This sermon explores aligning our desires with God's, emphasizing His joy in our repentance and return to Him, as illustrated in Luke 15.
Good morning, beloved family of God. As we gather here today, we stand united in our faith, bound by the love of our Savior, and driven by the desire to know Him more. Today, we delve into the heart of desire, guided by the wisdom of our Lord as revealed in the book of Luke, chapter 15.
In the words of the renowned preacher, Charles Spurgeon, "If you desire to see, learn, and know, you must go to the Bible for the revelation of Jesus." So, let's turn to the Scriptures, the divine revelation of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Luke 15 reads: "Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, 'This Man receives sinners and eats with them.' So He spoke this parable to them, saying: 'What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.'"
Our sermon today is divided into three main points: Discovering Divine Desires, Delving into Our Desires, and Desire's Divine Destination. As we go through each point, let us be reminded of the love of our Father, who rejoices over each one of us, who seeks us out when we are lost, and who never ceases to desire our return to Him.
The shepherd's joy when he finds the lost sheep is another reflection of God's desire. He is not just content with finding us; He rejoices over us. He calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' This is the joy of our Heavenly Father when one of us turns back to Him. His desire is not just for us to be found, but for us to be found and to be in a relationship with Him.
This divine desire is also seen in the parable of the lost coin. A woman, having ten silver coins, loses one. She does not rest until she finds it. She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches carefully until she finds it. And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' This is the relentless pursuit of our God. His desire is for us to be found, and He will not rest until we are.
The divine desire of our Heavenly Father is an active, relentless, pursuing desire. It is a desire that values each one of us, that rejoices over us, that seeks us out when we are lost, and that does not rest until we are found. This is the heart of our God, a heart that is full of divine desires for each one of us.
In the midst of our own desires, it is easy to lose sight of God's desires. We can get so caught up in what we want that we forget what God wants. But as we look at the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, we are reminded of God's desires. His desire is for us to be found, to be in a relationship with Him, to be safe in His fold.
God's desires are not hidden or mysterious. They are revealed in His Word. As we read the Bible, we see His desires expressed over and over again. He desires for us to be saved, to be sanctified, to be filled with His Spirit, to be transformed into the image of His Son. These are His desires for us, desires that are rooted in His love for us.
God's desires are not just for us as individuals. They are also for us as a community. He desires for us to be united, to love one another, to serve one another, to encourage one another, to bear one another's burdens. He desires for us to be a reflection of His love to the world, to be a light in the darkness, to be a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.
God's desires are also for eternity. He desires for us to be with Him forever, to enjoy His presence, to worship Him, to see Him face to face. He desires for us to be part of His eternal kingdom, to share in His glory, to reign with Him forever and ever.
As we continue our reflections, let's consider our own desires ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
Sermon Central
