Sermon Notes from Morning Worship
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Series: “Alone With God”
Today: “Delight in Being with Him”
Scripture: Numbers 6:22-27 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 “‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”‘
27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
Intro: Do you delight in being alone with God? There are at least two consequences if you don’t:
1. Prayer will be a chore to avoid.
2. Prayer becomes ineffective .
I. WE DELIGHT IN HIM WHO WANTS TO BLESS US.
A. The word for “bless” that God told Moses to use is “barak;” literally means to kneel and bless .
B. Wouldn’t we all delight in being alone with One who Honors us ?
II. WE DELIGHT IN HIM WHO GUARDS OVER US.
* God will guard you, keeping you from evil and harm .
* Jesus prayed in John 17:15:
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
* Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 3:3:
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
III. WE DELIGHT IN HIM WHO DELIGHTS IN US.
A. The Lord makes His face shine on us and is gracious to us!
B. When you get alone with God, you are alone with One whose face lights up when he sees you!
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Conclusion: Let’s conclude with the conclusion of this blessing: “The Lord turns His face toward you and gives you peace .” (vs. 26)
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.