Longing for God: Navigating Earthly Desires Spiritually

 

Summary

In this sermon, I explored the profound theme of longing, a universal experience that transcends our immediate desires and points us toward a deeper, heavenly hunger. We began by acknowledging the complexity of our discussions on body, gender, and sexuality throughout our series, emphasizing the importance of respectful dialogue despite differing views. Our focus has always been on fostering a community centered on Jesus and the Bible, striving for clarity and compassion in our approach.

We delved into the concept of earthly longings as indicators of our heavenly hunger. These longings, whether they are for relationships, achievements, or personal fulfillment, often leave us feeling incomplete. This dissatisfaction, I argued, is not a flaw but a divine discontentment meant to draw us closer to God, the only source of true satisfaction.

I highlighted the biblical narrative of the Garden of Eden as the last moment humanity experienced life without sin and shame. This historical longing for a return to Eden reflects our deeper yearning for reconciliation with God, others, and the world. However, the reality of sin means we cannot return to Eden in this life. Instead, God is preparing something even better, a restored creation where our longings are fully and finally satisfied.

Throughout the sermon, I used the Apostle Paul’s teachings to the Galatians as a framework to discuss how we might navigate our longings. Paul warns against using our freedom in Christ as an opportunity for self-indulgence, which leads to the works of the flesh. Instead, he calls us to live by the Spirit, producing fruits such as love, joy, and peace, which align with God’s desires for us.

I also addressed the tension between following our hearts, which can be deceitful, and the cultural messages that encourage us to pursue our desires without restraint. By contrasting our strongest desires with our deepest ones, I encouraged our congregation to seek fulfillment in God rather than in temporary pleasures or achievements.

As we concluded the series, I urged everyone to consider how they might align their longings with God’s promises. This involves a daily commitment to pursuing holiness over wholeness, recognizing that while we may not experience complete satisfaction in this life, we can enjoy a foretaste of the heavenly fulfillment to come.

### Key Takeaways

1. Earthly Longings as Heavenly Signals: Our deepest longings, whether for love, purpose, or belonging, are not just fleeting desires but signals pointing us towards our need for God. These unfulfilled desires remind us that true satisfaction can only be found in a relationship with our Creator. This perspective helps us navigate disappointment and align our desires with God’s will. [05:10]

2. Freedom and Responsibility in Christ: The freedom we have in Christ is not a license for self-indulgence but an opportunity to serve others through love. This teaching from Galatians challenges us to use our freedom responsibly, avoiding the pitfalls of legalism and license, and instead, cultivating a life marked by the Spirit’s fruit. [09:10]

3. The Deceitfulness of the Heart: Our culture often tells us to "follow our heart," but the Bible warns that the heart is deceitful and desperately sick. Recognizing this can lead us to seek guidance and transformation from God rather than relying solely on our flawed instincts and desires. [10:29]

4. The Narrow Path to True Life: Jesus’ call to enter through the narrow gate is a reminder of the challenging yet rewarding path of discipleship. This path, while restrictive, leads to true life and freedom from the destructive patterns of this world. It invites us to a deeper commitment and reliance on God’s strength. [20:15]

5. Living Between the 'Already' and 'Not Yet': As followers of Christ, we live in the tension between the already of God’s kingdom and the not yet of its full realization. This tension should inspire us to live with eternal perspective, engaging with the world in a way that reflects our ultimate hope in God’s promises. [25:43]

### Youtube Chapters

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:07] - Introduction to Final Week
- [02:26] - Prayer and Longing
- [03:50] - Reflecting on Glory Days
- [05:10] - Longing for Eden
- [06:32] - Personal and Universal Longings
- [07:50] - Paul's Letter to the Galatians
- [09:10] - Freedom and Responsibility
- [10:29] - The Deceitfulness of the Heart
- [13:14] - Destination of Our Desires
- [14:33] - Works of the Flesh and Fruit of the Spirit
- [16:11] - Following Jesus in Brokenness
- [17:38] - Sanctification and Eternal Perspective
- [18:52] - Closing Remarks and Invitation

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
2. Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"
3. Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV): "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul warn the Galatians about using their freedom for in Galatians 5:13-14?
2. According to Jeremiah 17:9, how is the human heart described, and what implications does this have for following our desires?
3. In Matthew 7:13-14, what are the two paths Jesus describes, and what are their outcomes?

### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Paul’s teaching in Galatians 5:13-14 challenge the idea of using freedom for self-indulgence? How does this relate to the concept of serving others through love? [09:10]
2. What does Jeremiah 17:9 suggest about the reliability of our own hearts and desires? How should this influence our decision-making and pursuit of longings? [10:29]
3. How does Jesus’ description of the narrow and wide gates in Matthew 7:13-14 relate to the sermon’s message about the challenging yet rewarding path of discipleship? [20:15]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you used your freedom in Christ for self-indulgence. How can you shift your focus towards serving others through love in your daily life? [09:10]
2. Considering Jeremiah 17:9, identify a recent decision where you followed your heart. How did it turn out? What steps can you take to seek God’s guidance in future decisions? [10:29]
3. Jesus calls us to enter through the narrow gate. What are some specific challenges you face in following this path? How can you rely on God’s strength to overcome these challenges? [20:15]
4. The sermon mentioned the tension between following our hearts and cultural messages. How do you discern between your strongest desires and your deepest ones? What practices can help you align your desires with God’s will? [11:54]
5. The concept of living between the "already" and "not yet" was discussed. How does this tension affect your daily life and decisions? What can you do to maintain an eternal perspective in your actions and thoughts? [25:43]
6. Think about a longing you have that remains unfulfilled. How can you reframe this longing as a signal pointing you towards a deeper relationship with God? What practical steps can you take to seek fulfillment in Him? [05:10]
7. The sermon emphasized the importance of pursuing holiness over wholeness. Identify one area in your life where you can commit to pursuing holiness. What specific actions will you take to grow in this area? [18:52]

