Spiritual Experiences [Part 2]

Pastor author and Bible teacher Alan Wright. If you want to draw this just made up some cute little goddess overwhelms all usages nice and sweet and those would you want him to do so. You wanted God has no power over evil. Who wants evil terrain. God is good and there's a fire inside Alan Wright welcome to another message of good news that will help you see your life in a whole new light excited for you to hear the teaching today. In our series called Moses is presented in an old church in North Carolina not able to stay with us throughout the entire program to make sure you know how to get our special resource right now. Yours for your donation this month to Alan Wright Ministries so as you listen to today's message. We encourage you to go deeper as we send you today special offer. Contact us at pastoralan.org that's pastor out and.org or call 877-544-4860 that's 877-544-4860. More on this later in the program but now let's get started with today's teaching here is Alan Wright. I called my mother and I told her that experience God and that been called into the ministry and I couldn't tell her, but for weeping and for weeks and weeks after this. I couldn't even speak of the experience without weeping now.

To me this day when I tell that story. Again, if I were to get get alone with God and just start thinking of.

Again, I would just start weeping just like it was that's that's how real that that is to me.

I want to tell a story like that. If that doesn't fit your worldview we going to do with that because there really only two responses when somebody tells a story like that even though well I don't think Allen's crazy and man if you can experience God like that. He's that real, that changes everything. Or you go. I think Allen's crazy and you have to say that basically I'm living my whole life out of a delusion. I don't see any in between this Moses. Moses was minding his own business tending sheep hiding in exile in Midian, not knowing that God had providentially arranged that he would be a Hebrew boy that was raised in the Egyptian court so he be the perfect one to be able to go and represent the Hebrew people and have an easy access to Pharaoh himself.

He didn't know that God had already been hearing the cry of the Israelites. He didn't know all the plans of God.

He's just tending the sheep and he sees a bush that is burning but is not consumed any terms, and he's fascinated to see such a site, and God speaks to him and essentially what happens is Moses has to decide either. This is a delusion either. I'm going crazy or I am experiencing God and if I am experiencing God. This transforms every single thing about life and my entire worldview has to change. From this point forward, the Bush special process last week there were things that for rocks and bushes, there might not have been an unusual sight to see an arid climate, a bush that it caught on fire but it was a bush that was was burning and was not being burned up.

That was what was so interesting about that.

Remember that it's on fire but it's not consumed on fire but not destroyed just on fire so it could burn brightly. It is an ordinary bush but is preacher Tony Evans once said, if God is in the bush.

Any old Bush will do the power of the kingdom of God. The kingdom itself.

Jesus said is at hand. It's in the ordinary it's here it's now it's not somewhere off far away. You don't have to go some other place. You don't have to go to some exotic place or do something unusual in order to experience the presence and the power of God. He can be in any push in the bushes, burning image of fire becomes an extremely important image, a metaphor about something about the nature of who God is. Many many scriptures I give you a few of them. Deuteronomy chapter 9 know therefore today that he goes over before you as a consuming fire is the Lord your God, he will destroy them and subdue them before you, so you shall drive them out and make them perish quickly, as the Lord has promised you image of the people of God taking the promised land in the power of God driving out the enemies defeating evil okay is the image of God being a consuming fire. The image of God being a consuming fire is God destroying evil that's the that's the first and the prevalent imagery God shall arise.

Psalm 68. His enemies shall be scattered, and those who hate them shall flee before me as smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away as wax melts before fire so the wicked shall perish before God.

The fire of God is the justice of God. The righteousness of God join to the power of God which not let men know about you but I don't want a man BPM be God made up in our own image. Who has no firepower.

He is the Creator of the ends of the earth and beloved. He is in charge of everything in his will will be done in one day every knee will bow and confess that Jesus is Lord decided you wanted God. This just made up in some little cute little God that's over on the side and all he is just nice and sweet and does what you want him to do is to say you want to God that has no power over evil. Who wants evil terrain. God is good and there's a fire inside of jazz while we start singing that song this morning about no weapon that the a bed that that nothing shall stand against. I get so excited about because there is substance to that and then exit chapter 19 when Moses received the law when he gets the revelation from God.

God comes down on the mountain as fire, and the people are told they cannot even touch the mountain livestock cannot even touch them out unless they perish, they just tremble and the text says annexes. 19 the smoke of it went up like smoke of account in the whole mountain trembled there fire and there's trembling at Mount Sinai. When God gives the revelation of his word. The law is really important for Logan to see today and then you start getting prophecies prophecies about the fire of God and what this means becomes extremely intriguing. Isaiah says, when you pass through the waters. Isaiah 43 you pass the waters. I'll be with you and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. And when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume. You sound like a burning bush. That's not being burned up and then Joel Joel and chapter 2 when the most important prophecies in all the Old Testament. This is the chapter that pointing to the day of Pentecost is let all you have is a limb tremble for the day the Lord is coming.

