Relentless Pursuit: Intentionality in Spiritual Growth and Relationships

Devotional

Day 1: Daily Spiritual Nourishment

Spiritual growth requires daily engagement with God through practices like Bible reading and prayer. Just as our bodies need daily food to stay healthy, our spirits need daily nourishment to grow and mature. This daily commitment is essential for a healthy spiritual life. Without it, we risk spiritual stagnation and a weakened relationship with God. Engaging with God daily helps us stay connected to His will and strengthens our faith.

Incorporating spiritual disciplines into our daily routine can transform our lives. These practices, such as reading the Bible, praying, and meditating on God's word, help us draw closer to Him. They provide the spiritual sustenance we need to navigate life's challenges and grow in our faith. By making these disciplines a priority, we can experience a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God. [29:31]

Psalm 1:2-3 (ESV): "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."

Reflection: What specific time each day can you set aside for Bible reading and prayer to ensure you are spiritually nourished?

Day 2: Pursuing Intentional Relationships

Deep, meaningful relationships don't happen by accident. They require intentional effort and pursuit. Whether it's with a spouse, children, or friends, we must be deliberate in our interactions, planning and prioritizing time to nurture these connections. Intentional relationships are crucial for our emotional and spiritual well-being. They provide support, encouragement, and accountability, helping us grow in our faith and navigate life's challenges.

To build intentional relationships, we must be proactive. This means setting aside time for meaningful conversations, actively listening, and showing genuine interest in the lives of those we care about. It also involves being vulnerable and open, sharing our own struggles and victories. By investing in these relationships, we create a strong support network that can help us grow spiritually and emotionally. [36:58]

Proverbs 27:17 (ESV): "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."

Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to this week to intentionally invest in your relationship with them? How will you do it?

Day 3: Emulating God's Pursuit

Ezekiel 34:11-12 illustrates God's relentless pursuit of His people. As the sovereign Lord, He seeks us out like a shepherd looking for lost sheep. This divine pursuit serves as a model for how we should pursue relationships with those around us. God's pursuit of us is characterized by love, patience, and sacrifice. He never gives up on us, even when we stray or make mistakes.

In our relationships, we are called to emulate this relentless pursuit. This means being patient, forgiving, and willing to make sacrifices for the sake of others. It involves actively seeking out those who may be struggling or feeling lost and offering them support and encouragement. By following God's example, we can build stronger, more meaningful relationships that reflect His love and grace. [41:07]

Luke 15:4-5 (ESV): "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing."

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who feels lost or disconnected? How can you intentionally pursue and support them this week?

Day 4: Planning for Spiritual and Relational Growth

Writing down and formalizing our plans for spiritual growth and relationship-building helps ensure that we follow through. This intentionality helps us stay focused and committed, making it more likely that we will achieve our spiritual and relational goals. By setting clear, actionable goals, we can track our progress and make adjustments as needed.

Planning for growth involves setting specific, measurable objectives. For spiritual growth, this might include committing to a daily Bible reading plan or setting aside time for prayer and meditation. For relational growth, it could involve scheduling regular check-ins with friends or planning date nights with a spouse. By formalizing these plans, we create a roadmap for growth that can guide us on our journey. [53:41]

Habakkuk 2:2 (ESV): "And the Lord answered me: 'Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.'"

Reflection: What specific goals can you set for your spiritual and relational growth? Write them down and create a plan to achieve them.

Day 5: Making the Most of Our Time

Our time with loved ones is finite, and we must make the most of it. Whether it's through regular dates with a spouse or quality time with children, being intentional about how we spend our time can lead to deeper, more fulfilling relationships. Time is a precious resource, and how we choose to spend it reflects our priorities and values.

To make the most of our time, we must be intentional and deliberate. This means setting aside distractions and focusing on what truly matters. It involves being present in the moment, actively engaging with those around us, and making memories that will last a lifetime. By prioritizing our relationships and making the most of our time, we can build stronger, more meaningful connections that enrich our lives. [01:02:24]

Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

Reflection: How can you be more intentional with your time this week to strengthen your relationships with loved ones? What specific actions will you take?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the concept of pursuit, both in our spiritual lives and our relationships. We began with a story about Michael Zinkiewicz, whose six-hour police chase in LA highlighted the relentless nature of pursuit. This set the stage for our discussion on capturing the hearts of those important to us. We revisited the series "Blueprints," which focuses on developing everyday rhythms for spiritual maturity. We emphasized that spiritual growth cannot be confined to Sunday mornings; it requires daily engagement and intentionality.

