This sermon continued the church’s ongoing reflection on the question, “Where are you?” by reframing it into a deeper examination of belonging: What does it mean to belong to God? Drawing from three key scenes in the book of Daniel, the message traced a consistent pattern—belief in God shapes conviction, and conviction determines whether or not we compromise.

In Daniel 1, Daniel’s refusal to defile himself with the king’s food showed that conviction is a pre-decided posture, not a last-minute emotional reaction. His resolve flowed from identity, not circumstance, even when obedience was costly and uncertain. In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrated a faith that trusted God’s power without demanding guaranteed outcomes, choosing obedience even in the face of death. In Daniel 6, an older Daniel modeled lifelong faithfulness, refusing to stop praying openly despite threats to his life, showing that conviction can endure beyond youthful zeal.

The sermon then turned inward, challenging listeners to examine their own “obedience threshold”—the unspoken “I will obey God unless…” that leads to compromise. True maturity, the pastor argued, is not arrival but embracing a posture of self-denial, where life revolves around God rather than fitting Him into leftover time. The call was to remove the “unless,” allowing belief to form deep conviction that resists compromise, not just on Sundays, but throughout everyday life.

This message focused on the connection between intimacy with God and real transformation, emphasizing that holiness is not achieved through effort alone but through abiding in God’s presence. The sermon began in Genesis 3, where Adam hides from God, highlighting humanity’s instinct to withdraw rather than engage. God’s question, “Where are you?” is not meant to condemn but to invite honesty and repentance. The pastor then explored distraction, noting that it is often not sinful things but misplaced priorities—and ultimately the self—that pull our attention away from God.

Using Peter’s life as a case study, the sermon showed how a genuine believer can both confess Christ faithfully and, moments later, resist God’s purposes when personal expectations take over. Peter’s rebuke of Jesus revealed a mind set on human concerns rather than God’s plan. Yet Peter’s story is ultimately hopeful: despite inconsistency, failure, and denial, Jesus did not abandon him. Instead, He prayed for him, restored him, and continued to use him.

The sermon concluded by urging believers to examine their responses, recalibrate regularly, and intentionally set their minds on the things of God. Growth may look different in different seasons, but perseverance, humility, and intimacy with Christ remain essential.

This sermon continued the church’s focus on being in awe of God by addressing how distraction undermines intimacy with Him and leads to spiritual drift. Pastor Mike emphasized that transformation into Christlikeness does not come through effort, gifting, or activity, but through the presence of God. Holiness, which Scripture says is necessary to see the Lord, flows out of intimacy with Him rather than religious performance.

Using Hebrews 2, the message warned believers to “pay much closer attention” to the gospel so they do not drift away—not through open rebellion, but through neglect. Drift was described as subtle and often unintentional, marked by spiritual apathy, postponed obedience, and diminished attentiveness to God. The pastor illustrated this personally and biblically, showing how even good or necessary things can slowly replace intentional dependence on the Lord.

The sermon culminated in Jesus’ interaction with Mary and Martha in Luke 10. Martha loved and served Jesus but was distracted, anxious, and demanding. Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. Jesus affirmed Mary’s choice as the “one necessary thing.” The message called listeners to examine their prayer lives, priorities, and distractions, and to return to a posture of listening, presence, and attentiveness so that intimacy with God can again fuel genuine transformation.

This sermon is centered on God’s question to Adam in Genesis 3: “Where are you?”—a question that still confronts every person today. God was not seeking information, but inviting broken people back into His presence. The message reminds us that after sin entered the world, humanity began hiding from God, even though He continued to pursue them with grace. In the same way, God calls us now, not because He is unaware of our condition, but because we often are.

Pastor Mike emphasized that knowing where we are spiritually determines how we live spiritually. Drawing from Ephesians 6 and 1 Peter 5, we were reminded that we live in a real spiritual battlefield, even when we don’t recognize it. Strength for this conflict does not come from effort, knowledge, or morality, but from positioning ourselves in intimacy with God. Being “strong in the Lord” means allowing ourselves to be strengthened through time in His presence.

Much of the sermon warned against neglect rather than outright rejection. Distraction, busyness, and misplaced priorities slowly cause us to drift. God continues to call—through Scripture, prayer, quiet nudges, and conviction—and the question remains whether we will respond. The call is simple: come to Him, treasure Him, and refuse to treat intimacy with God as optional.

Curt Allen, 12/28/25

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Curt Allen, 11/30/25

Curt Allen, 11/23/25