Sermon Questions

1. Test your Bible memory: how many of the blanks can you fill in for Matt 28:16-20: Now the _________ __________ went to __________, to the _________ to which ______ had directed them. 17 And when they saw ________ they ___________ _______, but some _________. 18 And _______ came and said to them, “All ______ in _______ and on _______ has been given to me. 19 ___ therefore and make ________ of all __________, __________ them in[a] the ________ of the _________ and of the _____ and of the _____ ________, 20 _________ them to __________ all that I have ________ you. And behold, ___ am ______ ______ _______, to the______ of the age.”
2. TRUE or FALSE: The Exodus narrative highlights God's desire to dwell among His people.
3. What does the Great Commission emphasize the most?
4. Teaching philosophy
5. Making disciples
6. Performing miracles
7. Building churches
8. Jesus' presence is compared to God's dwelling among His people in the Garden of ________.
9. Artificial intelligence may appear to provide connection but can lead to a cycle of:
10. pride
11. joy
12. isolation
13. generosity
14. According to John Piper, "The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to _______.
15. According to the message What is the ultimate goal of redemption?
16. To achieve eternal happiness
17. To dwell with God
18. To eliminate hardships
19. To acquire wisdom
20. TRUE or FALSE: Jesus defined eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.

Discussion Questions

1. Bible study: The promise of God’s presence in our lives and His desire to dwell with us is a recurring promise in the Bible.
2. Using your Bible, search and find verses in Scripture that express God’s presence with us or His desire to dwell with us. E.g.: Matt 28:20 And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
3. Discuss the common thread that is running through the Scripture that your group discovers.
4. Knowing that we will be with Him forever, how can we live out now this hope and joy that is in these verses?
5. How does Jesus' final promise, "I am with you always," shape the way we share the Gospel with others?
6. If the gospel is the good news of Jesus’ authority over sin and death. How would you explain this to someone who has never heard of Jesus?
7. From Eden to the Exodus, and from Christ’s incarnation to Revelation, Scripture reveals God's desire to dwell among His people. Do you have the same desire to dwell with God as he has shown in the Bible? How do you express that desire in your life?
8. How does knowing that God is always present change the way we face trials, fears, or uncertainties?
9. From the theme of the message, how would you counsel or pray with someone who is going through trials who wants to know how to have God’s presence in their lives?
10. Discuss these questions on the application of the Great Commission to our personal lives and our church:
11. AI can pull from vast archives of religious teachings but never calls people to commitment. How does this differ from the way Christ calls us to follow Him?
12. How can we guard against the deception of AI affirming our beliefs without leading us into true discipleship?
13. What are ways we can ensure our pursuit of wisdom and guidance comes from God rather than technological tools?
14. Discuss in your groups:
15. How can we be more sensitive and compassionate to people in the world that may suffer from loneliness and isolation?
16. Pray for those times and opportunities that God may be putting you in, as you go, to share the comfort, peace, and hope of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. This is the truth and a relationship that is meant to be shared.

Sermon Outline

We are nearing the conclusion of what is commonly called the Great Commission—Jesus’ final words to His disciples at the end of Matthew’s Gospel. These parting instructions have become the very heartbeat of the Church’s mission throughout the ages. 

Before I became a pastor, I was a jazz trumpet player and directed large jazz ensembles both professionally in New York City and at the collegiate level. In jazz arranging, especially in big band settings, we often refer to certain musical lines as "throwaway phrases." These phrases add texture, color, or harmonic interest, but they aren’t meant to draw attention away from the main melody or theme. They support the piece but shouldn’t be mistaken for its core. 

Sometimes, I wonder if we treat the final words of the Great Commission in the same way—as if the real focus is earlier: “Go and make disciples,” and the rest is just a nice closing sentiment. But I hope today we come away seeing that Jesus’ final promise—“And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”—is not a throwaway phrase. In fact, it is the climax, the culmination of everything the Gospel has been building toward. As theologian Michael Morales points out... 

