DIVINE CLOSENESS

Title: DIVINE CLOSENESS

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: James 4:8
"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Supporting Texts: Psalm 145:18, John 15:4-5, Hebrews 10:22, Jeremiah 29:13, Matthew 11:28-30

INTRODUCTION:
Divine closeness refers to the intimate relationship between believers and God, a closeness that is cultivated through prayer, worship, obedience, and seeking His presence. This closeness brings us into a deeper understanding of His will and His love for us. When we draw near to God, He promises to draw near to us, transforming our lives and aligning us with His purpose. This sermon explores the nature of divine closeness and the blessings that come from being close to God.

1. THE ESSENCE OF DIVINE CLOSENESS

a) Intimate Fellowship with God:
Divine closeness is characterized by a deep, intimate relationship with God, where we commune with Him in spirit and truth (John 15:4-5).

b) Walking in God’s Presence:
Being close to God means walking in His presence daily, allowing His presence to influence our decisions, attitudes, and actions (Psalm 145:18).

c) Closeness through Obedience:
Obeying God's Word draws us nearer to Him, as obedience demonstrates our love for Him and our desire to align with His will (John 14:15).

d) A Heart of Surrender:
Drawing close to God requires a heart of surrender, where we yield our will to His and allow His will to become our priority (Romans 12:1).

e) Biblical Example: Enoch's walk with God (Genesis 5:24), where his relationship with God was so close that he "walked with God, and he was not, for God took him."

2. THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DIVINE CLOSENESS

a) Purity of Heart:
To be close to God, our hearts must be pure. We are called to cleanse ourselves from sin and seek righteousness (James 4:8).

b) Prayer and Worship:
Consistent prayer and worship are vital for maintaining closeness with God, as they bring us into His presence and allow us to communicate with Him (Hebrews 10:22).

c) Humility and Repentance:
Humbling ourselves before God and repenting of our sins is essential in drawing near to Him. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:6).

d) Desire for God's Presence:
We must have a deep desire for God's presence, seeking Him not just for His blessings, but for the joy of being with Him (Psalm 63:1-2).

e) Biblical Example: The story of David seeking God's presence with all his heart, especially in Psalm 27:4, where he expresses his longing to dwell in the house of the Lord.

3. THE BENEFITS OF DIVINE CLOSENESS

a) Strength and Comfort:
Being close to God brings strength in times of trouble and comfort in times of sorrow (Psalm 34:18).

b) Divine Guidance:
A close relationship with God opens our hearts to receive His guidance, making it easier to discern His will in every aspect of life (Psalm 32:8).

c) Deep Peace:
Closeness with God brings a peace that surpasses understanding, even in the midst of life’s storms (Philippians 4:7).

d) Spiritual Growth:
Our spiritual growth is accelerated as we draw closer to God, gaining deeper understanding of His Word and developing more Christlike character (2 Peter 3:18).

e) Biblical Example: The relationship between Jesus and His disciples, particularly John, who was called "the disciple whom Jesus loved" and had a close bond with Him (John 13:23).

4. MAINTAINING DIVINE CLOSENESS

a) Daily Devotion:
Maintaining divine closeness requires consistent time in God's Word, prayer, and worship. This daily devotion strengthens our relationship with Him (Psalm 1:2-3).

b) Constant Awareness of God’s Presence:
We must live with a constant awareness of God’s presence, recognizing that He is with us at all times, in every situation (Psalm 139:7-10).

c) Walking in the Spirit:
Walking in the Spirit helps us stay close to God by ensuring that our actions and thoughts align with His will (Galatians 5:16).

d) Fellowship with Believers:
Fellowship with other believers strengthens our connection to God and encourages mutual growth and accountability in the faith (Hebrews 10:25).

e) Biblical Example: The story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42), where Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His teachings, demonstrating the importance of staying close to Him.

5. THE IMPACT OF DIVINE CLOSENESS ON OTHERS

a) Influence on Our Families:
When we are close to God, our families experience the blessings of His presence, as we become examples of godliness and love (Joshua 24:15).

b) Impact on Our Communities:
Closeness with God enables us to be salt and light in our communities, influencing others to come closer to Him (Matthew 5:13-16).

c) Evangelism and Discipleship:
Our closeness to God compels us to share the gospel with others, leading them to experience the same closeness with God (Acts 1:8).

d) Transformation of Lives:
Divine closeness brings transformation, not just in our lives but also in the lives of those around us as they see the power of God at work (2 Corinthians 5:17).

e) Biblical Example: The impact of Daniel’s life and faith in God, which influenced the entire Babylonian empire (Daniel 6:25-27).

CONCLUSION:
Divine closeness is the ultimate goal of every believer’s walk with God. As we draw near to Him, He draws near to us, and our lives are transformed in powerful ways. Through intimacy with God, we gain strength, peace, guidance, and the ability to impact others for His kingdom. Let us seek to cultivate a deeper closeness with our Heavenly Father, allowing His love and presence to permeate every part of our lives.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, draw me closer to You and help me to remain in Your presence.

2. I repent of any form of complacency in my spiritual life and seek a deeper relationship with You.

3. Father, purify my heart and make me a vessel fit for Your presence.

4. I pray for a renewed desire to seek You with all my heart, mind, and soul.

5. Lord, let me experience Your peace that surpasses all understanding.

6. Holy Spirit, help me to walk in the Spirit and remain close to God daily.

7. Father, strengthen my relationship with You through consistent devotion and prayer.

8. I pray for a deeper revelation of Your Word that will draw me nearer to You.

9. Let Your presence go with me, O God, and lead me in all my ways.

10. I pray for my family to experience the fullness of Your presence and walk in divine closeness with You.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:

1. As you draw closer to God, He will draw near to you and transform every area of your life.

2. God is releasing a fresh anointing that will deepen your relationship with Him.

3. Your spiritual life will be marked by a new level of intimacy with God.

4. Divine closeness will bring supernatural strength, peace, and guidance into your life.

5. You will experience a deeper revelation of God’s love and presence like never before.

6. Your life will become a testimony of God’s transforming power as you walk in His presence.

7. Your family will experience the blessings of God's presence as you draw near to Him.

8. God is opening doors of favor and opportunity as you maintain closeness with Him.

9. Your faith will be strengthened, and you will walk in the fullness of God's purpose for your life.

10. Divine closeness will become the hallmark of your Christian walk, impacting everyone around you.