David Wilkerson - Seeking the Face of God | Full Sermon
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Sermon Topic - Seeking the Face of God (Psalm 27)
The sermon is based on Psalm 27, specifically focusing on verse 7 and verse 8. The speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking the face of God.
David's Prayer for Mercy and Seeking God's Face
David prays for mercy from the Lord and expresses his desire to seek God's face. He acknowledges that his heart longs for uninterrupted communion with God.
Opening Prayer
A prayer is offered to open hearts and receive the message about seeking the face of God.
David's Consuming Desire - Dwell in the House of the Lord
David's one consuming desire is to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life, beholding His beauty and inquiring in His temple.
One Goal in Life - What is the One Thing You Want?
David's one goal in life is to dwell in the house of the Lord. The speaker reflects on the importance of having a singular focus and ambition.
Different Desires - Winning Souls vs. Seeking God's Face
While some may have desires like winning souls, David's desire is to seek uninterrupted communion with God.
The One Desire - Dwelling in the House of the Lord
David desires to dwell in the house of the Lord, not physically leaving his call or throne, but seeking a deeper spiritual connection with God.
Longing for Something Deeper - A Warrior's Heart
David is not an ascetic or hermit; he is a passionate warrior who longs for something deeper and more satisfying than what he has experienced so far.
Tasting Success but Feeling Something Missing
Despite experiencing success, power, and respect, David feels that there is something missing. He faces enemies and seeks something unshakable and uninterrupted.
Unsatisfied Spiritual Need - Longing for More
There are many godly Christians who feel an inner longing that has not been satisfied. They seek a deeper understanding of God's beauty and glory.
Facing Enemies - Seeking Uninterrupted Communion
David faces enemies who threaten to consume him. In his prayers, he seeks something that truly satisfies his soul – uninterrupted communion with God.
Moving Beyond Deliverance - A Deeper Walk with God
David's prayer is not just for deliverance but for a deeper walk with God. He desires to know what it's like to have uninterrupted communion and constant prayer.
The Tabernacle Symbolism - Seeking the Presence of God
David sees the symbolism in the tabernacle and desires to go beyond the rituals and ceremonies. He wants to experience the presence of God in a deeper way.
Not Fearful, but Longing for Something More
David is not fearful of his enemies; he knows that the Lord is his strength. However, he still feels that there is something missing and longs for a deeper connection with God.
Millions of Christians with Unmet Spiritual Needs
Many godly Christians feel an unmet spiritual need despite their love for the Lord. They seek something deeper, a beauty and glory they have yet to experience.
One Goal, One Ambition - Uninterrupted Communion
The speaker emphasizes that having one goal and ambition boils down to seeking uninterrupted communion with God. It becomes a life of prayer itself.
Victories and Blessings, Yet Longing for More
Despite experiencing victories and blessings, there is still an inner longing for unshakable communion with God. David has known deliverances but seeks something more steadfast.
Tired of Dead Ritual - Desiring Deeper Understanding
David grows tired of dead ritual in the house of God. He desires to know the deeper meaning behind the ceremonies and symbols, seeking a true understanding of God's presence.
The summary has been organized chronologically, following the structure provided. Each section contains concise bullet points summarizing key points from the transcript.
The Importance of Prayer and Seeking God's Presence
In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer and seeking God's presence in order to experience true spiritual life and avoid a sense of emptiness.
David's Desire for Life and Excitement
- Many people complain about their church being spiritually dead.
- Even a biblically strict message can feel dry without prayer.
- David felt that something was missing in his spiritual life.
David's Decision to Seek God
- David decides not to live with unmet spiritual needs.
- He desires to dwell in God's presence and know Him intimately.
Making His House a House of Prayer
- David transforms his own house into a house of prayer.
- He seeks God directly, not relying on priests or others for spiritual fulfillment.
The Danger of Ritualistic Religion
- Merely going through religious motions can leave one spiritually hungry.
- Even godly people under the anointing of the Holy Spirit yearn for deeper intimacy with Christ.
Longing for the Day of Messiah
- David yearns for a revelation of the face of the Messiah.
- He wants to see Jesus' face and know Him deeply.
Seeking God's Face
This section focuses on understanding what it means to seek God's face and how it goes beyond mere prayer. It is about developing an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and reflecting His likeness in our lives.
A Cry for Mercy
- David expresses his hunger for God by crying out for mercy.