We explored four key areas: spiritual disciplines, church engagement, missional living, and intentional relationships. Spiritual disciplines like Bible reading and prayer are foundational. Church engagement involves participating in corporate worship and small groups. Missional living means seeing our everyday environments as mission fields. Today, we focused on intentional relationships, emphasizing that deep, meaningful connections require deliberate effort.

We examined Ezekiel 34:11-12, where God, as the sovereign Lord, pursues His people like a shepherd seeking lost sheep. This passage underscores God's relentless pursuit of us and serves as a model for how we should pursue relationships. We shared stories to illustrate the difference between casual and intentional pursuit, highlighting that true love and commitment often require sacrifice and effort.

We concluded with practical steps for fostering intentional relationships, particularly with spouses, children, and close friends. The importance of planning and being deliberate in our interactions was stressed, as was the need to write down and formalize our plans. We were reminded that our time is limited, and intentionality in our relationships is crucial for spiritual growth and fulfillment.

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Key Takeaways

1. 12 illustrates God's relentless pursuit of His people. As the sovereign Lord, He seeks us out like a shepherd looking for lost sheep. This divine pursuit serves as a model for how we should pursue relationships with those around us. [41:07]
4. The Importance of Planning and Formalizing Intentions: Writing down and formalizing our plans for spiritual growth and relationship-building helps ensure that we follow through. This intentionality helps us stay focused and committed, making it more likely that we will achieve our spiritual and relational goals.

5. Time is Limited, Be Intentional: Our time with loved ones is finite, and we must make the most of it. Whether it's through regular dates with a spouse or quality time with children, being intentional about how we spend our time can lead to deeper, more fulfilling relationships.

### [41:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[26:55] - Story of Michael Zinkiewicz
[28:32] - Introduction to Pursuit
[29:31] - Spiritual Maturity and Everyday Rhythms
[30:18] - Four Categories of Life
[31:03] - Spiritual Disciplines
[32:01] - Church Engagement
[33:04] - Missional Living
[33:43] - Intentional Relationships
[34:34] - Story of Wes and Buttercup
[36:58] - Ezekiel 34:11-12
[41:07] - God's Pursuit of Us
[46:29] - Stories of Rescue
[53:41] - Practical Steps for Intentional Relationships
[62:24] - The Importance of Time
[66:37] - Final Encouragement and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Ezekiel 34:11-12 reveal about God's character and His relationship with His people?
How does the story of Michael Zinkiewicz's six-hour police chase illustrate the concept of relentless pursuit? [27:47]
What are the four key areas discussed in the sermon that contribute to spiritual growth and maturity? [30:18]
How does the story of Wesley and Buttercup from "The Princess Bride" relate to the idea of intentional pursuit in relationships? [35:57]

Interpretation Questions

In Ezekiel 34:11-12, why is it significant that God Himself is the one who searches for and rescues His sheep? [42:40]
How does the concept of daily engagement in spiritual disciplines, as mentioned in the sermon, compare to the idea of physical nourishment? [29:31]
What does the sermon suggest about the importance of planning and formalizing intentions in our spiritual and relational lives? [53:41]
How does the story of the Navy SEALs' rescue mission illustrate the depth of God's intentional pursuit of us? [52:51]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current spiritual disciplines. How can you incorporate daily Bible reading and prayer into your routine to ensure consistent spiritual nourishment? [31:03]
Think about your relationships with your spouse, children, or close friends. What specific steps can you take this week to be more intentional in nurturing these connections? [54:15]
How can you model God's relentless pursuit in your relationships? Identify one person you feel called to pursue more intentionally and outline a plan to do so. [41:07]
Consider the importance of planning and formalizing your spiritual and relational goals. What is one goal you can write down and commit to this month? [53:41]
Time is limited, and our relationships are precious. What changes can you make in your schedule to prioritize quality time with your loved ones? [01:02:24]
Reflect on a time when you felt pursued or loved intentionally by someone. How did that impact your relationship with them, and how can you replicate that intentionality in your own relationships? [36:58]
How can you create an "everyday rhythm" that includes intentional relationships, church engagement, and missional living? What are some practical steps you can take to start this rhythm? [30:18]

