Let’s Bring Back The Glory!
Type: Sunday Morning Service
Series: Fresh Fire
Sermon: Let’s Bring Back The Glory!
🗣️ Speaker: Pastor Scott Anderson
The presence and glory of God are essential for spiritual victory, yet it's possible to lose awareness of His presence while maintaining religious routines and activities. Just as David brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel after 20 years, believers must recognize where they've drifted from intimacy with God and intentionally pursue His presence through obedience, surrender, and spiritual inventory. When believers carry God's presence into their daily lives, they don't just experience transformation personally—they become agents of change who bring peace, hope, and healing into every environment they enter.
ℹ️ Tip: The video is set to start at the beginning of the sermon, but you can scrub the playhead to any part of the service. ℹ️
Additional Info
The info below was generated by an AI from the audio recording of the sermon.
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Use the questions listed below as a launching point to discuss the sermon points together. These are great for dinner table discussions and small groups.
Opening Prayer (2 minutes) Invite God's presence into your time together and ask Him to speak to each person's heart.
Ice Breaker (5 minutes) Share about a time when you felt God's presence in a powerful way. What was happening, and how did it impact you?
Discussion Questions (30 minutes)
Recognizing Lost Glory The message talked about how Israel lost the Ark of the Covenant for 20 years without even realizing it. In what ways can believers today lose awareness of God's presence while still maintaining religious routines? Have you ever experienced a season where you felt spiritually dry despite staying busy with church activities?
Noise vs. Presence When Israel brought the Ark to battle, they made a lot of noise, but God's presence wasn't there. How can we tell the difference in our own lives between religious activity and genuine encounter with God? What are some warning signs that we might be operating in our own strength rather than His presence?
The Cost of Disobedience The sermon emphasized that "God doesn't bless the destination—He blesses obedience to the directions." Share an example from your life where you learned this truth. What shortcuts or compromises are you most tempted to make in your walk with God?
Taking Spiritual Inventory The message encouraged taking inventory of every voice speaking into our lives, every habit we're tolerating, every attitude we're carrying, and every compromise we've grown comfortable with. What stood out to you about this? Is there an area where God might be inviting you to do some spiritual housecleaning?
Carrying Glory We're called to be "thermostats" that change the temperature of a room, not "thermometers" that just read it. Think about your workplace, home, or community. How can you practically carry God's presence into those environments this week? What would it look like to bring peace instead of panic, or hope instead of fear?
Surrender Over Perfection The college revival mentioned in the message started when students began confessing sins publicly and surrendering completely. What keeps us from that level of vulnerability and surrender? How can we create space in our lives for that kind of authenticity with God?
Action Step (5 minutes) Choose one specific way you will pursue God's presence this week:
Start each morning with 10 minutes of Scripture and prayer before checking your phone
Do a personal spiritual inventory, asking God to reveal anything that's crowding out His presence
Fast from something (food, social media, TV) for 24 hours to create space to hear God's voice
Intentionally carry God's presence into a difficult environment by praying before you enter and choosing to respond with His peace
Share your commitment with one other person in the group for accountability.
Closing Prayer (3 minutes) Pray together for fresh fire in each person's life, for God's presence to be evident in your homes and workplaces, and for revival to spread across your community.
Scripture References from the Sermon
Psalm 24:1-10 - Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord; bringing the King of Glory in
2 Samuel 6:12-14 - David bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem
Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied"
Psalm 16:11 - "In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore"
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The Ark of the Covenant and David's Return of Glory
Understanding the Ark of the Covenant
The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in ancient Israel, representing God's very presence among His people. Constructed according to precise specifications given to Moses on Mount Sinai, the Ark was a gold-covered wooden chest containing the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, and a jar of manna. The lid of the Ark, called the mercy seat, was where God's glory would manifest between two golden cherubim.
The Ark accompanied Israel through their wilderness wanderings and military campaigns, symbolizing that God Himself went before them. When the priests carried the Ark across the Jordan River, the waters parted. When they marched the Ark around Jericho, the walls fell down. God's presence, represented by the Ark, made Israel invincible when they walked in obedience to Him.
The Loss of the Ark
About twenty years before the events of 2 Samuel 6, Israel suffered a devastating military defeat against the Philistines. After losing 4,000 men in battle, the elders made a fateful decision: they would bring the Ark of the Covenant to the battlefield, believing its presence would guarantee victory. However, Israel had been practicing idolatry and living in rebellion against God. When they brought the Ark out, it was merely religious furniture—God's presence was no longer there.
The result was catastrophic. Israel lost 30,000 men, and the Philistines captured the Ark itself. This was more than a military defeat; it was a spiritual crisis of the highest order. The priesthood was destroyed, and the nation lost the visible symbol of God's presence. The Ark remained in Philistine territory and later in the house of an Israelite named Obed-Edom for two decades, while Israel functioned without the manifest presence of God at the center of their national life.
David's Restoration
When David became king, one of his first priorities was bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem. This wasn't just about retrieving a religious artifact—it was about restoring the nation's identity and reestablishing God's presence at the center of Israel's life. David understood that without God's presence, Israel would never fulfill its calling, regardless of military might or political strategy.
The procession described in 2 Samuel 6 was a moment of national spiritual renewal. David danced with such abandon that his wife considered him undignified, but his response revealed his heart: he wasn't concerned with appearances before people; he was consumed with worship before God. Every six steps, sacrifices were made, acknowledging that approaching God's presence required reverence, humility, and the blood of atonement.
The Significance of Psalm 24
Scholars believe David composed Psalm 24 during or shortly after this historic event. The psalm asks, "Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?" The answer—those with clean hands and pure hearts—established the spiritual requirements for approaching God's presence. But the psalm's climax comes with the repeated cry: "Lift up your heads, you gates... that the King of glory may come in!"
This wasn't just poetry. As the procession entered Jerusalem, bringing the Ark through the city gates, the people would have literally been calling for the gates to open for the King of glory. David was teaching Israel that God's presence cannot be manipulated, manufactured, or treated casually. His glory comes where He is honored, where hearts are surrendered, and where His people make room for Him through repentance and obedience.
