Levantando la guardia - Marcos Brunet | TTL Iglesia

Guarding the Presence of God

The Creation and Purpose of Humanity

• The speaker references Genesis 2:15, highlighting that God placed man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and guard it. Eden symbolizes a place of delight and divine presence.

• Every human has an innate longing for God's presence, often unrecognized as they seek fulfillment in material possessions or social status instead.

• John Piper's quote emphasizes that God is glorified when individuals find satisfaction in Him rather than worldly pursuits.

Understanding "To Guard" (Shamar)

• The Hebrew word "shamar," meaning to guard, is central to the discussion; it implies a relational commitment rather than mere physical protection.

• This term was used by priests to describe their duty in safeguarding the tabernacle, indicating a deep responsibility towards maintaining God's presence.

• Key derivatives of "shamar" include guarding, protecting, preserving, and observing faithfully—highlighting ongoing vigilance and relational commitment.

The Consequences of Neglect

• Adam's failure to guard Eve led to sin entering the world; he neglected his role as protector during her conversation with the serpent.

• Sin separated humanity from God’s presence; this separation began when Adam failed to maintain constant attention and care over his environment.

The Nature of Sin and Redemption

• The speaker explains that all evil stems from humanity relinquishing authority over creation due to sin.

• When questioned about evil's existence if God is real, it's noted that humanity gave dominion over Earth to Satan through disobedience.

God's Pursuit Despite Human Failure

• After Adam's transgression, God's inquiry was not about punishment but about relationship: “Where are you?” indicating His desire for connection despite sin.

• Even after disobedience, God continues seeking out those who stray from Him; His voice remains present for those feeling lost or weak.

• Ultimately, God's plan involves restoring humanity’s relationship with Him through Jesus Christ—the embodiment of His Word seeking reconciliation with mankind.

The Restoration of Eden: The Role of the Last Adam

The Coming of God in Flesh

• God is referred to as the "last Adam," coming in human form to restore what was lost due to the first Adam's actions. This restoration aims to reverse the curse brought upon humanity.

Human Responsibility and Accountability

• The first Adam deflected responsibility when questioned by God, showcasing a tendency of fallen nature to avoid accountability. Instead, he blamed Eve for his actions. This reflects a broader theme of relational commitment that God desires from humanity.

Sacrifice and Redemption

• The last Adam (Jesus) took on the responsibility for humanity's sins at Calvary, contrasting with the first Adam's failure. He opened a path back to God's presence, symbolizing redemption through sacrifice.

Jesus as Corban: A Connection Offering

• Jesus' death is described as an offering (corban), intended not just for individual salvation but also for reconnecting humanity with God’s story and presence. Salvation is framed as a means to draw closer to God rather than merely improving life circumstances.

The Treasure of God's Presence

• Paul describes God's presence as a treasure within fragile vessels (humans). This emphasizes that salvation relies more on God's ability to shape us than our own strength or capacity. Understanding this should inspire believers to guard their spiritual integrity diligently.

Guardianship Over Spiritual Presence

Spiritual Vigilance

• Believers are encouraged to be vigilant guardians over God's presence within them, akin to how shepherds care for sheep or sentinels watch over cities, highlighting the importance of protecting this divine treasure entrusted to them.

Pressure and Prosperity: Two Sides of One Coin

• A vision revealed that pressure and prosperity are two sides of the same coin; both are necessary experiences for believers who must learn how to navigate these challenges while remaining aligned with God's purpose and plan on Earth.

Purpose Behind Challenges

• Pressures faced by individuals are not personal but serve a greater purpose related to God's plan; similarly, prosperity should not lead one away from dependence on God but rather enhance it, ensuring resources are used for advancing His mission.

This structured approach captures key insights from the transcript while providing timestamps for easy reference, facilitating better understanding and retention of complex ideas discussed in the content.

The Importance of God's Presence in Our Lives

The Role of God's Presence

• The speaker emphasizes that the support from God’s presence is crucial for thriving under pressure and achieving prosperity, as everything becomes empty without it.

• A lack of understanding about enduring pressures and seeking prosperity indicates an absence of God’s presence in one’s life.

• The speaker prays for a strengthened community that learns to handle pressure with divine backing, highlighting the transformative power of experiencing God's glory.

Five Key Aspects to Guard

1. Guard Your Heart

• The first biblical expression to guard is your heart, which is essential as it dictates intentions and actions; Proverbs 4:23 states, "Above all else, guard your heart."

• It is vital to protect one's emotional sensitivity and faith since neglecting this can lead to spiritual decay or hardness.

• The speaker warns against accumulating negative emotions like bitterness or hidden sins instead of nurturing faith and love within the heart.

