Restless Hearts: Seeking God with True Intent
Summary
The sermon explores the innate restlessness of the human soul and its quest for God, drawing from Augustine's assertion that our hearts are restless until they find rest in Him. The speaker delves into the concept of prevenient Grace, which posits that God initiates the process of seeking by enlightening individuals about their sinfulness and need for a savior. This doctrine is comforting as it implies that God is already at work in those we wish to reach with the gospel. The narrative then shifts to the practical aspects of seeking God, as exemplified by the crowd's search for Jesus in Capernaum after realizing He had departed from them.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of knowing Jesus intimately through scripture and spiritual meditation. Jesus invites individuals to commune with Him, desiring a personal relationship rather than a mere appointment. The sermon challenges believers to hunger and thirst for righteousness with the intensity of someone starving for bread or parched for water. The speaker encourages the congregation to seek Jesus with their whole hearts, as it is through God's grace that faith is kindled.
Material possessions and their potential to distract from spiritual pursuits are also addressed. Biblical examples, such as Achan, Solomon, and Ananias and Sapphira, illustrate the dangers of prioritizing earthly wealth over a relationship with God. The speaker uses Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac as a powerful example of the need to control our possessions rather than being controlled by them.
The congregation is urged to pray for others to repent and believe, to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and to focus their lives around Him. The speaker distinguishes between possessing things and being possessed by them, calling for a life centered on growing God's kingdom and glorifying Him.
Lastly, the sermon scrutinizes the motives behind seeking Jesus, cautioning against the pursuit of Jesus for material satisfaction, as seen in the crowd that followed Him for food rather than spiritual nourishment. The speaker warns against half-hearted seeking, which can lead to discouragement and loss of interest. The sermon concludes by affirming that Jesus is the only way to the Father, and individuals must come to Him personally to establish a relationship.
Key Takeaways:
- The human soul's restlessness is a divine catalyst that propels us towards God, but it is God's prevenient Grace that first stirs within us the realization of our need for Him. This understanding reassures us that God is already active in the hearts of those we evangelize, preparing the soil for the seeds of the gospel we sow. [31:48]
- True spiritual hunger and thirst are not casual desires but intense needs that drive us towards God. When we approach our spiritual journey with the urgency of someone starving or dying of thirst, we tap into a deeper level of commitment and experience a richness in our relationship with God that is transformative and fruitful. [51:30]
- The Bible warns us through various narratives that our possessions can easily become our masters if we allow them to take precedence over our pursuit of God. The story of Abraham and Isaac teaches us that even our most treasured possessions should not overshadow our devotion to God, and we must be willing to surrender them if they become obstacles in our spiritual journey. [40:54]
- Prayer for others' repentance and faith is a crucial aspect of Christian life. As believers, we are called to actively participate in God's redemptive work by interceding for those around us and embodying the love of Christ to a world ensnared by materialism. [53:57]
- Seeking Jesus with impure motives, such as for material gain or personal satisfaction, is a perilous path that can lead to spiritual stagnation. We must examine our hearts and ensure that our pursuit of Christ is for the eternal nourishment He offers, recognizing Him as the true bread of life that satisfies our deepest longings. [35:45]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 6:26-27 (NIV)
> Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."
2. Matthew 5:6 (NIV)
> Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
3. Genesis 22:2 (NIV)
> Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus identify as the crowd's true motive for seeking Him in John 6:26-27?
