AD400

Roman Catholic Church

Some thinks the true church is the early church. But we know from Paul's letters that they were no better than us. The early church was an infant church. There are the Jews and the gentiles, the Jew church and the gentile church. Some from the gentile background deals with different things. And they mix their believe.

Heresy

The Church Father's brought some of the doctrines that we have now and that's also when heretic teaching started. Paul was in the heat of all that turmoil. It is at those times that we see why Paul was exceptional in his teaching at that time. Heresy is when what we believe is distorted. Many of the Pauline letters addressed heresy.

Gnosticism

A believe system that sees the material world (matter) as evil. Secret knowledge or esoteric knowledge. It came from the gentiles.

Galatians - Galatians Heresy

Colossians - Colossians Heresy

1Timothy - Gnosticism

You may say these are old heresies so it is no longer valid? Is the church better today than those days? We may ask today if a church's teaching is okay or not? Then there could be heretic teachings but I think it's too strong a word. I use the dilution of the gospel or a distortion of the gospel. What is the difference between dilution and distortion?

A preacher that teaches financial prosperity as the primary blessings of God in Christ distorts the gospel.

A preacher that teaches grace without a proper understanding of the holiness of God dilutes the gospel.

What does Paul do in these situations like in the early church? Paul teaches. That's the difference between teaching and preaching. We need to ask if the apostle Paul teaches the prosperity gospel or hyper grace. These are also men of God and knows the Bible so where did they go wrong?

What is the CENTRE of Paul's thinking?

What is the foundational centre of Paul's writing? A person whose centre is his family, he will make his decision based on his family needs. A businessman whose centre is his business will make his decision based on his business. It's priority.

Some thinks Paul's centre are these. 

Justification (grace through faith)

Sanctification (pursuits of holiness in the spirit)

Blessing (physical blessings and promises)

If it's justification, grace becomes the foundation of your teaching. A gospel of grace. That is how hyper grace looks at Pauline's centre as grace. So the question is whether Pauline's teaching is centred on grace? Holiness become de-emphasised. Because grace supersede everything. If holiness is the centre, you will downplay grace and may move into some form of law. If your foundational thinking is material blessings, your gospel becomes prosperity gospel.

It is not for us to decide what is the centre of Paul's teaching. Or we may have the wrong centre.

GOD (who He is - Person of God) -> BLESSINGS (what He does - works/promises of God) -> US

Non of the biblical themes is the centre of his teaching. His blessings or promises is not the centre of his teaching. God himself is the centre of his teaching.

Are we exalting Christ or exploiting Christ? When Christ is lifted up, the church will prosper. 

The Presence of God

 Bro Koay Kheng Hin

I was very blessed. I feel younger. In school they call me apek. Not because of how I look but how I speak. But today after the worship I feel younger.

I believe the message I have is for all. It's called the Presence of God.

We are one of those people around who often missed a little in what we are looking forward to. Like we look for a home but often we end up looking for a house. And as the house gets bigger and bigger, the home gets smaller and smaller.

The other example is when we come to church we reach a stage where we want God to speak to us. A prophetic word so that we can tell what is going to happen. What he needs is not a prophetic word but an assurance that God is with him regardless of what he goes through.

Or we come looking for a good sermon. But what we need is a word from the Lord. The sermon is a preacher's task but it is only the Lord that can speak to the heart.

Or worship we look for an uplifting service but what we need is the touch of God.

The gathering of God's people means nothing if God's presence is not there.

As Christians we all have God's presence in our heart. But what I want to ask is if you have that subjective awareness that God's presence is with you. Can you on a daily basis sense the presence of God? Can you feel and is aware and conscious that there is a still small voice talking to you.

Many many years ago when my father accepted the Lord, I moved away from the signs of things. I'm a physic teacher so I need evidence. What broke that thinking was my brother who was a pastor in KL who is the complete opposite. When I went with my brother, in prayer he said that this is the day my father will accept the Lord. I say you say but in my heart I felt otherwise. But that day in the room my father cried. I've never seen that because he never cried. And then I cried. My brother cried. Two grown man and one old man hugging one another and crying.

Outside are all the idols. But within the wall I could sense the presence of God. In my head I tell myself even my dad can accept Christ, it is the work of the Holy Spirit. My scientific mind readjusted. I begin to see differently and even when I read the bible I could sense the Lord speaking to me.

As I share today I want to impart this to all of you. Experiencing the presence of God continuously is what God mean for a Christian life. Our eternal life is a continual awareness that God is with us.

I want to quote from one old timer.  Bro Lawrence. He was in the army but the change came to him as he was walking on a country road. It was winter so the trees were botak but he saw that and knowing that when spring comes around, that botak tree will bloom and be lush and colourful again. And he realised that life is in his hands and every life is sustained by God. And so is his life. That is how he was one man of God in the past that brought us these classics that at the end of the day our spiritual heritage is God walking with us and us being conscious of him all the time.

