It's Easy | Connecting with God is Easy
Mercy Culture Church | Pastor Kaily Morrow
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Connecting with God is easy in His presence!
This has been a year of expanding territory!
1 Chronicles 4:10 KJV, NIV, MSG
10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh [if] that You would bless me [indeed] and enlarge [Expand] my territory, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm [evil] so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.
1 Chronicles 4:10 KJV, NIV, MSG
10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh [if] that You would bless me [indeed] and enlarge [Expand] my territory, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm [evil] so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.
Matthew 11:28-30
BSB
28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
BSB
Sermons in It’s Easy series
Healing is Easy!
Deliverance is Easy!
Forgiveness is Easy!
Obedience is Easy!
Fasting is Easy!
Faith is Easy!
Healing is Easy!
Deliverance is Easy!
Forgiveness is Easy!
Obedience is Easy!
Fasting is Easy!
Faith is Easy!
Matthew 27:45-54
BSB
45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.
46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He is calling Elijah.”
48 One of them quickly ran and brought a sponge. He filled it with sour wine, put it on a reed, and held it up for Jesus to drink.
49 But the others said, “Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him.”
50 When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit.
51 At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.
52 The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
53 After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He is calling Elijah.”
48 One of them quickly ran and brought a sponge. He filled it with sour wine, put it on a reed, and held it up for Jesus to drink.
49 But the others said, “Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him.”
50 When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit.
51 At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.
52 The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
53 After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
BSB
Why is connecting with God important?
When you connect with God:
- He meets with you
- He gives you the wisdom to lead your family/kids
- He heals your marriage
So many of you love Mercy Culture because you encounter God here, but you can encounter Him daily!
There is more to a relationship with God than just encountering Him on Sundays!
When you connect with God:
- He meets with you
- He gives you the wisdom to lead your family/kids
- He heals your marriage
So many of you love Mercy Culture because you encounter God here, but you can encounter Him daily!
There is more to a relationship with God than just encountering Him on Sundays!
Connect
- To join together so as to provide access and communication.
You were created to connect with God.
- To join together so as to provide access and communication.
You were created to connect with God.
Corporate encounters are important because they stoke the flames and embers of a relationship with God, but it’s in daily encounters that God breathes something out that only you need. Daily encounters with God are the oxygen that keeps the fire burning!
Proverbs 8:34-36
BSB
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.
35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.
36 But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.
36 But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
BSB
Without a connection with God, Christianity is a dead religion. When you connect with God daily, you find life!
2 Corinthians 2:11
BSB
11 in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
BSB
Outwitted
- To be superior, excel, surpass, have an advantage over
- To gain or take advantage of another, to overreach
Don’t be unaware of the enemies’ schemes! The enemy only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The enemy is after your encounters.
- To be superior, excel, surpass, have an advantage over
- To gain or take advantage of another, to overreach
Don’t be unaware of the enemies’ schemes! The enemy only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The enemy is after your encounters.
What does it look like to be unaware?
When you are unaware, you get things stolen from you. It’s aimless wandering. The enemy looks for the unaware.
The enemy knows an encounter with God changes everything.
When you are unaware, you get things stolen from you. It’s aimless wandering. The enemy looks for the unaware.
The enemy knows an encounter with God changes everything.
The enemy knows if he can keep you out of your daily encounter:
- You won’t become like Jesus.
- You won’t pray to make earth look like the Kingdom of Heaven.
- You won’t spiritually grow.
- You won’t forgive, be healed, and be delivered.
- You won’t enter the ease of God’s presence.
- You won’t become like Jesus.
- You won’t pray to make earth look like the Kingdom of Heaven.
- You won’t spiritually grow.
- You won’t forgive, be healed, and be delivered.
- You won’t enter the ease of God’s presence.
2 Corinthians 3:18
BSB
18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
BSB
If the enemy can keep you out of your daily encounters, he’ll keep you from expanding territory.
The Enemy’s Tactics Against Your Daily Encounters
1. He’ll say you can’t really hear God.
- It’s easy to hear God in His presence.
- If you can hear the voice of the enemy, you can hear the voice of God!
1. He’ll say you can’t really hear God.
- It’s easy to hear God in His presence.
- If you can hear the voice of the enemy, you can hear the voice of God!
