What is Your Desire?
Posted by: henkf <henkf@...>
What is Your Desire?
I. Introduction.
A. Webster defines the word desire as: to hope or wish for ardently; to crave; a strong wish.
1. Common synonyms we associate with it: aching; craving; hankering; longing; wish; yearning.
B. We all have wants and desires. Think of some:
1. We desire to be comfortable.
2. To be financially stable.
3. I have a desire to play golf whenever the opportunity presents itself...
C. Today we want to talk about the desires of a Christian.
1. As a Christian, what is your hearts desire?
2. In Rom. 10:1-3, Paul had a desire that Israel (the Jews) be saved.
3. What are some of our desires as Christians, or do we even have any desires?
II. FACTS about our desires.
A. They control our lives!
1. Solomon in Prov. 4:23...
2. Our desires originate in our heart. Not the fleshly blood pumping organ that keeps us alive - but the mind.
a. The spiritual mind is where our emotions, thoughts and intellect are.
This is where the things we do originate.
This is why Solomon said we need to keep it pure.
b. because from it spring forth the issues of life.
3. Prov. 23:7 - So as a man thinks, so is he! Solomon hits the nail on the head. If we are concentrating on evil thoughts, it is hard to do that which is good.
4. Again, out of our heart come forth our desires. Jesus said in Mt. 15:19...
a. It comes down to the question - how are we keeping our heart?
b. This is part of the foundation of your life as a Christian.
5. David prayed in Psa. 19:14 that the words of his mouth and the things on his heart be acceptable in God's sight. We need to try to do the same.
a. This can only be done by keeping our desires pure. One way to keep them pure is by:
B. Making sure our desires are governed by God's word!
1. James 4:1-3 - obviously, the brethren mentioned here were not governing their desires by the word of God.
a. They were at war with themselves b/c their desires were for pleasure.
b. They probably desire possessions & power. These are usually the things that make us fight with one another.
c. Were they literally murdering one another as James says?
Probably not, but 1 Jn. 3:15 says whoever hates his brother is a murderer.
1. Their desires were on temporal things. Carnal things of the earth.
2. Paul said to be carnally minded is death. Rom 8:6
d. They were motivated by selfish desires and that caused their prayers not to be answered.
1. Obviously, their desire were no on the word of God.
2. The Bible gives us many Scriptures that deal with this. Minds need to be governed by God's word & spiritual things.
a. Psa. 119:2 - Blessed are those who seek Him from the whole heart. - In other words, we need to give Him our best!
b. Do we have the attitude of David in Psa. 42:1-3?
1. Satan is quick to attack our desires. Could possibly be one of our weakest areas.
2. if we are concerned only with worldly things, then it will put a conflict with our desire to do good.
c. Jesus said in Mt. 5:6
1. The Bible put out a plan of righteousness & we need to follow it!
d. Lam. 3:25-26 - are we willing to wait for the Lord and to seek Him?
C. Paul Exemplifies Proper Desires.
1. Back to our text in Rom. 10:1 - Paul had an earnest desire that Israel be saved.
a. Sure it wasn't just Israel he wanted saved, but everyone he came into contact with.
b. Is this our desire? Are we truly desirous of others to be saved?
Sometimes, I think not.
1. Never discuss religion with friends.
2. Afraid to talk to our neighbors about the gospel.
3. Don't act like a Christian ourselves all the time? (The hypocrisy idea...)
4. Don't possess a desire to study the Scriptures to lead others to the gospel, because we center our desires somewhere else.
c. We can be assured that Paul did his best to spread the gospel. Are we trying to do the same?
2. He earnestly believed that he could have an influence. Attitude exemplified in Phil. 4:13
a. Then 4:17 - wanted to do whatever was possible to influence the Philippian congregation for good.
b. His desire was to motivate them to be:
1. Good & faithful Christians.
2. Grow in the knowledge of the Scriptures.
3. To build them up the best he possibly could.
3. But what was THE desire that motivated Paul?
a. Found in Chapt. 1:21-23.
1. He had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and FIRMLY believed in His promise of heaven. THIS IS WHAT MOTIVATED HIM!
2. What are we motivated by? What Paul was? or something else?
b. It was the desire of heaven that enabled him through the many trials of his life.
1. stonings.
2. Chased over 2 continents by people who would take his life.
3. in & out of court.
4. The "Thorn in the flesh"
c. Many of these things would make a bunch of Christians quit.
d. Let us strive to follow his example the best we can.
D. We Must Avoid Hurtful Desires.
1. Many are governed by the lusts (desires) of the flesh. The Spirit through Paul identified them in Gal. 5:19-21.
a. Many fulfill the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and are by nature children of wrath as Paul said in Eph. 2:3.
b. boils down to the fact that those who practice such things of the lust of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God.
2. It is a battle we will constantly be up against. A war that the devil will not cease to wage.
a. Paul marveled at the Galatians for wanting to go back to sin in Gal. 4:9
1. Why would they want to go back to being under the bondage of sin?
b. When the devil tempts us, he doesn't give us all the facts. Just what we need to make us go and do it. Doesn't tell one of the grief & guilt that sin brings.
3. Many times when people turn their desires away from Christ, they turn to greed & money. Paul explains in 1 Tim. 6:9-10
a. Because of the love of money & the pursuit of worldly things, some have turned away from the Lord.
4. Goes back to the fact that our desires control our lives. Are you letting your desires hinder you standing with God?
E. Work to fulfill Desire.
1. We have already noted Paul's desire to spread the gospel - not only to the Jews but to all men.
a. This took invigorating & hard work to do so.
b. 1 Cor. 9:19-23.
1. Was willing to do anything, go to any extreme, whatever it took to win someone to the gospel.
c. What happens with many? Go out once and maybe get rejected and quit.
2. It takes constant effort to fulfill our desires.
a. many willing to go the extra mile for a fleshly desire, but out of time/money/health when it comes to the Lord.
b. “Sunday only" Christians will not suffice.
3. It takes work to fulfill some of the responsibilities as Christians.
a. There are many who desire to be teachers.
1. Are they willing to put in the time necessary to bring forth the lesson in an understandable manner?
2. Paul mentioned this problem to Timothy in 1 Tim. 1:6-7
4. Are we motivated enough by the goal of heaven to work for Jesus?
F. Finally, it is FATAL to lose desire for that which is good.
1. Gal. 6:8-10
a. Ever grown weary with something and wanted to quit? "Just forget it" is what we say.
b. If we throw up our hands and quit the work of the Lord, Paul says we will not reap the goal of heaven.
2. Think of a newborn Christian. Full of desire, zeal, love of God, etc.
a. Other Christians have the attitude, "wait, they'll settle down!"
b. Why should this be?
1. We need to desire the word of God and good things!
2. 1 Peter 2:1-2
3. Our desire to please Him ultimately boils down to our faith. How is your faith in the Lord?
a. Heb. 11:6
b. Do you have enough to please him?
III. Conclusion.
A. Is your hearts desire in accordance with Christ?
B. Do you have your desire set on things above or on getting the things of this world?
1. Remember the Scripture - Rom. 8:6 - to be carnally minded is death.
C. Why not take the opportunity and set your hearts desire on Christ this day?
1. Come to Him
D. If you're already a Child of God, they why not get your heart & desires straightened out today?
