OUR INTIMACY WITH GOD
KEY PASSAGE: Psalm 63:1-8 | SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES: Genesis 1:26 | Psalm 16:11; 42:1-2 | John 14:15
SUMMARY relationship with Him. You are indwelt by the Holy Spirit
and have the promise of an eternal home in heaven.
Do you have an intimate relationship with God?
Unfortunately, sometimes God’s children allow their
Perhaps you wonder if the Creator of the universe would relationship with Him to become distant. Although they
even want to have a close, personal relationship with have trusted Christ for forgiveness, they don’t have a
you. Maybe you feel too unimportant or too sinful to sense of oneness with Him. Often this is because they
be acceptable to the Lord. But we were created in the haven’t been taught how to rely on the power of the
Father’s image (Gen. 1:26). That means God designed Holy Spirit to resist sin. They may attend church, but
us with the emotional and spiritual capacity to love and they do not read their Bibles faithfully or know how to
know Him intimately. relate to the Lord in prayer. As a result, they excuse sin
in their lives and don’t live in close relationship with the
King David knew how to have an intimate relationship Father. There are also those who are in the process of
with the Lord. His story is one of the best biblical developing a personal, intimate relationship with God.
examples of how sinful humanity can relate to a holy They passionately pursue the one thing that can truly
God. Although David was far from perfect, he had satisfy the deep longing the Father has planted in the
learned that only the Father’s love could satisfy the heart of every person. How can you and I cultivate this
deepest longings of His heart (Ps. 63:5). He passionately kind of closeness with the Lord?
sought God through prayer, repentance, and obedience.
You and I can learn from his example how to enjoy Requirements for an Intimate Relationship
closeness with our heavenly Father. With God
SERMON POINTS A Spiritual Focus—For many people, the word
intimacy is associated primarily with sexuality. But
Man’s Relationship With God genuine fellowship with God involves relating to
Him on an emotional and spiritual level rather than a
Everyone has a direct relationship with God, even physical one.
those who refuse to acknowledge His sovereignty. Personal Involvement—The Lord created man in His
As the Creator and Ruler of the universe, He sustains image so that we could relate to Him on an individual
all humanity. The Lord is the ultimate authority in each basis. The Holy Spirit lives within every believer, giving
person’s life. However, the Lord has a distinct relationship each one the ability to develop a personal friendship
with those who have admitted their sinfulness before Him with Christ.
and asked for Christ’s forgiveness. If you have trusted in Trust—Intimacy cannot exist without trust. If you and I
Jesus’ death on the cross to pay for your sin debt, you refuse to surrender to and obey God, we can’t expect
have become one of God’s children and have a unique to have a deep, personal relationship with Him.
SERMON NOTES | SN090809FR
Love—A close relationship with God must be You will become more aware of the needs of others
motivated by love, not duty. Remember that He and more willing to reach out.
forgave you on the basis of Christ’s death on the cross.
You don’t have to earn His love. Let that fact motivate Barriers to Intimacy
you to freely and genuinely devote yourself to getting
to know our heavenly Father better. The more you love Why do people not experience closeness with the
Him, the more you will want to obey Him (John 14:15). Father? The greatest barrier is pride. Some believe
Openness and Transparency—Confess specific sins they have no need to kneel before the Lord in
and shortcomings to the Lord. Open your heart and prayer. They put their trust in themselves and pursue
pour out your frustrations and disappointments. Be relationships, accomplishments, or possessions instead
honest with God, and your intimacy with Him will grow. of a relationship with God, the Father.
Two-way Communication—Most people see prayer
as a time to let God know their needs. They rarely A related problem is rebellion. When we deliberately
listen to what the Lord may want to say to them. But disobey the Lord, we cannot have intimacy with Him.
the Father created us for a relationship with Him. Ask If God is not answering your prayers, ask yourself if
God to show you how to hear His guidance for your you are tolerating sin in your life. Finally, some people
life, and set aside time to listen to His voice. never find authentic closeness with God because they
Time and Effort—Your Creator—the One who are always in a hurry. Take time to read the Bible and
sustains the universe—wants to have an intimate meditate on it. Ask the Lord, What are you saying to
relationship with you. But you must devote yourself me through this passage? How does it apply to my
to getting to know Him if you want to experience the life? As you seek and listen to Him in prayer, you will
fullness of friendship with God. grow in your ability to hear God and experience new
excitement and joy in your spiritual life.
Benefits of Intimacy With the Father
RESPONSE
There are numerous benefits to nurturing closeness
with the Savior. Here are just a few: How would you describe your relationship with God?
I pray it is characterized by unity, surrender, and joy.
An intimate relationship with God is powerful and But if you aren’t experiencing intimacy with the Lord,
will give you stability. Amid life’s storms, a solid He desires to reveal Himself in a personal way. Let go
relationship with God is your anchor. of pride, confess your sin and rebellion, and devote
You will have security. The Father assures believers yourself to getting right with Him. David wrote, “In Your
that He is always with us, ready to help in any presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are
situation or circumstance. pleasures forever” (Ps. 16:11).
No matter what happens, you can have serenity.
Knowing God intimately brings quietness and peace Only God can satisfy the deepest longings of your
to your spirit. heart. My prayer is that you will discover the awesome
You can trust that He will guide you through difficulty. depth of the Father’s love through an intimate
Communion with God increases spiritual sensitivity. relationship with Him.
You can expect greater biblical understanding as
passages becoming clearer.
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SERMON NOTES | SN090809FR
