Sermon Outline Archive 2008:

Sermon Outline Feb 17, 2008 Morning Service

Topic: Cultivating A Hunger For God

I. I’d like to ask you, what do you want from God?

A. I believe every one of us has been shaped to long for God.

B. Most of us have a sense of what it means to hunger for God.

C. The challenge we face in staying connected to God involves staying connected to our most fundamental longings.

II. Christ comes to offer good news (John 7:37-38).

A. “If anyone thirsts…”

B. It all begins with thirst, with hunger, like our body realizing it needs something it isn’t getting.

III. There is a possible dilemma.

A. When we feel that our needs are not being met our hope often turns to despair.

B. Jesus has no intention of leaving us in despair.

IV. What does this tell us about cultivating our hunger for God?

A. That hunger for God is not simply born of duty, but desire.

B. So we need to overcome our merely dutiful approach to God.

V. So how can we cultivate our hunger for God, our connection with God?

Text

I. Sense the desire God placed in your heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

A. God has placed desires in our hearts.

B. These desires can help us stay connected to God.

II. See the signs God has given of Himself (Romans 1:20).

A. Certainly there are the miraculous signs that God has presented.

B. But nature itself may be the most telling evidence of all.

III. Seek the deeper heart of God now present through Christ (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

A. Historically men have had trouble fully understanding God.

B. Through Christ we are able to take a closer look at God (“He who has seen Me has seen the Father;” (John 14:9)).

Conclusion

I. There are four common desires we share to keep us connected to God.

A. The desire for meaning and purpose to life.

B. The desire for love.

C. The desire for justice and peace.

D. The desire for eternity.

II. God isn’t playing hide-and-seek with us.

A. He desires to be found and has placed Himself out in plain sight.

B. If you will follow your heart, the innate desires of your heart, you will find Him.

C. You have a hunger that can only be satisfied by Him; let Him satisfy your hunger.