This moment marked the beginning of Israel's golden age under David's reign, demonstrating a timeless truth: when God's people prioritize His presence above all else, everything else falls into place.
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Kids Lesson: Bringing God's Presence Back
Age Range: Elementary (Grades 1-5)
Duration: 45 minutes
Main Point: God's presence is the most important thing we need, and we can carry it wherever we go!Introduction (5 minutes)
Icebreaker Game: "Lost and Found" Hide a special object (a decorated box labeled "God's Presence") somewhere in the room before kids arrive. Tell them something very important is missing and we need to find it together. Give hot/cold clues as they search. Once found, celebrate together!
Transition: "Great job finding our special box! Today we're learning about a time when God's people lost something very important—God's presence—and how they brought it back!"
Bible Story: David Brings Back the Ark (10 minutes)
Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:12-14, Psalm 24:7-10
Tell the Story: "A long time ago, God's people had a special golden box called the Ark of the Covenant. It wasn't just any box—it was where God's presence lived! Whenever the Ark was with them, they knew God was close.
But one day, something terrible happened. The people stopped obeying God. They started doing bad things. And when they brought the Ark to a battle, thinking it would help them win, God's presence wasn't there anymore. They lost the battle, and they lost the Ark for TWENTY YEARS! Can you imagine going twenty years without feeling close to God?
When David became king, he said, 'We NEED God's presence back!' So David organized a huge parade to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem. He was SO HAPPY that he danced and celebrated with all his might! He didn't care what anyone thought—he just wanted God close again.
David understood that God's presence is more important than anything else. With God, anything is possible. Without God, nothing really matters."
Discussion Questions:
How do you think the people felt when they realized they'd lost God's presence?
Why was David dancing and celebrating so much?
What does it mean to have God's presence with us?
Craft: "Carrying God's Presence" Lantern (15 minutes)
Materials Needed:
Paper lunch bags (one per child)
Tissue paper (various colors)
Battery-operated tea lights
Glue sticks
Markers
Stickers (stars, hearts, crosses)
Instructions:
Give each child a paper bag
Have them tear tissue paper into small pieces and glue them onto the bag to create a colorful stained-glass effect
Write "I Carry God's Light" on the bag with markers
Decorate with stickers
Place a battery tea light inside the bag
Say: "Just like this light shines from your lantern, God's presence shines from us when we stay close to Him! We can carry His light into our homes, schools, and everywhere we go!"
Game: "Pass the Presence" Relay Race (10 minutes)
Materials Needed:
Two decorated boxes (representing the Ark)
Obstacle course items (cones, chairs, etc.)
How to Play:
Divide kids into two teams
Set up a simple obstacle course for each team
First person carries the box through the course, then passes it to the next teammate
Continue until everyone has carried the "Ark"
The team that finishes first wins!
Debrief: "Just like you carefully carried the box, we need to carefully carry God's presence with us! We do that by praying, reading our Bible, obeying God, and treating others with kindness."
Discussion Questions (3 minutes)
How can we make sure we don't lose God's presence in our lives?
(Pray every day, read the Bible, worship God, confess when we do wrong)What are some places you can carry God's presence this week?
(School, home, soccer practice, friend's house, playground)What happens when we bring God's presence into a room?
(Things feel different, people notice peace, we can help others)
Wrap-Up Prayer (2 minutes)
Invite kids to repeat after you:
"Dear God,
Thank You that Your presence
Is the most important thing we need.
Help us stay close to You every day.
Help us carry Your light
To our school, our home, and everywhere we go.
We want to be like David—
So excited about You
That we dance and celebrate!
Fill us with Your presence today.
In Jesus' name, Amen!"Take-Home Reminder
"This week, carry your lantern to your room and turn it on every night before bed. When you see the light, remember: YOU carry God's light! Talk to God before you go to sleep and ask Him to help you shine His light tomorrow."
Memory Verse: "In your presence there is fullness of joy!" - Psalm 16:11
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Well good morning everyone are you ready for the word shout bring it on this year if you haven't already discovered by now then you're late to the party our theme this year is fresh fire I'm just going to tell you I have sensed such more passion in this church and more vigor and more excitement than I have in a long time and I'm going to tell you the staff has bought into a fresh fire.
We do believe that is the word for us, this church, this year.
And I sense that you guys might be starting to catch on to that.
If you are, why don't you give God some praise this morning?
If you believe that.
You see, I believe God wants to ignite something new in our hearts.
I love what he's done in the past.
We'll celebrate that.
But see, God doesn't recycle passion.
He's in our lives, in this church, in this city.
How many of you believe that?
Amen.
So if you're hungry for that, I got news for you.
God's going to pour out.
God's going to deliver.
I don't know if you guys have been paying attention or seen in the news.
You guys know that I'm a, me and a lot of our staff here, actually, we are Southeastern University alumni.
And we're proud about that.
Okay.
And God is pouring His Spirit out at Southeastern University this week.
So let me kind of set the stage here of what's happening.
So Southeastern University, they have these conferences every year.
They bring in speakers.
This is nothing new.
This has been going on even before I got there, probably when Pastor Amanda was there, as a matter of fact.
That long ago?
That long ago.
That long ago.
I'm much younger.
I like to say that I tell Pastor Tom all the time, look, I agree we need to grow as a church, but we just have to make a formal agreement that I will always be the youngest on staff.
Whoever, listen, that is part of the application.
We need to know your age and you need to be over 35.
If you're under 35, I'm sorry, we just can't do it.
I appreciate being the youngest on the staff.
And this hair, as long as it holds on.
I don't know how much longer it's going to hold in there, but I'm celebrating every moment.
Every day I get up and I look in the mirror and I say, yep, I've still got it.
Praise God.
But nonetheless, they had this conference.
And I'm going to say this, and I have to repent because I come into this church sometimes with this same attitude.
Please know I'm not speaking poorly of the leadership, okay, at Southeastern.
But they did this conference and they thought it was just going to be another conference.
Well, God had another plan.
Because in the middle of this conference, students started confessing sin out loud.
And God's spirit fell in that conference.
Guys, I think that was either Monday or Tuesday of this week.
And those students have not left.
Bush Chapel.
From that point on to now 24-7, they have been dealing with, they have had this.
And God's presence has hovered over them.
