Title: God Longs for Intimacy
Contents
1. Relationship with God
When people at the time of Jesus asked what was most important to him, Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37). From Jesus' perspective, nothing was more important than a relationship with God. The building of the church can change according to the times, and it can be built in many different ways, and no matter how much the world changes and life patterns change, there is only one thing that transcends time, and the relationship with God cannot change. A study of the Bible leads to an inescapable conclusion. That is, God wants fellowship with His people. If you do not realize this fact, you will miss the important essence of the Bible.
2. Jesus' Sacrifice on the Cross
Jesus also died on the cross to restore our relationship with God. Because Jesus atoned for our sins (to redeem means to pay for our sins), we can once again have a right relationship with God. There are times when we think of Jesus' redemptive work as a measure to keep us from going to hell, but contrary to our selfish thoughts, God's purpose is to restore fellowship with us. On the last day, you and I are the final reward of Jesus' ministry. So it's a relationship. People who worship but have nothing to do with God, people who only live a church life because they believe in God will be saved, and people who live a life of faith without compromising by saying that they will not be judged because I confessed that I believe in God or not. I want you to know that what I'm talking about here doesn't just mean a relationship with God that gives and takes salvation. What we need to remember is that God isn't just interested in getting us out of Hell, He's interested in building intimate relationships that connect with each other on a daily basis.
3. Intimate relationships that need to be restored
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20).
These words were a warning message to awaken the church in Laodicea. The faith of the Laodiceans had become cold. They were Christians, but they had forgotten how desperately God was for them. We only thought of God as the one who saved us, and we had no interest in fellowshipping with Him. The essence of Christianity is not limited to church attendance. Heaven and Hell are not their essence. The essence of Christianity is “intimacy with God”.
When the wind blew that day, they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden (Genesis 3:8).
What we have now lost by sinning is that we have lost our fellowship with God. It is Jesus who came to restore that lost fellowship.
Think of what God's heart must have been like when Adam and Eve made the earth. He is the one who made it himself. He is the One who breathed life into his nostrils and became a living spirit. He created the optimal living environment in a beautiful garden for 6 days so that the man he had made reside, and then allowed Adam and Eve to reside.
Even though he made it himself, he wanted a relationship where they could relate to each other, not just an ornament that moves like a doll. So, he wanted to give them free will and have a personal relationship with them.
It was the “severance of relationship” that was the result of sin that God was more grieved than they were because of their sins. God wanted a relationship, but Adam and Eve broke the relationship.
4. True Worshipers
Jesus said, “The hour is coming and is now, when those who truly worship the Father will worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23).
This verse means that God is looking for worshipers. But what kind of worshiper you are looking for is that you are looking for someone who will enter into a relationship of close love. There are many people who worship. Can't find anything hard to find? Nevertheless, the worshipers God is looking for are not static but dynamic worshipers.
Worship that has nothing to do with sermons, superficial worship where you think you have completed worship if you hear a sermon, or worship as a means of salvation All such worship is a waste of time. Still, it's better than not giving! What could be better?
conclusion
Beloved, worship is provided because there is a relationship. Salvation comes automatically when a relationship is established. What we prioritize should be our relationship with God.
God desires fellowship with us, just as he did with Adam and Eve and the Laodiceans. The Bible makes it clear that God's greatest goal is to have true fellowship with his people. God is a very good person. He knows everything about us and understands all our shortcomings and shortcomings. I bless you in the name of the Lord that you will establish a sincere and true relationship with him and stand upright as a beautiful worshiper.