Fulfilling Our Hunger for God Through Intentional Faith
Summary
### Summary
People are inherently hungry for God, and when they find Him, they discover love, security, and significance. This hunger is universal, transcending cultural and social boundaries. The journey of faith often begins with a personal encounter, as illustrated by the story of a Greek Cypriot who found Christ through a college friend. This newfound faith led to immediate acts of kindness and evangelism, demonstrating the transformative power of God's love. The intentionality of sharing one's faith is crucial, whether it's through small acts of kindness or larger evangelistic efforts. Carrying simple items like a toothbrush, socks, and a wooden cross can open doors to meaningful conversations about Jesus.
The pace of life should align with God's pace, which is often a walk rather than a run, except when it involves salvation. This principle is evident in the story of hiring a football stadium for a Christian event, which required faith and patience but resulted in thousands coming to Christ. The Great Commission calls for making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to mature in their faith. This process underscores the importance of the local church, which serves as a community for worship, instruction, fellowship, and service. Loving the church, the bride of Christ, is essential, and speaking negatively about it is akin to offending Christ Himself.
### Key Takeaways
1. Hunger for God: People are universally hungry for love, security, and significance, which are ultimately found in God. This hunger transcends cultural and social boundaries, making the message of Christ relevant to everyone. When we find God, we find the fulfillment of our deepest needs. [14:57]
2. Intentional Evangelism: Sharing faith should be intentional and compassionate. Simple acts like offering a toothbrush or a pair of socks can open doors to share the gospel. Being prepared to meet people where they are, with what they need, reflects the love of Christ and can lead to transformative conversations. [12:45]
3. Pacing with God: Aligning our pace with God's pace is crucial. God walks, except when it involves salvation, where He runs. This teaches us to be patient and faithful, trusting in God's timing and direction, especially in our evangelistic efforts. [19:41]
4. The Great Commission: The Great Commission involves making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to mature in their faith. This process highlights the importance of the local church as a community for worship, instruction, fellowship, and service. Being part of a local church is essential for spiritual growth. [28:53]
5. Loving the Church: Loving the church, the bride of Christ, is vital. Speaking negatively about the church is akin to offending Christ. We should do everything we can to prepare the church for Christ's return, fostering a community of love, respect, and mutual edification. [31:53]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:58] - Personal Testimony
[04:57] - Born Again Experience
[06:20] - First Acts of Kindness
[07:03] - Breakfast Bible Club
[07:42] - Leading Friends to Christ
[08:20] - Forming the Christian Union
[10:16] - The Role of an Evangelist
[11:41] - Intentional Evangelism
[12:45] - Being Prepared
[13:57] - Universal Hunger for God
[16:27] - Ministry Journey
[17:57] - Self-Care in Ministry
[18:43] - God's Pace
[19:41] - University Missions
[21:56] - Prison Ministry
[23:42] - Reaching the Vulnerable
[25:37] - Discerning God's Ideas
[26:24] - Hiring the Stadium
[27:45] - Just One Event
[28:53] - The Great Commission
[29:28] - Importance of the Local Church
[31:53] - Loving the Bride of Christ
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission)
2. Luke 15:20 (The Prodigal Son)
3. 1 Peter 3:15 (Always be prepared to give an answer)
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 instruct believers to do?
2. In Luke 15:20, how does the father react when he sees his prodigal son returning?
3. According to 1 Peter 3:15, how should believers be prepared to share their faith?
4. What were some examples given in the sermon of doing things with gospel intentionality? [12:45]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Great Commission emphasize the importance of the local church in the process of making disciples? [28:53]
2. What does the father's reaction in Luke 15:20 teach us about God's attitude towards salvation and repentance?
3. How can the principle of "always being prepared" in 1 Peter 3:15 be applied in our daily lives, especially in unexpected situations? [12:45]
4. Why is it important to align our pace with God's pace, and what does it mean that God walks except when it involves salvation? [19:41]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you feel a deep hunger for love, security, or significance? How can you seek fulfillment in God for these needs? [14:57]
2. Think of a simple act of kindness you can perform this week that could open a door to share the gospel. What will you do, and who will you do it for? [12:45]
3. How can you better align your pace with God's pace in your daily life? Are there areas where you need to slow down and trust in God's timing? [19:41]
4. The Great Commission calls us to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them. How can you actively participate in this process within your local church? [28:53]
5. Reflect on your attitude towards the church. Do you find yourself speaking negatively about it? How can you foster a more loving and respectful attitude towards the bride of Christ? [31:53]
6. Identify one person in your life who is curious about faith. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation this week? [12:45]
7. What specific steps can you take to be more prepared to share your faith, as instructed in 1 Peter 3:15? Consider practical items you might carry or ways you can be ready to share the gospel. [12:45]
Devotional
### Day 1: Universal Hunger for God
Description:
People across the globe, regardless of their cultural or social backgrounds, have an inherent hunger for love, security, and significance. This deep-seated need is ultimately fulfilled in God. When individuals encounter God, they find the fulfillment of their deepest desires and needs. This universal hunger makes the message of Christ relevant to everyone, as it addresses the core of human longing. Understanding this can help believers approach evangelism with compassion and empathy, knowing that everyone is searching for something that only God can provide. [14:57]
Bible Passage:
"For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." (Psalm 107:9, ESV)
Reflection:
Think about a time when you felt a deep longing or emptiness. How did you try to fill that void? Reflect on how God has met or can meet that need in your life today.
