24/7/17 CCP SERIES STUDY WEEK 6 – GOD IS...INVISIBLE (SPIRIT)

COMMUNITY GROUP/FAMILY AND DAILY STUDIES BASED UPON OUR PREACHING SERIES AT COMMUNITY CHURCH PUTNEY

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COMMUNITY GROUP/FAMILY STUDY

The Large Hadron Collider, at a cost of around three billion pounds was built to prove the existence of such things as Dark Matter. Dark Matter has, as yet, never been seen. Its existence is accepted (by many) because of the way things seem to be affected by it. As spirit, God cannot be weighed, monitored or seen – He is invisible except for however He wishes to manifest Himself. God’s existence is accepted, by many, because of the ways things are affected by Him, even, that there is anything at all!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR GOD TO BE SPIRIT?

Previously we have seen that God is infinite in time (eternal) and infinite in space (omnipresent). As such He has to have a very different existence to all creatures. We are told in the bible that He is spirit.

‘God's spirituality means that God exists as a being that is not made of any matter, has no parts or dimensions, is unable to be perceived by our bodily senses, and is more excellent than any other kind of existence.’ (Grudem)

Read John 4:19-26 and discuss:

Ø She linked the worship of God to a particular ‘holy site’. What does Jesus teach us about this wrong (but still popular) view? (v. 21)

Ø How are we to worship God and what does this mean? (v. 23)

Ø What does Jesus say about the nature of God? (v. 24)

Worship ‘in spirit’ is not to be equated with ecstatic experiences or tongues etc. although these can happen; it principally means that our worship must come from a heart made alive by the Spirit and that we expect the invisible, spiritual presence of God with us wherever we meet.

Ø What does 1 Timothy 1:17 say about the nature of God?

LET’S RESPOND TO WHO GOD IS

Ø When can one be tempted, to mistake God’s invisibility for absence?

Ø Anywhere can be a place of meeting with God. How can one endeavor to be mindful, worshipful, prayerful throughout the day?

Ø God is spirit and we have a spirit. As such, He interacts with our ‘inner man/woman’ to strengthen, give joy etc. How often do you ask God to fill you will His Spirit?

GOING DEEPER PERSONAL DAILY STUDIES

Much of what goes on around us is invisible to us. For example, our eyes cannot see much of the electromagnetic radiation that provides our phones and gadgets with information. God is invisible but He is everywhere, working with great power. Let’s allow God to open our spiritual eyes to our ever-present God.

Monday: Faith ‘sees’ the invisible God

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  

Faith is to see as real things that are invisible; things like God or the fulfilment of God’s promises. The Christian life has a lot to do with ‘seeing’ with the eyes of faith that which is invisible. Pray for the Spirit’s grace to see God and trust His promises – God does not have to remain invisible to your spiritual eyes!

Tuesday: Worship the invisible King

Begin by meditating (reading slowly, repeatedly, with feeling), worshipping and praying out of this rich text:

1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Do we have this kind of mind and heart that allows what we know about God to overflow in worship? Spend some time praying for worship in your life, those you know and Community Church, that we would worship in Spirit and truth.

Wednesday: Jesus reveals the invisible God

1 Timothy 6:15-16 The blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might forever. Amen.

John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

No one can see God. As spirit He is invisible, but Jesus reveals the character of the invisible God to us.

Thursday: Earnestly seek the unseen God

This (faith- seeing invisible things) is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible… and without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

What do these verses teach us about creation (see also Genesis 1:1)? God wants to inspire large expectation in us as we pray and seek God.

Hebrews 11:27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.

God is invisible, but faith sees the creator God as present now. This is what enabled Moses and all people of faith to persevere. He is with us now, with the same power to create from nothing as we pray and persevere in faith.

Friday: The invisible armies of heaven are for us

Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed with fear; but often its the routine of life that can cause us to forget or wonder if God is really with us. Let this story remind us that God and His invisible forces are at work all around us.

2 kings 6:16-17 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Saturday: those born of the Spirit

John 3:5-8 “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Regeneration is the secret work of God whereby God the Holy Spirit comes and gives new life to our spirits. We cannot control to whom the Spirit will give new life but we can thank God for His grace in us and those whom we know; we can also pray for grace on those that God has put on our hearts. Pray that God, who is spirit, will grant them new life in their spirit.