Guys, they have pushed the chairs out.
Yes, give God praise.
They have pushed the chairs out of the way.
These kids have their blankets sitting down.
They're staying.
They're camped.
They are there.
And God is changing lives.
And so we just need to pray because as I was thinking about this, and if you guys don't know, this is the best part, in my opinion.
We're starting to see God's presence fall on liberal arts colleges.
So UCF, the same thing is going on there.
Here's what I was thinking about this.
I thought, God, I praised you for what happened at Asbury.
And I'm thankful.
But the longer this goes on, I'm really starting to think that was just an appetizer.
I think God's got more.
And this is the only thing, church, that I want to encourage us to do.
We're fixing to do it in a moment.
We need to pray that this revival would not stop until God has accomplished everything that he has set forth for it to do.
And second, the enemy is not happy about this.
And I say this because when people start confessing sins, I've just seen it over and over and over with revivals.
People that are a little self-righteous tend to stand up, and they don't like that a whole lot.
And so we just need to pray against the enemy with this revival.
That God would get the glory and that it would not stop until he's accomplished what he wants it to.
So can you join me in praying right now?
Father, we thank you for what you are doing right now over our colleges, over our campuses.
And God, we're praying for more.
We're asking, Lord, that it would not just be at Southeastern or UCF or whatever other colleges may be experiencing your presence.
But God, I am praying for a fresh revival and outpouring on your young people.
God, you prophesied that it would take place in the latter days.
And God, we believe that we are in the latter days.
And so God, we are praying for more.
I'm asking, Lord, that revival would not stop, that people would not cease until you have accomplished everything that you want that revival to accomplish, God.
And God, I pray that even us older people, God, that we would have the same hunger and zeal and passion that those young kids have.
God, I remember years ago, Dr.
Ehler told me, he said, you know, a lot of people are downing this new generation.
But he said, I'm going to tell you, I've seen a lot of kids come through this college.
And I'm going to tell you something.
There is a hunger in this next generation like I have never seen in God's people.
And so, God, we pray for more hunger.
And God, I pray that you would allow that to filtrate over into us and that we would have more hunger for you, God, because this is the year for fresh fire.
I believe that's not just the word for this church.
That is the word for our nation.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen and amen.
Matthew 5, 6.
Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Psalm 24, 1 through 10 is where we're going to start today.
The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.
For he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
who may stand in his holy place, the one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.
They will receive blessing from the Lord.
Anyone want to receive a blessing from the Lord today?
And vindication from God their Savior.
Listen to this.
And this is the amazing thing.
This is the sermon God gave me before everything happened at Southeastern. and looking over what's transpired I thought God you knew all along there is nothing that takes God by surprise here's what verse 6 says such is the generation of those who seek him who seek your face God of Jacob lift up your heads you gates be lifted up you ancient doors that the king of glory may come in who is this king of glory the Lord strong and mighty the Lord mighty in battle lift up your heads you gates lift them up you ancient doors that the king of glory may come in who is this king of glory the lord almighty he is the king of glory how many of you want to experience the king of glory today i've read this passage many times but a few years ago i saw something that i had just never connected and and you know i'm a little bit slower when it comes to things i don't pick up on things very easily.
My wife can attest to that.
You see, David actually penned Psalm 24 right around the same time of 2 Samuel chapter 6.
This moment in Israel's history was not just some celebratory parade.
It was a turning point for their nation.
Let's read 2 Samuel chapter 6.
Now, King David was told the Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and everything he has because of the ark of God.
You just started getting blessed over and over.
See, the nation of Israel didn't want it, but Obed-Edom said, I'll take it.
And his life is getting blessed over here because of the ark of God.
So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the city of David with rejoicing.
When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.
Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all of his might.
Now let me stop right here real quick.
Some people get agitated when people raise their hands in worship.
Now I know that's crazy.
They raise their hands in worship.
They get a little crazy.
Maybe they speak in tongues.
Maybe they get a little passionate.
And I often think, man, what would they have thought of David?
David danced so vigorously that we're told that he was stonk naked. he was so embarrassing that his wife was embarrassed by him as he come down the road and said, oh my goodness, you're so undignified.
And I'm just wanting to say, God, can you make me that undignified?
That I don't care what people think.
That I love you so much that all I am, I'm so in touch with you that that's all I care about.
I don't care what's going on around me.
That's free.
I just thought I would offer that right there.
Was dancing before the Lord with all of his might while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
This is not quiet scene.
This is loud scene here, people.
I want us to understand that they were literally bringing back the glory and the presence of God.
And I want to teach for a few minutes along these lines.
It's time to bring the glory back.
I've preached a sermon with this very same title, with this same passage, but this week God just kept stirring in me that this is the message for this week.
This is the message for this week.
But he completely redid everything.
This is not the same message, the same title, same scriptures.
But he took me in a little bit different direction.
So again, how many of you want the glory of God in your life?
We need it in our nation.
So I've always been captured by this passage, I've always said.
And it seems that when David brought the ark back into Israel, that it was during this time that he penned Psalm 24.
You see, it's amazing to me because the glory of the Lord is a very powerful thing.
Do you know that?
The word glory in the Hebrew means weighty presence, the heavy, tangible presence of God.
You see, Psalm 116.11 says, I love this, that in the presence of the Lord, anything can happen.
That's the ticket.
The Bible says that in the presence of the Lord, there is fullness of joy, and at His right hand, there are pleasures forevermore.
I want us to catch this.
The presence of the Lord is the glory of the Lord. our first point the glory we lost you see before you can bring something back you have to realize that you lost it in the first place seems like an obvious place to start you see david had just been crowned king in this passage and we reckon he recognized that the real need for the nation was not more territory but it was the presence of god that's what israel needed they were in a desperate time they were in a desperate nation in a desperate situation you see they were desperate because 20 years earlier, they had lost the glory of God.
They had lost the Ark of the Covenant.
And when David went to Obed-Edom's house to retrieve the Ark, this wasn't just a parade, a celebratory parade.
This was the beginning of national revival, like we're seeing take place.
Israel had forgotten her identity, but God was getting ready to remind her.
Can I just say without going on a tangent here, I believe this morning that there are people in this house, and maybe online, that you need to be reminded of your identity in Christ.
