Message: What’s it all about?

Do you ever feel thirsty? I’m not talking about a physical thirst. But a feeling from deep inside that you are missing something basic.

Do you ever feel restless? No matter where you are or what you are doing you feel like you need to be some place else.

Do you find yourself wanting more? Perhaps you even wonder if there is more?

People turn to many different places to fill these needs and wants. They trust or give themselves to what they believe will make the difference for them.

• relationships
• money
• political causes
• drugs
• possessions
• career
• sex
• performance
• body fitness
• religion

How about you? Where do you turn to find security, satisfaction, meaning and love? What have you given your life to?

Ask yourself,

Why have you tried those things to meet your deepest needs? Has it worked? Have you found lasting real fulfillment?

Jesus said that any search for a deep and meaningful life outside of him will ultimately fail.

Many of the things that people trust and put their lives into are not bad in themselves. Many are good gifts from God when they are put in their proper place.

But when we try to meet our most basic needs through them, we are left broken and empty.

However …

God, the One who created you, wants you to have a full and abundant life. The place to find it is in Jesus.

Let’s look at what Jesus said about himself:

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14 (check out www.biblegateway.com if you don’t have a Bible)

“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

So how can you find this life in Jesus?

Let’s take a closer look….

“Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

This eternal life is a gift from Jesus. He is offering this gift to you right now.

“He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” Jesus wants you to come and take this gift.

So you need to recognize that your way of life is a dead end. Turn to Jesus. Believe that He is who He says He is.

Then follow Jesus. Commit yourself to him. He simply states to some fishermen in Mark 1:17 “Come, follow me.” And he is calling you now.

You can respond right now. You can start your life and find true satisfaction by following Him. All you need to do is tell him that is what you want to do.

God, I know that I have been going my own way. I want to turn from it and begin to follow and serve you. I give myself to you. Thank you for sending Jesus to rescue me and bring me back to you. Help me now to love you and serve you with all my heart and soul and mind. It is because of Jesus I can pray this, Amen.

If that is the sincere and serious desire of your heart, you have found the life that is truly life – following Jesus.

There will still be problems and troubles but you can face them with some promises:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Take the time to read what He has said in His Word. These are not just words on a page in a book – they are living. Discover the guidance He has left for you.

“Before Abraham was born, I am!” John 8:58

“I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” John 14:11

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” John 10:9

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25

These passages are found in the book of John in the Bible. Take the time to read the whole book this week! It is only 30 pages long but will be a great foundation for you to start your new life with an understanding of this book. Take your time. Ask questions. Seek help from a pastor. (Come to the Breakfast Church, Heartland Fellowship Baptist Church and we would be more than happy to look at any of your questions with you!) You will not be disappointed by your search. God promises us that when we seek, we will find.

Don’t stop there…. Keep following Jesus. Learn all you can from every part of His Word. Do what he commands. You will find your life has meaning like it never has before!