It is near and he says that fire devours before them and behind them a flame burns the imagery of fire is associated with the coming day of the Lord and later in Joel chapter 2, he says the famous words it shall come to pass afterward that will pour out my Spirit on all flesh your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions, even on the male and female service. In those days I will pour out my spirit and I'll show wonders in the heavens and on earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. If you're wondering what is this day of the Lord. What is Joel prophesying in which there's going to be. There's going to be this fulfillment of all of these prophecies and is going to come to pass. If you wonder what it is all you do is look in acts chapter 2. When you find out when the day of Pentecost arrived there suddenly in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind is out.

Much like Mount Sinai all over again and is filled the entire house with her sitting in divided tongues as of fire appeared to them, and rested on each one of them and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And later, Peter stood up, and preach the first Christian sermon and said this is that, of which Joel spoke.

This is the day of the Lord. This is the day of the of the Lord God, the consuming fire coming in a new way in a new covenant fire fire is into the Hebrews is associated with the heart because the word for fire in Hebrew.

Sounds like the word for heart fire is a very and heart late. It is something happening inside the heart that is being described Pentecost in all of this was prefigured by the fire of God burning in a bush leading them by a pillar of fire descending down on Mount Sinai, the power of God to clinch and destroy evil and to ignite and empower his people see fire is different than other elements is not like other things. If you touch water you affect the water you stir the water you move the water you touch Clay you molded into what you wanted to be touch the air evening. You can wave air molecules around but when you touch fire you don't change the fire. The fire changes you challenge right will have more teaching moment from today's important series like something is holding you back as if you lack an important scene that could change everything. Is there someone you referencing stock to help them how. What's missing blessing on faith filled vision spoken over you can learn how to embrace the will practice a blessing to pastor Alan Reitz knew the power to bless which quickly became an Amazon number one best seller. After 370s until now the hardcover book has only been available through retail sales this month right ministries once send you the I think for your donation. Make your gift today discovered the power to bless the gospel is shared when you get to Alan Wright Ministries. This broadcast is only possible because of listener financial support. When you get today.

We will send you a special offer. We are happy to send this to you as I thanks from Alan Wright Ministries, seven 877-544-4860 877-544-4861 come to our website pastor out and got work in today's teaching now continues your once again is when God spoke he was introducing himself to Moses, for whom God really is. I'm glad God is a fire. I'm glad because if he's a powerful fire.

He's got power to change my life. I love the scene in the silver chair, one of CS Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia.

When Jill first meets Azlan the great lion, who is the figure of Christ.

She is thirsting nearly to death in season was beautiful stream but there this big scary lion next to the stream and alliance speaks. If you're thirsty, you may drink divorce it again. If you're thirsty, come and drink. It was deeper and wilder and stronger sort of heavy golden voice.

It did not make her any less frightened than she'd been before, but it made her frightened and a rather different way, are you not thirsty said the lion. I'm dying of thirst, said Joe. Then drink said line. May I could. I would you mind going away while I do, said Jill. The lion answered this only by a look at a very low growl and as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience. Delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic when you promise not to do anything to me.

If I do come said Jill.

I make no promise said the Jill was so thirsty now that without noticing that she had come a step nearer. Do you eat girls. She said I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors cities in Rome's said the lion didn't say this as if it were boasting, or as if it were sorry nor as if it were angry. It just set it dear not come and drink said you then you will die of thirst. So the lion. Oh dear, said Jill coming another step nearer.

I suppose I must go and look for another stream then there is no other stream never occurred to Joe to disbelieve the lion, the one who had seen his stern face could do that in her mind suddenly made itself up it was the worst thing she ever had to do, but she went forward to the stream knelt down and began scooping up water and perhaps it was the coldest most refreshing water she'd ever tasted. You needn't need to drink much of it, for it clinched your first and fire is a paradox you want to come near it and you're fascinated by it. We put fireplaces in our homes. We don't even need him.

We make campfires and sit around and just watch the fire for hours. I love the look of fire.

I could just sit for hours and look at fire were drawn to a fire were attracted by fire, but we also note if you don't watch it that fire could burn your house down.

It's an idea that was first expressed by a religious philosopher named Rudolf Otto who said when you experience the holy there is a mysterious and tremendous them in a mystery, and fussing ions. There is a tremendous all and a tremendous fascination. This is the way it is with God. He is so holy.

He is so powerful that there's a part of you that will suggest turn away like Moses. But there's another part of you like I need him I want him and what we have always longed for is a way to be able to get close to this fire without being concerned, there are some ideologies that float around that make up a God that is not a fire that is just almost like a pet, almost like some little cute, cherubim, almost like some little soft light that you can just get is an inner glow and end users you want in there other ideologies that paint God to be this fearsome judgmental God who has no room in his heart for any mercy and neither one is who God really is. I tell you gods of fire.

