Notes from Sept. 6/7, 2008

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
“Bringing it Back” – “Real History is His-story”
Pastor Jim Zippay
Sept. 6/7, 2008
1 Chron. 13:1-4

Outline

1. What is IT? (What are we talking about?)
2. Where was IT?
3. Why bring IT back?
4. Will you commit to bringing IT back?

Content

1. God made provision to meet with people, to be with the Israelites in a personal sense. (Ex 25:22)
2. God is always with us, but are we always with Him?
3. The God of the universe extended Himself to a select group of people, which was a privilege, a life-changing experience.
4. The Israelites lost the ark because they lost the presence of God. (1 Sam 4:5-21)
5. The presence of God was evident in King David’s life.
6. When men risked their lives to get David water, he poured it out because he didn’t deserve that kind of devotion. (1 Chron. 11:16-19) God must be the center of their (and our) devotion.
7. David brought back the ark to show God as the stabilizing center of Israel.
8. Only God deserves the place of prominence in our lives; the church should convey that.
9. The church needs to bring back the focus on God that David brought to the Israelites.
10. As Heritage embarks on this year of focusing on worship, we might go on an uncharted and uncomfortable path, but it will help us sense God’s presence in our midst and in our lives.
11. Do we need to make a confession and commitment to God:
* God, I confess that I have given supremacy to something/someone other than You.
* God, I confess that I have not made seeking You my focus in coming here each week.
* Lord, I commit to joining this journey to establish Your Presence as the place of prominence in this church and in my life.

Aim
We need to have God as the place of prominence in our lives, the center of our attention, affection and devotion.

Application Questions

1. Are there times you’ve wandered away from God?
2. What changes do you need to make so your heart will be a place where God meets with you?
3. In what areas of your life would you say there’s no glory or evidence of God’s presence?
4. How do you respond to people’s acts of kindness?
5. What people or things replace God as the center of your affection/devotion?
6. What is often your focus when you go to church?


For future study: A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place, by Beth Moore
Leviticus: Worshipping a Holy God, by Kay Arthur