2026-07-26 GOD'S DWELLING PLACE

Where Does God Dwell? Experiencing God’s Presence from Genesis to Revelation

By Dr. David Hopkins | Highland Baptist Church

Introduction: The Question That Changes Everything

If you could summarize the entire Bible in one question, what would it be? For many, it’s about salvation, love, or redemption. But this week, we explored a question that ties every page of Scripture together: Where does God dwell?

Understanding this thread—from Eden to the new creation—brings the whole Bible alive and reveals God’s heart for you and me: His desire to dwell with His people.

The Main Point: God’s Presence is the Story

From the very beginning, God created humanity for relationship. In the Garden of Eden, the greatest gift wasn’t the beauty or abundance—it was that God walked with Adam and Eve. When sin entered, humanity lost unhindered access to God’s presence, but not God’s love or pursuit.

Throughout the Old Testament, God’s presence was seen in the tabernacle and the temple, yet always with boundaries. Even the most beautiful rituals pointed to a deeper truth: God longs to be present with His people, not just in a building, but at the center of our lives.

In Jesus, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Jesus is the true tabernacle, the ultimate display of God-with-us. At the cross, the temple veil was torn, showing that access to God is now open through Christ. And in the church, God’s Spirit doesn’t just dwell with us—He dwells in us. Paul says, “You (plural!) are God’s temple.” When believers gather, we become the living dwelling place of God.

Finally, Revelation points us to our future: a day when God will dwell with His people forever. No more separation, fear, or shame—just perfect presence, joy, and peace.

Action Steps: Living in Light of God’s Presence

• Move God to the Center: Ask yourself, “What sits at the center of my life?” Is it career, comfort, or something else? God wants to be at the center, shaping every decision and desire.

• Embrace Community: God’s presence is uniquely displayed through His gathered people. Don’t settle for isolation—worship, serve, and bear one another’s burdens together.

• Open Your Life to God’s Pursuit: If you feel distant or ashamed, remember: God is still pursuing you. Like in Eden, He asks, “Where are you?” Come out of hiding and respond to His invitation.

• Reflect God’s Presence to Others: Shift your focus from “what can I get from church?” to “how can I reveal Jesus to someone today?” Be a living stone in God’s house, displaying His love and grace.

Conclusion: Hope for Today and Forever

The story of the Bible isn’t about people climbing their way back to God—it’s about God making His way back to us through Jesus. One day, God’s presence will fill everything, everywhere, forever. Until then, we live as His temple, experiencing and sharing His nearness.

A Prayer to Experience God’s Presence

Father, thank you for your relentless pursuit and your desire to dwell with us. Forgive us for the times we hide or place other things at the center of our lives. Fill us with your Spirit, draw us into deeper community, and use us to reveal your presence to others. We long for the day when nothing separates us from you, but until then, help us to live as your dwelling place. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Looking for more content like this? Visit Highland Baptist Church online for sermons, devotionals, and ways to connect.

2026-07-19 THREE REQUIREMENTS FOR FOLLOWING JESUS

Three Requirements for Following Jesus: Are You Ready for True Discipleship?

Sermon Series: Experiencing God
Scripture: Luke 9:57-62
Speaker: Dr. David Hopkins

The Cost—and Joy—of Following Jesus

Have you ever tried to cram your overstuffed carry-on into the airport’s size checker, hoping it will somehow fit? Many of us treat our lives—and our relationship with Jesus—the same way. We want to add Jesus to our already full lives, expecting Him to fit into our carefully constructed priorities, ambitions, and plans. But Jesus never agreed to be our “carry-on” or our “plus one.” Instead, He calls us to adjust our entire lives around Him.

In Luke 9:57-62, Jesus meets three would-be followers. Each one expresses a desire to follow Him, but each faces a challenge that reveals what true discipleship requires: new priorities, immediate obedience, and undivided commitment.

Main Point: Following Jesus Is Not About Adding Him to Our Lives—It’s About Giving Him Our Whole Lives.

Jesus’s call isn’t for partial allegiance or convenient faith. He invites us to set aside our comfort, our delays, and our divided loyalties. He calls us to surrender everything, allowing Him to reshape our hearts, our plans, and our purpose.

1. New Priorities

“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” (Luke 9:58)

Following Jesus may mean sacrificing comfort, security, or personal ambitions. Discipleship is about embracing God’s Kingdom as our highest priority, letting His mission reorder our schedules, relationships, and resources.

2. Immediate Obedience

“‘Lord,’ he said, ‘first let me go bury my father.’ But He told him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9:59-60)

Jesus exposes the danger of delayed obedience. There will always be reasons to wait, but every delay can become disobedience. When God calls, He asks us to respond now—not when life feels more convenient.

3. Undivided Commitment

“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

Jesus isn’t interested in being confined to a “closet” or corner of our lives. He wants the keys to the whole house! True discipleship means wholehearted devotion, leaving behind distractions and regrets, and moving forward with unwavering focus on Jesus.

Action Steps

• Assess Your Allegiance: Is Jesus your “plus one” or is He truly “the One” around whom your life revolves?

• Identify What Needs Surrender: What area of your life are you holding back from God? Is it your career, finances, relationships, or ambitions?

• Respond Immediately: Is there something God has already asked you to do—share your faith, forgive someone, serve, or give generously—that you’ve been putting off? Take one step of obedience today.

• Pray for Undivided Commitment: Ask God to help you let go of anything that pulls your heart away from Him.

Conclusion & Prayer

Following Jesus is not about fitting Him into our plans, but allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. The greatest joy in discipleship comes when we stop asking Jesus to fit in our lives, and instead surrender everything so He can reshape our lives for His glory.

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for sending Jesus, not to be an addition to our lives, but to be our life. Help us to surrender every area of our hearts, our plans, and our ambitions to You. Give us courage to obey immediately and to follow with undivided commitment. May our lives reflect Your glory and invite others to know the joy and purpose that is found in following Jesus wholeheartedly. In His name we pray, Amen.

Looking for more resources on discipleship? Check out our Experiencing God sermon series or join us this Sunday at Highland Baptist Church.

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