He is both awesome and attractive. He is both holy and merciful. He is both a lover of justice and a dispenser of grace is always always always been his heart to be the fire that burns brightly with power but does not consume and destroy us. But how could he ever make a way for this to happen Moses.

Moses he says when in Hebrew, you repeat someone's name Moses Moses. It is a term of affection in Jesus, Mary, Mary, when you say Moses Moses.

He knew immediately that the one who was speaking to him was speaking affectionately and was not drawing him in by brute force nor by shame but by winsome beauty and glory. And yet Moses wanted to look away from him and Moses said how will I be able to tell them who it is what God is sending me, and God set out tell you who I am when I announced my name to you. I'm never told anybody this before but I will tell you Moses my name is I am who I am, which means my name is not I am who you want me to be. My name is I am who I am if you want to know me, you must know me for who I am because nobody defines me. I define myself. Do you want to meet me you will meet me on my terms. Tell them I am sent you. I'm not like any of the Egyptian gods. I'm not used by people. I am a fire. People don't touch me and change me. I touch people and change them. I am sending you. Moses is not unlike not unlike Jill standing next to a lion in the stream not unlike I was kneeling by my dormitory count is just something inside of you knows. I do want to know God for who he really is. But how can I know that fire will not destroy me. I'm here to tell you the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this is what happened on the cross of Jesus Christ, God in one person on this one cross showed himself to be a consuming fire. By no means excusing sin, the God of justice and injustice in fire and judgment that consumes wickedness came and burned in full fury against sin, but that fire fell upon himself in the person of Jesus, and Jesus became our sin. So when you accept Christ the fire of God has already burned up yourself. Therefore, you can come to the throne of grace without fear. You can come knowing that everything that God does in your life is now the fire that does not consume you become a Bush ordinary Bush burning with the grace of God Alan Wright and spiritual experiences of blessing your life. Grace filled vision for rights free grace and encouragement. Alan writes a daily blessing. It's free.

Just a quick pastor I got away feel like something is holding you back if you can important see that could change everything. Is there someone you referencing stock to help them out what's missing blessing. We all need faith filled vision spoken over you can learn how to embrace the practice of blessing to pastor Alan writes new book, it's a blast, which quickly became an enzyme number one best seller after its recent until now the hardcover book has only been available through retail sales this month right ministries once to send you the I thank you for your demolition. Make your gift today and discovered the power to bless the gospel is shared when you get Alan Wright Ministries.

This broadcast is only possible because of listener financial support. When you get today. We will send you a special offer. We are happy to send this to you as I thanks from Alan Wright Ministries, seven 877-544-4860 877-544-4861 come to our website pastor out and got work. Alan I think we've all been there. Whether it's a season of doubt or a season of desperation and maybe someone is there right now and they're simply saying I long so much to feel the warmth that others seem to know Lord, make it real in my life or show me yourself. This is really not unlike what Moses was experiencing their and what the Lord was teaching him yeah well you know doing and we say this often we don't we don't go on feelings we don't truth and so Christianity is not a feeling it is. If it's a relationship.

Any relationship you're in your feelings can be up and down but it is an experience percent is not mental assent to set of doctrines, it is actual experience of God and say that sometimes you go through those times in which you feel the presence of the Lord in a palpable way, and other times it seems like he's distance, but he's right there is right there and I encourage you today to consider what the burning bushes might be all around you as I quoted earlier Tony Evans that if the gods in the bush in your bushel do sometimes in the most ordinary things of life. Maybe today just an ordinary moment. Just let your heart be a little more sensitive a little more tune to what God might be doing and maybe today is a day in which you're going to not necessarily have a huge life-changing comes in a sense of burning bush, but just you'll see something in the spirit that you had seen before and when that happens.

This is God. This is God who is meeting with you and being with you will never leave you, and I pray that today you'll see him with fresh spiritual following Christ and being a Christian is not about adhering to a set of dogmas is important is our theology and doctrine might be, but it is by the very nature, it's an experience because we speak of it as a relationship or relationships, or experiential.

It doesn't mean Daniel that we go on feelings now doesn't mean were relying on emotion. Since our talk about was saying that that the Christian walk is a walk with God and that is by its very definition, experiential, and that's what Moses found out were discovering them in these messages. The encountering God in this burning bush is encountering God in a way that is an experience of God and that changed everything. And Moses says what. So that's what were learning about an especially unjust interested in the image of the fire that burns but it doesn't consume the bush. You know what ways is God like a fire. What is what ways is expansion godlike experience in fire, the somewhat were talking about today's good news message is listener supported production Alan Wright Ministries