God’s Heart

Big Idea:

“ 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” —James 4:8

“ 7 The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” —Genesis 2:7

“ 11 [God] has planted eternity in the human heart…” —Ecclesiastes 3:11

“ 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?” —Genesis 3:7-9

“ 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had not sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” —2 Corinthians 5:18-21

(1.) We draw near, by intentionally seeking the Father’s heart

“ 14 He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons.” —Mark 3:14-15

“ 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” —Matthew 6:33

(2.) We draw near, by setting our heart and mind on the things of God

“ 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the God of peace, which transcends understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally brothers, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” —Philippians 4:4-9

“ 35 Who shall separate me from the love of God? Shall trouble, or hardship, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us. 38 I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 8:35-39

(3.) As we draw near, we see how loved and valued we are by God

“ 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” —Matthew 16:26

“ 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” —John 17:23