Pursued by God, Pursuing God and Pursuing Others for his Glory

MAIN IDEA || We are Pursued by God so that we can love and serve Him while we also care for others.

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” ~ C.S. Lewis

Ezekiel 34:11–16 [NLT] “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. 12 I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations.I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord.I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes feed them justice!

Jeremiah 29:11-13 [NLT] For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.“They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Why Do We Often Hesitate to Pursue Others?

1. We are because we have so many things to pursue.

2. We are and following the wrong map or the wrong person.

3. We in making a decision because it will cost us something.

What Should We Do?

1. We should God.

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 [NLT]

2. We should be more about caring for others by focusing on Him and others.

3. We should on the instructions of our creator as he directs us to one-another.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!

Imagine if we were to consistently:

one another.
each other.
one another.
burdens for others.
for one another.

Why We Need to Act

1. Others will God because of how you love one-another.

2. We will self-inflicted hurts & pains.

3. We will others in their walk with God.

4. We will Finish Strong and a Godly legacy that impacts those within our sphere of influence.

CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION:

1. God intentionally pursues you in the same way He pursued Israel:

“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. 12 I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. Ezekiel 34:11–16 [NLT] a. Are you willing/able to describe how God seemed to pursue you & your heart?

2. Do any of these accurately describe why you might hesitate to pursue others?

a. We are distracted because we have so many things to pursue.

b. We are deceived and following the wrong map or the wrong person.

c. We delay in making a decision because it will cost us something.

3. What is it about the example of Jesus that empowers you to be more intentional about caring for others? (see scripture reference for help)