- He longs to know God more deeply amidst battles and challenges.
Seek My Face
- God responds to David's cry by saying, "Seek my face."
- This is not just a call to pray more but to truly know who God is.
Knowing the Real Christ
- Seeking God's face means seeking to know the real Christ.
- It involves understanding His nature, how He acts towards mankind, and living a life that reflects His character.
Jesus as the Face of God
- Jesus Christ is the face of God, the exact image and likeness of the Father.
- We have the privilege of seeing His face and experiencing an intimate relationship with Him.
The Implications of Seeking God's Face
This section highlights the significance of seeking God's face in today's generation. It warns about false Christs and emphasizes the need to discern and seek to know the real Jesus.
Many False Christs
- In this generation, there are many false Christs and deceptive concepts about Jesus.
- The Scripture warns about these deceivers who claim to be Christ.
The Sign of Christ's Coming
- One sign that indicates Christ's coming is the rise of false Christs.
- Jesus warned not to believe those who claim to be Him or represent Him falsely.
Seek My Face in Today's Context
- When God says "Seek my face" today, it carries even greater implications than before.
- It calls for discernment amidst various interpretations and representations of Jesus.
Conclusion
In this sermon, it is emphasized that true spiritual life comes from prayer and seeking God's presence. David's example teaches us to go beyond religious rituals and yearn for an intimate relationship with Jesus. Seeking God's face means knowing Him deeply and reflecting His likeness in our lives. In today's context, we must discern amidst false representations of Christ and strive to know the real Jesus.
New Section
This section discusses the confusion in Matthew 13:20 and warns about false Christs and false prophets who will rise to deceive the elect. It explains that these false prophets will present teachings that appeal to young people, but are actually a new gospel and another Christ.
False Prophets and Deception
- False Christs and false prophets will rise to seduce the elect (Matthew 13:20).
- These false prophets transform themselves into angels of light to deceive, even the elect (Matthew 13:20).
- They promote a radical concept of Jesus that appeals to young people, but it is a new gospel and another Christ (Matthew 13:20).
New Section
This section further explores the teachings of false prophets who have transformed themselves into angels of light. It emphasizes that they aim to deceive even the elect by presenting a radical version of Jesus that appeals especially to young ministers.
Teachings of False Prophets
- False prophets transform themselves into angels of light to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Matthew 13:20).
- Educated men who have left the authority of scripture promote their own concepts of a radical Christ (Matthew 13:20).
- These teachings appeal particularly to young people and ministers (Matthew 13:20).
New Section
This section highlights how some ministers have formed their own concepts of a radical Christ, focusing on social justice and other good things. However, these teachings constitute another gospel and another Christ.
Corrupted Teachings
- Some ministers are corrupted from the simplicity of the gospel by promoting their own concepts (Matthew 13:20).
- They transform themselves into apostles of Christ but are actually spreading another gospel (Matthew 13:20).
- These teachings emphasize a new kind of holiness centered around love for others and doing good, but it is not the true gospel (Matthew 13:20).
New Section
This section warns about the emergence of a new movement called the "emerging church." It describes how this movement appeals to those who are burned out from traditional mega churches and seek something real. However, it is characterized by a shallow gospel of self-improvement and lacks the true essence of the book of Acts.
The Emerging Church Movement
- The emerging church is a new kind of church that has gained popularity worldwide (Matthew 13:20).
- It attracts those who are burned out from mega churches and seek authenticity (Matthew 13:20).
- However, it often offers a shallow gospel focused on self-improvement rather than true spirituality (Matthew 13:20).
- Many seekers have been disappointed by the lack of biblical teachings resembling the book of Acts (Matthew 13:20).
New Section
This section discusses how seekers who joined mega churches were deceived by receiving messages focused on self-improvement instead of finding genuine spirituality. As a result, many born-again Christians have stopped attending church altogether.
Deception in Mega Churches
- Seekers who joined mega churches were seeking something real but received messages focused on self-improvement (Matthew 13:20).
- Many born-again Christians, especially young people and baby boomers, have stopped going to church due to disappointment (Matthew 13:20).
New Section
This section emphasizes that what this generation seeks is pastors who pray, preach Jesus, and live according to their preaching. They desire conviction of sins rather than superficial messages and a genuine encounter with the biblical Christ.
