If only he would get back to messages like this! I always come back to this video.

This message helped me have a deeper relationship with God. Thank you for presenting it so clearly. More power Pastor Andy. God bless you.

This is THE most powerful teaching I've ever heard, ever. I have learned a lot, between through a lot, I know God, and He knows me, but ... but...this has awakened in me the need of MY intimacy with Him and He with me. I am so grateful. So grateful.

This sermon was an answered prayer. I had recently asked God to help me explain how to get this intimate place with Him, and all day I could not stop thinking about Andy Stanley and he explained it perfectly in this sermon. Praise God!!! Intimacy with God is the best place in the world to be. There is so much peace love and joy there. He never disappoints!!!

Now I understand why the religious people bashing on Andy Stanley's teaching. They are not comfortable with the truth he speaks, which is entirely based on the bible, contrary to what they say that it is not. Upon witnessing what is going on in the world right now, I no longer call myself a Christian but I am a Christ follower. Christians, these days are scaring the hell out of me with their deeds and words. How could you be a witness spreading God's love to the non believers when everything you say and do contradicting with how God loves? I feel that God speaks through me through Andy and I give God the glory for that. Blessings to you, Andy!

I have listened to this message many times!

As a retired pastor and psychologist of almost 40 yrs, it has only been in the last two months that I have accomplished living in an intimate relationship with God. I am happier, at peace with myself, others and God and understand "the peace that passes all understanding." Yet I have searched for 40 years to achieve this. It is far from simple. Yet Andy, you make the subject understandable to everyone. People, listen several times to this sermon. Continue working at it, or, in reality, surrender to the God that loves you. That which Andy is proclaiming will complete and fulfill your life. I have found no other way to have this peace other than through an intimate relationship with God. VERY well done Andy. Thank-you and may God continue to bless you, your people and your ministry. You ARE appreciated!

This is THE BEST teaching I've heard, has changed my life.

I don't see how Andy Stanley keeps from getting burned out. He is so wise and loving and Christ-seeking but he has to deal with knuckleheads like so many of us who attend church. He does an amazing job of not letting the modern-day Pharisees and Sadducees get him down, but reminding them where to focus instead

A recovering Catholic Thank you for this. This is the truth video about our heavenly Father.

Wow I have this where I really want to go deep with others and go speak heart to heart. Past all the superficial religious talk. And Jesus wants that same relationship. A relationship where we are on a journey together and it’s not about what we do but who we are with. Out of this comes true transformation to be like Him here on earth!🙏🏼🔥👑🩸❤️ Jesus you are my lover

Ultimately, "Religion will make God a stranger to you." Absolutely, brother. I've definitely witnessed this for myself. Throughout my thirty plus years of walking with Christ, I've learned that God is more faithful and loving to me than I could ever THINK of being to Him. Throughout my early Christian life, God was patient with me and my willful sin, my disobedience, and, often times, my outright defiance. And yes, He chastised me ("Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline" Revelation3:19a), but his chastisement was tempered with mercy. The Hand of God COULD'VE been far more severe toward me. But He's been merciful. Kind. And it's been the KINDNESS of God that led me to repentance. (Romans 2:4) Since I've submitted to God, I've known a peace like no other. I KNOW that God is Love. And I've learned to LOVE Him more and more each day. So when I hear "religious" people complain about how unjust, and capricious, and unfair they feel the God of the Bible is, I realize that, to them, God is a stranger. It sounds cliche, but, indeed, Christianity is NOT a religion; it is a relationship. An INTIMATE relationship.

This message was so impactful! An awakening moment. The Spirit of God surely calls us to draw near to Him... to truly get deeper into His presence and we give God this mediocre prayer life. He wants all of our being, separate time; time that is not rushed; a moment where we are just spending time to speak with Him. There is nothing wrong in taking our prayer life into the day... our prayer life should continue while we're driving, while washing dishes, while walking to the mall, while... you fill in the blank. Yet, there should be a time that we are just visiting with him... an appointment with him everyday. I go as far as to encourage us all to yearn to have the type of prayer life that Daniel or David had... morning, during the day, and night. Doesn't He deserve our true love... not our religious rituals? The type of love that truly NEEDS Him; the type of love that truly WANTS Him... True intimacy with Him.

This is one of the most relatable messages I’ve ever heard about intimacy with God, if not the most. So blessed to hear/watch it. Thank you so much.

