12.29.24 Willisburg Bulletin
SEEKING
Last week we talked about going through the motions and how it hinders our spiritual growth. We know God doesn’t want that so let’s talk about ways to grow! The opposite of backsliding is seeking, which means to actively search for or discover. It’s a verb, showing action on our part. There’s a few ways to combat this by seeking the following list. Seeking these things will guarantee God’s protection (Ps 27:4), an eternal reward (Amos 5:4; Ps 27:1), and a fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 11:10. There will come a time when our seeking God will cease (Isa 55:6 “while He may be found;” Ezekiel 34:11-31) is done and we will be held accountable for every chance we had (Mal 4:1,5 “the great and dreadful day is coming.”
SEEKING TO GROW IN KNOWLEDGE
Growing in the knowledge of God’s Word is the basis for every Christian’s faith. In order to gain wisdom, one must have the knowledge to put into action. 2 Timothy 2:15 states, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” In other words, to seek out the truth. We must have the truth to be able to share it with the lost and grow even more. When we continue to study, we gradually learn and gain more insight on God’s will. Paul prayed for the Christians in his letters to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3:18; Colossians 1:10; Philippians 1:9). Paul also told the Ephesians, the understanding and knowledge comes from “when you read”, meaning it takes seeking His Word (Eph 3:4).
SEEKING THE LOST
We all know this was Jesus’ mission while on earth as a man. Luke 19:10 states, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost.” If Jesus is our ultimate example, doesn’t that make our purpose while on earth to seek the lost and try to save them? Ephesians 5:1 tells us to “be imitators of God.” In the parable of the lost son in Luke 15, the father was actively looking (seeking) for the son. The great commission (Matthew 28:18-20) as we often call it requires us to “go,” “make,” “baptize,” and “teach.” Seeking the lost requires action on our part.
SEEKING GOD FIRST
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” Matthew 6:33. Seeking God first requires sacrifices on our part. It’s an active search for God because only when we seek will we find Him. Psalm 10:4 tells us the wicked do not seek God. Do we want to be considered evil? We must put God FIRST, BEFORE everything else (including children, spouse, work, family, technology, sporting events, etc) to be considered righteous. 2 Chronicles 7:14 contrasts it for us stating, “turn from evil and seek God.” Evil and seeking God are on opposite sides of the spectrum. Both are actions, but we get to choose which action. David chose to seek God first before allowing life to cause him to stumble “early will I seek you” (Psalm 63:1).
SEEKING GOD’S GLORY
In all that we do, it should be for God’s glory. 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 warns us not to seek our own, but “all to the glory of God.” On one hand we should be leading others to Christ in everything we do; therefore for God’s glory. On the other hand, everything we do should not be for praise from men, but from God. We shouldn’t be trying to glorify men, but God only (Romans 2:7-8).
DON’T SEEK THE WRONG THINGS
Satan has made it easy to seek earthly matters. We should not be seeking to glorify ourselves (Romans 2:8) and we should not be seeking our physical needs (Matthew 6:32). God has promised to take care of all of our needs. It says something to know the devil himself seeks as 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” If we don’t seek the right things, the devil is sure to devour us. If we seek evil things like the devil, we are sure to find them. God wants what’s best for us so it would be evil to not seek Him (Isa 45:19; 55:8-9). In fact, the Lord is seeking us (Luke 4:23). Why would you not seek Him too? He promises if we seek Him, turn from evil and obey Him (Deut 4:30) FULLY with ALL our heart and soul (Deut 4:29), we will find Him and be protected and satisfied (Ps 63). Let us seek steadfastly to be immovable, always abounding in Christ’s work (seeking and saving the lost) (1 Cor 15:58; Lk 19:10) because we know by doing so it is not in vain in God’s eyes and He has promised an eternal reward for the diligent seekers (Heb 11:6)!