Knowing what you believe | 22 September 2024

In this sermon, Pastor Josh draws from Genesis 1, focusing on the key idea that “God is here.” He points out that God’s presence is not limited to specific moments, such as during worship, but extends to all places and situations in life. God is always present, even in times of darkness, chaos, or personal struggle. He shares from Genesis 1, where God is present amid chaos and disorder, symbolised by darkness and deep waters. Instead of waiting for things to be perfect, God steps into the chaos, demonstrating that He is not repelled by difficult circumstances.

Josh uses the story of Joseph from the Bible to illustrate this point, showing how God was present in every dark chapter of Joseph’s life, even when it seemed He was absent. He helps us understand that God’s presence is not dependent on us having everything together; God is with us even in our pain, fear, and uncertainty.

He also explains how we often fail to recognise God’s presence in everyday life, whether it’s in mundane tasks or during times of busyness. Drawing from the story of Moses and the burning bush, Josh suggests that noticing God’s presence requires us to slow down and “turn aside” from our busy lives. He likens this to tuning into a radio frequency – God’s presence is always there, but we must tune ourselves in to notice it.

Finally, he explains that God’s presence leads to action—when God speaks, He creates. He encourages listeners to be mindful of God’s presence, especially in challenging moments, as this awareness can transform how we live and respond to the world around us.