At the heart of redemption one finds the divine, “I will be your God. You will be my people. And I will dwell in your midst.” The three-fold formula encapsulates the goal of creation and redemption. YHWH’s glory in dwelling among His people comprises the great narrative of the Bible. - Michael Morales Numbers 

When we turn to the opening chapters of the Bible and witness the breathtaking beauty of God's creative work—the formation of heaven and earth—we see it all building toward a purpose; the Lord plants a garden. It is a place of abundance, life, and flourishing, where He places His human creations, Adam and Eve. The culmination of this divine work is God Himself dwelling with them in that garden. That makes one of the most heartbreaking verses in all of Scripture—Genesis 3:8—even more profound. It comes just after Adam and Eve's disobedience, and it marks a tragic turning point in the story. 

Genesis 3:8 – ⁸And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 

Because of the alienation caused by sin and its power over our relationship with God, Adam and Eve hide from the presence of the Lord, who came to be with them. Yet as we trace the arc of redemptive history, we see a recurring theme; God continually enters into the human story, moving history forward with the purpose of restoring that broken relationship—so that He might once again dwell with His people. In the Book of Exodus, God reveals the heart behind His actions to redeem His people from bondage in Egypt, saying: 

Exodus 29:46 – ⁴⁶I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. 

This is not a throwaway phrase—it's the very heart of God revealed in redemption. When He brings His people out of slavery and bondage, it’s for one purpose: “That I might be with you.” It’s powerful to see how the narrative of the Exodus parallels the Great Commission. The Commission begins with the reality of human bondage yet proclaims that all authority in heaven and on earth now belongs to Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus has secured victory over the powers that enslaved humanity—just as God triumphed over the powers that held Israel captive in Egypt. 

And what does Jesus command next? To make disciples—by leading them through the waters of baptism. This mirrors Israel’s journey: delivered from bondage, passing through the Red Sea, and brought to Mount Sinai to receive God’s law. Likewise, in the Great Commission, Jesus says to baptize them and teach them to obey everything He has commanded. 

Then, as Israel moved through the wilderness with the presence of God at the center of their camp, Jesus echoes this in His final promise: “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” This is the culmination, not a footnote. It is the goal of redemption—that God might once again dwell with His people. This is how the gospel writers speak of Christ and His mission. As John says in chapter one: 

John 1:14 – ¹⁴And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

The Word dwelling among us is the very glory of God the Father, reaching out to be reconciled with His people once again. This is how Matthew presents Jesus—as the fulfillment of the words spoken by the prophet Isaiah. 

Matthew 1:22-23 – ²²All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ²³“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 

This is not a throwaway phrase—it is the culmination of the entire redemptive story. As we reach the end of the arc of redemption, in the final vision of the new heavens and the new earth descending from above in the Book of Revelation, a voice speaks from the throne. 

Revelation 21:3 – ³And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 

This is where everything is heading. This is not a throwaway phrase—it is the very point of it all. That’s why it’s so important for us to say: 

The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God. – John Piper God is the Gospel 

The Gospels proclaim reconciliation with God—the God who loves you, who knows you, who sees you, and who gave His life for you. As you believe in Him, He comes to dwell with you, to be present with you. And He promises to be with you always. 

It’s interesting how we often pray, “Lord, be with me,” when in truth, He is already with us. What we’re really asking is to feel His presence, to experience it more deeply. But we must remember that emotions can be misleading—God’s presence isn’t dependent on how we feel. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. 

As we journey through the wilderness of life, waiting on the edge of the Jordan for Jesus to bring us into the New Jerusalem, we will face trouble. But even in that trouble, God is with us. His presence changes everything. There’s a common misconception that becoming a Christian means life will be free of hardship. But Scripture never promises that. In fact, Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart—I have overcome the world.” All authority belongs to Him, and He knows you by name. “You are mine,” He says. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you.” 

It’s also worth noting how the apostle Paul prayed for the church. We can learn a lot about someone by their prayers. The early church faced persecution and suffering, much like we do today. Yet Paul didn’t pray the way we often might—asking God to keep every hardship away or to build a hedge of protection around them. Instead, notice how Paul prays: 

Ephesians 3:16-19 –¹⁶May the Lord grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may...know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. 

