Seeking God: The Quest for True Fulfillment

Devotional

Day 1: The Quest to Seek and Find God

There is a longing in every human heart for something more, a quest that drives us beyond the ordinary in search of true fulfillment. Jesus, in his most famous sermon, assures us that if we genuinely seek after God, we will find Him—not because He is hiding, but because He promises to meet us in our pursuit. No created thing can satisfy the deep hunger within us; only the Creator Himself can fill that void. If you are searching for meaning, know that God is not distant or elusive—He is waiting to be found by those who seek Him with open hearts. [41:26]

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: What is one area of your life where you have been searching for satisfaction apart from God? How can you intentionally seek Him first in that area today?

Day 2: Only God Can Satisfy Our Deepest Longings

No matter how many quests we embark on—whether for success, pleasure, or experiences—nothing in this world can truly satisfy the appetite of our souls. The wisest man, Solomon, observed that our endless striving leaves us unsatisfied because we were created with a hunger that only God can fill. Even the best things in life, when pursued as ultimate, leave us wanting more. God designed us this way so that we would ultimately turn to Him, the only source of lasting fulfillment. [44:53]

Ecclesiastes 6:7 (ESV)
“All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.”

Reflection: Think of something you have pursued, hoping it would bring lasting happiness. Did it satisfy you? How might you turn that longing toward God today?

Day 3: God’s Presence Now Dwells in Us

In the Old Testament, God’s presence was found in the Ark of the Covenant, separated from ordinary people by a veil. But through Jesus’ sacrifice, the barrier was torn down, and now God chooses to dwell within His people. You are the new temple, the place where God’s Spirit lives—not because of your achievements or righteousness, but because of what Jesus has done. This means you can approach God boldly, asking Him to fill you with His presence every day, no matter your past or present. [51:26]

1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV)
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”

Reflection: How does knowing that God’s Spirit lives in you change the way you approach your day? What would it look like to invite Him to fill you afresh right now?

Day 4: God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Purposes

God is not looking for the most qualified, influential, or impressive people—He delights in using ordinary, even unlikely, individuals to accomplish His purposes. The world may value external achievements, but God looks at the heart and chooses those who are willing to be filled and used by Him. When you feel unqualified or inadequate, remember that God’s power is made perfect in weakness, and He can do extraordinary things through your ordinary life. [58:02]

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (ESV)
“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”

Reflection: In what area do you feel most ordinary or unqualified? How might God want to use you in that very place if you offer yourself to Him?

Day 5: Christ Sets Us Free for a Life of Surrender

Jesus came on a quest to seek and save the lost, offering freedom from everything that binds us. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free—not so we can keep God boxed up or as an add-on, but so we can live surrendered, with Him at the center of our lives. Whether you have drifted or are seeking God for the first time, today is an opportunity to resurrender and invite Him to take first place, trusting that His grace is enough to set you free and fill you with new life. [01:04:18]

Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you have kept God at a distance or “boxed up”? What would it look like to surrender that area fully to Him today?

Sermon Summary

Today, we explored the deep longing within every human heart for something more—a quest that echoes through stories like Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, but finds its truest fulfillment in the pursuit of God. Each of us is wired with a hunger that nothing in this world can satisfy: not success, not possessions, not even the happiest vacations or the most thrilling adventures. This longing is God-given, designed to draw us beyond the ordinary and into a life-changing encounter with Him. Jesus Himself promised that if we seek, we will find; God is not hiding from us, but waiting to meet us when we open our hearts.

The Ark of the Covenant, central to the Indiana Jones story, was the place where God promised to meet with His people. Through Jesus, the barrier between us and God’s presence has been torn down. No longer is God’s presence locked away in a temple or reserved for a select few. Now, through Christ, we become the very dwelling place of God’s Spirit. This is not based on our own righteousness or achievements, but on the finished work of Jesus. We are invited to live not just as people who believe in God, but as people filled with His presence, empowered to live extraordinary lives in the midst of our ordinary routines.

Yet, the world tells us that to be extraordinary, we must be noticed, successful, or impressive by outward standards. God flips this on its head, choosing the ordinary, the overlooked, and the underqualified to display His power. Our value is not in our resume or resources, but in our willingness to let God fill us and use us. The quest for more is not about self-promotion, but about surrender—letting God be first in our lives, not an optional add-on. When we do, we find true freedom, purpose, and the joy of being part of God’s great rescue mission: seeking and saving the lost.

