2. Becoming Seekers of God

3. Nothing “natural” about dwelling in an unseen world
2Pe 2:7-8 ..and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);

4. Nothing “natural” about dwelling in an unseen world
Philippians 2:15 …that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

5. Nothing “natural” about dwelling in an unseen world
Luke 8:14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

6. How do I become a “Seeker”?
James 4:8 …Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. BUT HOW?
Worship?
Prayer?
Study?
Sharing?
These are things that seekers DO, but how to become one?

7. How do I become a “Seeker”?
1. DISTINGUISH between.. the profane and the sacred
Profane, that which is self-serving, caters to the carnal nature, fleshly
Sacred, that which is used by God to carry out His will, spiritual

8. Flesh and spirit are opposed, against each other
Roman 8:5-8, For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9. Flesh and spirit are opposed, against each other
Galatians 5:16-17 , But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

10. Moves from the heart to the behavior
The battle to exchange a fleshly nature for a spiritual one is not easy
1 Peter 1:14-15, As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
Moves from the heart to the behavior

11. The inner man can grow, renew, enliven
The battle to exchange a fleshly nature for a spiritual one is not easy
2 Corinthians 4:16 …So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
The inner man can grow, renew, enliven

12. Spiritual, heart and soul interest is shown in worship, service, sacrifice, and sharing

13. How do I become a “Seeker”?
2. DISTINGUISH between.. man’s holiness and God’s holiness
Man’s holiness, is created by and has meaning only to man, it is temporary
God’s holiness, is sacred regardless of man’s actions or reverence

14. Matthew 19:4-6, He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

15. Deuteronomy 29:29, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law

16. 1 Timothy 3:16, Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

17. 1 Peter 1:13-15, Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

18. How do I become a “Seeker”?
3. DISTINGUISH between.. MY power to save self and Jesus’ power to save
Romans 3:23, all sin
Jeremiah 10:23, spiritually blind
Mark 10:38, the flesh is weak

19. How do I become a “Seeker”?
2. DISTINGUISH between.. MY power to save self and Jesus’ power to save
2 Peter 1:3-4, His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
Romans 1:4, …and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

20. How important is it that we escape this world’s gravity?
1 John 2:17, …the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

21. Never will reach our reward with the world’s distractions
Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Must distinguish between the profane and the sacred
Must distinguish between man’s holiness and God’s holiness
Must distinguish between my power to save myself and Jesus’ power to save