DIVINE INTIMACY (PART1)

INTRODUCTION
We concluded the series on Peniel as a “Place of Divine Encounter.” I do believe that we need to move forward from Divine Encounter onto Divine Intimacy whereby we have close association, close fellowship with the Almighty God. Divine Intimacy with the Almighty brings about wonderful and glorious experiences in the life of a person who made this his lifetime pursuit.
Phil. 3:10; Ps. 27: 1, 4; Ex. 33:11-18
May the Lord bless us richly as we study together today in Jesus’ mighty name (Amen).

CENTRAL BIBLE TEXT: EXODUS 3:1-15

1. INTIMACY WITH THE DIVINE
Divine is from the Greek Word “Theos”, which means that which belongs to the God Head Relating to or proceeding from God or a god; It also means devoted to the worship of God. 1 Jn. 5:7
Intimacy means close association with God.
For intimacy to occur, there must be an introduction. You must have close knowledge of the person you want to be intimate with. You cannot have intimacy with a stranger.
What is it generally known about God? That He is the Unchangeable God.
How does He introduce Himself to Moses? I AM THAT I AM; The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.
Ex. 3:13-15; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8. We would look closely at the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

A. WHO IS THIS GOD OF ABRAHAM?
I. The God of blessings. Gen. 12:1-3; Jer. 29:11; Ps. 68:19
II. The All-Sufficient God. Gen 17:1; Jer. 32:17, 27
III. The Covenant keeping God. Gen. 17:2; Ps. 89:34
IV. The Reversal of the irreversible. Gen. 18:9-14; 2 Kings 4:18-21, 34-37
V. The Communicative God. Gen. 18:17, 33; Is. 1:18-19
VI. The Judge of the whole earth. Gen. 18:23-25
VII. The God you can plead your case with. Gen. 18:26-32; Is. 43:26

B. WHO IS THIS GOD OF ISAAC?
I. The God of Laughter. Gen. 18:10-15; 21:1-7; Ps. 16:11
II. The God that rewards total surrender. Gen. 22:1-11, 15-18; Mk. 10:28-30
III. God of multiplication. Gen. 26:12-14; Mk. 10:28-30
IV. God of Increase. Gen. 26:12-14; Ps. 67:5-7
V. God that rewards obedience. Gen. 26:1-3, 12; Deut. 28:1-13

C. WHO IS THIS GOD OF JACOB?
I. The God of Grace. Gen. 28:10-19; Jn. 1:14-17; Zech. 4:6-9
II. The God of exceeding greatness. Gen. 30:40-43; Ex. 1:7
III. The Destiny Changer. Gen. 32:24-28; 1 Chron. 4:9-10

 

DIVINE INTIMACY ( PART 2)

INTRODUCTION
In the last study, we tried to look at what Divine Intimacy implies and an introduction into the divine, that is God, whom we want to have intimacy or close association with.
Today’s study goes further to look more into God’s address and God’s credentials. It is my prayer that God will speak to us as we study in Jesus’ name (Amen).

CENTRAL BIBLE TEXT: REVELATION 4:1-11

A. WHERE DOES GOD LIVE?
In our own dispensation, God lives in and rules from Heaven. Once upon a time, there was nothing except God. God also dwells in the heart of His people by His Spirit, which He gives to every man that believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. He also manifests Himself in the House of the Lord or wherever people call upon Him. God’s dwelling place, heaven is not a divine haven where God can isolate Himself from earth; it is the divine work place where He sends blessings to His people and judgement on His enemies.
Is. 66:1; Rev. 4:2-8; Jer. 23:24; I Kings 8:27-30; Ez. 36:26-27; Jn. 14:16; 2 Cor. 6:16-18; Ps. 24:3-5; 2 Chron. 5:14; 7:14-16; 6:18; Deut. 26:15; Is. 64:1-2; Ps. 2:4; Ps. 11:4,7

B. WHAT ARE GOD’S CREDENTIALS?
The Psalmist David said in Ps. 107, verses 8, 15, 21 and 31. Oh that men would praise the LORD, for His goodness and His wonderful works to the Children of men; This summaries God’s credentials. When you want to talk about what God does, you want to talk about good things, wonderful and mind boggling things that human minds cannot understand.

