Paul recounts the history of the nation of Israel, and declares that God rejected King Saul and removed him from leadership. He sought a man after His own heart.
And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. (Acts 13:22)
I believe that God still desires to find a people who have His heart. Not only is He looking for individuals, but I believe He is looking for a church that is after His own heart. Let's consider the heart of God this morning.
I. God's Heart is Moved By Prayer v1-2
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (Luke 18:1)
A. Four types of prayer.
1. Supplication - petitions
2. Prayers - public/corporate
3. Intercession - on behalf of others
4. Thanksgiving - always for all things
B. Pray for all men without bias, regardless of their state, condition, or circumstance.
C. Our leaders are to be the special subject of our prayers.
D. If we seek the heart of God, we must choose to be people of prayer.
E. As a church, we need to be known as a place of hope and compassion and a people that seek the welfare of our cities, countries, and world.
F. We want to be a welcomed friend, not a disruptive force.
II. God's Heart is for All to be Saved v3-4
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)
A. God is pleased when we submit our desires and our lives to the overriding goals of the Gospel.
B. He wants everyone to be saved.
1. God's sovereign will works behind and above everything we know and see.
2. God is weaving and choreographing a multitude of smaller purposes in the outworking of His primary plan and purpose.
3. That purpose is to see this world come to know Him through His Son, Jesus.
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
C. God's heart is for every person on the planet from every age of man would receive Christ, welcome, embrace, love, and serve Him.
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:22)
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. (Isaiah 55:1-2)
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)
III. God Heart is See in Jesus v5-7
A. Jesus Christ is the one person who stands in the gap between us and God, our Advocate, Intercessor, and Savior.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Tim 2:5)
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (1 John 2:1)
1. He pleads our case as our heavenly defense counselor.
2. He actively prays for our spiritual success and well-being.
3. He dramatically and singularly rescues us from our headlong rush down the broad way to destruction.
B. He is already favorably disposed toward us.
1. He looks upon us with kindness, mercy, and compassion.
2. He is not angry with us; He satisfies the Father's anger.
God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. (Ps 7:11) [5]
C. He is the one who gave himself in our place.
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
D. As believers, we are given the responsibility of being heralds, announcers and proclaimers of His good news.
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Co 5:18-20)
God is looking for people, a church, who knows His heart. Can that be said of us? Are we people after God's own heart? First of all we must give our hearts to Him. We must come to Him in faith believing that He gave His Son, Jesus to die for us, that He raised Him again on the third day, and that He is coming again to receive us unto Himself. Do we have a heart for the world? People need the Lord, and it is our responsibility to share Him with this world. Are we ready and unashamed to be a witness for the Lord? Are we a people of prayer? Prayer moves the heart of God.