2. Commitment to Purity

• Emphasizing purity, the speaker references how guarding one’s path involves adhering closely to God’s word as a means of maintaining integrity.

3. Importance of Faith

• Paul’s example illustrates the importance of preserving faith throughout life; many hold onto grudges rather than their core beliefs at life's end.

4. Radical Decisions for Spiritual Health

• Encouragement is given for individuals to make radical decisions today by releasing negativity from their hearts and allowing space for God’s presence.

5. Daily Commitment

• Individuals are urged to actively maintain their hearts free from darkness while committing daily efforts towards spiritual growth through prayer and scripture engagement.

Guarding the Word

Understanding Scripture's Value

• After guarding the heart, attention should shift towards safeguarding God's word; Psalm 119 highlights its significance in maintaining purity.

Internalizing Scripture

• True guarding involves internalizing scripture so deeply that it influences reactions and behaviors consistently according to God’s will.

Living Out Biblical Principles

• Engaging with scripture should not be a mere checklist activity but rather a transformative experience where God's word shapes character and actions.

This structured approach provides clarity on key themes discussed regarding the necessity of divine presence in personal development and spiritual health.

Understanding the Fear of God and Our Responsibility to Others

The Nature of the Fear of God

• The fear of God is described as an internal reverence and awareness of God's presence, leading to a conscious response in our actions.

• This fear positions us in recognition of God's power, reminding us that we are always in His presence, which influences our behavior when alone.

• It encompasses a fear not of punishment but rather a desire to maintain closeness with God and avoid grieving Him; true fear leads to transformation within us.

The Importance of Scripture

• Revelation is highlighted as crucial for understanding God's word; it begins with blessings for those who read, hear, and keep its teachings.

• Many Christians neglect the book of Revelation despite its significance in revealing Jesus Christ and the end times plan, emphasizing intercession through prayer.

Guarding Our Hearts and Relationships

• Genesis 4:9 illustrates the importance of being guardians over one another; Cain's failure to protect his brother serves as a warning against neglecting our responsibilities.

• The essence of loving God translates into loving our neighbors; this dual command encapsulates our duty towards others.

Love as Guardianship

• True love manifests through self-sacrifice for others' well-being; those who do not love remain spiritually dead.

• A guardian is defined as someone willing to lay down their life for their brothers, highlighting the depth required in relationships.

Conflict Resolution Through Connection

• Differences between individuals can lead to conflict; however, resolving these conflicts should focus on connection rather than competition or defense.

• In Christ, we are called to cover each other instead of fighting against one another. This new nature encourages unity over division.

Standing Firm Against Division

• Emphasizing protection over aggression fosters stronger relationships. We must guard against divisive influences that threaten trust and unity within families and communities.

• The call is made for believers to reclaim their position in Christ by standing together against forces that seek separation rather than fighting amongst themselves.

Prayer for Unity and Strength in Relationships

Importance of Fighting for Marriages

• The speaker emphasizes the need for men to pray and fight for their marriages, resisting any negativity that could harm the relationship.

• Women are encouraged to support their husbands through prayer rather than criticism, fostering a united front.

Brotherhood and Connection

• The message extends to Christian brothers, urging them to avoid gossip and criticism, focusing instead on maintaining unity.

• The call is made to strengthen bonds that unite individuals while confronting issues that create division among them.

Commitment to Faith

• A commitment is expressed towards fighting the good fight of faith together as families, with a declaration of serving the Lord until the end.

Caution Against External Influences

• A story about a pastor's wife who considered divorce due to external influences from a soap opera illustrates how outside narratives can affect personal relationships.

• The speaker highlights how media consumption can lead individuals away from reality, emphasizing vigilance in guarding one's heart against such influences.

Guarding One’s Heart and Mind

• Anacondia's insights stress the importance of being aware of what one consumes mentally during times of rest; neglecting this can lead to negative impacts on relationships.

• Individuals are encouraged to monitor their screen time and social media usage as these can drain emotional energy needed for nurturing relationships.

Guardianship in Relationships

Understanding True Conflicts

• It is clarified that conflicts should not be viewed as battles against spouses or family members but rather as struggles against external negative forces.

Strengthening Family Bonds

• Couples are urged to hold hands and affirm their commitment by raising their voices together in unity against divisive forces.

Role of Community in Protection

• The speaker emphasizes collective responsibility within families and communities, stating that they must serve God together while acting as guardians over each other’s well-being.

Building Strong Foundations

Divine Support in Building Lives

• Reference is made to Psalm 127:1, highlighting that without God's guidance, efforts in building homes or communities are futile.