Sermon Clips

1. "But here's the truth. This is true of any church. If Sunday morning church is the only spiritual thing that you're doing to grow, you're malnourished. Think of it this way. If you fed yourself once a week, Sunday brunch, you wouldn't survive. If you did, you wouldn't be healthy. And yet we think, hey, I'm going to grow. I'm going to be spiritually healthy by just showing up at church. And Sunday, that's not the case. And one of the values we have at City Church is this, that spiritual or the discipleship starts at home." [29:31] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And so we've started these everyday rhythms, helping you think through four categories of life. And all we're asking you to do is to spend about 10 minutes of Sunday. So if you go back and watch a video, just plan on carving about 10 minutes out to think a little bit. Think through four different categories of life to come up with one thing, just at least one thing. You could do more. I hope you do more. But at least one thing that you can write down, formalize as a plan that will help you walk closer with Jesus." [30:18] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We close it out with the fourth one today. And it's intentional relationships. Missional living is intentional relationships with people who are far from Jesus. Intentional relationships that we're talking about today are the people that God has placed around your life because you were not, you were not created to live in isolation. You were created by God to have community and that community ought to be deep. It ought to have intimacy in your relationships and people who know you, where you're, where you're known and they're known. But we've got to be intentional in that because it doesn't access. It doesn't necessarily happen. And that's where this idea of pursuit comes in because you have to pursue relationships that matter." [34:34] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The pursuer is the sovereign Lord. The God who created all things. The God who at this moment sustains the universe alone and by himself. The God who, if we were saying, if we were kind of looking at his job description, we'd go, it's pretty busy. He's got the universe. The sovereign, all powerful is what that means. The all powerful creator of the world. The Lord, the boss, the top one is pursuing. You seeking you don't let that get lost on you. But like God has heavenly forces. He has angels. I mean, God can be like, listen, I'm pretty busy guys. Hey angels, y'all go take care of them. God says, I, the sovereign Lord am coming. I, the sovereign Lord pursue you. I, the sovereign Lord want a relationship with you. And he's been intentional from the very beginning of time." [43:22] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And listen, God, the sovereign God who is after his sheep, who is intentionally pursuing, isn't like just busy and all of a sudden sees you and goes, oh, well, if it's not too difficult, I'll step in. If it's not too dicey, I'll rescue. He's the Navy SEAL who's come from the beginning of time after you. And he's going to go through anything he has to for you because he loves you and he's an intentional God and he's been doing things intentionally in your life since you were born. And so how do we walk in that intentional relationship with others to model the God that we're following? Well, we have to be intentional as well. Like we have to think through it. That's where the everyday rhythms comes through." [52:51] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "If you're married, it's your spouse. That's your number one priority. That's your number one intentional relationship. You are to pursue him or to pursue her like you did when you were Wesley in Buttercup. Like when you were dating and you did all kinds of stupid things and you told your parents, hey, I can't come for Thanksgiving this year because I'm going to see the girl I love who lives 17 hours away and I'm driving. And your parents went, are you insane? You were insane with love. And all of a sudden, you fast forward. You've been married 20 years. You've got four kids. And all of a sudden, you're like, I don't even know if I can drive across town to get to lunch with her. Y'all laugh because it's true, right? You intentionally pursue your spouse." [54:15] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "You have to capture the heart of your kids. And so you've got to figure out and write down, how am I going to manage my calendar in order to have intentional relationships with my kids? Back when my kids were real little, real little, we started dad-daughter dates. And this, you may not do dad-daughter dates. My plan is not your plan. You need to figure out how you capture the heart of your kids and your spouse. But for me, every quarter, I sit down and plan out two dates every month with my wife, a date with my oldest daughter, Rayleigh, a date with my youngest daughter, Emerson, and a family experience. Somebody said the other day, they said, that's five things a month. I said, I know. And they said, how do you do that? And I said, not easy." [56:09] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "But it's about intentional relationships. Okay, so I'm not married and I don't have kids. Well, it could be a friend. It could be a friend that your intentional relationship that you're writing down. It could be a grandchild. It could be an aunt, an uncle, a cousin. It could be a mentee, someone that you're mentoring. But you have someone in your life that God wants you to be. That God has put there that you need to invest in and that you need to be pursuing and that you need to be intentional with and you need to write it down so that it's a part of your formalized plan of your own spiritual maturity. Those are your on-ramps. Spouse, kids, but it could be anybody." [59:27] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Why is it so hard for us to carve out 10 minutes on a Sunday afternoon to think through spiritual disciplines and write them down? Why is it so hard for us to carve out 10 minutes the following Sunday, 10 minutes a week to think through what is my commitment in church engagement and then in missional living and then in intentional relationships? It's hard because the enemy doesn't want you to do it. The enemy wants you to live life like you're just accidentally going to make it through. Like you're just going to accidentally grow spiritually. Like you're just going to accidentally have deep and fulfilling relationships. That you're just accidentally going to get the experience of seeing a neighbor or coworker breathe eternally for the first time as they follow Jesus." [01:04:59] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Jesus is pursuing you. He's brought you here this morning to hear that, that he's pursuing you and he wants you to pursue others. And he wants you to pursue him." [01:06:37] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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