The Desire for Authenticity
- This generation seeks pastors who pray, preach Jesus, and live according to their preaching (Matthew 13:20).
- They desire conviction of sins and a genuine encounter with the biblical Christ (Matthew 13:20).
New Section
This section warns that the current emergence of false doctrines and a new gospel is the last attack of the enemy before Jesus comes. It emphasizes that these false teachings are promoted by educated ministers who write books as theologians and are interconnected through various platforms.
The Last Attack of the Enemy
- The current emergence of false doctrines and a new gospel is the last attack of the enemy before Jesus comes (Matthew 13:20).
- Educated ministers, not just hippies, are promoting these false teachings (Matthew 13:20).
- They write books as theologians and are interconnected through various platforms (Matthew 13:20).
New Section
This section highlights how seekers in the emerging church movement are not attracted to it because it resembles the book of Acts. Instead, they seek to live like Jesus and find true meaning in life by avoiding sin.
Seeking to Live Like Jesus
- Seekers in the emerging church movement are not attracted to it because it resembles the book of Acts (Matthew 13:20).
- They seek to live like Jesus and avoid sin, recognizing its destructive nature (Matthew 13:20).
New Section
This section emphasizes that seekers want pastors who preach convicting sermons rather than focusing on self-esteem or financial gain. They long for spiritual guidance from pastors who pray and preach from a place of authenticity.
Longing for Conviction and Authenticity
- Seekers want pastors who preach convicting sermons, not just praise and self-esteem messages (Matthew 13:20).
- They desire spiritual guidance from pastors who pray and live out the Christ they preach (Matthew 13:20).
New Section
This section mentions how some emerging churches incorporate elements from different religious traditions, such as Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. It also describes specific practices like walking the labyrinth that are being revived.
Incorporation of Different Religious Traditions
- Some emerging churches weave together elements from different religious traditions, including Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy (Matthew 13:20).
- Revival of medieval mystical practices, such as walking the labyrinth, is observed in some emerging churches (Matthew 13:20).
New Section
The speaker discusses a pick-yourself mix and match approach to the gospel, emphasizing community and social justice. They reject the concept of hell as it portrays God as a torturer. There is a focus on reconnecting with Jesus and putting a more humane face on him.
Reconnecting to Jesus
- The speaker expresses the desire to reconnect with Jesus.
- They emphasize the need for a more humane representation of Christ.
- A passage from Galatians 1:6 is referenced, highlighting the danger of preaching another gospel that perverts the true message of Christ.
New Section
The speaker warns about false teachings and different interpretations of Jesus, urging listeners to stick to the true gospel.
Warning against False Teachings
- The speaker marvels at how quickly people can be swayed from the true gospel.
- They emphasize that there is only one true gospel and any other version should be rejected.
- Preaching any other gospel than what has been received should be considered accursed.
New Section
The speaker asserts that their preaching comes directly from God's revelation through Jesus Christ, not from human sources.
Gospel Revealed by Jesus
- The speaker certifies that their preaching is not based on human teachings but on direct revelation from Jesus Christ.
- They differentiate their message from those who seek to please men rather than God.
New Section
Intrigue and subterfuge are discussed in relation to redefining Jesus and adding personal interpretations to his image.
Intrigue in Redefining Jesus
- One leader in the emerging church movement suggests that intrigue is better than clarity when it comes to understanding Jesus.
- Clarity is seen as the foundation of the knowledge of Christ, but some are moving towards intrigue and finding hidden meanings behind Jesus' message.
- The speaker warns against putting one's own face on the face of Christ and making him a man like oneself.
New Section
The speaker highlights the danger of redefining Jesus and the gospel, emphasizing that everything is now negotiable.
Redefining Jesus and the Gospel
- There is a warning about redefining Jesus and looking at him through personal interpretations.
- The speaker mentions a new world church order that seeks to bring denominations together under one authority.
- This movement aims to make Jesus a man rather than recognizing his divinity.
New Section
The importance of reflecting Christ to the world is emphasized, as well as the need for a clear understanding of who Jesus truly is.
Reflecting Christ to the World
- The speaker emphasizes that Christians should reflect Christ's image to the world.
- It is important not to redefine or paint our own version of Jesus but to mirror his true nature.
- The cry goes out from God to seek His face and be a reflection of Him in a confused world.
New Section
The speaker warns about an attack on the divinity of Jesus, leading towards a one-world church with compromised beliefs.
