HIS PRESENCE Part 3 | Carrying His Presence | 18.02.24 | 11am | Catherine De Souza

For Christians, sharing in communion is a familiar part of our faith, but do we really understand the significance of this spiritual meal that Jesus began at ‘The Last Supper’ with His disciples? Get ready to understand in fresh ways how this intimate meal demonstrates the full extent of Christ’s love for us.

Full sermon title: 'The Last Supper: Prelude to Sacrifice'

There are moments in the Christian life when God’s presence is readily apparent and evident, but there can also be times when His silence seems deafening - when we wonder if He is still there at all. How do we respond to those occasions when God seems distant or absent? Drawing out lessons from Bible characters such as David in Psalm 13, we discover the wonderful truth that when God seems absent, He is still very much present. Learn how to run to God in times of difficulty and be encouraged how to find God even in the unlikely or not so obvious places or circumstances of life.

We don’t leave God’s presence behind in the church building on a Sunday but, through the Holy Spirit, carry His presence into our daily world. Learn how, being the temples of the Holy Spirit, believers today are the instrument that God uses to help others encounter the presence of God - wherever we go and whatever we are doing. Discover what it means to be carriers of God's presence even in the ordinary and how to bring hope into despair, light into dark places, and love into brokenness.

We know from the Bible that God’s presence is everywhere and in the heart of every believer. But what about moments when we sense his presence is more intense? This sermon explores what it means to experience the manifest presence of God. In Exodus 33, Moses appealed to God for His manifest presence to go with the people of Israel. In the same way, you can cry out for more of God’s transforming presence in your life.

Experiencing the presence of God is more than warm feelings but an encounter with the holiness of God which transforms our hearts and even nations! Be challenged by this call to pursue the presence of God in our lives in a new and fresh way.

What does it look like to have generosity as a regular practice in your life? In this final part of our Devoted series, learn from the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, that generosity is more a practice of the heart, that it starts with small actions and it is willing to keep on giving.

The first followers of Jesus were devoted to loving community and God wants you to live the same way today. But how do you do that if you are nervous about where to start? Or what if you have been hurt? Learn more in this practical sermon about building safe spaces, real relationships and deep transformation.

Engaging with the Bible is an essential for us to grow in our relationships with God. As Head of Bible Society in Wales, Siân Rees is passionate about helping people to read and understand ‘God’s Word.’ And it doesn’t stop there - God speaks to us through the His Word, it directs and guides us and it helps us to defeat the enemy!

Prayer is an essential practice for Christians - an opportunity to partner with God, to align our hearts to His will and purposes and to hear His voice. It is principally about relationship with Him. Be inspired to grow in your prayer life this season.

Be encouraged by this word at the beginning of New Year - Jesus said that you are the light of the world! You were made to shine bright in a dark word with little hope. Romans 5 says that hope often comes through suffering, then perseverance, then character development and finally a resilient hope begins to emerge! So as you step into this New Year, Let Hope Burn Bright!