Satisfying Your Hunger For God Lesson 5 Series

“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7).

“And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst'” (John 6:35).

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Illustration of little baby crying interrupting a church service. Only the baby bottle could quiet the baby. What will protest to find God’s presence.

2. The blind and lame came to Jesus in the Temple, then little children gathered to shout “Hosanna, to the Son of God” (Matthew 21:14-15). The priests were indigent, but Jesus quoted Scriptures to rebuke them. Do you praise God loudly?

3. Do we conduct church services for God? Little boy, “Dear God, we had a good time in Sunday school today, too bad You could not be there.”

a. Are we controlled by past tradition?

b. Controlled by visitors.

c. Controlled by what others might say?

4. What does Jesus want from our church service? At the well Jesus ask the women, “Give Me some water to drink” (John 4:7). What satisfies Jesus:

a. Our attendance.

b. Our gifts.

c. Our service.

d. Our praise and thanksgiving.

e. Our worship.

5. I am a grandfather, what do I enjoy most when they visit?

a. Their laughter.

b. Them bringing gifts.

c. I give gifts.

d. Their presence.

6. What meal/dish/food/ is your favorite?

a. From childhood.

b. Taste.

c. Given by friends/family and health.

d. Your hunger.

e. __________________________.

7. When is your favorite meal, not your favorite? You are full/stuffed and not hungry.

8. How do you get hungry for God?

a. Search for hidden/secret sins.

b. Check your faithfulness.

c. Yield yourself again as completely as you did the first time.

d. Repent.

e. Confess.

f. Be cleansed by Jesus’ blood. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7).

9. You cannot put anything more in a full glass of water, and you cannot eat if your stomach is filled. What fills your agenda/life/schedule? __________________________________________________.

B. TEN PRINCIPLES TO SATISFY YOUR HUNGER FOR GOD

1. I am afraid to let people know I am hungry for God.

2. I do not find God in some church services.

3. What has made you hungry for God in the past, is a good place to start – but more to find Jesus.

4. When I feel spiritually empty, I will seek God’s presence.

5. If I satisfy my hunger by seeking God, He will satisfy His hunger by seeking worship and fellowship from me.

6. Being empty is a negative feeling because I want something to fill me, but being empty is a great revitalization because it makes me seek God.

7. Recognize the biggest barriers that keep you from worshiping God and move around them – seek God.

8. Just as you know the signs of hunger that motivate you to take care of your physical diet, so learn the signs of spiritual hunger for God and seek Him.

9. Fasting helps me seek God because when I am physically hungry, it reminds me of my spiritual hunger.

10. If you could share a meal with Jesus, what would you order? What would He order?

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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