INCREASING YOUR GOD SIGHTINGS

Introduction:
1.	The Bible says that “no one has ever seen God. . .” (John 1:18).
2.	In Exodus 33:12-23 Moses reportedly sees God.
3.	How do we reconcile these two scriptures?
	a.	A theophany is a visualization of God.
	b.	We know those are not actual physical sightings, for God does not have a 			body He is spirit and thus invisible.

I.	How can we see God?
	A.	Some people cannot.
	# Jesus was asked why He spoke in parables.  He answered, “Seeing, they see not…” 	(Matt. 13:13).
	B.	Jesus informed people that He had been hungry, thirsty, naked, and imprisoned 			and no one had ministered to Him.
		1.	Those who heard Jesus inquired, “Lord, when did we see you hungry, 				thirsty, a stranger, or in need of clothing?”
		2.	Jesus replied, “In as much as you have done it unto one of the least of 				these you have done it unto me” (Matt. 25:38f).
		3.	While we may not have any theophanies, we may very well 					see humans who represent Jesus.
		4.	This truth is certainly supported by the second great commandment, 				“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
	C.	Our spiritual eyesight is affected by a measure of our faith.

	# Thomas said to the other disciples after the resurrection, “Unless I see the nail 		prints . . . I will not believe.”
	Jesus responded to Thomas’ lack of faith by saying, “Blessed are those who believe, but 	do not see” (John 19:25f).

II.	Holy people see God.
	A.	“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).
	B.	God places a longing in our heart to see Him.
	# Some Greeks came into Jerusalem to worship and looked up Phillip.  They said, “Sir, 	we would like to see Jesus.”
	C.	Those who have seen Jesus have seen the Father (John 14:9).
	# “No one has ever seen God, but God, the One and only, who is at the Father’s side has 	made Him known” (John 1:18).

III.	Witnesses inform others of what they have observed.
	A.	There is a real compulsion to inform others.
	# We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).
	B.	Our spiritual lives are grounded in actual personal experience.
	# “We proclaim what we have seen and heard. . .” (I John: 1-4).
Conclusion:
1.	Fill out the handout, “Talking about God.”
2.	Recall your experiences of how God has made Himself known to you.
3.	With your recollections of God in your life, you will have ways to witness and stories of God to tell. 
4.	Let your God-sightings become your God-citings. 

TALKING ABOUT GOD

1.	Has God answered prayer? When?

2.	Has God guided you in some important matter?  When?  How?

3.	Has God blessed you with a new sense of peace, security, or freedom since you became a Christian?  Write about it. 

4.	Has God helped you handle a difficult personal relationship?  Describe the situation and how God helped.