New Life North - Carry It - Jon Egan - July 26, 2026

Welcome to New Life Church! Join us live as we lift up the name of Jesus together! 🙌 What does it really mean to carry the presence of God? In 2 Samuel 6, King David sets out on a 10-mile journey with 30,000 men to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. What unfolds is one of the most dramatic, sobering, and inspiring stories in all of the Bible, and it has a lot to say about how we approach worship today. The Ark of the Covenant was the physical dwelling place of God among His people. His earthly throne. His divine glory. David wanted God to be at the center of the nation. But when the Ark was placed on a cart instead of carried on the shoulders of the priests as God had commanded, a man named Uzzah was struck dead. Good intentions are not enough. Sincere worship does not replace obedient worship. This message explores modern-day "carts" we use today - the convenient, comfortable, and culturally borrowed methods to handle the presence of God. From celebrity-driven ministry to passive church attendance, the temptation to put God's presence on something easier than obedience is alive and well. But this is also a story of invitation. When David brought the Ark to Jerusalem the right way, he danced before the Lord with everything he had, uninhibited and fully surrendered. His wife Michal mocked him from a distance and remained spiritually barren for the rest of her life. Scripture calls every believer a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). That means carrying the presence of God is not reserved for pastors or worship leaders. It belongs to all of us. And Hebrews 12:28 reminds us to worship God acceptably, with reverence and awe, because our God is a consuming fire. If this message encouraged you, we would love to meet you in person. Plan your visit here: https://north.newlifechurch.org/visit/ When you give to New Life Church, you help us reach more people so that they can experience the love and hope of Christ. Consider giving online at https://north.newlifechurch.org/give/. For more ways to experience our online services, visit https://north.newlifechurch.org/service/