What I Really Need Is...spiritual Growth Series

What I really need is....

Disclaimer: This sermon prepared by prayer and credit given to Dr. Reeder for thoughts from his sermon.

Selected Scriptures Mark 12:30

Hebrews 5:11-6:3

Introduction-

I am beginning this morning a mini series called what I really need God is...

I will probably do it in 3 parts.

Question:

If you could ask God for anything, what would it be?

Would you ask fo r material things?, money?, health?

If you ask for anything less than God first, you would already be heading on the wrong road.

God:

what I really need is:

1. YOU.... in my life, fulfilling my life, taking priority in my life.

2. Spiritual Growth- I cannot survive where I am at.

3. Purpose- Without you, without purpose, I am not complete.

4. Understanding- I have a lot of questions God.

5. Friendship- I need people around me and help me through my tough times.

6. Security- I need to know that I am safely in your hands and I am safe.

I will be trying to cover about 2 of them a week for three weeks.

I was out on Wednesday changing the sign out front, when this lady stopped her car in the middle of the road to tell me that she reads the sign every week and tells her grandkids about it when she takes them to school.

There is at least three families on Rosedale that I have come in contact with, some by elections, some by word of mouth, some who have just stopped into the church, telling me that they need to come to church. They need to get back to reading their Bibles. That they need to stop doing things that they know are wrong. That God is what they need in their lives. But they have never made an attempt that I know of to make that happen.

To follow through on the very thing that they know they need. To admit it to a pastor that they know that they have a need and they know what it is and how to fix it.

Hebrews 4:12

For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing soul, spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The word of God is meant to be like a surgeon.

It is to cut out things that infect our lives and replace it with things pleasing to God and fulfill our lives.

Hebrews 5:11-6:3 Read

When people are asked- spiritual growth is what most will admit to needing. When they get spiritual and not materialistic.

You know what that tells us?

We are spiritually hungry and we do not take time to eat.

There is a void in our lives and we try to fill it with everything except God presence.

We were created by God- heart, mind , soul, and body.

God tells us to love Him with all our heart, our soul, our mind, and our body.

According to Dallas Willard:

your soul is deeper than our conscience awareness. It does not let you know when it has been hurt or wounded. He goes on to say that fundamental aspects of life such as art, sleep, rituals, family, parenting, health, community, are soul functions.

Your souls health is the driving force behind everything that matters to you.

That is why He wants all of you Heart, mind , soul, and body.

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Without God- you will never be satisfied

Without God- your soul will be unhealthy.

What are the signs of a unhealthy soul?

Your relationship with God will not be right.

You are centered on self. (No time for others)

You live a life with anger, fatigue, isolation, no compassion.

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control- they are out of your reach.

Truth be told, no one would want to live in that state of unhealthiness.

Alright, that’s unhealthy- what do we do to get heart, soul to have a right relationship with God?

Do the right things we know to do

Apostle Paul - “ I have a desire to do what is right, that is the first step. When you truly turn it over to God. He takes that desire and empowers you by His Spirit to do right.

It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Maybe you’re here this morning , you say that I have the will to obey God, but I am lacking the power to do it.

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you Act 1:8