Attack on Divinity of Jesus
- There is an ongoing attack on recognizing Jesus as divine, seeking to make him merely a prophet or man.
- A warning is given about denominations coming together under a one-world church with compromised beliefs.
- Examples are mentioned where pastors have faced consequences for speaking against certain topics from their pulpits.
Desire to be Like Jesus
In this section, the speaker discusses the concept of the emerging church and emphasizes the importance of seeking God's face and desiring to be like Jesus.
The Emerging Church
- The speaker mentions the concept of the emerging church.
- Paul the Apostle is referenced, who preached against any other gospel than what was received.
- Seeking God's face is highlighted as a response to all that is happening in the world.
One Desire: To Be Like Jesus
- The speaker expresses gratitude for family and ministry but emphasizes that it all boils down to one issue: wanting to be like Jesus.
- It goes beyond seeking love, appreciation, or personal comfort; it is about reflecting who Jesus is.
- Without knowing His face and reflecting Him, missionary work and reaching others become meaningless.
The End Times and Reflecting Christ
This section focuses on how believers should not despair but have hope in the end times. It also highlights the importance of reflecting Christ in our lives.
Hope in the End Times
- The speaker shares a personal experience where he felt concerned about what was happening to Jesus.
- The Holy Spirit reassures him not to worry because He knows how it will end.
- A reference is made to Revelation where it describes Jesus coming as King of kings and Lord of lords on a white horse.
Reflecting Christ
- Believers are encouraged to lift their hands and praise Him, knowing the real Jesus - the Christ of the cross and shed blood.
- The desire is expressed for believers to reflect God's Son to this world through an uninterrupted love relationship with Christ.
Seeing Jesus Reflected
In this section, an example is shared where Jesus was reflected through transformed lives. The importance of seeking God's face and reflecting who He is emphasized.
Example of Jesus Reflected
- The speaker shares an experience in Los Angeles where he witnessed the transformation of a former drug addict who became a bishop leading churches and outreaches.
- A choir of converted prostitutes and drug addicts singing "I am free" is mentioned as a powerful reflection of Christ.
Seeking God's Face and Reflecting Him
- The speaker encourages believers to seek God's face and reflect who He is in their lives.
- It is emphasized that the world should be able to come to the church and experience the presence of Christ through believers' lives.
Desire to Be Like Jesus
This section reiterates the one desire of wanting to be like Jesus. The importance of seeking His name, examining our hearts through His word, and living it out is highlighted.
One Desire: To Be Like Jesus
- The speaker emphasizes that the one ambition and desire should be to be like Jesus.
- Believers are encouraged to seek His name, examine their hearts through His word, and live out what they discover.
- The goal is for the whole world to see a church where they can feel, know, and experience the presence of Christ.
Invitation for Spiritual Renewal
In this section, an invitation is given for those whose hearts have drifted away from Jesus or those who want to draw near to Him. Steps are provided for individuals to respond and seek spiritual renewal.
Invitation for Spiritual Renewal
- An invitation is extended for those whose hearts have drifted away from Jesus or those who want to draw near to Him.
- Individuals are encouraged to step out from their seats in the main auditorium or balcony area towards the front (altar area) where they can receive prayer.
- Those in overflow rooms or annex are also invited to come forward and seek spiritual renewal.
- The importance of not walking out if there is an unmet spiritual need is emphasized.
Timestamps have been associated with the corresponding sections in the transcript.
New Section Seeking a Deeper Connection with Jesus
In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking a deeper connection with Jesus beyond just attending church services. They encourage individuals to desire a genuine fellowship with Jesus and to make time for personal prayer and communication with Him.
Seeking Fellowship with Jesus
- The speaker highlights David's desire for more than just a Sabbath experience and relates it to our own longing for a deeper connection with Jesus in all aspects of life.
- Jesus desires to accompany us and cleanse us through His Spirit, allowing us to have full fellowship with Him throughout the day.
- The speaker shares their personal practice of finding time throughout the day to talk to Jesus, even in busy moments, such as on the subway.
Embracing Personal Transformation
- The speaker encourages listeners not to solely rely on external resources like tapes but rather internalize the message and seek personal transformation from within.
- A prayer is offered, inviting Jesus to cleanse hearts, reveal areas needing change, help manage temper and interactions with others, and allow His likeness to shine through believers.
Timestamps are provided for each bullet point where available.