• The church is identified as a vital instrument through which God protects cities today, reinforcing the idea of community involvement in safeguarding spiritual health.

Guardians of the City: Intercession and Responsibility

The Call to Be Guardians

• The speaker emphasizes that God wants individuals to elevate their role as guardians, suggesting a spiritual responsibility in their respective cities.

• Reference to Abraham's intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah highlights the importance of righteous individuals in protecting communities from judgment.

• The idea is presented that one's presence can transform a location into a place of God's presence, urging listeners to see themselves as part of God's army.

Transforming Communities Through Prayer

• The speaker encourages prayer for justice, peace, and joy in places marked by corruption and chaos, asserting that the Kingdom of God brings transformation.

• Emphasizes that the Great Commission begins with personal commitment to defend one's territory spiritually before extending beyond borders.

Global Intercession and Connection

• Acknowledges challenges faced by individuals praying for distant nations like Iran or Israel while dealing with personal struggles; stresses interconnectedness among believers.

• Highlights the need for empathy towards suffering Christians globally, framing them as family members deserving of prayerful support.

Awareness of Global Crises

• Discusses current persecution faced by Christians in various countries, emphasizing the power of righteous prayers amidst global injustices.

• Calls for intercessory prayer specifically for Venezuela, illustrating how local discomfort can serve as a reminder of broader humanitarian crises.

Practical Steps Towards Compassionate Action

• Urges reflection on whether one’s faith is self-centered or focused on Christ's mission and needs within His kingdom.

• Shares ongoing efforts to support Venezuelans facing dire conditions through practical aid such as food baskets, encouraging community involvement in these initiatives.

Generosity and Its Impact on Life

The Importance of Action in Faith

• The speaker emphasizes that "prayer without action is illusion," urging the audience to engage in practical love and support for others.

Insights from Psalm 41

• Psalm 41, attributed to David, highlights the blessings for those who care for the poor during difficult times, promising divine assistance and protection.

• The psalm states that God will sustain those who think of the needy, providing healing and safety from enemies as a reward for their compassion.

Serving Others as a Spiritual Duty

• The speaker encourages individuals to not only seek personal happiness but also to serve others' needs actively, positioning this service as a form of guarding one's community.

Prayer for Venezuela

• A prayer is offered for Venezuela, invoking God's provision and revealing His fatherly nature over national leaders. It emphasizes reliance on God rather than human figures.

The Presence of God: A Central Theme

Guarding God's Presence

• The discussion shifts to Genesis 3:23-24, where Adam and Eve are expelled from Eden. This act signifies humanity's loss of access to God's presence due to sin.

Consequences of Separation from God

• Following their expulsion, humanity's tendency towards corruption grows without God's presence. Cities were built away from Him, leading to moral decay.

Sacrifice as a Means of Restoration

• Despite losing access to God's presence, humanity learns about sacrifice through animal offerings as a means of atonement and covering shame.

Jesus: The Perfect Sacrifice

• Jesus is presented as the ultimate high priest whose sacrifice restores direct access to God’s presence. This connection is emphasized as being solely through faith in Christ.

Preserving Spiritual Integrity

• The speaker references Paul's advice to Timothy about safeguarding spiritual truths entrusted by the Holy Spirit. David's plea not to be cast away from God's presence underscores its value above worldly success.

Prayer for Restoration of God's Presence

The Importance of God's Presence

• The speaker expresses a desire for the fear and longing for God's presence to return to people's hearts, emphasizing the value of friendship with God over material losses.

• A contrast is drawn between a common misconception of God as an angry figure and the truth that He is a loving Father who eagerly awaits our recognition and connection with Him.

• The speaker highlights human limitations, stating that true fulfillment comes from recognizing our need for God's presence, which sanctifies and teaches us to love genuinely.

• An appeal is made for individuals to acknowledge their need for God, urging them to forget their surroundings and focus solely on His love and acceptance.

• The call to worship emphasizes the importance of revering God's presence above all earthly distractions, encouraging believers not to be sidetracked by worldly benefits.

Responding to God's Call

• The speaker encourages listeners to take a moment in prayer, allowing their hearts to rekindle love for God and respond in worship as seen in heavenly beings who honor Him without distraction.

• A reminder is given not to lose sight of God amidst blessings; instead, one should seek His presence more than any gifts or outcomes He may provide.

• There’s an urgent call for awakening within each person present—a plea for restoration of spiritual fervor and acknowledgment of one's role as guardians of His presence.

• Emphasis is placed on the power of collective cries for liberation from struggles; every heartfelt plea can lead to divine intervention and freedom from bondage.