9/25/22 Evening Sermon:
What is Your Desire
Bro Avery Hines
This evening we are going to attempt to highlight some of the things we are studying from the Friday night Bible Class. There, we are discussing discipleship and what are considered the “D”s thereof.
We are talking a bit about “desire”, and what makes up desire and which things we should have a desire for?
From our study we took a look first at two definitions of desire. These are basic definitions probably from any dictionary…
Desire – definitions (Google) from Oxford Languages
- (Noun) a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.
- “a desire to work in the dirt with your bare hands”
- (Verb) strongly wish for or want (something)
- “he never achieved the status he desired”
So, desire as a noun is something each of us has; there is a difference however, because we have an example. See, the thing is, anyone can use this example, but it is up to us do what Phillip did for the Ethiopian Eunuch; guide him.
One of our main examples comes from the book of Psalms, and these passages do have relevance; as now, even as then…
Psa 37:1 Of David. Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. Psa 37:2 For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants. Psa 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Psa 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psa 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it. Psa 37:6 He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun. Psa 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes. Psa 37:8 Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm. Psa 37:9 For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. Psa 37:10 Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. Psa 37:11 But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity. Psa 37:12 The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them, Psa 37:13 but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming.
Verse 3; we are to trust in the Lord, but some are being told they can’t trust in what they cannot see. See, this world of influencers are telling them to ignore the second part of the verse; cultivate faithfulness. Because what is faith; Heb 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. So, if you have a desire, if you have a hope of getting what you desire, then you have faith. I think the bible says a little something like a person does not hope for that he already possesses; no, we hope for that which is just beyond our reach. Guess what, they have faith; now how can we turn your faith either back to God, or to God?
Verse 4 is the key; how do we get them to delight themselves in the Lord? Because what; if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us our heart’s desires. Again, guess what; and this is the part we know, and maybe they don’t; when you delight yourself in the Lord, your desire will be His will. So, it is like an unstoppable train; if your desire is the Lord’ will, He’ll give you your heart’s desire.
Look at verse 5 and verse 6; commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun.
See that?
Your commitment.
Your trust.
He will do it; do what?
Bring forth your righteousness, your justice.
When we look at the world and all that is going on, do we ever think; how many of the protest here in the United States and abroad are all about justice? So many have convinced themselves, or have been convinced by others, that protest in stead of prayer can bring justice. They don’t, won’t, take time to realize we’re fighting for justice too.
You know where the bible says “God would have that all would repent; hold on. Mark down or turn with me to 2nd Peter 3.
2Pe 3:1 Beloved, this is now my second letter to you. Both of them are reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking
2Pe 3:2 by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
2Pe 3:3 Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come,
Well, have you looked at the news lately? The rhetoric against God, Jesus, and Christianity has become so bad; “we don’t want to be part of your book (bible) club”, changing scripture, and denying God is God, or portraying Him as cruel or wishy washy. As a matter of fact, several news stations and politicians have started quoting the bible as a means of rebuking those who won’t.
scoffing and following their own evil desires.
2Pe 3:4 “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”
2Pe 3:5 But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water,
2Pe 3:6 through which the world of that time perished in the flood.
2Pe 3:7 And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
2Pe 3:8 Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
See, Peter would a second consideration by which the apostle meets the objection of scoffers against the doctrine of the second coming of the Saviour.
Because that’s what it’s all about, where is Christ? How come He hasn’t come back, hasn’t things gotten bad enough yet that He should come back and save us all? See, much like then, this is the objection now, so much time, and even though no time has been given or set for his coming, time has certainly passed, and some ponder why things remained the same, or maybe have gotten worse.
Peter gives what I believe is the all time reply; for that which may seem to be a long time to us is a brief period with God. In the immensity of God’s own time there is abundant time to accomplish whatever He sets out to do, whether they are accomplished in one day or extended to one thousand years.
Here is what needs to be understood’ we (mankind) has but a short time to live, and if we don’t accomplish His purpose for us in that very brief period, we never will.
But it is not so with God. He always lives; and we cannot therefore
Infer
Assume
Insinuate
Or find reason to debate that because the execution of His purposes seems to be delayed, that they are abandoned.
Why?
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you,
Much like a Father with a child
Like a teacher with a pupil
Or like a coach with an athlete who allows time;
because God, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
I reiterate, along with our battle for our own souls we fight a battle for the souls of those who would be influenced by others to not ignore us, but who would rather see us fail even if it means they are forever lost.
So, what is your desire, longing, that thing which you crave?
I’m going to let you go; for everyone here, as well as anyone who may hear, take this with you…
Luke recalls this as he tells us a little about John, a baptizer, cousin of Jesus, and herald of God…
John says…
Luk 3:4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.
Luk 3:5 Every valley shall be filled in, and every mountain and hill made low. The crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth.
Luk 3:6 And all humanity will see God’s salvation.’”
God’s salvation should be all our desire, and what is God’s salvation? Our Lord and Savior Jesus, whom is called the Christ.
We’re all looking for someone to save the world, well, God has already given us a savior. Will you make Him your heart’s desire?