### Day 2: Intentional Evangelism
Description:
Sharing one's faith should be done with intentionality and compassion. Simple acts of kindness, such as offering a toothbrush or a pair of socks, can open doors to meaningful conversations about Jesus. Being prepared to meet people where they are, with what they need, reflects the love of Christ and can lead to transformative encounters. This approach to evangelism emphasizes the importance of being ready and willing to share the gospel in both word and deed, demonstrating God's love through practical actions. [12:45]
Bible Passage:
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify a simple act of kindness you can perform today for someone in your community. How can this act open a door for you to share the love of Christ with them?
### Day 3: Pacing with God
Description:
Aligning our pace with God's pace is crucial in our spiritual journey. God often walks, taking His time to accomplish His purposes, except when it involves salvation, where He runs. This teaches us the importance of patience and faithfulness, trusting in God's timing and direction. In our evangelistic efforts and daily lives, we must learn to walk in step with God, being patient and faithful, rather than rushing ahead with our own plans. This alignment with God's pace allows us to experience His peace and guidance more fully. [19:41]
Bible Passage:
"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on an area of your life where you feel rushed or impatient. How can you slow down and align your pace with God's timing in this area?
### Day 4: The Great Commission
Description:
The Great Commission calls for making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to mature in their faith. This process underscores the importance of the local church as a community for worship, instruction, fellowship, and service. Being part of a local church is essential for spiritual growth, as it provides a supportive environment where believers can grow in their faith and fulfill the Great Commission together. This communal aspect of faith highlights the need for believers to be actively involved in their local church, contributing to its mission and growth. [28:53]
Bible Passage:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
Reflection:
Consider your involvement in your local church. How can you contribute more effectively to the church's mission of making disciples and helping others grow in their faith?
### Day 5: Loving the Church
Description:
Loving the church, the bride of Christ, is vital for every believer. Speaking negatively about the church is akin to offending Christ Himself. Believers are called to do everything they can to prepare the church for Christ's return, fostering a community of love, respect, and mutual edification. This involves actively participating in the life of the church, supporting its mission, and building up fellow believers. By loving the church, believers honor Christ and contribute to the growth and health of the body of Christ. [31:53]
Bible Passage:
"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:25-27, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on your attitude towards your local church. How can you show greater love and support for your church community this week?
Quotes
1. "People are hungry, but they're actually hungry for God. And when you find God, you find love, you find security, you find significance. And that is mutual, Pastor Joe. It's always a delight, isn't it, Killie? Being with Pastor Joe and Pastor Nancy. Thank you for having us on your podcast." [03:58] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I remember at my baptism, when I got baptized, I said that my friend Andy built a bridge from him to me. And when he did, Christ Jesus walked over it. And that was my experience. And that was on the 9th of February, 1975. Wow. The expression, born again. I was born again. And the next day, I knew something was different." [04:57] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I think it is an introduction. You're introducing someone to a friend. It's a bit like. But I may say to you, you know, oh, if you and Pastor Nancy were visiting London, I may say to you, hey, guys, could I introduce you to some of my friends? Why would I not want to introduce you to the one who's transformed my life?" [10:16] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "It's having that intentionality of desiring to share what we know with others. Whether it's in an Uber. You know. Whether it's in a coffee shop. Whether it's with a friend or a neighbor or a colleague. It's the same. Just sharing." [11:41] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "In my coat pocket, you will find a toothbrush, a pair of socks, a wooden cross. And a little booklet about Jesus. And the reason I always carry them in my coat is so that if I do ever see a homeless person, I will say, would you like a clean pair of socks? And they say, yes, I would. Would you like a toothbrush? Yes, I would. May I give you this little wooden cross from Bethlehem? Because this represents Jesus." [12:45] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "I think maybe my philosophy in those early days, I'd rather burn out for Jesus than rust out. And I, you know, and I think it's very important that we take care of ourselves. I think so many people have got so many irons in the fire that you've actually put the fire out. Yes. And, you know, and if our output exceeds our input, then our upkeep will be our downfall." [17:57] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "In the book of Genesis. God walked in the garden in the new Testament, the son of God walked in the whole Bible. God only ever walks except one place. There's only one place in the Bible where God ever ran and, and he only ran towards a prodigal. So I think the pace of God is walking unless it involves salvation. Yes. And if it involves salvation, you run." [18:43] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Look, wherever God gives you open doors, do what you can to reach out to the vulnerable and the sick, the poor, the prisoned." [23:42] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Look, we're all trying, aren't we, to discern what is a good idea and what is a God idea. And to be honest, I'm not interested in good ideas. I've, I've, I've too many good ideas. You know, I've got so many trains running in my head, not enough rail tracks. Yeah. It's a God thing." [25:37] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "You know, the great commission, go out and make disciples, baptize them, teach them all that I've commanded you. So if you break down that great commission, what is it saying? Well, you make them and then it says you baptize them. So you make them and then you mark them. In other words, you identify them as believers through baptism. And then it says you teach them all that I've commanded you. You mature them. Yeah. You make them, you mark them. Yeah. Mature them." [27:45] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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