Enjoying God | Justin Clark

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message is centered around the importance of intimate interaction with God, which is defined in John 17:3 as eternal life. It's not just about knowing God or having a relationship with Him, but about experiencing and delighting in His presence. This truth is crucial to our lives, and it's essential that we understand its significance. The Bible teaches us that our purpose on earth is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (Westminster Catechism). However, many of us struggle to experience this enjoyment, instead focusing on serving God or doing great things for Him without truly knowing Him.

Key Scripture References

• John 17:3 - This verse defines eternal life as intimate interaction with God. Jesus says that those who know the Father and have been sent by Him will experience this kind of life.
• Psalm 8 - The psalmist marvels at God's greatness and wonders why He would desire a relationship with humanity, underscoring the significance of our connection with God.
• John 3:16 - This famous verse highlights God's love for us, demonstrated by sending His Son to provide eternal life. Eternal life is not just about forgiveness or Heaven; it's about experiencing a deep relationship with God.
• 1 Peter 3:18 - Christ died to bring us to God, bridging the gap between sinful humanity and holy God. Through Jesus' sacrifice, we are now justified and reconciled back to God.
• Matthew 7:21 - Jesus emphasizes that knowing Him is essential for eternal life. Many people will do great things in His name but still be rejected because they never truly knew Him.
• Hebrews 11:5 - Enoch's life pleased God, not because of his accomplishments or position, but because he walked with God and had a deep relationship with Him.
• Luke 10:39 - Martha's story highlights the importance of choosing the better portion, which is knowing and interacting with God. When we focus on serving without truly knowing Him, we become distracted, frustrated, anxious, and judgmental.
• John 14:15 - Jesus says that those who love Him will keep His Commandments, demonstrating a deep understanding of His nature and character.
• John 15 - The Vine and the Branch illustration emphasizes the importance of abiding in Christ to bear fruit. When we remain connected to Him, we produce spiritual fruit, but if we're separated from Him, we wither and bear no fruit.
• Ephesians 1-3 - To be the Church described in Ephesians 4, we need to know God as He is revealed in Ephesians 1-3. We must first have a deep understanding of His character and nature before we can imitate Him.
• 1 John 4:19 - Our love for others is rooted in the love that Christ has shown us. To forgive others, we must know God's forgiveness and love for us.
• Song of Solomon - This book illustrates the interaction between a husband and his bride, which is a shadow of Christ's relationship with His Church. When I read Song of Solomon, I see Christ's interaction with me and His Church.

Main Points

• Eternal life is defined as intimate interaction with God (John 17:3).
• Our purpose on earth is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (Westminster Catechism).
• Many people focus on serving God without truly knowing Him, leading to a distracted, frustrated, anxious, and judgmental life.
• Abiding in Christ is essential for bearing fruit. When we remain connected to Him, we produce spiritual fruit, but if we're separated from Him, we wither and bear no fruit (John 15).
• To be the Church described in Ephesians 4, we need to know God as He is revealed in Ephesians 1-3.
• Our love for others is rooted in the love that Christ has shown us. To forgive others, we must know God's forgiveness and love for us (1 John 4:19).

Implications

• We must prioritize knowing God above all else.
• We should not focus solely on serving God or doing great things in His name without truly understanding Him.
• Abiding in Christ is essential for producing spiritual fruit and bearing a life that pleases Him.
• We need to choose the better portion, which is knowing and interacting with God (Luke 10:39).

Personal Reflections

• Have I been prioritizing serving God or doing great things in His name without truly knowing Him?
• Am I abiding in Christ, or am I trying to produce spiritual fruit through my own efforts?
• Do I need to re-evaluate my understanding of God's character and nature based on Ephesians 1-3?

Practical Applications

• Schedule time each day to interact with God, whether through prayer, reading Scripture, or simply sitting in His presence.
• Choose the better portion by