He is one of those men that did not accomplished much in terms of his life but to him any task great or small, if God is there with him it is more than enough.

If you are working a job and you think there is something better, my answer to you is that if you have the presence of God is with you, brother Lawrence is telling you, it is enough.

Exodus 25:23-24

The Table for the Showbread

“You shall also make a table of acacia wood; two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height. 24 And you shall overlay it with pure gold, and make a molding of gold all around.

Exodus 25:30

And you shall set the showbread on the table before Me always.

This is the furnishing in the Tabernacle. The table of showbread is the bread of his presence. The twelve loaves represents the twelve tribes of Israel. The acacia wood represents mankind. That the humanity of Christ is represented by the acacia wood and the deity of Christ by the gold.

It symbolises the desire of God to fellowship with us. We Penangite is famous for our food and we are experts in makan. We fellowship during food. He wants to fellowship with Israel, his prize possession.

That at all times means continuously. The heathens cannot have the presence of God. Only his children. But we compartmentalise his presence. In church we seek his presence. Like today I preach, I seek his presence but after this it's over.

Do we come to God for interest or intimacy. This is what separates from the person who is walking with God. I say this, are we riding with God or taking God for a ride.

In Exodus, the bread of his presence is only available to the priest. The priest representing Israel. But when Jesus says he is the bread of life, it's not only pastor Gideon taking and we watch. We don't do that. We all take the communion. In the NT there is no longer someone partaking of the bread as a symbol representing us but we all partake of it.

The presence of God is available for all of us.

John 15:4-5

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

The key word is remain or abide in me. When Jesus says that he is affirming that his presence is ours to experience continuously. The continual presence of God is our heritage. That is what bro Lawrence is trying to convey. Do you think often on God?

Bro Lawrence says do you think of God by day or by night? He was talking about a continual thinking and reflection on him. Even in our diversions, like playing badminton or our business. Bro Lawrence says he is always near you. He is always with us and waiting to fellowship with us.

Today if you want to experience the presence of God continually you must desire him and not leave him alone.

James 4:8

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

When you read that he is waiting for us to come near to him so that we can draw near to him.

John connects abiding in him to fruits. A person who draws near to God is someone who will inevitably bear fruit.

To bear fruit we must share the gospel. We are to reap the harvest. That is a fruit but not just that, it also includes the fruit of the Holy Spirit. This year I made a resolution. To be more kind. I think we live in an unkind world.

Yesterday I went to watch Cinderella. I must confess but after I finished my sermon notes. I felt that even at my age as an apek, it still touches my heart. But of course I already have my Cinderella, the mother says take courage and be kind and it touched me.

If you are unkind, or is someone who is bitter, you try sharing the gospel, it won't work. People see through you. Your character and charisma have to go hand in hand.

In salvation God works for you but in sanctification God works in you but in sharing the gospel it is God working through you.

When you exhibits the fruit of the Holy Spirit you are not doing it by yourself. God works in you. But when you share the gospel, you open your mouth but salvation is God's work, not yours.

When you abide in Christ, as in John 15, you have answered prayer, the love of God will overwhelm you and the joy of God will fill you.

Moses went up Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights. Moses was enjoying the presence of God. But down there the people were enjoying the revelry with the golden calf. God was incensed. But in the next chapter, Moses asked God if he will go with them. Moses says if your presence won't go with us we will not go into the promise land. No wonder Moses is called a friend of God.

David is another instance. David says in the preserve of God is the fullness of joy. In another one, when he committed adultery with Bathsheba, he could not sense the presence of God for one whole year. And after that he cried "do not take your presence from me." 

What is the place of holiness in the presence of God? In the cell we are doing the book of Amos. What exactly was in God's heart in the minor prophets. First, God is a holy God. He says be you holy as I am holy. God cannot have a people that is unholy. So when wayward Israel go from one sin to another, you'll find that all the punishment of God is restorative rather than punitive.

In the presence of God you will become holy and in your holiness you will draw closer to God.

But I what to qualify what I say. The interacting dynamics is that you must have the desire to be led by the Holy Spirit and in it you are purified by God. God only needs you to take one small step in acknowledging God that you need help and his presence is there to help you. A Chinese proverbs is, one small step is the beginning of a thousand miles.

Tell God today you want to experience his presence. I want to end with Enoch. Enoch walked with God and he was no more.  God took him away. But two verses before that, Enoch walked with God. It was recorded twice. Enoch walked with God in a continuous presence and in holiness.

Worship by Grace ELELYON team, Youth Sunday

Testimonies by Nick and Sam