Seeking God: The Heart of a Meaningful Life
Summary
Today, the focus is on what it truly means to be a seeker of God and why that pursuit is at the very heart of a life that matters. It’s easy to win at things in life that ultimately don’t matter—whether it’s a fleeting victory, a material gain, or even a well-argued point that costs a relationship. Jesus’ words in Mark 8:36 challenge us to consider the value of gaining the world but losing our soul. The real prize is not found in worldly success, but in knowing God and being known by Him.
The journey of seeking God isn’t just for the new believer; it’s a lifelong pursuit. Early in faith, there’s a hunger to ask questions and discover who God is, but too often, that hunger fades and we plateau. The call is to remain forever seekers, never settling, always pressing in to know God more. There comes a tipping point in spiritual growth where we realize how vast God truly is, and that realization should drive us to seek Him even more passionately.
Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 7 is to keep on asking, seeking, and knocking. God is not hiding from us; He desires to reveal Himself to those with hungry hearts. The difference between a life that finds God and one that doesn’t is often the difference between passive participation and active, persistent seeking. Whether it’s in prayer, reading Scripture, or worship, those who slow down, listen, and pursue God with sincerity will discover things about Him that others never will.
But seeking God is not about selfish gain. True seekers move from pursuing God for what He can do for them to seeking Him simply because it pleases Him. This shift in motive is a mark of spiritual maturity. Trusting God’s timing and answers, praising Him in the midst of storms, and living a lifestyle of repentance are all part of the heart posture that finds God. Sin hardens the heart and desensitizes us to God’s presence, but repentance softens us and draws us near again.
Ultimately, when we gather as followers of Jesus, He promises to be among us. The invitation is to let our hearts be stirred with hunger, to seek God with all that we are, and to find Him—not just for ourselves, but for the sake of living a life that truly matters, both now and for eternity.
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Key Takeaways
- Winning at What Matters Most
It’s possible to win at many things in life—career, arguments, even religious activity—yet lose at what truly matters: the state of your soul. Jesus’ challenge is to evaluate whether our pursuits are leading us toward eternal gain or just temporary satisfaction. The real victory is found in seeking God above all else, ensuring that our lives are aligned with what lasts forever. [22:49]
- The Lifelong Posture of a Seeker
Spiritual growth is not a destination but a journey of continual seeking. Many start with curiosity and hunger for God, but over time, complacency can set in. The spiritually mature recognize that the more they know God, the more they realize how much more there is to discover, fueling a deeper and ongoing pursuit. [26:20]
- Seeking God with the Right Motive
True seekers move beyond self-centered reasons for pursuing God. Initially, we may seek God for what He can do for us, but maturity leads us to seek Him simply because it pleases Him. This shift from self to God-centeredness transforms our relationship with Him and opens us to deeper revelation and intimacy. [39:28]
- Trusting God’s Timing and Answers
A seeker who finds God is one who trusts not only in God’s goodness but also in His timing and His answers, even when they differ from our expectations. Trust is demonstrated by including God in every decision, big or small, and believing that His ways are higher, even when the outcome is not what we envisioned. [42:25]
- Repentance as a Pathway to God’s Presence
Sin hardens the heart and makes us less sensitive to God, but repentance softens us and draws us near. Living a lifestyle of repentance—quick to confess, quick to turn, and quick to re-engage with God in prayer, Scripture, and worship—keeps our hearts tender and open to His presence, even in our brokenness. [48:38]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Celebrating Our Campuses
[03:05] - The Value of Visiting Other Campuses
[05:20] - Have You Ever Won and Still Lost?
[08:24] - Jesus’ Question: What Does It Profit?
[10:55] - How Do We Win Without Losing Our Soul?
