Pastor Matt Scott of The Gathering Place Church in Moody, AL shares his testimony of pastoring a church that was big but wasn’t deep, and a two year process of getting to know God as a person.

God gave Matt a phrase – “There is more.” It was an invitation to get to know and receive more of God, if Matt was interested.

It’s also an invitation for you.

Matt discovered four things that allowed him to experience more of God.

1) Develop Hunger

2) Create Space

3) Remove Barriers

4) Capitalize on Opportunities

It’s not about a formula, but it is about experiencing more of God as a person, who is interested in developing a relationship with you. Will you accept the invitation?

 

 

Has God ever told you something, and yet there were still things He didn’t let you know?

Many times, our faith in God can be measured by how much detail we require BEFORE we do what He tells us.

Is what God said to you enough? Or are the details you don’t know too much for you to obey? Do you require confirmation from people to validate what you’ve heard from the creator of the universe?

Which moves you the most?

WHAT GOD SAYS VS WHAT HE LETS US KNOW

 

Exodus 33:12, Deuteronomy 30:11–14, John 21:17–22, Isaiah 45:3–4, Matthew 7:21–23

 

WHY are we coming to the tabernacle?

Are we coming to seek the Lord, or are we coming to check a box? There is a difference.

When we are coming to church to check a box, the focus is on 3 things:

PEOPLE.

PERFORMANCE.

PREFERENCES.

When we come seeking the Lord, the focus is on 1 thing:

PRESENCE OF GOD.

EVERYONE who SOUGHT the Lord went out to the tabernacle of meeting!

 

Exodus 20:18–21, Exodus 33:7–11, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Revelation 3:20, John 4:23–24

The enemy is getting in the gate, and we need to take him out at the gate.

God is training mothers & fathers to train sons & daughters to fight . . .

. . . THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH.

Women – you play a major role in the earth, a mighty weapon in God’s hands.

We are created “Ezer Kenegdo.”

We are just like our Dad. A Warrior. A Helper Suitable.

Standing side-by-side, shoulder-to-shoulder, face-to-face with those we are in relationship with to check them.

 

Deuteronomy 33:29, Psalm 115:9, Judges 5:6–8, Psalm 68:11, Genesis 2:18

We are ordained to bear much fruit worthy of the Kingdom. We must not stop abiding. Jesus was passionate about being connected to His Father, and we must be passionate about being connected with Jesus, who is the true vine, and as the branches, allow the Father to be the vinedresser – pruning and perfecting in us what He desires to perfect. God is preparing and perfecting His Holy Vineyard.

“ I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit]. You are already clean because of the word which I have given you [the teachings which I have discussed with you]. Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples.” John 15 : 1 – 8

 

John 15:1–8, John 15:16–17, Ephesians 5:26, Matthew 7:15–20, Matthew 21:18–19