John 10:2-4
BSB
2 But the one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
BSB
How to hear God’s voice:
- In scripture
- In the whisper (Elijah, 1 Kings 19:12)
- Audibly (Samuel, 1 Samuel 3)
- In visions/spiritual daydreams (Peter)
- In dreams at night (Daniel, Joseph)
- In scripture
- In the whisper (Elijah, 1 Kings 19:12)
- Audibly (Samuel, 1 Samuel 3)
- In visions/spiritual daydreams (Peter)
- In dreams at night (Daniel, Joseph)
The Enemy’s Tactics Against Your Daily Encounters
2. He’ll say shame keeps you from connecting with God.
2. He’ll say shame keeps you from connecting with God.
Shame
- A painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by being aware of your wrong or foolish behavior.
Shame simplified = the painful feeling of regret!
Shame keeps you focused on what you did instead of what God did!
- A painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by being aware of your wrong or foolish behavior.
Shame simplified = the painful feeling of regret!
Shame keeps you focused on what you did instead of what God did!
Genesis 3:8-13
BSB
8 Then the man and his wife heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the breeze of the day, and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
9 But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?”
10 “I heard Your voice in the garden,” he replied, “and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”
11 “Who told you that you were naked?” asked the LORD God. “Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
12 And the man answered, “The woman whom You gave me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied, “and I ate.”
9 But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?”
10 “I heard Your voice in the garden,” he replied, “and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”
11 “Who told you that you were naked?” asked the LORD God. “Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
12 And the man answered, “The woman whom You gave me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied, “and I ate.”
BSB
2 Corinthians 5:17
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17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
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You have been set free. When you stay in a place of shame, you keep the broken chains around your feet, even though they are broken!
What do you do if you have shame?
- Daily encounter
- Daily encounter
Hebrews 12:1-2
BSB
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
BSB
Jesus saw the shame of sin, but also saw the joy set before him!
Romans 10:11
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11 It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
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The Enemy’s Tactics Against Your Daily Encounters
3. He’ll say you don’t know how to connect with God.
The enemy’s tactic to keep you from connecting with God is to keep you from knowing how.
God wants to father you and teach you how to encounter him daily!
3. He’ll say you don’t know how to connect with God.
The enemy’s tactic to keep you from connecting with God is to keep you from knowing how.
God wants to father you and teach you how to encounter him daily!
Matthew 11:28-30
BSB
28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
BSB
You can’t fail when you are a son or daughter wanting to please your Father!
3 Ways to Grow in Connecting With God
1. Learn how you best connect with God
There is only one way to God, and it’s through Jesus, but in Jesus, there are many ways to connect with God.
1. Learn how you best connect with God
There is only one way to God, and it’s through Jesus, but in Jesus, there are many ways to connect with God.
3 Ways to Grow in Connecting With God
2. Evaluate your daily encounters
2. Evaluate your daily encounters
Questions to ask when evaluating your daily encounters:
- What is my quality time with God like?
- What is the quantity of my time with God?
- Am I connecting with Him or going through the motions?
- Do I hear Him?
- Do I need to change how I connect with God?
- What is my quality time with God like?
- What is the quantity of my time with God?
- Am I connecting with Him or going through the motions?
- Do I hear Him?
- Do I need to change how I connect with God?
Relationships grow and seasons change. Follow the adventure of growing in the Connect with God ways!
Take time to evaluate your attitude toward your daily encounters.
Encounters are not a performance. Every day will not be a burning bush encounter. Many consistent encounters make a big impact!
Take time to evaluate your attitude toward your daily encounters.
Encounters are not a performance. Every day will not be a burning bush encounter. Many consistent encounters make a big impact!
Practical Advice
- Encounter God with someone else.
- Ask others how they connect with God.
- Re-evaluate your Connect with God ways that you received in MC Connect.
- Try connecting with God through each Connect with God way.
- Encounter God with someone else.
- Ask others how they connect with God.
- Re-evaluate your Connect with God ways that you received in MC Connect.
- Try connecting with God through each Connect with God way.
3 Ways to Grow in Connecting With God
3. Answer His invitation
3. Answer His invitation
James 4:8
BSB
8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
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Hebrews 11:6
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6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
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Connect with God during the holidays!
Matthew 27:51-54
BSB
51 At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.
52 The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
53 After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
52 The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
53 After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
BSB
Jesus did the hard part so it can be easy! He removed our sin and shame!
Hebrews 10:19-23
BSB
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
20 by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
20 by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
BSB
Connecting with God is easy because Jesus made a way for us. He tore the veil so you can come into His presence!
