Seeing the Unseen Christ: How His Presence Transforms Life

When we clearly recognize Jesus present and practice
His presence, we will…

1. Worship Him with genuine enthusiasm.
   If Jesus physically visited your church probably the first response of your people would be to worship him. Some would slip to their knees, others might stretch out prostrate before him. This is the body language of worship. They key is to help you r congregation worship him with genuine enthusiasm even when his presence must be perceived by faith.
   Suggested Text: Matthew 17:1-13
   
   
2. Lavish His love on others.
   Jesus will insist on his people loving one another. He emphasized this when he walked on earth, and no doubt would were he to physically visit your congregation. Love is not just something to write devotional thoughts about, it has to be seen in action. That’s the thrust of this second Adventure Sunday--how to lavish his love on others.
   Suggested Text: Matthew 5:43--6:4
   
   
3. Embrace righteousness and renounce evil.
   The mission of Jesus was to destroy the power of the devil. So Christ’s presence in the church will make people feel uncomfortable about unconfessed sin. Some might choose to leave for as long as he remains. Be that as it may, this third Adventure Sunday is about embracing righteousness, renouncing evil, and reversing self-destructive patterns.
   Suggested Text: 1 John 1:5--2:6
   
   
4. Serve Him with gratitude and eagerness.
   An opportunity to experience the risen Christ would no doubt change people’s thinking from “What can he do for me?” to “What can I do for him?” Maybe seeing the nail prints in his hands would be a defining moment. But selfishness should change to servanthood. This fourth Adventure Sunday underscores that we would serve him with gratitude and eagerness
   Suggested Text: Romans 12:3-8
   
   
5. Surrender to the truth of God’s Word.
   How would you like to be in the pulpit knowing Jesus is there listening to your every word? What if he said, “Amen,” to something you preached? Just the fact that the risen Christ is in the sanctuary affirming your words would be enough to make a huge impression on people. Adventure Sunday five is about people surrendering to the truth of God’s Word.
   Suggested Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:13
   
   
6. Experience the privilege of authentic prayer.
   Imagine the lines of people waiting patiently to talk with Jesus were he to physically visit your church for a series of eight Sundays. Many would just want to express their gratitude and praise, and one assumes the requests would be more carefully thought-through than normal. Sunday six is about your congregation experiencing the privilege of authentic prayer.
   Suggested Text: Matthew 6:5-18
   
   
7. Delight in introducing Him to others.
   “ You have to meet this man. He’s wonderful and he’ll change your life!” That’s what your people would say to friends and relatives if Christ came bodily to your church for a series of Sundays. No more attending just by themselves, they would excitedly invite others to come with them. Sunday seven in the series is about delighting in introducing him to others.
   Suggested Text: Corinthians 5:16--6:2
   
   
8. Celebrate God’s gift of life at its best.
   Revival is always marked by an overwhelming sense of the presence of the Lord. Said differently, having Christ right there with you in the congregation spells J-O-Y. Sunday eight wraps up this special series and declares that were the risen Christ to be bodily present in his church we would celebrate God’s gift of life at its best. That’s right, try as you will, you won’t top this.
   Suggested Text: Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21