Whether you’ve been following Jesus for years or are just beginning to seek Him, today is an invitation to resurrender, to put God at the center, and to experience the fullness of life He offers. God’s presence is not meant to be boxed up or sidelined, but to fill every part of our lives, setting us free and empowering us to live for His glory.

Key Takeaways

1. The Deepest Quest of the Human Heart Every person is on a quest for fulfillment, but nothing created can satisfy the longing that only the Creator can fill. Our endless pursuits—whether for pleasure, achievement, or recognition—leave us empty until we seek God Himself. Jesus promises that those who genuinely seek Him will find Him, because God is not hiding but inviting us into relationship. [42:00]
2. God’s Presence Is Now Within Us Through Jesus, the dividing wall between humanity and God’s presence has been removed. We are now the temple, the new Ark, where God’s Spirit dwells—not because of our own goodness, but because of Christ’s sacrifice. This truth should awaken us to live with expectation and boldness, knowing God Himself chooses to dwell in us. [51:48]
3. Ordinary People, Extraordinary Purpose God delights in using the ordinary, the overlooked, and the underqualified to accomplish His purposes. Our culture values external achievements, but God looks at the heart and fills those who are willing. The extraordinary life is not about being impressive, but about being available for God to work through us. [59:46]
4. Freedom Is the Goal of God’s Quest God’s pursuit of us is not to bind us, but to set us free. Just as Indiana’s ropes were burned away in the presence of the Ark, so Christ sets us free from the things that bind us—our past, our failures, our shame. True freedom is found not in self-effort, but in surrendering to the One who came to seek and save the lost. [63:46]
5. God Must Be First, Not an Add-On God refuses to be an optional extra in our lives; He must be at the center. When we drift or settle for less, we are called to resurrender and put Him in the top seat. Only then do we experience the fullness of His presence and the life He intends for us—one marked by joy, purpose, and freedom.

** [66:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:28] - Introduction and Series Overview
[37:07] - Embracing Joy in Church
[38:40] - The Power of Invitation
[39:59] - The Heart of Worship and Service
[40:41] - The Human Quest for More
[41:26] - Jesus’ Promise to Seekers
[43:33] - The Illusion of Earthly Satisfaction
[45:30] - Lessons from the Nepal Quest
[47:13] - Only God Satisfies
[49:53] - The Ark of the Covenant and God’s Presence
[51:26] - We Are God’s Temple
[53:18] - The Veil Torn: Access to God
[56:16] - Longing for the Extraordinary
[58:02] - God’s Preference for the Ordinary
[61:53] - The Power and Freedom of God’s Presence
[66:01] - Where Is God in Your Life?
[67:02] - Invitation to Surrender
[69:32] - Closing Prayer and Celebration

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

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.”

1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV) — > “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”

Galatians 5:1 (ESV) — > “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Observation Questions

According to Matthew 7:7-8, what is Jesus’ promise to those who seek God?
In 1 Corinthians 3:16, what does Paul say about where God’s Spirit now dwells?
The sermon mentioned that the Ark of the Covenant was the place where God met with His people in the Old Testament. What changed after Jesus’ death and resurrection? [[50:45]]
What does Galatians 5:1 say is the purpose of Christ setting us free?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that every person is on a quest for fulfillment, but only God can satisfy our deepest longing. Why do you think people keep searching for satisfaction in other things, even when they know it doesn’t last? [[43:11]]
If God’s Spirit now lives in us, as 1 Corinthians 3:16 says, how should that change the way we see ourselves and our everyday lives? [[51:48]]
The sermon talked about God using ordinary, overlooked, and underqualified people to do extraordinary things. Why do you think God chooses to work this way? [[59:46]]
Galatians 5:1 says Christ set us free for freedom. What are some things that can still keep us “bound” even after we start following Jesus? [[01:03:46]]

Application Questions

The sermon said, “If God is not at the center of our lives, we will constantly pursue just another quest.” What is one “quest” or pursuit in your life that you tend to chase after instead of God? How can you shift your focus this week? [[42:41]]
Jesus promises that if we seek Him, we will find Him. What does “seeking God” look like for you personally? Is there a new way you want to seek Him this month? [[41:26]]
The message challenged us to live not just as people who believe in God, but as people filled with His presence. What is one area of your daily routine where you want to invite God’s presence more intentionally? [[54:34]]
The world says we need to be impressive or successful to matter, but God values availability over ability. Where do you feel “ordinary” or “underqualified,” and how might God want to use you right there? [[59:46]]
The sermon described how God’s presence sets us free from things that bind us, like shame or our past. Is there something in your life you need freedom from? What would it look like to surrender that to God? [[01:03:46]]
God refuses to be an “add-on” in our lives. Is there a part of your life where God has become more of an “extra” than the center? What practical step can you take to put Him first again? [[01:06:45]]
The message ended with an invitation to “resurrender.” What does resurrender mean to you, and is there a specific area where you sense God inviting you to do that today? [[01:07:02]]