Hear me in this house.
You are a champion.
You are a victor.
You are the head and not the tail.
You are called, chosen, and covered by the grace of God, regardless of what Satan wants to remind you of every single day.
The enemy has tried to label you by your past, But heaven has already named you by your purpose.
And when you remember who you are, you begin to pursue His presence where He is.
Because identity and glory walk hand in hand.
So Israel.
Israel lost the Ark of the Covenant.
It wasn't even in the tabernacle where it belonged.
And I want to make sure that we understand this, church.
The Ark of the Covenant back in the Old Testament represented the glory of God.
Church, we need the glory of the Lord.
We can't make it without his presence.
And David knew that.
So David said, we're bringing the glory back.
So he gathered the people and began the journey to Obed-Edom's house to retrieve what had been lost 20 years prior.
Now you may be asking, how did they lose it in the first place?
How do you lose something that's that sacred and that important?
You see, 20 years earlier, Israel went to war against the Philistines and suffered a devastating defeat.
4,000 Israelis were lost that day.
And in that moment, they had an idea that they thought would turn that war around.
We'll bring the Ark of the Covenant to the battlefield because once it's here, our victory is guaranteed.
But there was a slight problem to their plan.
You see, Israel had become rebellious.
Got real quiet.
Y'all know a little something about rebellion?
Israel had become rebellious and started practicing idolatry like they had done in the past.
When they brought the ark out to the battlefield, all it was was furniture.
It was wood and gold, but the presence of the Lord was no longer there.
They forgot about the one that got them to the promised land, the one that delivered countless enemies into their hands, and they got comfortable with sin.
You see, that's why I like to fast like we did last week.
Because sometimes I get too comfortable with things that should not be in my life.
And to be honest with you, I'm oftentimes not even aware of their presence.
Fasting helps me do a reset and take inventory.
Let me tell you, large warehouses aren't the only places that should be doing cycle counting and yearly inventory audits.
It is time for the people of God to take inventory of every voice that is speaking into our life, every word that we are listening to, every habit that we are tolerating, every attitude that we are carrying, and every compromise that we have grown comfortable with.
You see, fasting helps me silence the noise so that I can hear God's voice again.
It helps me clear the clutter so that His presence has room to move.
Church, if we want fresh fire, we have got to be willing to do spiritual inventory and ask, Lord, is there anything in me that's crowding out your glory?
And here's the tragedy.
Israel had lost the glory of God and they didn't even know it.
They had lost His power and they did not even recognize it.
The Bible says that when they walked out with the ark, that there arose such a shout.
The Philistines trembled.
They recognized that ark.
And they thought, we're going to be defeated.
And here the Israelites are.
They're screaming.
They sound mighty powerful.
But it was all just noise.
They walked out with that ark.
The Philistines were afraid.
But it was only noise.
Because the glory of the Lord was not there.
They had religion without presence.
Noise without power.
And form without the fire.
And here's the dangerous part.
You see, oftentimes when the glory leaves, it doesn't always make an announcement saying, hey, the glory has left.
There isn't always thunder.
There isn't lightning.
Sometimes it just quietly slips out the back door while we keep singing the same songs and shaking the same hands every Sunday morning.
Let me give you some symptoms of lost glory.
When glory is lost, conviction becomes routine.
Worship becomes routine.
Prayer becomes short.
And the word becomes negotiable.
And when it comes to those that are confessing their sins, we act self-righteous like we are above reproach, like we've never been there before, like I'm perfect.
When glory is lost, we start measuring success by numbers instead of transformation, and we start celebrating crowds instead of changed lives.
Church, let me make this clear.
I'm not talking about other churches.
I'm talking about us individually.
Because it's easy to spot glory in a building, but it's harder to spot lost glory in a mirror.
You can still smile and be spiritually dry.
How do I know it?
I've done it.
I've done it.
You can serve and be spiritually empty.
I can preach up here and be spiritually distant.
How do I know?
Because I've done it.
But here's the amazing mercy of God.
Listen to this.
He doesn't shame us when we recognize it.
He does what He's doing at Southeastern this morning.
He invites us to come right back. the moment we say Lord I don't want noise without your power he says then come a little closer friend the moment we say Lord I don't want form without the fire he says then make room for me in your life because God never ever ever ever withholds his presence from the hungry he is simply waiting for an invitation from us and we need to understand something noise does not equal presence.
That's what I learned from this.
The Israelites had the noise.
They looked the part, but it was all just a persona.
At least Samson knew.
When the Bible talks about the glory lifting off of Samson, at least he was aware that it had taken place.
We can judge him for his mistakes, but the Bible says that Samson wished not that the glory of the Lord had departed from him.
Can I get real for just a second?
See, I'm afraid that we have churches now that are meeting in His name, but they are not meeting in His presence.
Some churches have the best facilities that money can buy.
They have grandiose buildings.
They have great sound equipment and lights.
And listen, there is nothing wrong with any of this.
But so many times we meet in the name of the Lord, but we don't meet in the presence of the Lord.
I'm at a place in my life where I don't care anymore about just coming together in His name if He is not there.
I want His presence there because the truth is I cannot heal anyone.
I cannot save anyone.
I cannot set anyone free.
I am just a sinner just like you, saved by grace.
But if you get me in a room where the presence of the Lord is, then I'm telling you anything is possible.
What am I talking about?
Cancer can dry up.
Marriages can be restored.
Broken homes can be put back together.
How many of you want to come to a church where the presence of the Lord is prominent and welcome.
So here's what this tells me.
If the presence of God is what changes everything, then we need to be honest with ourselves today.
It's possible to have the ark and lose the anointing.
Have the form, but not the fire.
So here's the question.
How do we pursue the glory again?
How do we bring the presence back personally in our individual lives, corporately and nationally?
Our second point, the glory we must pursue.
So here they are, they bring this ark to the battlefield thinking, now we're going to do it.
But they started treating the ark like it was God.
Like they could manipulate heaven into giving them a victory.
But hear me, you cannot manipulate God.
How many times the churches think, now we've got the building.
Now we're going to do it.
Now we've got that special program.
Now we're going to do it.
