WHAT ARE YOU PURSUING?
Tonight all of us are puruing something, but it’s not necessarily a godly pursuit. Bottom line we pursue what we want.
John 1:35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.
John 1:36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"
John 1:37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.
John 1:38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"
John 1:39 "Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.
Jesus asked, what do you want? He knew they wanted something because they were following, pursuing him.
The scriptures are filled with examples of people that wanted things but they are not wanting godly things. Look at a few examples.
Example 1:
1 Tim 6:3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 1 Tim 6:4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 1 Tim 6:5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 1 Tim 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Tim 6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1 Tim 6:8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
1 Tim 6:9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
What did some want? They wanted to get rich.
Is this what you want? To get rich. If so you are on dangerous ground. God says that those that want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap! Watch yourself, God knows what he’s talking about.
Example 2:
2 Tim 4:9 Do your best to come to me quickly,
2 Tim 4:10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
2 Tim 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
Demas wanted the world. He loved it therefore he pursued it. He loved the world and it cost him godly relationships; Here we find that he deserted Paul.
What has your desire for worldly things cost you?
Example 3:
People wanted other things. Heb 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
What did they want? Comfort, convienence. No longer did they want to sacrifice like they once did. What were those sacrifices?
Standing firm in the face of persecutions.
Being insulted for the cause of Christ.
Being persecuted for the cause of Christ.
Stood with their brothers who were being attacked.
One in spirit with those in prison.
What did they do? Threw it away! Lost confidence. They threw what was valuable away for comfort and the “easy” life. So many want a “comfortable church.”! How about a church that’s going to preach and teach the truth and not worry about your comfort. The church of Jesus is challenging because his life is challenging.
In our own fellowship we have brothers more concerned with comfort than godliness. It has shown up in the following ways:
A rebellious argumentative spirit.
Deceitfulness.
Immorality & porn.
Brothers fishing during midweek!
Laziness; more focused on hobbies than the things of God.
I hear more talk about fishing, golf, sports than I do about Gods words, serving in the community, helping the homeless, reaching out the lost, confession of sin, repentance and the things that really matter.
The history of Christianity has always grown because of God working through commited sacrificial disciples.
I buried a brother last week. Many of us said things about him and what he did between his dash (when he was born and when he died). What will we say about one another?
I remember so and so; he loved to skydive.
I remember so and so; he loved to go camping. Who cares? We go through life and this is what people say about us at the end. Shameful!
Things like this should be said about the world! They are not pursuing Christ! They’re not disciples! Each of us are writing our own eulogy right now.
If you’re seriously following in the footsteps of Jesus yours will say something meaningful not – he loved cooking!
What are we to pursue?
1 Tim 6:11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 1 Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Tim 6:13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you
1 Tim 6:14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Tim 6:15 which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
1 Tim 6:16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
Do you want godliness? Righteousness, then it will show!
It will show in your attitude, your heart, your teachableness, your spirit, your money, your commitment.
Some may ask? Bro what are you pursuing? A prayer life like Christs, serving in the community, advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ all over the world.
PRACTICALS
How do you do this?
Prayer. If you desire to serve in the community then call up a hospital and ask how you can volunteer. Get involved! Get off the sofa, put the remote down and get to serving for the glory of God.