Here in 2020,needed this In these times,love Andy's teaching,thanks, should always leave this video up,never will get old,others will need it

Thank you.

Peace with God paves the way to peace with ourselves and equips us to make peace with others.

Mutual Submission is The Most Powerful Relation Dynamic in The World !! JESUS had already done the first deal for us......wow.......Here I am for you..Lord...Amen..

The Treasure of Life

This message had a awesome impact in my life, first heard 5 years ago, I get something out of it every time I listen to it. Thanks Andy for your faithfulness

I cant anymore start my days without listening to AndyS for at least 5-10 minutes every day early morning. Amazing truth ALL THE WAY :-))

Well spoken Andy Stanley, it sure does give a real understanding to our relationship with God. I totally agree and understand with the way he states "religion" can make you a stranger. Thank you and God Bless you.

This really resonates with me, growing up in a very traditional religious family as I knew that God desired more than just stand up,sit down,sing pray, pay,and make sure you're dressing in a way that's aesthetically pleasing to God or he'll have nothing to do with you. All as you sit in the pew talking over the preacher to gossip about someone else in the pew across from you. As I grew up I started searching for that missing piece that God had desired all along and I found intimacy and graceful forgiving love where spending time with God was not simply going through the motion anymore it was fruitful mutual submission to God and his creation. Every day that I feel myself being surrounded by religiousness I can watch this video and remember that that's not what it's all about.

What the Holy Spirit feels like: the first time I felt it, it was powerful, but also delicate. It was completely pure and for lack of a better word, holy. I had experienced emotional experiences in church many times before. Emotions are contagious, but this experience was very different. And when you feel the Holy Spirit, there's no doubt in your mind what it is

I have this personal intimate relationship that Andy talks about with my Lord and my God and it is, based on my experience of many years, THE ultimate game changer when it comes to life. How do I do this? Very simply. I talk to Him and then I stay in silence before Him in an inner attitude of paying attention to listen to His silence. That may sound strange but it works big time. "Be still and know that I am God". Psalm 46 10. You can go to church, you can read His word, and you can talk to Him as much as you want want but until you let Him speak to you personally you are basically wasting you time. Never loose sight that this is a Love story, the ultimate Love story. I wholeheartedly wish you the same outstanding happiness and sense of purpose I am experiencing.

I am so glad that Andy is teaching 'intimacy' with our Father. 'Head' knowledge will never get anyone into heaven. Satan and his demonic 'wrecking' crew have head knowledge, 'believe' in God, Christ and the Holy Spirit...but, they aren't going to heaven. Thank you Andy for opening the spiritual door for people to 'invite' the Lover of their soul ...our heavenly Father into a 'real' intimate relationship with Him. And thank you Lord God, for the precious ...time, we can spend with you.

My unsolicited advice: DO IT (work on that relationship, for ALL relationships REQUIRE work, to be fruitful!!!). He WILL respond, in His way.

I so needed this. Thank you.

Andy you're a great preacher I love the way you talk and many of the Bible verses you have explained I carry them in my heart! YHWH BLESS you and your family semper!

I really can agree with this. Because; I can agree with Andy. For instance, I walk and talk to GOD why! cause the way I see it is that GOD is my one and only true friend and Father. He never hurts you, never tears you down, but his word is always building us up.

Thank you for restoring my faith in the Christian people. It give me hope to know there are people like you out in the world.

Such perfect timing ! Thank you Holy Spirit for putting this here for me to see! Ty Sir for such a beautiful message!

I have watched this twice in 24 hours. Fantastic! TY🙂🙏❤😇

Jesus, by His life, death, and Resurrection - established a way for EVERY human being to come to have a personal relationship with the God that made them. This many catches a lot of flack from so many self-professed ‘Christians’ nowadays, especially from ‘pastors’ of other churches, because his approach and perspectives are different from theirs. ‘Theirs’ are worn out and disproven and boring and uninspiring...and ‘theirs’ are the reason why so many have quit going to church over the last 40 years or so. This man is a good teacher with a fresh perspective and practical applications of being a follower of Jesus. He makes following Jesus attractive...which is the polar opposite of what so many of his critics do.

This sermon always hits differently. So insightful. ♡ Thank you for sharing His word.

Hearing Andy Stanley for the first time, has definitely brought a deeper meaning to me. Intimacy with God is so real and wonderful. As a listener of Dr. Charles Stanley, he is a great man and his son will follow in his foot steps. Great work" and God Bless You"

I rewatch this often. Such a great reminder.