Now we've got the strategy.
Now we're going to do it.
And all these things can be good, but at the end of the day, if the presence of the Lord is not in it, then we cannot win any spiritual battles.
It's kind of like putting an address into your GPS.
But we're fusing to follow the directions.
You can pray over that trip.
You can fuel up your car.
You can play worship music in the car.
You can declare all you want to that you're well on your way.
But if you keep ignoring the route, you're not getting there.
You see, God doesn't bless the destination.
He blesses obedience to the directions.
Did you catch this?
God does not bless the destination.
He blesses obedience to his directions.
You cannot shout your way past disobedience.
So two weeks ago, Kay and I, we were on a cruise.
And it was on a ship that we had never been on before.
In fact, it was a cruise line we had never been on before.
And if you've been on a cruise, you know all the cruise lines, they have their own terminology and their own way of doing things.
And so the ship layout is different.
And so we were not familiar whatsoever.
We went in blind, okay?
We had no idea what we were stepping into.
We were just grateful that we could get on vacation, all right?
So everyone is walking around on that first day like they are in a maze designed by NASA with no exits and no instructions.
Have you been on a cruise ship?
That first day is pure chaos.
No one knows where they're going.
Listen, all the men, they're acting like, honey, follow me.
I know where we're going.
And they lead them down one dead-end road after another.
And for some reason, you women, I just don't understand this.
Y'all just follow us.
At some point, I figured my wife would look at me and say, honey, you are lost.
You don't know where you're going.
Let me take over.
But she doesn't.
And so we have one dead end after another.
And I'm going to confess something today that may cost me pastoral credibility.
I like people watching on day one.
I'll sit there with my ice cold Pepsi like I'm judging an Olympic event.
People turning their phones upside down, looking at the map on the app and trying to figure out how to get to where they're looking for.
Husbands trying to convince their families to keep following them.
And I know it's not very pastoral of me.
But I have to confess.
It comforts my soul to see other people a little bit lost.
I don't feel so alone.
Especially after I've just confidently led my wife in the wrong direction.
You see, you expect people to be lost on day one.
You expect that.
But by day four, normally people have it figured out.
They know where they're going.
And if they don't have it all figured out, at least they know where their stateroom is because they should have been to their stateroom like 15, 20 times by day four.
Unless your name is Scott and Katie.
Allow me to set the scene here.
We had just finished eating at Palo.
It was an incredible meal.
We were stuffed to the point of repentance.
And we decided it was time to walk back to our room because it hurt just to walk, people.
I'm telling you, we were stuffed.
This is a simple process.
We've been to our room 15 20 times But we could not even remember I lied to you not my wife is sitting here We could not even remember if our cabin was on deck six or deck seven And on a cruise ship Houston, there's a problem and so I thought no problem.
Let me look on my card and lo and behold This cruise line does not put your cabin number on your card And I thought, well, let me look it up in the app.
I could not find the cabin number in the app.
And I thought, I am not going to go to guest services and say, excuse me, I don't know what room we're in.
Can you help me?
I was just, again, I'm a man.
I'm not willing to ask for directions.
And listen to me.
Before you get suspicious, know there were no alcoholic beverages involved.
Let me make that very clear.
I need my job here.
Okay?
This was just natural, organic stupidity on Katie and Scott's part, okay?
So now we're walking the hallways like we're on a scavenger hunt.
I'm acting confident, you know, that fake confidence.
Oh yeah, babe, follow me.
I know where we are.
I know you forgot where our stateroom is.
I know where it's at. 20 minutes later, she found out.
I don't know where it's at.
Meanwhile, my internal GPS is saying, son, you are lost.
So we walked deck six, nothing.
Deck seven, nothing.
Back down to deck six, then back up to deck seven, hoping something would stand out to us.
At this point, we passed the same stateroom attendant at least five times.
It's not our stateroom attendant, unfortunately.
And he just looks at me on that fifth time and he just starts laughing.
He knows exactly what's happened here.
About 20 minutes in, we finally locate our room. church, that's what it looks like when we ignore God's direction.
We've been down that hallway before.
We've seen those signs before.
We know what His Word says, but we still keep wondering, hoping confidence will replace obedience, but it never does.
Here they are.
They bring out the ark.
They mishandle it.
They break the law.
They shout and they holler.
And the Bible says that they were soundly defeated. 30,000 die that day.
Why?
Because they were operating outside of God's direction.
And then they try to turn the blame on God.
This is what fascinates me.
But to be honest with you, it may fascinate us, but we do the same thing today.
You see, here's what, there's a lot we're asking.
Why has the Lord defeated us?
I want us to get this.
They're standing in opposition to God's will and blaming God at the same time when things don't go their way.
Now listen, that's not like you, but that is like your neighbor.
Go ahead and give him a shy hug and say, he's talking to you right now.
You ever seen people live crazy and then act shocked when crazy shows up at their doorstep?
Why are you surprised?
Listen to me.
You cannot bind the devil on Sunday and then sleep with him on Friday night.
Come on.
Come on.
Reach it, Pastor.
Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me that we've got people trying to get God to bless what he had nothing to do with.
But I'm here to tell you, God will not bless what he has not sanctioned.
You will not manipulate him.
So many times we're trying to get God to bless things that he had nothing to do with.
You read it in the Old Testament, the story of Isaac.
It's a fascinating story.
When Isaac was born, that was God's plan.
God's plan was for this baby to be supernaturally born.
But see, Abraham and his wife, they decided to fabricate a plan to go ahead and help God out.
Because how many of you know God needs help every now and then?
So they thought we're going to help God out.
But how many of you know God doesn't need any help?
So he connected with Hagar and then they had a baby.
Listen, Abraham was already old at this point.
It was super that he had a baby in the first place with this woman named Hagar.
But it was not supernatural.
You see, it was only supernatural when the old man and the old woman got together.
And God made a barren place a blessed place.
You read the record.
When God told Abraham to offer up his son later on, he said, now take your son Isaac.
Take Isaac, your only son.
He said, I'm not even going to acknowledge what you did outside of my direction.
Everything I sanction, I'm going to put my hand on it and I'm going to bless it.
Is there anybody here that wants to find yourself in a place where you are honoring God and He can bless what He has sanctioned.