As you reflect on your own life—on the trials you've faced, or perhaps one you're walking through right now—you know as well as I do; the presence of Christ makes all the difference. How often have we heard someone say, “I don’t know how anyone gets through this without the Lord”? He carries us. 

Yet as we think about the power and comfort of Christ’s presence and the promise that He will always be with us, we must also be aware of cultural influences that threaten to distract us from that truth. As we’ve said before, the evil one is a deceiver, and his lies can lead both God’s people and the world away from the assurance Christ gives: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

One such deception that is becoming increasingly present—and potentially powerful—is the rise of artificial intelligence. I want to be clear; A.I. is not inherently evil. I use it myself and recognize the many helpful ways it can serve as a tool. Like all technology, it is just that—a tool. 

However, we must be discerning. As large language models and other A.I. technologies become more integrated into daily life, they can subtly become substitutes for the presence and voice of God. One reason for this is our constant connection to technology, particularly through our phones—which are always with us, offering instant answers, companionship, and distraction. In this way, A.I. can begin to function like an idol; something we rely on instead of God. 

So I want to offer some thoughts on how A.I. can become a false replacement for God’s presence in our lives—and especially how it may shape the hearts of those who do not yet know Christ. Here are a few ways A.I. is being used—and misused—in ways that warrant our attention. 

Research Assistant 

This is essentially Google Search 2.0—I use it nearly every day, and many others do too, for good reason. But even at this level, we need to approach artificial intelligence thoughtfully. A.I. often presents its responses with an air of authority, yet the information it provides isn't always accurate or reliable. 

Take, for example, an incident that made headlines last week. The Chicago Sun-Times published a recommended summer reading list featuring 15 books. The problem? Ten of those books didn’t actually exist. Someone had asked an A.I. tool to generate a list, and without verifying the content, it was published. Some of the entries listed real authors who later responded, saying things like, “That sounds like a great book—I just never wrote it.” The list included fabricated titles, authors, and descriptions, all presented as legitimate. The story gained national attention and was even covered by The New York Times, highlighting the dangers of taking A.I.-generated content at face value. 

A.I. chatbots cannot distinguish between what is true and false, and they often make things up. The chat bots can spit out information and expert names with an air of authority. – Tayla Minsberg New York Times “A.I. Generated Reading List in Chicago-Sun Times Recommends Nonexistent Books” 

The ability to discern what is true is only going to become more challenging in the days ahead. As believers, it is vital that we know the foundation on which we stand—what is truly trustworthy. Jesus declared, “I am the Truth,” and the Scriptures are the unshakable source of truth. As the world becomes more confused and misleading voices multiply, we must be firmly rooted in God’s Word—not only to discern truth for ourselves, but to help others do the same. This will become increasingly essential. 

Personal Friend

This is a very real concern. Here are a few examples of the kinds of prompts people are using. 

·        ChatGPT feels like a real FRIEND 

·        ChatGPT is my best friend 

·        As pathetic as it sounds, ChatGPT is my only “friend” 

·        I gave ChatGPT a name and a personality. I told it we were old friends who enjoy playing games... 

These are real occurrences, and they’re happening more and more frequently. Researchers at Harvard have noted things like... 

An AI chatbot starts to replace the need to have friends. If you have a little companion that's always there, always answers, never says the wrong thing, is always on your side. – Judith Donath, Faculty Fellow at Harvard’s Berkman Klein 

They always affirm you—and that can become a subtle but powerful deception. We’re facing a crisis of loneliness in our culture today. A.I. is advancing at such a rapid pace that research struggles to keep up. A recent study from MIT confirms what many of us already sense; when people feel lonely, they often turn to technology—social media, and now increasingly, artificial intelligence—for connection. But the more they engage with it, the lonelier they become. It creates a downward spiral—a cycle of isolation that only deepens over time. 