[13:00] - Seekers Find God: A Core Value
[15:00] - The Danger of Spiritual Plateau
[17:30] - The Tipping Point of Knowing God
[20:00] - Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking
[23:30] - Everyday Stories of Seeking
[27:00] - Seekers Find What Others Don’t
[30:00] - The Motive Behind Seeking God
[33:00] - Trusting God’s Goodness and Timing
[36:00] - Repentance and a Tender Heart
[40:00] - Gathering to Seek and Find God
[52:20] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Seekers Find God
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### Bible Reading
- Mark 8:36
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
- Matthew 7:7-8
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
- Matthew 13:14-15
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Mark 8:36, what does Jesus say about gaining the world and losing your soul? What is He warning us about? [22:49]
2. According to Matthew 7:7-8, what are the three actions Jesus tells us to keep doing, and what does He promise will happen if we do? [26:20]
3. In the sermon, what are some examples given of people “winning” at things that don’t really matter in the end? [21:14]
4. What does Jesus say in Matthew 13:14-15 about why some people don’t experience God’s presence or understand His message? [45:43]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus challenge us to consider the value of our pursuits in Mark 8:36? What does it mean to “lose your soul” even if you “win” at life? [22:49]
2. The sermon talks about being a “forever seeker” of God. Why do you think spiritual hunger fades for some people over time? What might cause someone to plateau in their faith? [24:56]
3. According to the sermon, what is the difference between seeking God for what He can do for us and seeking Him simply because it pleases Him? How does this shift show spiritual maturity? [39:28]
4. How does sin harden our hearts and make us less sensitive to God, according to Matthew 13 and the sermon? What role does repentance play in restoring our relationship with God? [45:43]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says it’s possible to “win” at things in life that don’t really matter, like arguments or material success. Can you think of a time when you “won” something but realized later it wasn’t worth it? How did that experience affect your priorities? [21:14]
2. Jesus invites us to keep asking, seeking, and knocking. What is one area of your life where you need to be more persistent in seeking God? What would it look like for you to “slow down and listen” for God this week? [26:20]
3. The sermon warns about spiritual plateau—getting comfortable and losing our hunger for God. Are there signs in your life that you might be coasting or settling spiritually? What is one step you could take to reignite your hunger for God? [24:56]
4. When you pray or read the Bible, do you tend to do it out of routine, or are you genuinely seeking to know God more? What could help you move from passive participation to active, persistent seeking? [36:51]
5. The message says true seekers move from pursuing God for what He can do for them to seeking Him simply because it pleases Him. What motivates you most right now in your relationship with God? How can you shift your focus to pleasing Him? [39:28]
6. The sermon talks about trusting God’s timing and answers, even when they’re not what we expect. Is there a situation in your life where you’re struggling to trust God’s timing or answer? How can you practice trust in that area this week? [42:25]
7. Repentance is described as a lifestyle, not a one-time event. Is there an area of your life where you need to repent and turn back to God? What would it look like for you to respond with prayer, Scripture, or worship right after repenting, instead of pulling away from God? [48:38]
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Closing Thought:
Let’s encourage each other to be seekers who find God—not just for ourselves, but so our lives truly matter for eternity.
Devotional
Day 1: Winning in This World Without Losing Your Soul
It is possible to gain everything the world offers and still lose what matters most—your soul. Jesus warns that the pursuit of worldly success, achievements, or possessions can leave a person spiritually bankrupt if it comes at the expense of their relationship with God. The true prize is not found in temporary victories or accolades, but in securing eternal life with God. Each of us must ask: are we chasing after things that ultimately do not matter, or are we seeking what is truly valuable—our soul’s connection to God? [22:49]
Mark 8:36 (ESV)
"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are striving for success or recognition, but may be neglecting your soul’s health or your relationship with God? What would it look like to realign your priorities today?
Day 2: Seekers Find God Through Persistent Pursuit
God promises that those who keep asking, seeking, and knocking will find Him. The journey of faith is not about arriving at a place of spiritual complacency, but about maintaining a lifelong hunger to know God more deeply. As you continue to ask questions, seek understanding, and pursue God in prayer, worship, and His Word, you open yourself to fresh revelations and deeper intimacy with Him. God delights in revealing Himself to those who earnestly and persistently seek Him, not just for what He has done in the past, but for what He wants to do in your life today. [26:20]
Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."
Reflection: Where have you stopped seeking or settled for “enough” in your relationship with God? What is one new way you can intentionally seek Him today?
Day 3: Seekers Find God Because They Trust His Goodness
True seekers approach God with confidence that He is good and that He hears their prayers. Even when life is difficult or answers seem delayed, seekers trust God’s timing and His answers, believing that He knows what is best. This trust is not just for the big moments, but for everyday decisions and challenges. When you bring your needs to God with thanksgiving and faith, He promises to guard your heart and mind with His peace, revealing Himself to you in ways you could not have imagined. [41:31]
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What is one worry or decision you are facing right now that you need to entrust to God’s goodness and timing? How can you express your trust in Him today?
Day 4: Repentance Softens the Heart to Find God
Sin hardens our hearts and desensitizes us to God’s presence, making it difficult to hear, feel, or experience Him. The way back is through genuine repentance—a turning away from sin and a turning toward God. Repentance is not a one-time event, but a lifestyle that keeps our hearts soft and open to God. After repenting, instead of withdrawing in shame, draw near to God in prayer, worship, and His Word. This is where you will find healing, restoration, and renewed intimacy with Him. [48:38]
Matthew 13:14-15 (ESV)
"Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
‘You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.
For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’"
Reflection: Is there an area of sin or hardness in your heart that is keeping you from sensing God’s presence? What step of repentance can you take today, and how will you intentionally draw near to God afterward?
Day 5: God’s Presence Is Found When We Gather and Seek Together
God promises to be present wherever two or three gather in His name. When believers come together with hungry, seeking hearts, God reveals Himself in powerful ways. The church is not just a place to attend, but a community where we encounter God’s presence together. As you gather with others—whether in worship, prayer, or fellowship—come with expectation and a desire to seek God, knowing that He delights to make Himself known among His people. [52:20]
Matthew 18:20 (ESV)
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
Reflection: The next time you gather with other believers, how can you come with a heart that is truly seeking God’s presence, rather than just going through the motions? What would it look like for you to help create an environment where others can encounter God as well?
Quotes
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