Presence

The Good Way
Written By Kyle McMahon

  • Psalm 1:1-3

    1 Blessed is the one

    who does not walk in step with the wicked

    or stand in the way that sinners take

    or sit in the company of mockers,

    2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

    and who meditates on his law day and night.

    3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

    which yields its fruit in season

    and whose leaf does not wither—

    whatever they do prospers.

    Presence - Formation - Renewal

    Present to God & Present to one another

    GOD

    David Benner - “Love has its origins in the character of the triune God, where perfect love is shared within a sacred community of three. And love, by its very nature always reaches out. Rather than be content with the circle of love within the Godhead, God reached out to create so that others could enter this sphere of intimacy and be warmed by divine love.

    John 1:1-4 - 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

    To be present to God is to simply bring our awareness to God.

    YOU

    David Benner - We were not brought into existence simply so that we could worship God. Nor were we created simply for service. Human beings exist because of God's desire for companionship. ”

    Identity Markers:

    I am the salt and light of the earth. (Matthew 5v13-14)

    I’ve been given a spirit of power, love, and self-control – not fear. (2 Timothy 1v7)

    I can find grace and mercy in time of need. (Hebrews 4v16)

    I am hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3v3)

    I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2v10)

    I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. (Colossians 1v14)

    I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4v13)

    I am a citizen of heaven. (Philippians 3v20)

    I know that God will complete the good work he started in me. (Philippians 1v6)

    I may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3v12)

    I am God’s workmanship. (Ephesians 2v10)

    I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 2v18)

    I have been adopted as God’s child. (Ephesians 1v5)

    I am a saint. (Ephesians 1v1)

    I am a minister of reconciliation for God. (2 Corinthians 5v18-21)

    I am a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5v17)

    I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God. (2 Corinthians 1v21-22)

    I am a member of Christ’s body. (1 Corinthians 12:27)

    I have been bought at a price. I belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6v20)

    I am God’s temple. (1 Corinthians 3v16)

    I am God’s coworker. (1 Corinthians 3v9)

    I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. (John 15v16)

    I am Christ’s friend. (John 15v15)

    I cannot be separated from the love of God. (Romans 8v35-39)

    Psalm 1:1-3 - "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the Torah of Yahweh and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither–whatever they do prospers."

    Dallas Willard - “The Psalm 1 man delights in the law that God has given. Note he delights in it. He loves it, is thrilled by it, can't keep his mind off of it. He thinks it is beautiful, strong, wise, an incredible gift of God's mercy and grace. He therefore dwells upon it day and night, turning it over and over in his mind and speaking it to himself. He does not do this to please God, but because the Law pleases him. It is where his whole being is oriented and the result is a flourishing life."

    "Blessed is the one … who meditates on his law day and night.

    Eugene Peterson -

    "Christians feed on Scripture. Holy Scripture nurtures the holy community as food nurtures the human body. Christians don't simply learn or study or use Scripture, we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus' name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed and company with the Son."

    OTHERS

    Psalm 1:3 (bold) - "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the Torah of Yahweh and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither–whatever they do prospers."

    Dead Tree

    John 7:37-38 - “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

    Psalm 1:4-6 - Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

  • Each Sunday we come together we offer an open invitation into the way of Jesus. An invitation to enter into sacred rhythms - to draw near to God through singing, giving, learning, and praying.

    As a community that desires renewal in Des Moines as it is in Heaven, we recognize that we cannot offer what we ourselves do not have. We cannot lead where we ourselves have not been led; in turn, these questions aim at reflection. Reflecting on God’s word and making space for his leadership. 

    After watching or listening consider the following discussion questions as a large group or in groups of three to four:

    • What stood out from the teaching?

Kyle McMahon
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