"Religion will make you a stranger to God" Amazing!!! Andy Stanley is the man!!!!! Thanks for sharing!! :)

Yes it most certainly is and this is one of my favorite sermons from him now too.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, PASTOR ANDY!!! GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS!!!

Some of you guys are ridiculous. Who cares who he is or what he wants, the only importance is what YOU get out of his message; whom it touches. He doesn't say he has more or less knowledge, he is spreading the news instead of critiquing those who do. This particularly message is HIGHLY needed. When you or IF you choose to experience this yourselves you will see the clear difference. God save the blind...

hi andy stanley.... I just wanna thank God for using you.... I always watch your sermons and I apply it to my daily life activity...... hope to talk to you personally, by faith my intimacy with God go deeper and deeper......

God bless you Pastor Andy,am encouraged indeed.Powerfully is this God's message..its another revelation of our Lord.Thank You Lord.Help us to Love you more than what we think we would supplement to Love you...we may have engaged to working for you to show more respect rather than Loving you even in our private Lives.Ooh,God see the hearts in that darkness.and Let them know you intimately,not only that but have the mutual intimacy that you want from them and us too.

Wow, just what I was looking for. Will be listen over and over. Thank you Lord for shedding light.

Here in 2022. This is so deep and just needed to hear. Definitely sharing it tomorrow with our ministry team.

Thank You!

Absolutely blessed by this. opened my religious eyes though i thought i'd jumped over the religious hurdle. Never again, thank You Lord

Bless you and your family Andy. This sermon is what I have been looking for. It had hit me deep and hard and brought my attention to where I ought to be. I was there years ago and I lost that intimate relationship and your sermon has restored me to my rightful place in Christ Jesus. Blessings

God bless you andy

I was Blessed with this Message. Thank God for Preaching like this.

Thank you for the message. I have struggled with the love of G-d for a long time. Praise his name for all eternity!

I like the music that is setting the tone for peace in a world that needs it. Not the loud music where I have to plug my ears even tho I'm in church and they are trying to get me pumped up for the lesson or whatever. I don't think we need to get pumped up but be quiet and listen sometimes. I mean there are times to celebrate but not always. change up the formula.

Best sermon ever.

Andy thank you for being a blessing and for this encouraging truth.

Thank you Andy for the kind words!

I love your sermons

Awesome message very timely and spoke directly to me. Thank you Lord!

Yes, this is so true/total "submission to God" it's not about us but Him/"God" God loves all His children.

Awesome. I need to hear this today. Thanks so much for sharing!

Just if you totally surrended to God, you will have a good relantionship with God, you must listem Charles Stanley

This is just what I needed to hear. Amen to this

Thanks for posting. I remember listening to this audio on CD back in 2005 probably and the message was foundational for me back then; even now.

Happy Sabbath! :-) This is so on point! :-) Preach! :-) Break it down! :-) Pastor Andy, you ARE definitely your dad's son & you both are definitely God's sons. :-)

Amen this is the truth and nothing but the truth

As a first year Pastor, I am trying to convey the message of relationally vs. respectfully. It's my ministry. Out of intimacy comes Gods desire for us to respect him. If it happens the other way.....we will be empty and hollow.

Thank you for relaying this message Andy

Thank you so, so much for posting this sermon.

Andy love you

Pastor Andy, I really enjoyed this sermon I pulled so much from this it let me know how abandoned God feels when we don't take the adequate time to give Him the attention that he loans for but never gets. Everybody as humans wants to be noticed and loved at some point in life and does God. I feel your meaning deep and visualized your illustration as you preached this word. Continue making the scripture, the word and life plain enough for us to grasp it's depth. God bless you, from your sister in Christ from Hammond, LA.

this is sooo gooooodd..i love it. so much God's truth.

touched... thank you from the bottom of my heart

Awesome message....so true to most hearts....

Awesome Andy, thankyou!

Andy identified “3” Requirements for "intimacy with God" beginning at min 21:25: (1) Give God “Time” (i.e., spend time with Him) (2) Transparency (be honest with God; this includes telling Him things like you are angry at Him; you have jealousy in your heart; you have lust in your heart, and so on) (3) Submission (Andy stated “this is the most powerful relational dynamic in the world.” He described our relationship with God as being a relationship of “mutual submission,” and “submission” as meaning God and we harness all our abilities and talents for each other’s best interests; He fleshed-this out beginning at min 26:38).