Some of the things He does include the following:
I. He is the Way Maker. Ex. 14:24-28
II. He produces something out of nothing. Ex. 17:1-6
III. He is a demolition expert. Jos. 6:10
IV. He can make keys to your open doors. Rev. 3:7
V. He is the Kingmaker. 1 Sam. 16:1-
VI. He is the Master builder. Ps. 129:1; Matt. 16:18
VII. He is a wonder working God. 2 Kings 4:1-7; 1 Kings 17:8-16; 2 Kings 4:8-17
VIII. He is a giver of double portion. 2 Kings 2:9-15
IX. He can save from sin and death. Rom. 6:23; Ps. 18:48
X. He can do the impossible. Luke 1:37; Jer. 32:22

 

DIVINE INTIMACY (3)

INTRODUCTION
In the last study, we looked a bit closely on God’s credentials; those works that He does or He is associated with. We were able to discover that God is full of good, wonderful works. For example, He can bring something out of nothing and make the seemingly impossible possible.
Today’s study goes further to look at what intimate people share together, especially regarding God and man. It is my prayer that God will bless us richly as we study in Jesus’ name (Amen).

CENTRAL BIBLE TEXT: EXODUS 33:11-23

A. WHAT DO INTIMATE PEOPLE SHARE TOGETHER?
One of the results of divine intimacy is sharing things together. Amongst the things shared together are the following:

I. They share their blessings together;
God loads us with His blessings when we become intimate with Him. The blessings can become overflowing. You are expected to share yours with Him too.
Ps. 68:19; Ps. 23:1-5; Deut. 28:1-2; Ps. 34:1

II. They share fellowship together;
To be close to Him, you have to take time off to be with Him. Go on retreats, fasting and prayers.
Ex.33:11; 34:1-8; Deut. 9:9-11, 18; Gen. 12:1, 7-8; 13:14; 17:1; 18:1, 22-23, 33; 1 Kings 17:1; Ps. 27:4; Ps. 42:1-2; Mt. 17:1-2; Mk. 3:13; 1 Kings 19:5-8

III. They converse or talk to one another.
What a great privilege and blessings to be talking to the almighty God and hearing Him talk back to you.
Ex. 33:12-23; Gen. 18:22-33; Mt. 14:23; Lk. 22:37-44; Jn. 12:27-30

IV. They share love together;
1 Jn. 4:19; Acts 2:44-46; Jn. 13:23; Mt. 17:1-2; Mt. 25:19-20; Jn. 15:13; 14:14

V. They share burdens together;
1 Pet. 2:24; Ex.14:13-14; Is. 53:1-6, Mt. 11:34; Gal. 6:2;Acts. 2:44-46; 4:34-35

 

DIVINE INTIMACY (4)

INTRODUCTION
In the last study, we started looking at what intimate people share together. Today is a continuation of this topic. May God bless us as we study tonight in Jesus’ name (Amen).

CENTRAL BIBLE TEXT: NUMBERS 12:1-8

A. WHAT DO INTIMATE PEOPLE SHARE TOGETHER?
One of the results of divine intimacy is sharing things together. Amongst Other things they shared together are the following:

I. They share their joy together
How wonderful it is to share in the joy of the almighty God. Ps 16:11; Ps. 122:1

II. They share appreciation together
We need to share appreciation with God. Have we thanked Him enough for what He has done or doing for us? As a family are we sharing appreciation together? Job 1:8; Job 19:25; Gen. 18:17-19

III. They share touches and embrace together. 1 Jn 1:1; Lk. 1:34-37; SS. 2:4; Prov. 28:13; Num. 12:5-8

IV. They share defence together. Is. 34:16-17; Deut. 28:1-7; 1 Sam. 17:26, 45-48

V. They share pains together. Ps. 106:44; Phil. 3:10

VI. They share low times together. Mk. 13-38; 1 Kings 19:1-4

VII. They share sorrow together. Jn. 11:35; Lk. 22:45

VIII. They share their hearts together. Rev. 1:18; Rom. 8:37

IX. They share responsibilities together. Is. 6:8; Ex. 3:15

X. They share secrets together. Mk. 13:10-13