2. According to Matthew 5:6, what promise is given to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness?
3. In Genesis 22:2, what does God command Abraham to do, and how does this test Abraham's faith and priorities?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of prevenient Grace, as discussed in the sermon, provide comfort and encouragement for evangelism? [31:48]
2. What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness with the intensity described in Matthew 5:6, and how does this differ from casual spiritual seeking? [51:30]
3. How does the story of Abraham and Isaac illustrate the importance of not allowing possessions or even loved ones to overshadow our devotion to God? [40:54]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own motives for seeking Jesus. Are there times when you have sought Him for material satisfaction rather than spiritual nourishment? How can you realign your motives to seek Him for the right reasons? [35:45]
2. Think about a time when you felt a deep spiritual hunger or thirst. What actions did you take to satisfy that longing? How can you cultivate a more intense desire for righteousness in your daily life? [51:30]
3. Consider the possessions or relationships in your life. Are there any that have the potential to overshadow your devotion to God? What steps can you take to ensure that God remains your primary focus? [40:54]
4. How can you actively participate in God's redemptive work by praying for others' repentance and faith? Identify one person you can pray for this week and plan a way to show them Christ's love. [53:57]
5. Reflect on the concept of being the hands and feet of Jesus. What practical actions can you take this week to embody Christ's love to those around you, especially those who may be ensnared by materialism? [53:57]
6. How do you ensure that your pursuit of Jesus is wholehearted and not half-hearted? What specific practices can you incorporate into your life to deepen your relationship with Him? [46:12]
7. Identify a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. What steps can you take this week to minimize that distraction and prioritize your spiritual growth? [49:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Restlessness Leads to Divine Pursuit
The restlessness within the human soul is not a mere discomfort but a divine beckoning towards a deeper relationship with God. It is through this divine stirring that one becomes aware of their need for a Savior, and it is comforting to know that God is already at work in the hearts of those yet to believe. This prevenient Grace is the gentle, yet persistent, nudge guiding individuals to seek the truth and find their ultimate rest in God. [31:48]
Psalm 42:1-2 - "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced a restlessness in your soul, and how might this be guiding you towards a closer relationship with God?
Day 2: Urgency in Seeking God
The pursuit of God should be with the urgency and necessity of one who is starving for bread or parched for water. This level of spiritual hunger and thirst signifies a profound commitment to growing in faith and deepening one's relationship with the Divine. It is in this earnest seeking that one experiences the transformative power of God's presence and the richness of a life lived in righteousness. [51:30]
Amos 8:11 - "The days are coming," declares the Sovereign Lord, "when I will send a famine through the land—not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper spiritual hunger and thirst for God in your daily life, and what practical steps can you take to seek Him more earnestly?
Day 3: Possessions vs. Devotion
The narratives of Scripture caution against allowing possessions to become masters over one's life. True devotion to God requires a willingness to surrender even the most treasured possessions if they hinder one's spiritual journey. The example of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac teaches the importance of prioritizing one's relationship with God above all else, ensuring that possessions are tools for service rather than idols of worship. [40:54]
Hebrews 11:17-19 - "By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, 'It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.' Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death."
Reflection: What possessions or desires might be competing with your devotion to God, and how can you ensure that they do not become obstacles in your spiritual walk?
Day 4: Intercession as Kingdom Work
Praying for others to repent and believe is not a passive activity but an active participation in God's redemptive work. Believers are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, embodying His love and extending His grace to those ensnared by materialism. Through intercession, one engages in the spiritual battle for souls, standing in the gap for those who have yet to encounter the transformative love of Christ. [53:57]
1 Timothy 2:1-2 - "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the love and grace of Jesus? How can you commit to praying for their repentance and faith this week?
Day 5: Pure Motives in Seeking Christ
Seeking Jesus must stem from a desire for spiritual nourishment rather than material satisfaction. The pursuit of Christ for the wrong reasons can lead to spiritual stagnation and a shallow faith. It is essential to examine one's motives and ensure that the quest for Jesus is rooted in a longing for the eternal life and relationship He offers, recognizing Him as the true bread of life that satisfies the deepest yearnings of the soul. [35:45]
Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: Reflect on your motives for seeking Jesus. Are there any impure intentions that you need to confess and surrender to Him, and how can you align your pursuit of Christ with a desire for true spiritual fulfillment?
Quotes
"Augustine's most famous saying is this: 'You have formed us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they find rest in you.'" [30:01]
"If this Doctrine is true and it is, then that means that person that you next speak to about Jesus, God is already working in their lives before they come to Faith, so don't give up on those people." [31:48]
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness because they will be filled...he was speaking of the hunger of people who in many parts of the world seldom have enough to eat or who thirst for water through which without water we die." ([50:35])
"Is possessing things wrong for a Christian? No, it's not. What is wrong is when people seek these things to the exclusion of seeking them more than God." [39:57]
"God the father has authenticated Jesus Christ put his seal of approval on and by means of jesus' Life his character his teaching his miracles and above all by his resurrection from the dead God the Father putting his seal of approval on Jesus is affirming that Jesus is the only way to the father." [47:56]
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