Are You a Seeker

Are You a Seeker?

December 4, 2005

Introduction

The year was 1960. I had just turned 22. I had just graduated from Abilene Christian College, and I was now employed as teacher and part time preacher. It seemed I had almost everything except for one thing. I’d been so busy with school I hadn’t had time for romance, and I needed a companion.

I went to Abilene and bought a new car and I made this resolution. I’ll wear it out if I have to, but I’m going to go look for a wife. August 4, 1961, Carolyn and I exchanged our vows. I had found my wife. My search for a wife was over.

What does the Bible say about seeking, or searching? The word “seek” with its various endings, occurs 100 times in the New Testament. Sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad way, but seeking is part of life.

A few months ago, a man in Peru found my website. I asked him how he found it. He was seeking. He was searching the web, and he found my site. My question for you this morning, is this, are you a seeker? But that’s not enough. For what are you seeking?

Body

I. What does it mean to be a seeker?

Thayer’s definition:

1) to enquire for, seek for, search for, seek diligently

2) to wish for, crave

3) to demand, clamour for

We seek for something that we feel a need of.

II What are we seeking for?

A We need to seek for God.

1. David said the wicked do not seek for God.

(Psa 10:4 NKJV) The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.

2. Paul told those on Mars Hill that God intended that we seek Him.

(Acts 17:27-28 NKJV) "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; {28} "for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'

B We need to seek His kingdom and His righteousness.

{33} "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

III. Jesus talked about two different groups of seekers.

(Mat 6:31-33 NKJV) "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' {32} "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. {33} "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

A. Jesus was talking about the contrast between the natural man (Gentiles), and what He wanted us to be.

(Mat 6:24 NKJV) "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

B. How do we seek the kingdom of God?

1. Jesus gave two examples of seekers.

a. The first example was that of a man who found a treasure hid in a field.

(Mat 13:44 NKJV) "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

(1) This one raises one big question that it doesn’t answer.

(2) Was he seeking, or did he just stumble upon it?

(3) One thing we know, it cost him dearly: he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field

b. The second example was the merchant man.

(Mat 13:45-46 NKJV) "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, {46} "who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

(1) This man was obviously knew what he was looking for.

(2) He made a diligent search.

(3) He too was willing to pay the price: “went and sold all that he had and bought it”

2. But in a practical way, how do we seek the kingdom of God?

a. We seek God by growing in our knowledge of God.

(2 Pet 3:17-18 NKJV) You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; {18} but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

b. We seek the kingdom in a practical way by putting God first in our lives.

IV. Jesus encouraged us to seek.

(Mat 7:7-8 NKJV) "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. {8} "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Conclusion

§ Are you a seeker?

§ Are you seeking to know God and His will?

§ Are you seeking His kingdom and His righteousness?

§ Have you surrendered your life to Him?

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