Amen Thank you for make it clear for me

This sermon is awesome! so worth listening too!

This is beautiful

this is powerful!

Amazing!!! Insightful

This showed up four times in a Slenderman ARG recommended list at different points. Thats dedication. I shall watch this.

Awesome teaching.

This was so needed tonight💜

Wow that was amazing

Thank you i needed this The song at the end is gorgeous

I wonder what he said (CONTENT), that led you to this conclusion (?) • During my 20+ years of wanting to do things God's way, my experience TOTALLY validates what this man is saying. Its a matter of RELATIONSHIP vs. RELIGION (to use a worn-out, but TOTALLY valid description). • Personally, I believe God wants a personal, intimate, unique relationship with each & every soul.

Amazing! Thanks for the upload! Blessings from Switzerland

Wow! Powerful!

What an absolutely, positively & most assuredly authentic, genuine & overall "cool-dude!" ;-) ~Romans 15:2~

Amen! Truly when you are purely religious, you become rejected by God and from people and the chances of sharing your faith is limited and unbelieving. but if purely intimacy with God, you are loved by God and people easier to understands you and easier to share God's love to others.

Andy Stanley is so practical, but here he's talking about a spiritual connection with The Holy Spirit.... Which is real. The word spiritual is so vague, but I've experienced spirtual things through meditation and group meditations, whih were very different from encounters with the Holy Spirit. You can deny it all you want until you experience it.

i like jesus

amen

So true

Basic message....Jesus>Religion. Thanks for posting.

omg this was soon good. lol. perfect description of American culture and lifestyle

💛💛

My brothers and sisters, I need your prayers. My stepdaughter turned from her faith three years ago when she fell in love with an atheist who hates Christians. She turned from God and from us. She was 17 when it began. two years and two months later, he dumped her but we do not know the details. her biological mother came down hard on her for"ruining" the relationship with a boy from a "Good family". She isn't atheist, she's Catholic, but she hates evangelical Christians and therefore she spent many years trying to stop our daughter from following our faith. But she did and she loved Jesus. Unfortunately she got confused and pulled away. Fast forward almost a year and our daughter is now almost 20 and finishing her sophomore year at a private Catholic university. She is now anorexic. yesterday we saw her and I had to walk away to cry and pray. She looks to be only about 80 pounds and she is so fragile. Before she left she asked if I would send her information on how God could save her from this. She even let me pray over her! Can you guys help me? I have come across lots of articles and books but none of them feel right to me. If you know of something that will pierce through that stronghold, please share it with me. I'm sending her scripture and I believe they will bless her and prepare her heart for the journey to come :( Meanwhile, at the same time, my husband tells me he didn't think he is in love with me and doesn't know if he wants to fight for me (I'm very ill with serious genetic diseases that came out of nowhere, but God is enabling me to obey). I'm in a war to save my family and I've been strong by God's grace alone. However, I am growing weary. May God's will be done

7:21-23

stranger....omg! #solost

Wish I could ever in my life feel this way for more than a day. Have no choice but to submit...but there is a heavy cross to bear. I forsee little ahead but emotional & mental & maybe physical pain & self-denial. I think God wants me to be a totally-different, stepford-type christian..obedient to the point of death. And i think my obedience will indeed kill me. i think He will leave me lonely and bereft of anything I've ever wanted or hoped for. I feel He has Always done that. For I have to return to a place where I am bored, lonely, alone, uninspired, & possibly unwanted, for Christ's sake, and learn to truly show love to those who hate me. After all, if we are to follow Christ, where else but to the cross? it IS pain. It IS death. It IS to be all alone in this world. I feel the Rock pressing down on me, and there is no choice but to submit. I feel His commands, and His judgement. I do not feel any "relationship", all the same. By which I mean, I feel no hope of Comfort or Compassion for me. That is what I am to supply to those around me; and don't get me wrong. I feel compassion, and try always to provide comfort for those around me; those I know and love & those I don't know, yet can certainly love..good people and "bad". But I am cut off. I cannot feel Trust in God ....belief...fear...respect...awe, yes. But Him loving Me, I cannot feel that at all; that is a distant dream. I need a more human touch, I guess. The relationship feels to me, I guess, akin to one of Principal and Student. The Principal is in control...doesn't mean he has to like you. But I had better follow the rules - or else! I will follow the rules. I am empty now. Maybe He will fill me up at last...