Sermon Clips

If God is not at the center of our lives, we will constantly pursue just another quest. If it's not God that we're seeking, whatever quest we're on, I'll just find another quest. Because the money's never gonna be enough, the job's never gonna be good enough, the economy's never gonna be good enough. The weather's never gonna be good enough. The wine will never get you drunk enough. The sex will never last long enough. Come on. The house will never be big Enough. The car won't go fast enough. You get yourself the boat. It won't be cool enough. It's never enough. If it was enough, we'd all be satisfied by now. And we all know that none of us are satisfied. Because nothing that was created was meant to take the place of your creator. Only God can fill that need. Only God can fill the void. [00:42:41] (44 seconds) #GodAtTheCenter

Your appetite is the way it is because God made it that way so that nothing on this earth could satisfy you. But God created could, and only God could. And that's why Jesus said, hey, when you finally come to that place where you say, I've tried everything that the world's got to offer and I'm going to pursue God. Just know this when you ask, I'm going to show up with that gift. It's me. When you seek, when you get on my quest, I promise you, you will discover it might even be your first Sunday in church. [00:47:07] (31 seconds) #DivineAppetite

Paul is saying to the church, to you. And guys, you've got faith, but you're not living in the fullness. And I understand why, because for all of history, the presence of God was too much for you. But I need you to know now that you're the new ark and God wants his presence to dwell within you. [00:52:04] (22 seconds) #JesusToreTheVeil

Our culture says if you want to live more than an ordinary life, you need people to notice you, Right? It's like, notice me and everything that we want people to notice. It's all the external things. It's the new thing going on in our face. Whether it's the makeup or the Botox or whatever. There's nothing wrong with any of that. Know you. You can have, have, have at it. Go for it. I mean, I'm wearing Air Jordans. Who am I to judge, you know? Like, you can have the fit. You can. You can look good. There's nothing wrong with any of those things. It's just that none of those things are the things that make you extraordinary. Like, none of those things are the things that God made to put on your life, to actually change the world. [00:57:11] (42 seconds) #FreedomInChrist

What does it look like to get used by God in a way that I'm just an ordinary person? Like, I don't even know what's that look like on a Monday. It actually means overcoming the lie of the enemy that says you can't. It means overcoming that lie that says, who are you to be filled? Who are you to pray for someone sick? Who are you to believe for a miracle? It means, no, I'm standing in the goodness of God and I'm going to. I don't want to over overdo the analogy today, but I'm going to Indiana Jones this day because God's inside me. [01:01:05] (32 seconds) #GodsQuestToSave

The Bible says that was the quest of God. Luke's Gospel, the 19th chapter, tells this story of a man named Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus had lived a greedy, not great life, stealing from people. That was his gig. Take tax, but take more than you should be taking because you can. But one day he hears Jesus is coming, and he climbs up a tree and Jesus looks up at Zacchaeus and says, zacchaeus, I want to eat at your house today. And Bible says Zacchaeus received Jesus with joy. Isn't it cool how people far from God get around Jesus and they're like, oh, this is awesome. [01:04:14] (38 seconds) #GodFirstInLife

So in the same way that you and I are on a quest and God says, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness in the same way that you and I are on a quest and scripture says, seek and you're going to find, the Bible says that God's plan was to seek and to save you and me, that God went on a quest, went from heaven to earth, that he might come to rescue you and me. [01:05:10] (23 seconds) #SavedByGrace

What are you doing with God in your life? Where is God in your life? We'll talk about it in two different parts. First, maybe you're here and you're a Jesus follower. And just like the apostle, Apostle Paul said to the church, like, do you not know that the presence of God dwells in you? And you find yourself living beneath your means in Christ. Like, you got faith, but you're not filled up. Well, today is a new day to come to God with a resurrender and say, God, you need to be first in my life. Because God's not an optional add on to your life. He's not like a turbo boost that will help your car and your life go fast. He's Lord of everything, or he's not Lord at all. He's got to be in the top seat. God won't take second seat in our lives. He is Lord. He is all in all. [01:06:04] (48 seconds)

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