What Are You Looking For?
Date: June 25, 2016
Audio Sermon: Click on the play button below.
What we are looking for will determine what type of “soil” we are preparing in our hearts. And if we are looking for Jesus and seeking to submit to him as a disciple and follower, then how we live, what choices we make, and the habits we form will either support that endeavor or deter us from it. If we are not disciplining ourselves in godliness, then we will inevitably succumb to the temptations of the world and pursue the desires of our flesh rather than the things of God.
Furthermore, when it comes to the temptations of the world, one of the most pervasive is that of lust. And lust is like a slow disease that can creep into our lives almost innocuously and then slowly grow and become stronger and stronger, taking over more of our “soil.” It subtly sneaks in but can suddenly destroy everything. But all the while, lust will distort and erode our relationships, our desires, and our spiritual awareness and growth. If we are involved in looking to satisfy our desires OUR way instead of GOD’S way, then we can’t be looking for Jesus and looking at things like pornography or being involved in illicit sexual behavior. Such things are not pleasing to God and take our focus away from looking for Jesus and those things that are pleasing to God.
So we must continually ask ourselves: what are we looking for?
~JW
In this sermon, I use two media clips to illustrate and strengthen the message. In the recording, there will be a short pause where the clips are played. But due to copyright, I have chosen to simply include the links below for you to view.