What Happens in presence of God

Youth Conference 2013

The present Truth

Therefore I will not neglect to put you always in

remembrance of these things, though you know

them and are established in the present truth.

2 Pet 1:12

St. Augustine Exposition on Psalm 142

You are my God, and most of all, am I, a creature, longing to be created

anew? You are my God, You are my

creator. You created me through Your

Word, and recreated me through Your Word.

You created me through the Word abiding in yourself, and you recreated me through

the Word who was made flesh for us.

Testimony and reminder

And the LORD has performed His word which He spoke, and I have risen up

instead of my father David. And I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD

promised. And I have built a house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

And I have set there a place for the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD which

He made with our fathers when He brought them out of the land of Egypt. 1

kings 8:20,21

Everlasting Temple

I have surely built a house of loftiness for You, a

settled place for You to abide in forever.1 kings 8:13

Towards the world

And the king turned his face around and blessed all the congregation of Israel. And

all the congregation of Israel stood.

1Kings 8:14

Presence or Shadow

So as to carry out the sick into the streets and place them on cots and mattresses, so that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

And also a multitude came from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick ones, and those being tormented by unclean spirits, who were all healed. Acts 5:15,16

Bless The Lord for ...

And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to David my father, and has fulfilled it by His hand, saying.... 1kings 8:14

What happens in the presence of God?

The story of Russia’s conversion to Christianity.

4 stages:

1- Purification.

2-Illumenation.

3- Transformation.

4-Unification

In God’s Presence

What happens in the presence of God?

1- Purification (cleansing): Disclosure of sins and defects in

God’s light(1King8:38). Rediscovering God’s love repels

sin (Divine love is a dynamic purifying love not simple affections)(1Jn3:3,4).

Preparation phase for later phases.

 whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or

by all Your people Israel, when each one knows the plague of his

own heart, and spreads out his hands toward this temple. 1 Kings

8:38

3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He

is pure. Whoever commits sin also

commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. I Jn 3:3,4

“I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore

“Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean,And I will

receive you.”“I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons

and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Cor 6:16-18, 7:1

Let us returnfrom that Table

like lions breathing out fire, terrifying to the

devil!

St John Chrysostom

What happens in the presence of God?

2-Illumination: God is revealed from

inside(Gal1:16). E.g; St. Augustine search for God.

The word of God shines (2 cor 4:6).

Change of perception (Eph 4:22-24)

To reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the

Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,

Gal 1:16

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our

hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in

the face of Jesus Christ.2 Cor 4:6

22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which

grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on

the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness

and holiness. Eph 4:22-24

What happens in the presence of God?

3-Transformation through repentance (Newness):

New mind (Thought replacement),(Rom 12:2).

New Heart (Heart Transplantation!! Psalm 51:10).

New senses (Developing spiritual senses),(Heb 5:14)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you

may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will

of God. Rom 12:2

Create in me a clean heart, O God,And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Ps 51:10

 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that

is, those who by reason of use have their senses

exercised to discern both good and evil. Heb 5:14

ORTHODOX SPRITUAL RECYCLING THROUGH REPENTANCE

What happens in the presence of God?

4- Unification:• Union with God (Jn 14:20) Union with God’s will (Mk 14:36). Freedom from desire

control(Gal5:24).

The fraction of St Cyril of Alex.

When Your glory descends on Your sacrament, our minds are lifted up to see Your majesty. On the change of the bread and wine to the Body and Blood, our souls

will change to share in Your glory, and unite with Your Divinity. Create in us, O

Lord our God, a pure heart, let Your Spirit dwell inside us, renew our senses with

Your power and make us worthy of Your gift.

 At that day you will know that I am in My

Father, and you in Me, and I in you. Jn 14:20

 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You.

Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” Mk 14:36

 And those who are Christ’s have crucified

the flesh with its passions and desires.

Gal 5:24