One Thing Sermon Series

Sermon follow-up 6/16/25

Introduction
In the midst of life's battles and challenges, what should be our primary focus? King David, writing from a place of hardship while hiding in caves and running for his life, gives us a profound answer in Psalm 27.

What Does It Mean to Seek God's Presence?
David begins Psalm 27 with a powerful declaration: "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" Despite facing literal armies and enemies, David's confidence remained unshaken because he understood the power of God's presence.
In verse 4, David reveals his heart's deepest desire: "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."

This "one thing" involves three key actions:

1. Seeking - The original language means to discover, find, call upon, and try to possess. This isn't casual searching but a committed pursuit of God's way of life.
2. Dwelling - This means to sit down, inhabit one place, to unite and fix yourself in one place. It's about consistently remaining in God's presence.
3. Gazing - Fixing our attention on God's beauty and character, allowing His presence to transform us.

Why Is God's Presence So Important?
There's a cosmic battle raging around us. As Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Yet in God's presence, we find:

• Protection: "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent" (Psalm 27:5)
• Peace: Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you" (John 14:27)
• Power: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you" (Acts 1:8)

How Has Access to God's Presence Changed?
In the Old Testament, God's presence was primarily experienced in the temple or tabernacle. David longed to be in that physical place where God's presence dwelled.
But everything changed with Jesus:

• "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling [tabernacled] among us" (John 1:14)
• After Jesus ascended, He sent the Holy Spirit: "The advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things" (John 14:26)
• Now, we ourselves are God's temple: "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?" (1 Corinthians 3:16)

How Do We Experience God's Presence Today?
Brother Lawrence, who wrote "Practicing the Presence," outlined a progression:

• Be saved through the blood of Jesus and filled with His Spirit
• Gently, humbly, and lovingly lay your fears, anxieties, and worries before the Lord
• Keep your soul's eyes fixed on God

Like Peter walking on water, we must keep our eyes on Jesus rather than the waves around us. When we focus on our problems instead of Christ, we begin to sink.
Hudson Taylor, the missionary to China who faced tremendous hardship including the death of his wife and children, understood this truth: "Christ lives in me. And how great the difference. Instead of bondage, liberty; instead of failure, quiet victories within; instead of fear and weakness, a restful sense of sufficiency in another."

Life Application
This week, make seeking God's presence your "one thing." Here are some practical ways to do this:

• Memorize Psalm 27:4 - Let David's prayer become your own daily declaration
• Post reminders - Like the old chorus says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace"
• Practice awareness - Remember that God's presence is always with you; it's about raising your awareness of this reality

Questions to consider:

• What distractions or fears are keeping you from experiencing God's presence fully?
• How might your perspective on current challenges change if you focused more on God's presence than on your problems?
• What practical step can you take this week to "dwell," "seek," and "gaze" upon the Lord?

Remember, in God's presence there is power, peace, joy, and transformation. As you fix your eyes on Jesus this week, may you experience the protection and peace that comes from making His presence your "one thing."