24 Jul Summer of Psalms | Week 4 “Living In God’s Presence” | New England

Announcements:

UPCOMING EVENTS: (PLEASE GO TO WATERSCHURCH.ORG/EVENTS TO REGISTER:

ENGAGE: SCAVENGER HUNT – AGES 36 + –  7/30/22

CONNECT EVENT: 7/31/22

SUMMER SPLASH: 8/21/22

NextGEN SIX FLAGS:  AGES 13-35 – 8/27/22

FINANCIAL PEACE (FPU):  9/13/22

PARENTS NIGHT OUT: 9/16

ENCOUNTER MEET UP: AGES 19-35 – 9/23/22

SERVE TEAM BBQ: 9/25/22

ALPHA: 9/26/22

CONCERT: DANNY GOKEY, JORDAN FELIZ, AND TASHA LAYTON – 10/1/22

DISCOVER ISRAEL: INFO ON TRIP TO ISRAEL – 10/16

Below, click the link for  ‘Last Days’ – The Book of Revelation Daily in 15 minuite segments each day over the next 5 weeks:

https://waterschurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1316059

All announcements and the Waters Event Calendar can be found at:  waterschurch.guide

NEW GROUP FOR MEN AND WOMEN! – ENGAGE – for the not so young adults (36 and up). Scavenger hunt on July 30 from 12-3!  Scavenger Hunt Registration

Alpha: New ministry – conversation style Small Group called Alpha that Mehdi and April will be leading.It is for seekers, those on the fence about faith, or disenfranchised from faith.It is to reach lost people.  Join the conversation today @ waterschurch.org/alpha

Location Text Alerts:

• North Attleboro	(508) 695-1300	Text “subscribe” to 508 695-1300
  Norwood	(781) 762-3357	Text “subscribe” to 781 762-3357
  Apollo Beach	(813) 642-6979	Text “subscribe” to 813 642-6979
  Woonsocket	(833) 241-4837	Text “subscribe” to 833 241-4837
  Southcoast	(508) 809-3490	Text “subscribe” to 508 809-3490
  Waters ELC NA	(774) 643-6322	Text “subscribe” to 774 643-6322

Tuesday Cafe: Join us for Tuesday Cafe at Waters North Attleboro, anytime between 10am-1pm open to the public for fellowship and complimentary coffee and pastry! 

Pastor Tim has 3 podcasts: The Deep End, the Deep Dive Bible Study on Romans, and 10 questions with Tim only available on timhatchlive./live.  Be sure to like and subscribe to the channel to be notified of each new podcast.

KEY VERSE: PSALM 51

We may, at some point in our walk, not feel as close to God as we once were. However, we must long to be in the presence of God as we did when we were first saved and on fire for Christ.  Psalm 51 teaches us, through King David’s life, how we can live in the presence of a holy, just, and perfect God.  

Ice breaker:

Q. What is an example in your life when you no longer felt as close to God as you once were?

David wrote Psalm 51 after being confronted about his lustful adulteress relationship with Bathsheba and the killing of her husband Uriah, a general in his army.

Psalm 51 (ESV)

No human is perfect, even a hero like David. He committed murder, adultery, and at times was caught up in pride.  David made his kingdom about himself and not what God did through him. Pride may be the first and most deadliest sin as it leads to other sins.  We must be aware of this trap.   Pride can keep us from the presence of God. Though pride we sin. 

Three reasons we should want to be in the presence of God: 

1. In Gods presence we have Joy, Life and Pleasure.                                                           

Psalm 16:11 (ESV)

Only God can satisfy, only He can quench what we thirst for.  All the earthly pleasures fade, none of it satisfies like God can.  No earthly relationship is like a relationship with God our Father.  

Q. What is a ‘must have’ you thought would satisfy you but came up empty?

2.  In Gods Presence we have Rest.

Exodus 33:14 (ESV); Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

We find rest in the presence of God.  Life is filled with stress.  There is more anxiety in people today than any other time in history. We can go to the gym, eat right, get plenty of sleep, have healthy habits and hobbies, but nothing gives us true rest like Christ, like being in His presence.

Q. In what ways do you feel weary and burdened right now and finding that no matter how well you eat, or how much you sleep or exercise, you still feel stressed?

3. In Gods Presence we have Courage, Boldness and Grace.

Acts 4:13 (ESV)

They were filled with the presence of God, filled with His Holy Spirit and Peter gave one of the boldest speeches ever heard that convicted thousands of people.  The presence of God gives us courage to get through the day, boldness to walk in a fallen broken world, and grace from God that is perfect, holy, good, and sinless.  Grace that we don’t deserve but is freely offered to all that call on the name of Jesus.

Ephesians 2:22 (ESV)

Q. What is the most difficult situation you have faced where the Holy Spirit gave you boldness and courage?

Three ways we come into the presence of God?

PRAY

1. Glorify God with Thanksgiving for what He has Done.

Psalm 95:2 ESV; Matthew 6:9 ESV

David and Jesus do the same, before they ask for anything, before they make a case for anything, they both lifted up God and glorified him for all that he is and all that he has done. When we enter into the presence of God, we need to start with the right heart and the right intentions.

WORSHIP

2. When we Worship God we call upon His Presence. 

Psalms 100: 1-2 (ESV)

The heroes of the Bible knew that when God reveled himself, he deserved our worship. The angels in heaven worship God all day, every day.  When we worship God, he promises his presence.  

REPENT

3. When we Repent God can Dwell In Us.

After praising God, David goes right into repentance.  He realizes how wrong he was and how even though he sinned toward others, the big issue was sinning toward God.  Now David would face consequences for the rest of his life because of these sins, but, because he truly repented, God did forgive him.  Just the same for us, we have forgiveness with God through Jesus Christ when we repent. Repentance is turning from our sin not just being sorry for our sin.  Repentance is a gift He gives us so we can enjoy His presence.

Mark 1:15 (ESV); 1 John 1:9 (ESV)

Q. Which of these ways we enter into the presence of God is the most difficult for you and why (prayer, worship, or repentance)?

Three things we do with God’s presence?

1. When you experience God’s Grace you share God’s Grace.

Psalm 51:13 (ESV)

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

Now that we have experienced God’s grace and have entered into his presence, we should want to share it with others.  That is why Jesus tells us to go and make disciples.  Our job, for all who follow claim to follow Christ, is to teach others how to follow Christ.  And baptism is important because it gives us opportunity to share our story so others can believe.  

Leader: Here is an opportunity to encourage those not baptized to get baptized.

2. After Experiencing God’s Grace you should Shine His Light.

Psalm 51:19 (ESV); Ephesians 5:2 ESV; Mark 12:33 ESV 

We no longer offer burnt offerings today.  What we do is shine His light, love others with acts of charity and goodness.  We do good because we realize what God has done for us and long with worship and praise, God will delight in and bless these sacrifices.  When we fully understand what Christ’s sacrifice meant, we are compelled to repent, change our ways and follow the ways of God. 

3. With God’s Presence you do God’s Will!

John 15:5 ESV; John 15:9 ESV

Love is an action.  Jesus greeted ack of love was dying for us.

Q. What is something you can do this week to shine your light? ( those not on a serve team can sign up to serve, those that serve can take a co-worker to lunch, invite a non-believer to church, tell others your testimony, help a neighbor etc.)?

Sermon in a sentence: If we want Joy, Rest, Courage, and Grace then we will Worship God, Repent  of our Sins, and live a full life filled with His Presence.  

Summer Challenge: Read through the Psalms this summer.

This Weeks Challenge: Shine your light.