John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
*Zacchaeus' motive was to see Jesus. He made extra effort to see this man that he had heard about & was rewarded with salvation that day because his heart sought God. (Lu. 19:2-10)
*The woman with an issue of blood sought Him for her healing. She pressed through the crowded multitude to get close enough just to touch the hem of His garment, believing that she would be healed. (Mt. 9:20-22)
*The ruler of the synagogue sought out Jesus & fell at His feet, asking Him to heal his daughter. (Lu. 8:41-55)
*Bartimaeus cried out with all he had when he heard that Jesus was passing by, hoping to get His attention & thereby be healed. (Mk. 10:46-52)
*If you were sick or dying, maybe suffering a great affliction & someone miraculously healed you, you would really like that person, perhaps even love them. You would believe them – follow them.
God wants us to come & see where he is & follow him (be a believer) because of His Word, not because we feel obligated, or because of what he can do for us, or even because we fear hell. He wants us to love Him because He loves us – the WAY he loves us = unconditionally.
*Jesus has just miraculously fed a multitude (5000) with five loaves & two fish >
John 6:25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
26 Jesus answered them and said,Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
*He’s not just talking of past miracles, but also the miracle of the bread. Why are we seeking God? Why are we following him?
Jn. 6:27 Labour(put your efforts /seek for)not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?(Show us a miraculous work that we might believe you. What miracle will you do?) They have just been miraculously fed!
*Then they remind Him of the manna in the desert & Jesus answers,"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven."
*Jesus explains to them, that that bread was not the ‘bread of life.’ Manna was a miracle, but it fed them naturally. The bread of life feeds us spiritually & gives eternal life. >
Jn. 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
35 I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Matt 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (see = have a clear understanding) The pure in heart will know God & His salvation.
*This is the work that God expects in us; to believe on Him & if we believe, we will obey His Word.
*Why do we follow Christ…praise & worship him?
Do we worship God because it’s expected of us, it feels good, we want to feel his spirit, we’re encouraged to, he’s answered prayer, forgiven u & given us what we want or need? YES. However, our MOTIVE to worship should be because he loved us & gave his life for us, & he continues to love us. To praise & worship is to give adoration, devotion & glory, to celebrate, love, idolize, & give reverence & respect to him.
*If we only serve God & do his will when things are good, then our motive is not to please God & show our love for him, but rather to focus on ourselves.
*We should follow Christ because: He is our creator - savior - healer - comforter - deliverer - the way, the truth & the life.
Eccl 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
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