Dec. 17, 2023

Make Room

Primary Text: John 1:14         

1)  Omnipresence

Colossians 1:15-17:  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 

Hebrews 1:1-3:  In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. 

DQ 1) What does it mean that God is omnipresent? 

DQ 2) What is the difference between God’s transcendence and His immanence? 

DQ 3) How does God’s omnipresence differ from pantheism?

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2)  God With Us

John 1:14:  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

John 14:8-9:  Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."  Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?  Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” 

DQ 4) In what ways did the incarnation of Christ uniquely reveal the Father?

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3)  The Invitation

Isaiah 57:15:  For this is what the high and lofty One says--he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."

Romans 10:9-13:  That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  

DQ 5) Does God dwell within every person?  Does He dwell within you?

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4)  Dwelling Among Us

Leviticus 26:11-12:  I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you.  I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. 

Zechariah 2:10-13:  "Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion.  For I am coming, and I will live among you," declares the LORD.  "Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people.  I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.  The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem.  Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling." 

DQ 6) How can we recognize God dwells with us?

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5)  Eternal Dwelling

Psalm 23:6:  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

Revelation 21:2-4:  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.  They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  

DQ 7) What are the deepest longings of the human heart?  Are they fulfilled in dwelling with God?

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