What is Your Desire?

 

FILING INFORMATION:

96023

04/07/96 - Brownsburg, IN; 03/23/03 – Rapid City, SD

 

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 w/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.

C.  In this lesson, 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.  b/c 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. Mt. 15:19...how are we keeping our heart?

b.  This is part of the foundation of your life as a Christian.

5.  Psa. 19:14 – is this our desire?

B.  Making sure our desires are governed by God’s word!

1.  James 4:1-3 – fleshly carnal desires.

a.  At war with themselves b/c their desires were for pleasure.  They probably desire possessions & power. 

b.  Were they literally murdering one another as James says?  Probably not, but 1 Jn. 3:15 says whoever hates his brother is a murderer.

2.  Paul said to be carnally minded is death.  Rom 8:6

3.  Minds need to be governed by God’s word & spiritual things.

a.  Psa.  119:2 - Blessed are those who seek Him from the who heart.  –

b.  Do we have the attitude of David in Psa. 42:1-3?

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.  Is this our desire?  Are we truly desirous of others to be saved? 

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.

3.  But 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.  Is this our motivation?

b.  It was the desire of heaven that enabled him through the many trials of his life.

d.  Let us strive to follow his example the best we can.

D.  We Must Avoid Hurtful Desires.

1.  Some 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.

2.  a battle we will constantly be up against.  A war that the devil will not cease to wage.

3.  Many times when people turn their desires away from Christ, they turn to greed & money.  Paul explains in 1 Tim. 6:9-10

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 - 1 Cor. 9:19-23.

1.  Was willing to do anything, go to any extreme, whatever it took to win someone to the gospel.

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.

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? 

b.  Quit the work of the Lord…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?

 

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 morning?

D. I N V I T A T I O N