Topic: COMFORT OF GOD’S PRESENCE [Church of God Mission International]CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL 10 July 2022
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
DATE:
SUNDAY 10th July,2022
HYMN:
S S & S 577 “I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR”
TOPIC:
COMFORT OF GOD’S PRESENCE
TEXT:
Ex 33:1-16; Ps 91:1-12; Isa 43:1-2
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
GOD’S PRESENCE IN THE BELIEVER’S LIFE GUARANTEES VICTORY
INTRODUCTION
The chambers Dictionary 20th Century defines the word “Comfort” as: ‘to relieve from pain or distress, to strengthen, to soothe, whatever gives ease or enjoyment. The same Dictionary defines “Presence” as: Being in a place in question, readily found or existing in the thing in question. The comfort of God’s presence in the context of this study therefore is: “the strength we have from God, the relief we get by God’s existence in us when we go through life’s huddles, battles and challenges. This is the encouragement the believer gets from God even when no one understands what he/she is going through.
This se presence was what the children of Israel carried on their way from Egypt to Canaan, being evidenced in the pillar of fire by night and the pillar of cloud by day (Ex 13:22); water flowing from the rock as in (Ex 17:1-7); Quail and Manna from Heaven as in (Ex 16). In contemporary time, there are testimonies of people who have experienced God in His power as the Israelites did. It’s God’s intention that we all should carry His presence.
The Lord’s presence in a nation, community, church and individual’s life is very vital for victory, security/safety and excellence. In times like this we need to experience the blessedness of God’s presence.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives are to:
- Understand how we can experience God’s presence and maintain same
- Understand what t means to be conscious of His presence
- Know the hinderances to His presence
- Appreciate the benefits of His presence
BIBLE TRUTH
QUESTION 1
HOW CAN WE EXPERIENCE GOD’S PRESENCE AND MAINTAIN IT ?
The knowledge that God is everywhere as stated in (Ps 139:1-13) is of no benefit until it is appreciated byan. An individual, church and society need the presence of God Himself dwelling in man. Allust desire this. The following are steps that must be taken to experience and maintain God’s presence:
(A) BE BORN AGAIN (Jn 3:1-7): Aan cannot know God until he repents, forsake his sins and gives his life to the ord Jesus Christ. This is the foundation of man’s relationship with God
(B) BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT: God indwells man by the Holy Spirit. The believer must therefore ask God for His baptism. He is the comforter. (Jn 14:16-17)
(C) OBEDIENCE TO GOD AND HIS WORD (Jn 14:15-18; Jas 1:22. God’s presence is guaranteed continually when we live in obedience to Him.
(D) BE RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD. (Ps 140:13; 15:1-5). God cannot dwell in unholy temple. His eyes are too pure to behold sin. Stand in the righteousness in Christ Jesus
(E) CONSISTENT STUDY OF GOD’S WORD (1Pt 2:2). The believerust make conscious effort to study God’s word. It’s the word that God will use to comfort when the need arises.
(F) MAINTAIN A PRAYERFUL LIFE (1Thess 5:17; Lk 18:1). The believer must be consistently stay in God’s presence in prayer. If Jesus could not do without prayer, we should follow our Master’s example.
(G) DO NOT FORSAKE THE ASSEMBLY OF THE BRETHREN (Heb 10:25). Iron sharpeneth iron (Prov 27:17). There is an aspect of God’s presence we experience from corporate fellowship
(H) WATCH THE COMPANY YOU KEEP (1Cor 25:33). Evil communication corrupts good manners. We must at all times surround ourselves with those conscious of God’s presence
(I) DO NOT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT (Eph 4:30; Ps 91:1). He is called the Holy Spirit because He is holy. The believer has to ensure he is careful about the place he goes to, what he does, what he says and even what he wears. We cannot carry His presence and argue about basic Bible doctrines. We must be where God wants us to be.
(J) SOLE DEPENDENCE ON GOD (Ex 20:1). To experience His presence, we must depend absolutely upon Him. The believerust not have any alternative to God
(K) THE LOVE FOR GOD: When we love God and do His will, His presence remains with us.
QUESTION 2a.
HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND IN HIS PRESENCE ?
In the Old Testament, God lived in the temple, hence He gave specific instructions as to its construction and care. He also gave regulations as regards coming into His presence.
By the death of Christ in the New Testament and tearing apart of the temple’s veil, God’s presence no longer resides in building made with hands alone but from Pentecost, He started dwelling in man. Man became His temple (1Cor 6:19). The following should be our response to His presence:
(A)TREMBLE AT HIS PRESENCE (Jer 5:2). Some christian today take God for granted when we gather in His Presence to worship Him. Some have the habit of chewing gum, answering and making calls, readingagazines, newspaper, books, holding side discussions etc while in God’s presence at church service. Some of these habits are also exhibited during family devotion in some homes. These attitudes are contrary to scriptures.
(B) COME TO HIM WITH THANKSGIVING, GLADNESS AND SINGING (Ps 95:2; 100:2). The scriptures admonish us to enter into His gates and His courts with Thanksgiving and Praise. We should appreciate Him for whom He is.
(C) BE SILENT (Zeph 1:7). This implies reverence, decency, comportment, before Him. God demands absolute reverence in His presence.
Also Read: Open Heaven 10 July 2022 Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye –WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE HONEST
The class is encouraged to list and discuss others
QUESTION 2b.
HOW TO RESPOND TO LIFE’S CHALLENGES KNOWING WE HAVE THE COMFORT OF HIS PRESENCE ?
In Acts 14:22 we see that when faced with challenges of life, the believer should see it as a trial of his faith. The admonition in Prov 24:10 is that when you faint in the days of adversity your strength is weak/small.
We should know that whatever challenge one faces is temporal and we will go through victoriously. The believer should have the assurance that he is not alone but God is with him, that even when no one understands, God does and He alone can attend to every problem.
The believer should be steadfast in the faith and confession, trusting God to intervene and give one the desire testimony, it is not a time to run from one place of worship to another, in search of miracles but to hold unto God and His promises in His word.
We should resolve strongly in our minds not to defile ourselves before God (Dan 1:8), not to turn to other source for help, even when those we expect to understand better turn around to give alternative counsel. Brethren also should see it as a duty owed God to rally round, encourage, support and pray with fellow brethren going through life challenges.
QUESTION 3.
WHAT ARE THE HINDERANCES TO HIS PRESENCE ?
I. Sin (Gen 3:8-13; 4:7-16)
II. Disobedience (Jonah 1:1-4)
III. Pride taking God’s glory
IV. The opposite of all that is discussed in Q1 and Q2a
QUESTION 4
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING IN HIS PRESENCE ?
The presence of the Lord in a beleiver’s life is meant to bring comfort, pleasures and the fulfilment of the promises to meet daily life challenges and all through one’s sojourn on earth.
There is the assurance of divine protection from all wiles of the enemy (Ps 91:1-12). He is a guarantee to the smallest assembly of believers, He also gives comfort in trials (Isa 43:2), He gives courage in life battles (Deut 20:1); Rom 8:31; 1Jn 4:4). There is guarantee of rest through life’s battles and most important is eternity with God.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
All believers need the presence of God, as living things need oxygen to survive. Life without God’s presence is miserable and a risk. Life is a journey with many hitches, most of which can be avoided when we obey God and maintain an atmosphere of His presence.
MEMORY VERSE
Matthew 28:20b “Lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age.” Amen.
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