Why Seek God? Questions for seekers

Eph. 1:3- every spiritual blessing in Christ Eph. 1:4- chosen in Him Eph. 1:5- predestined to adoption through JC Eph. 1:7- redemption through His blood Eph. 1:9- made know the mystery Eph. 1:11- obtained an inheritance Eph. 1:13- sealed in Christ with Holy Spirit Contrasted with…… …remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (Ephesians 2:12 ESV)

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV)

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV)

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV)

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21 ESV) Starts with refusing to honor God or give Him thanks

Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. (Romans 1:22-23 ESV) Exchanged Creator’s glory for creation

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. (Romans 1:28-32 ESV)

Failing to honor God or Give thanks Honoring creation rather than Creator Serving self Practicing/approving of every form of sin

Who would be guilty? for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23 ESV) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8 ESV) If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:10 ESV) We ALL would be…

NOT HERE So, where do I want to be? Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 ESV) NOT HERE

THIS IS MORE LIKE IT So, where do I want to be? But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-25 ESV) THIS IS MORE LIKE IT

I WANT TO BE IN CHRIST So, where do I want to be? Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 7:24-8:1, ESV) I WANT TO BE IN CHRIST

Where spiritual blessings are So, where do I want to be? Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:3 ESV) Being born again, chosen, adopted, heirs with Christ, etc., etc. Where spiritual blessings are

Where prayers are heard by the Lord So, where do I want to be? For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12 ESV) Where prayers are heard by the Lord

Where angels are ministering/serving So, where do I want to be? And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:12-14 ESV) Where angels are ministering/serving

Where I’m protected from overcoming power So, where do I want to be? No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV) Where I’m protected from overcoming power

So, How do I get there? I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23 ESV) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9 ESV) There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 14:12 ESV)

So, How do I get there? But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV) i.e., through hearing the Spirits word and belief in the truth

So, How do I get there? To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:14 ESV) You, we, everyone is “called” through the gospel, the truth

So, How do I get there? So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. (2 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV) We are called to stand firm and hold to apostolic traditions as they were taught

So, How do I get there? Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 ESV) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36 ESV)