So how do we align to what God has sanctioned?
We listen to His Word, we obey His prompting, we repent quickly, and we absolutely refuse shortcuts.
Let me make this practical because sometimes we hear this word or this phrase, pursue God, and we connect that with more events on our calendar.
But I want us to understand this morning that pursuit isn't about activity.
It's about our priorities.
Pursuit looks like starting your day with His voice before you look at your phone and notifications on your phone or with Fox News.
Pursuit looks like choosing forgiveness when holding on to the offense would be easier.
If I haven't stepped on your toes yet, get ready.
Sometimes pursuit is loud with worship music, lifted hands, declarations, and confession but sometimes pursuit is quiet.
Close the door, open your Bible, and just whisper, speak, Lord, I'm listening.
Let me go ahead and warn you.
We're going to get practical at the end of this service today, and that's what we're going to do.
Let me sum up this point in one sentence.
If we want the glory back, we cannot manufacture it.
We simply align with what God has already sanctioned because we cannot fake fire.
You can't program presence, And you can't shortcut obedience.
You see, glory comes where God is honored, not where He is handled.
So I don't know about you, but I'm ready to set Him free today.
Point number three, the glory we must carry.
So if we don't manufacture the glory, and we don't manipulate the glory, then the question becomes, what do we do when we encounter it?
Let me help us out.
We aren't meant to just experience the glory.
God wants us to carry it.
You see, the Ark of the Covenant was never meant to sit in a corner.
It was meant to move with the people everywhere they went.
You see, in the presence of God was never designed to be locked inside of a building.
It was meant to go wherever His people go.
Turn to somebody and say, you carry it.
In the Old Testament, the glory rested on an object, the Ark of the Covenant.
In the New Testament, though, the glory rests in a people. the bible says you are the temple of the holy spirit that means when you walk into a room you don't walk in empty you walk in carrying the presence of god with you you aren't just bringing your personality your charisma your money you are literally bringing his presence and listen church the presence of god in your life is not just for display it is meant for delivery.
We don't carry His glory just to feel something on Sunday morning.
I hope you don't come to church just to get goosebumps in here on Sunday morning.
We carry His glory into broken homes, into hurting families, into anxious workplaces, into people that need healing in a hospital, into confused communities.
You see, we need to remember what the Israelites forgot.
Glory is not our trophy, it is a responsibility.
Think about the story of the Good Samaritan.
The priest passed by.
The Levite passed by.
But the Samaritan stopped.
And the Bible says that he had oil.
He didn't just have compassion.
He had something to pour.
Church, when you carry glory, you always have something to pour into someone's wounds.
What am I talking about?
You've got hope to give.
You've got peace to share, as Pastor Tom was talking about last Sunday.
You've got a prayer to offer.
Let me get practical for just a second.
Here's what carrying glory looks like in everyday life.
We pray when others panic.
We forgive when others fight.
We should give when others hoard.
We speak hope when others spread fear.
And we walk into dark places and environments.
We do not blend in.
We light it up.
Hear me in this house.
You don't need a microphone to carry glory.
You don't need a platform.
You don't need a title.
You just need a surrendered heart.
You see, the way we lose the glory today isn't by misplacing an ark.
It's by neglecting intimacy.
You want fresh fire in your life?
Intimacy is what it's going to take.
Let me share with you what I've learned.
When prayer fades, sensitivity fades.
When worship fades, our awareness starts to fade.
When the word fades, conviction fades.
When we don't lose God, friends, we drift from closeness with Him.
God is where He's always been.
And drifting never happens all at once.
Nobody wakes up one morning and says, I think I'm going to abandon God today.
It happens slowly, quietly.
One missed prayer opportunity after another, we think nothing of it.
One neglected moment until suddenly we realize we've been walking without awareness of the one that we're supposed to be carrying.
I've learned something about myself, and my wife can attest to this.
When I'm not a praying husband, I get impatient.
When I'm not worshiping on a daily basis, I get very critical.
I could do it better.
When I'm not in my word, my perspective starts to shrink, and I only am concerned about myself and no one else.
When I'm not in the Word, my perspective shrinks.
When I stay close to Him, my heart stays soft.
My words carry grace.
My decisions carry wisdom.
And my presence carries peace.
The word glory in Scripture, I've already said this, carries this idea of weight, of heaviness, of substance, significance.
That means when you carry glory, we are carrying influence. rooms feel different when you walk in conversations shift when you speak people begin to notice that joy this joy that you have is not tied to circumstances because there can be chaos on the cruise ship but here you are laughing in the middle of it peace that doesn't make sense strength that isn't natural and hear me church you may never stand behind a pulpit and preach a sermon but when you carry his presence your life starts preaching for you and watch this carry glory, you don't have to announce it.
You don't have to post about it.
You don't have to prove yourself.
People will notice without all of it.
Have you ever walked into a room and you couldn't explain it, but you just felt at peace?
There's just peace here.
I don't know why.
There's just a sense of peace here.
I remember years ago as a kid, spending hours upon hours upon hours at my grandparents' house on summer break.
If you wanted to know where Scott was and it was summertime, I guarantee you I was at my grandparents' house.
They had 10 acres that was secluded.
It was away from the noise of traffic and the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
You could not hear a car.
The only thing that you heard was maybe someone walking down that old dirt road or maybe a bird chirping in a tree.
That was it.
You could not hear a single thing.
And even as a child before I had theology for it, I just could feel peace there.
It wasn't just quiet.
This was a different kind of peace.
You know what I'm talking about?
Have you ever experienced that?
This is a different kind of peace.
Years went by and that area slowly started to develop.
In fact, if you go down there now, it looks absolutely nothing like it did when I was five, ten years old.
It is completely transformed.
Houses have gone up.
The road has gotten busy.
They're going to be paving the road.
And that natural quietness has disappeared.
You see, the physical peace is gone.
But here's what amazes me.
A few years ago, I went back over there.
And I'm telling you, the spiritual peace has not left that property.
Countless people over the years would come and visit and say, I don't know what it is about this place.
But this place just feels different.
It feels peaceful.
And then finally, now that I'm older, I've realized what it is.
It wasn't the land.
