Moving Closer to God

Moving Closer to God

June 12, 2005

Introduction

Where is God? People give many answers to that question. Some would say He is heaven. Some deny that He even exists. Some may not be sure if He exits. In Mat 1:23, we find these words: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."

What was the purpose of Jesus coming? His purpose was to show us the Father. It was so that we could understand more about God. Who He is, and how we should serve Him. This morning, our theme is, “Moving Closer to God.” We want to talk about moving closer to God, because for some, He is far away.

Sometimes we may feel that God is far away. Why? Why does God seem far away? As an adult, I have a brother and two sisters. We have always been a close family, but it I don’t call and talk to them, or get together to visit with them, we tend to drift apart.

The same thing is true with God. If we fail to keep in touch with God, He will seem far away. Someone asked a very good question: “If God seems far way, who moved?”

Body

I. If we are to move closer to God, it will begin with recognizing our need to be closer to God.

A. If we want to move closer to God, often there are those who are willing to help us in our efforts to move closer to God.

1. John the Baptist wanted his disciples to follow Jesus rather than him.

(John 1:29-39) 'The next day John, saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! . . . {35} Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. {36} And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" {37} "The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. {38} Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are You staying?"

a. They were kindly asking for an audience with Jesus.

b. Jesus granted their request.

{39} He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour),

2. Phillip wanted Nathanael to know about Jesus.

(John1:43} "The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me." {44} Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. {45} Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote; Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." {46} And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."

B. Jesus Himself invites us to come to Him.

(Mat 11:28-30 NKJV) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. {29} "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. {30} "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

1. Are we weary, or heavy laden?

a. Do we feel the burden of sin?

b. Do we know the frustration of life without purpose and direction and help?

2. I must be willing to take the yoke.

a. It means I must go the same way as Jesus

b. It means I must share in His work.

1) That includes the difficulties

2) That includes the feeling of accomplishment.

3) That means the discipline of work--it means being a disciple.

C. But what is the "rest"?--It is peace that only Christ can give.

1. In this world, It is peace that only Christ can give.

(John 14:27 NKJV) "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

2. In the world to come, it is an eternal rest and peace.

(Heb 4:6-11 NKJV) Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, {7} again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts." {8} For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. {9} There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. {10} For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. {11} Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

II. How can I draw closer to God?

A. We can draw near because of the better hope that Christ has given us.

(Heb 7:19 NKJV) for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

B. We must draw near by activity on our part.

(James 4:7-10 NKJV) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. {8} Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. {9} Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. {10} Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

1. Submit to God!

a. Submit your life to God.

b. Submit your prayers to God.

(Mat 26:39 NKJV) He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."

2. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

3. Draw near to God, and He will draw new to you.

a. Draw near by prayer.

b. Draw near by Bible study.

c. Draw near with fellow Christians.

(1 John 1:6-7 NKJV) If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. {7} But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Conclusion

We need to pay the price of drawing near to God.

· We need to obey Him

· We need to spend time in worship

· We need the spirit of Andrew and Peter as they asked Jesus where He lived.

· We need to be willing to cleanse our hearts and lives of sin.

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