The Rewards Of Seeking God

The Rewards of Seeking God
What Are You Seeking? — Part 1
Tom Mullins 
November 12-13, 2016

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

3 Rewards of Seeking God:

"When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, 'My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.' So Jesus went with him. . ." Mark 5:21-24a (NIV)

1. Know His Heart 
   
   "He is close to the brokenhearted. . ."  Psalm 34:18a (NIV) 
   
   "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you." James 4:8a (NASB) 
   
   "A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.' Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, 'Who touched my clothes?' 'You see the people crowding against you,' his disciples answered, 'and yet you can ask, "Who touched me?"' But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.' While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. 'Your daughter is dead,' they said. 'Why bother the teacher any more?' Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, 'Don't be afraid; just believe.'" Mark 5:24b-36 (NIV)

   Action Plan:   Every day this week, read through Mark chapter 5. If you can, read it in different translations. See how God speaks to you with each reading. Find somebody else who will do this with you and talk about your reading at the end of the week.

2. Hear His Voice
   
   "You don't really know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have." — Tim Keller
   
   "He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, 'Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.' But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, 'Talitha koum!' (which means, 'Little girl, I say to you, get up!'). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished."  Mark 5:37-42 (NIV) 
    
   "The tongue can speak words that bring life or death." Proverbs 18:21
   
   "Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their actions are truly endless." — Mother Teresa

   Action Plan:  Write down Proverbs 18:21 on a post-it note and stick it somewhere that will best remind you the power of words.

3. Feel His Touch
   
   "The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence." Ephesians 1:23 (Mes)
   
   "When in pain, pray. When you worry, worship. When in grief, share it in your small group." — Pastor Rick 
   
   "I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me." Proverbs 8:17 (NIV) 
   
   "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
   
   "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. . ." 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)

Action Plan:  Seek God by doing life with others and joining a small group.  Visit www.saddleback.com/smallgroups to find a small group in your area.