It was the life that had been lived on it.
You see, my grandmother wasn't a part-time believer.
She was a blood-bought, Holy Spirit-baptized, tongue-talking prayer warrior.
She prayed over that house.
She prayed over her kids.
She prayed over her grandkids, many of which all of us were raised on that property.
She prayed over that property and would walk that property.
She prayed over her children, her grandchildren.
I'm telling you, the presence of God was so consistent in her life that it left an imprint on the atmosphere around her.
And she's gone on.
The presence of God is still there.
Church, that's what it looks like when someone carries the glory.
You don't just change moments.
You start to mark environments.
People walk in and they go, oh, well, Scott's been here.
I feel God's presence. can I tell you something that's why the enemy fights your prayer life so hard he's not afraid of your talent he's not afraid of your schedule but he is absolutely hear me terrified of a believer who consistently carries the presence of God because talent can impress people but I'm telling you it is the presence that changes people we need to understand something we are not called to be thermometers I tell my ushers and greeters this all the time we are not called to be thermometers that simply read the temperature of a room we are called to be thermostats that change the temperature of the room that's our calling church we don't walk into chaos and just join in we walk into chaos and our assignment is to calm it we don't walk into fear and echo it we walk into fear and we bring our faith wherever we go we carry a different climate because we carry a different kingdom And let me say this.
Many in this world believe that carrying glory, and this is what Satan wants you to believe, is all about perfection.
But that's not it.
The kids at Southeastern are discovering that.
It's dirty.
They're confessing sins, people.
It's all about surrender.
Friends, that's what's going on at Southeastern.
Young people are surrendering to God and they're saying, I don't care who hears me.
Here's the sin that's in my life.
I don't care who hears it.
God, I surrender it to you.
Have your way.
I don't care what it looks like.
I don't care that it's dirty.
I'm going to confess the dirty so that the enemy can be dealt with, so that the enemy can be purged from my life.
And so you get the glory from it.
You see, too many times us older folks, and yes, I'll go ahead and throw myself in that category, Come in with our agendas, with our prides, with our hands in our pockets.
And I'm going to tell you, as long as we act that way, I'm throwing myself in there.
I'm not throwing you under the boat.
I'm one of them.
With our prides, with our hands in our pockets, as long as we act like that, God is going to continue pouring out His Spirit on the surrendered young people and pass us right by.
You don't have to have it all together.
You don't have to have it all figured out.
You don't have to know every verse of the Bible.
You just have to be willing to say, Lord, here I am.
Use me. fill me, lead me, because God doesn't fill perfect vessels.
I'm telling you, He wants to fill available ones.
Just imagine what would happen with me if every believer in this room today walked into their week aware that you were carrying the very presence of God.
Your job would feel different.
Your home would feel different.
Your conversations would feel different.
You see, instead of asking, what am I getting out of this day?
You would start asking God, who could I pour into today?
This is what David did.
You see, he understood when he brought the ark back, he wasn't just bringing something into a city.
He was restoring awareness and identity into his people.
Because let me tell you what I've learned about awareness.
When I'm aware that I'm carrying glory, I tend to talk a little different.
I don't walk into Monday the same way when I realized that Sunday didn't end.
It simply equipped me to deal with what I'm going to face today.
Can I challenge us as I get ready to close?
If you carry His presence in your job, then your integrity matters.
If you carry His presence, then your words matter.
Your tone matters.
Imagine families healed because we chose prayer over pride.
Imagine anxiety broken because we choose peace over panic.
I believe we need to become a church where people don't even have to come into this building to experience God's presence.
Because we are going to choose to carry it everywhere that we go.
That's what David understood.
He wasn't bringing back furniture.
He was bringing back focus, awareness, and above all, he was bringing back the glory.
Here's what I want us to do.
I believe what we're seeing at Southeastern is not the climax.
I'm praying it's not I am praying that it's the catalyst we've been asking for fresh fire and revival and many of you in here today I guarantee if I were to ask how many of you have been praying for our young people almost every hand would probably go up and I just believe that we're starting to see it happen and I'm just going to tell you I believe our only response our reasonable response should be praise and thanksgiving this morning I don't want routine because my God is worthy of more than that and so if you're able I just want to invite you to step out of your seat and come to this altar there's not going to be no program we're just going to give God praise for what he's doing and I also want to ask you to pray for the leadership as they shepherd this moment because many revivals that we have seen in the past there's been some mistakes here and there and we just watch the enemy use people just to completely stifle the move of His Spirit.
So I just want to pray against that this morning.
Father, we thank You for what's taking place at Southeastern, at UCF, and I'm sure I've heard there's other colleges, God, wherever it's taking place, God, and we're praying again for more.
God, we thank You that You have heard our prayers over the years.
I know I am not here I'm not the only one that has been praying for our young people for a revival to come God there are many people in this house that have been praying and God you have heard every prayer that has uttered from our mouth you have bottled them up and God I believe you are pouring them out and you're saying now's the time God I'm asking even the skeptics even the atheists even the doubters God that they would feel your presence in this undeniable way that they will turn to you God we pray for the leadership the shepherding the campus pastor there God Kent Engle God all of them that are shepherding this movement God I pray that you would give them supernatural wisdom and insight into how to shepherd this moment God that you would get the glory that you would speak to them in the middle of the night they would hear your voice, God, and know what next direction is to go.
And God, that these young people would not grow weary, but that they would sit and they would soak until you are done.
And God, we pray for an outpouring of your spirit across all of our colleges, all of our universities.
It doesn't matter if it's a Christian university or a secular.
God, we pray for more.
We pray for more of your spirit, God, more than we've ever seen before.
We are so grateful for the revivals we've had in the past.
But God, this is a new day.
We've turned a new page.
This is a new chapter.
And God, we know that you're not in the yesterday.
You're in the today.
You're looking forward.
And God, we thank you for that.
God, we pray for more.
More fresh fire, God.
And God, I pray that the same vigor that these young people have, God, will begin to rub off on us.
It may be a long time since we've been saved, God, but we need the same passion that we had on that day one whenever we gave our life to you, God, because you're worthy of that.
God, have your will and way.
In Jesus' name, amen.
