11 Dec Drawing Near to God #1

Drawing Near God Overview

In this powerful sermon on Drawing Near to God, the pastor shares a divine vision of mountains rising throughout Wisconsin, revealing God’s call for spiritual intimacy in troubled times. Through biblical examples like Moses on Mount Sinai and Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, he demonstrates how mountains represent drawing near to God’s presence. The message explores the true meaning of baptism – not just water baptism, but being submerged into Christ’s grace, love, and righteousness. When we truly believe and are baptized into Jesus, we receive the gift of righteousness that brings peace. The sermon emphasizes that creation itself reveals God’s invisible attributes and eternal power. As the world grows increasingly self-centered and chaotic, believers are called to seek those things which are above, finding their help and provision through intimate relationship with God rather than worldly pursuits.

Drawing Near God Outline

• 0:00 – Introduction to Drawing Near to God: Opening the new sermon series and invitation to Wednesday night prayer
• 3:00 – Vision of Mountains Rising in Wisconsin: God’s vision showing mountains appearing throughout Wisconsin and its spiritual significance
• 8:00 – Creation Reveals God’s Attributes: How creation demonstrates God’s invisible attributes and eternal power to those who acknowledge Him
• 12:00 – Mountains Represent Drawing Near to God: Biblical meaning of mountains as symbols of intimacy and closeness with God
• 18:00 – The Gift of Righteousness Brings Peace: How receiving Christ’s righteousness transforms fear into peace and security
• 25:00 – Understanding Biblical Baptism: Exploring the different types of baptism and being submerged into Christ
• 35:00 – Biblical Examples of Mountain Encounters: Moses on Sinai and Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration as models of divine intimacy
• 40:00 – Finding Help Through Divine Intimacy: Living in Christ and finding provision through intimate relationship with God

Scripture References

Romans 1:20, Psalm 72:3, Isaiah 57:19, Romans 5:17, Mark 16:16, Colossians 3:1, Acts 17:28, Psalm 121:1-2, Galatians 6:7

Key Takeaways

• Mountains in Scripture symbolize drawing near to God and seeking intimate relationship with Him.
• Creation itself reveals God’s invisible attributes and eternal power to those willing to acknowledge Him.
• True baptism means being submerged into Christ’s grace, love, and righteousness, not just water baptism.
• The gift of righteousness from Jesus immediately brings peace and security, replacing fear and anxiety.
• In times of world chaos and turmoil, believers must seek those things which are above where Christ sits.
• Genuine faith requires being ‘in Christ’ rather than just intellectual belief while living unchanged lives.
• Our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth when we lift our eyes to Him in intimacy.

Drawing Near God Notes

This compelling sermon launches a new series on Drawing Near to God with a remarkable divine vision that sets the spiritual tone for our current times. The pastor received a vision during Wednesday night prayer of mountains rapidly rising throughout Wisconsin – not small hills, but steep, towering peaks appearing where the landscape was previously smooth. This supernatural imagery carries profound biblical significance that speaks directly to our generation’s spiritual hunger.The vision takes on deeper meaning when understood through Scripture’s lens. Wisconsin’s three highest peaks – Rib Mountain at 1,942 feet, Tim’s Hill at 1,951 feet, and Irma Hill at 1,756 feet – pale in comparison to the massive mountains God showed rising across the state. This divine imagery connects to Psalm 72:3, which declares that ‘the mountains will bring peace to the people and the little hills by righteousness.’ Mountains in biblical context consistently represent drawing near to God, seeking intimate relationship with the Creator.The foundation for this spiritual understanding comes from Romans 1:20, which reveals how creation itself demonstrates God’s invisible attributes and eternal power. When we acknowledge God as the intelligent designer behind creation’s complexity and beauty, we gain insight into His character and ways. This stands in stark contrast to those who reject obvious divine design, choosing instead to believe that nothing exploded and became everything – a position requiring far more faith than trusting in the historically verified person of Jesus Christ.The sermon powerfully addresses the gift of righteousness that comes through genuine faith in Jesus Christ. While human righteousness appears as filthy rags before God’s holiness, Christ freely gives His righteousness to those who receive Him. Romans 5:17 promises that those who receive the abundance of God’s grace and the gift of His righteousness will rule and reign in life. This divine exchange immediately produces peace, replacing the fear and anxiety that grip even longtime church attenders who have never truly been born again.A significant portion of the message clarifies biblical baptism beyond mere water immersion. The pastor explains that baptism means ‘to be submerged into,’ and there are multiple baptisms mentioned in Scripture – baptism into Christ, baptism in water, baptism of the Holy Spirit, and baptism of repentance. The crucial baptism for salvation is being submerged into Christ’s grace, love, and goodness. This explains why someone can be baptized in water without salvation (going down a sinner and coming up wet), but cannot be baptized into Jesus without receiving eternal life.Biblical examples illuminate this principle of drawing near to God through mountain encounters. Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai in intimate communion with God. Jesus demonstrated ultimate intimacy on the Mount of Transfiguration, where His body glowed brighter than the sun as He communed with the Father alongside Moses and Elijah. When Peter suggested building tents to remain in that glorious presence, the Father spoke directly, commanding them to hear His beloved Son.The practical application becomes clear through Psalm 121:1-2, where David declares, ‘I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help. My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.’ In our current world of unprecedented turmoil, selfishness, and moral decay, believers must seek those things which are above where Christ sits at the right hand of God. True security and provision come through intimate relationship with God rather than worldly pursuits or political solutions.This message challenges superficial Christianity that settles for intellectual belief while maintaining unchanged lifestyles. Genuine faith requires being ‘in Christ’ – a transformational relationship where we live, move, and have our being in Him. The vision of rising mountains throughout Wisconsin prophetically represents hearts turning from worldly thinking toward the presence of God, seeking the intimacy and peace that only comes through drawing near to our Heavenly Father.

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