“Pressing

Into God”
John Isaacs
January 4, 2009
KingsWay Community Church
“Everything will
work out fine,
if we press into
God's presence
in 2009!”
Luke 16:16
The law and the prophets
were until John. Since that
time the kingdom of God
has been preached, and
everyone is pressing into
it.
“For the Christian, there is
a profound difference
between simply
acknowledging God's omni-
presence and personally
experiencing his nearness.”
- C. J. Mahaney
Benefits of
Being in
God’s
Presence
In HIS Presence
1. Rest
Exodus 33:14
The Lord replied, “I will personally go
with you, Moses, and I will give you
rest - everything will be fine for you.”
In HIS Presence
1. Rest
Matthew 11:29
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of
you who are weary and carry heavy
burdens, and I will give you rest.”
In HIS Presence
2. Refreshing
Acts 3:19-20
Now repent of your sins and turn to God,
so that your sins may be wiped away.
Then times of refreshment will come from
the presence of the Lord, and he will
again send you Jesus, your appointed
Messiah.
“Nothing quenches your thirst like the
glorious presence of God; not the greatest
earthly pleasures or thrills, not knowing the
answers to life’s most difficult questions, not
any lofty goals you may have accomplished,
not your popularity, not more toys, not the
acceptance of others, not the warmest
approval from the most important people you
know, not even being one of the most
physically attractive people on earth.
Drinking the Spirit of God is better, more
exciting, more filling.” (Author Unknown)
In HIS Presence
3. Joy
Psalm 16:11
You will show me the path of life; In
Your presence is fullness of joy; At
Your right hand are pleasures
forevermore.
In HIS Presence
3. Joy
1 Chronicles 16:27
Honor and majesty surround Him;
strength and joy fill His dwelling.
In HIS Presence
4. Help
Psalm 91:15
He shall call upon ME, and I will
answer him; I will be with him in
trouble: I will deliver him, and honor
him.
In HIS Presence
4. Help
Deuteronomy 20:4
For the LORD your God is HE who
goes with you, to fight for you against
your enemies, to save you.
In HIS Presence
5. Fruitfulness
1 Chronicles 22:11
Now, my son, may the Lord be with
you and give you success as you
follow his directions in building the
Temple of the Lord your God.
Results of
Being in
God’s
Presence
2 Chronicles 7:1-6
1 When Solomon finished praying,
fire flashed down from heaven and
burned up the burnt offerings and
sacrifices, and the glorious
presence of the Lord filled the
Temple. 2 The priests could not
enter the Temple of the Lord
because the glorious presence of
2 Chronicles 7:1-6 (cont.)
the Lord filled it. 3 When all the
people of Israel saw the fire
coming down and the glorious
presence of the Lord filling the
Temple, they fell face down on the
ground and worshiped and
praised the Lord, saying, “He is
good! His faithful love endures
2 Chronicles 7:1-6 (cont.)
forever!” 4 Then the king and all
the people offered sacrifices to the
Lord. 5 King Solomon offered a
sacrifice of 22,000 cattle and
120,000 sheep and goats. And so
the king and all the people
dedicated the Temple of God. 6
The priests took their assigned
2 Chronicles 7:1-6 (cont.)
positions, and so did the Levites
who were singing, “His faithful
love endures forever!” They
accompanied the singing with
music from the instruments King
David had made for praising the
Lord. Across from the Levites, the
priests blew the trumpets, while all
Israel stood.
1. Worship Becomes More
Passionate
2 Chronicles 7:3
When all the people of Israel saw the
fire coming down and the glorious
presence of the Lord filling the
Temple, they fell face down on the
ground and worshiped and praised
the Lord, saying, “He is good! His
faithful love endures forever!”
2. We Give Sacrificially To
God.
2 Chronicles 7:4-5
Then the king and all the people
offered sacrifices to the Lord. King
Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000
cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats.
And so the king and all the people
dedicated the Temple of God.
3. We Are Released Into Our
Calling.
2 Chronicles 7:6
The priests took their assigned positions,
and so did the Levites who were singing,
“His faithful love endures forever!” They
accompanied the singing with music from
the instruments King David had made for
praising the Lord. Across from the Levites,
the priests blew the trumpets, while all
Israel stood.
Pressing Into
God’s
Presence
We must progress from believing
in and acknowledging God's
existence to seeking him
earnestly that we may experience
the promised reward — HIS
transforming presence and
power. What Christians really
need is to be in the presence of
God. - Wayne Grudem
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible
to please Him, for he who
comes to God must believe that
He is, and that He is a rewarder
of those who diligently seek
Him.
Pressing Into God
1. The Promise
God will reward you

2. The Condition
… believe that HE will reward
those who diligently seek HIM.
Deuteronomy 4:29
But from there you will seek the
Lord your God, and you will find
Him if you seek Him with all
your heart and with all your
soul.
Pressing Into God
1. The Promise
You will find HIM

2. The Condition
… if you seek HIM with all your
heart.
Psalms 145:18-19
The Lord is near to all who call
upon Him, To all who call upon
Him in truth. He will fulfill the
desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and
save them.
Pressing Into God
1. The Promise
The LORD is near and HE will
hear your cry and fulfill your
desire.
Pressing Into God
2. The Condition
… if you call upon HIM in truth.
… if you cry out to HIM as the
ONE you fear most.
James 4:8
Draw near to God and He will
draw near to you. Cleanse your
hands, you sinners; and purify
your hearts, you double-
minded.
Pressing Into God
1. The Promise
God will draw near to you.

2. The Condition
… if you draw near to HIM by
dealing with your sin.
Start Dealing
With Anything
That Is
Separating You
From God.
Remove All
Barriers That
Create A Gap
Between You
and God.
Common Barriers To
“Pressing Into God”
1. Un-confessed Sin
2. Relational Offenses
3. Disobedience
4. Idols
5. Distractions