Devotional

Day 1: Earthly Longings Point to Divine Desires
Our deepest yearnings for love, purpose, and belonging often manifest as earthly desires, yet they are profound indicators of our inherent need for a relationship with God. These longings, which can sometimes lead to feelings of dissatisfaction or incompleteness, are not mere whims but signals that true fulfillment can only be found in God. This perspective not only helps us navigate through times of disappointment but also realigns our desires with God’s will, encouraging us to seek satisfaction in what is eternal rather than what is fleeting. [05:10]

Psalm 63:1-2 (ESV): "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory."

Reflection: How can identifying and understanding your deepest longings change your approach to daily living and decision-making?

Day 2: Freedom in Christ Calls for Responsible Living
The freedom we receive through Christ is not an excuse for self-indulgence but a call to live responsibly, serving others in love. This teaching from Galatians encourages us to avoid the extremes of legalism and license, focusing instead on cultivating a life characterized by the fruits of the Spirit. By living in this manner, we not only adhere to God’s desires but also positively influence those around us, demonstrating the transformative power of God’s love. [09:10]

Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you use your freedom in Christ to serve others more effectively this week?

Day 3: The Heart’s Deceit and the Need for Divine Guidance
Our culture often encourages us to "follow our heart," but Scripture warns us of the heart's deceitfulness. This realization should prompt us to seek wisdom and transformation from God, relying not on our flawed instincts but on divine guidance. By understanding the true condition of our hearts, we can pursue a path of spiritual renewal that aligns our desires with God’s purposes, leading to genuine life transformation. [10:29]

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to challenge the guidance of your heart and seek God’s wisdom instead?

Day 4: Choosing the Narrow Path to True Life
Jesus’ call to enter through the narrow gate is not merely a warning but an invitation to a fulfilling life under God’s reign. This path, while seemingly restrictive, frees us from the destructive patterns of this world and leads to true freedom and life. It requires a deep commitment and reliance on God’s strength, but it is here that we find the peace and joy that come from walking in obedience to God’s will. [20:15]

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV): "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

Reflection: What does choosing the narrow path look like in your current life circumstances? How can you more fully embrace this journey?

Day 5: Living in the Tension of the ‘Already’ and ‘Not Yet’
As followers of Christ, we exist in the tension between the present reality of God’s kingdom and the future fullness of its realization. This position should not lead us to disengage from the world but to live with an eternal perspective, actively participating in God’s redemptive work. By maintaining our hope in God’s promises, we can navigate the challenges of this life while looking forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s kingdom. [25:43]

Hebrews 6:18-19 (ESV): "So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain."

Reflection: How can you better embody the hope of God’s promises in your interactions and decisions this week?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Even if you're not a person of faith, even if you wouldn't call yourself a Christian, that longing inside of you that no matter what you've achieved, no matter what you've chased, no matter what you found, it hasn't satisfied you. I think that's a divine discontentment." [20:15]( | | )

2. "One of the things that's said a lot in our culture is the sense in which God didn't make a mistake on me. Or something like, follow your heart. It's this sense in which if you feel it, if you want it, you should do it. It's this rationalization for approving the temptations of our flesh, and we see it everywhere." [09:10]( | | )

3. "Our strongest desires are not actually our deepest desires. My point is simply this. Our deepest desires, usually to become people of goodness and love, are often sabotaged by the stronger surface level desires of our flesh." [11:54]( | | )

4. "We all have these desires that are true desires. And if we were following our heart, we would follow them, but we know they're not good for us. And so we don't. We just inform those sometimes culturally entirely by our moment, entirely by our desires and not God." [11:54]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "Our lives are supposed to show the forever promise of living with longings today that can never be satisfied without eternity." [25:43]( | | )

2. "The freedom we have in Christ is not a license for self-indulgence but an opportunity to serve others through love. This teaching from Galatians challenges us to use our freedom responsibly, avoiding the pitfalls of legalism and license, and instead, cultivating a life marked by the Spirit’s fruit." [09:10]( | | )

3. "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick. Who can understand it? And then you think about that cultural statement. Just follow your heart. That's the heart we're talking about." [10:29]( | | )

4. "Jesus’ call to enter through the narrow gate is a reminder of the challenging yet rewarding path of discipleship. This path, while restrictive, leads to true life and freedom from the destructive patterns of this world." [20:15]( | | )

5. "As followers of Christ, we live in the tension between the already of God’s kingdom and the not yet of its full realization. This tension should inspire us to live with eternal perspective, engaging with the world in a way that reflects our ultimate hope in God’s promises." [17:38]( | | )

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Transcript
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