The Power of God's Presence: How to Bring the Glory Back Into Your Life
In a world filled with noise, activity, and spiritual distractions, many believers find themselves going through the motions of faith without experiencing the transformative presence of God. The difference between religious routine and genuine spiritual power lies in one critical element: His glory.
Understanding the Glory of God
The glory of God represents His weighty, tangible presence—the place where anything can happen. Scripture teaches that in the presence of the Lord, there is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. This isn't just theological language; it's the reality of what happens when God's people encounter His manifest presence.
The Hebrew word for glory means "weighty presence"—something substantial, significant, and impossible to ignore. When God's glory fills a space, lives are transformed, marriages are restored, healing takes place, and people encounter the living God in undeniable ways.
Recognizing Lost Glory
Before restoration can happen, there must be recognition of what has been lost. Many believers and churches today operate with religious activity but lack the power and presence that should accompany genuine faith. Like ancient Israel, it's possible to have all the external markers of spirituality while missing the one thing that matters most.
The danger of lost glory is that it often leaves quietly, without dramatic announcements. There's no thunder or lightning—just a slow drift from intimacy into routine. When glory departs, conviction becomes routine, worship becomes mechanical, prayer grows short, and God's Word becomes negotiable rather than authoritative.
Several warning signs indicate lost glory in personal spiritual life. When someone can serve faithfully yet feel spiritually empty, preach or teach while feeling spiritually distant, or maintain a smile while experiencing internal dryness, glory has likely been compromised. The good news is that God never shames those who recognize this reality—He simply invites them to come closer.
The Difference Between Noise and Presence
One of the most sobering lessons from Israel's history involves the distinction between noise and presence. When Israel brought the Ark of the Covenant to the battlefield against the Philistines, they created an impressive spectacle. The sound was so loud that their enemies trembled. But it was all just noise—the glory of God was not present.
This same dynamic exists today. Churches can have excellent facilities, professional sound systems, and enthusiastic gatherings, yet lack the presence of God. While there's nothing wrong with excellence in ministry, these things cannot substitute for His glory. Meeting in His name is not the same as meeting in His presence.
Believers cannot heal anyone, save anyone, or set anyone free through their own efforts. But when God's presence fills a room, the impossible becomes possible. Cancer can disappear, broken marriages can be restored, and shattered lives can be made whole.
Pursuing God's Glory Through Obedience
Authentic pursuit of God's presence requires more than increased activity or programming. It demands alignment with what God has already sanctioned through His Word. Like following GPS directions, having the right destination means nothing if the route is ignored.
God blesses obedience to His directions, not just arrival at desired destinations. This means believers cannot manipulate God into blessing what He hasn't ordained, nor can they shortcut the path of obedience through passionate declarations alone. Victory comes through following God's way, not through clever human strategies.
Practical pursuit of God's presence begins with prioritizing His voice above all other voices. This means starting each day with Scripture before checking notifications, choosing forgiveness when holding grudges would be easier, and creating space for quiet intimacy with God. Sometimes pursuit is loud—worship music, lifted hands, bold declarations. Other times it's quiet—closing the door, opening the Bible, and simply whispering, "Speak, Lord, I'm listening."
Regular spiritual inventory helps believers identify anything that crowds out God's glory. Fasting can be particularly effective for this purpose, helping to silence noise so God's voice becomes clear again. Taking inventory of every voice speaking into life, every habit being tolerated, every attitude being carried, and every compromise that's become comfortable creates space for God's presence to return.
Carrying Glory Into Daily Life
In the Old Testament, God's glory rested on the Ark of the Covenant. In the New Testament, His glory rests in His people. Every believer is now a temple of the Holy Spirit, which means God's presence goes wherever His people go.
This isn't just for personal experience or Sunday morning feelings—it's meant for delivery into a hurting world. Believers carry God's presence into broken homes, anxious workplaces, hospital rooms, and confused communities. Glory isn't a trophy to display; it's a responsibility to steward.
Carrying glory in everyday life looks like praying when others panic, forgiving when others fight, giving when others hoard, and speaking hope when others spread fear. It means walking into dark environments and lighting them up rather than blending in. This doesn't require a microphone, platform, or title—just a surrendered heart.
Maintaining Awareness of His Presence
Glory is lost through neglecting intimacy. When prayer fades, spiritual sensitivity diminishes. When worship becomes infrequent, awareness of God's presence decreases. When time in Scripture drops off, conviction weakens. Believers don't lose God—they simply drift from closeness with Him.
This drift never happens all at once. Nobody wakes up deciding to abandon God. Instead, it happens gradually through one missed prayer opportunity, one neglected moment with God, one compromised conviction at a time. Eventually, believers realize they've been walking without awareness of the One they're supposed to be carrying.
Staying close to God keeps hearts soft, words gracious, decisions wise, and presence peaceful. When believers carry His glory, they carry influence—rooms feel different when they enter, conversations shift when they speak, and people notice a joy that isn't tied to circumstances.
Living as Spiritual Thermostats
Believers are not called to be spiritual thermometers that simply read the temperature of a room. They're called to be thermostats that change the temperature. This means not joining chaos but calming it, not echoing fear but bringing faith, and carrying a different climate because they carry a different kingdom.
Carrying glory isn't about perfection—it's about surrender. God doesn't fill perfect vessels; He fills available ones. When believers wake up aware that they're carrying God's very presence, everything changes. Jobs feel different, homes feel different, conversations feel different. Instead of asking what can be gained from each day, the question becomes who can be poured into today.
The Path Forward
What's happening in spiritual awakening movements on college campuses demonstrates what occurs when people choose surrender over pride. Young people are confessing sins publicly, staying in prayer around the clock, and experiencing God's transforming presence. This isn't the climax of revival—it's the catalyst many have been praying for.
The appropriate response is praise, thanksgiving, and a commitment to carry that same hunger into daily life. When every believer walks into their week aware of carrying God's presence, families heal, anxiety breaks, and communities transform. People don't even need to enter a church building to experience God—His presence goes wherever His people go.
This is the invitation: not to religious routine, but to the glory of God. Not to noise without power, but to genuine encounter with the living God. Not to form without fire, but to fresh fire that transforms everything it touches.