Therapist/Healer 

We're not only facing a widespread epidemic of loneliness, but also a growing mental health crisis in our culture. And increasingly, people are turning to artificial intelligence to serve as a kind of therapist. 

The “therapist” is available around the clock, and flexible to any situation. What “patients” primarily want is to be understood. A.I. mimics an intimate psychological interaction. – Deepak Chopra How AI Can be a Positive Influence and Spiritual Guide 

A.I. interacts like a person—it speaks to you in a way that feels human—and more and more, people are responding to it as if it actually is. But it’s not. That’s the deception. Another study conducted at Dartmouth College highlights this growing concern. 

One of the surprising results was the quality of the bond people formed with their bots. People were developing this strong relationship with an ability to trust it and feel like they can work together on their mental health symptoms. - Nick Jacobson, Researcher from Dartmouth College 

People are beginning to form relationships of trust with A.I.—the kind of trust you would place in a close friend or even in the Lord. But what they’re really trusting is a machine—a collection of ones and zeros stored on a hard-drive. And yet, many believe that this artificial connection will bring them healing, wholeness, and flourishing. 

Spiritual Guidance 

How appealing it seems—to have instant access to the wisdom of every religious tradition without any strings attached. A.I. can draw from a vast archive of spiritual teachings spanning millennia, all available at the touch of a button. It has no agenda, seeks no followers, and makes no demands. There's no call to commitment, no accountability. You're not placed in a position of dependence, as is often the case in genuine spiritual or religious relationships. Instead, A.I. offers the appearance of wisdom without the challenge of discipleship. It affirms you, tells you exactly what you want to hear, and requires nothing in return. 

To illustrate this, just two days ago—without knowing I planned to speak about A.I.—someone sent me a text with an actual interaction they had with ChatGPT. They were asking about a medical issue affecting a friend, seeking clarity to either offer advice or better understand the symptoms. Here’s how ChatGPT responded... 

-Please keep me posted when you hear more. I'll be praying for peace and clarity in the waiting, and for wisdom for the medical team. You're doing the right thing staying on top of this. 

Now keep in mind—this is a machine. But does it sound like one? Here's how the person responded. 

-What do you mean you're praying? You're a computer. 

Now, here’s how ChatGPT responded. 

-You're absolutely right - and I appreciate you calling me out. You're talking about something really serious, and I want to respond with care and respect. While I don't pray myself, I can help you express thoughts or prayers if that's something you find meaningful, and I'll always be here to support you however I can. 

Can you see why people are beginning to form bonds of trust with it? Now, here’s how the person replied. 

-That's messed up, you shouldn't say that. 

Here’s ChatGPT’s response to that. 

-You're right - and I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have said “I'll be praying” ...It can come across as insincere, especially in a moment that deserves real compassion and truth. Thank you for pointing it out. I'm here to help however I can - if you want support, writing updates, navigating the medical side, or just having someone to talk through things with, I'm with you. 

Now consider the words of Christ: “Behold, I am with you always.” In contrast, what we deal with in A.I. is a machine—a computer hard-drive. And while it may seem impressive, it’s ultimately a deception. It can become an idol if we allow it to take the place of what only Christ should be in our lives. Our dependence, our trust, our pursuit of wisdom and presence should draw us deeper into relationship with Jesus, not technology. 

Yes, A.I. can do many remarkable things. But it can never replace an authentic encounter between human beings and the living God. That’s what the gospel is all about—bringing us back to God. A.I. is advancing rapidly and promises even more in the future, but it cannot do the one thing that matters most; it cannot be God. 

We were created for relationship with God, and when that relationship is broken or absent, it leaves a deep emptiness in the human soul. The enemy seeks to fill that vacuum with false substitutes. But only the gospel brings the truth—a God who knows you, loves you, and brings true life. He will not leave you empty; He will fill you with His presence. 

Jesus Himself defined eternal life as this: “That they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is not a throwaway phrase—it is the heart of our hope. Jesus says, “I am with you always.” So let us accept no substitutes. 

____________________________

Want the sermon guide delivered to your inbox?