(Clip) Thirsting After God？
Tim Conway emphasizes the urgency of responding to the Spirit's call to prayer and intimacy with God without delay or distraction.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of not resisting the Spirit's promptings, urging believers to respond immediately when feeling led to pray or seek God's Word. It warns against delaying obedience, using the analogy of missing a precious encounter with the Savior in the Song of Solomon. The message encourages listeners to train their ears to hear God's voice amidst life's distractions and prioritize intimate moments with Him to avoid missing out on spiritual growth and closeness with God.
Full Transcript
There are many thirst killers, but one of them is when the Spirit intensifies that thirst and you resist it. You say, what do you mean? It's like you feel it. You need to go pray right now.
You need to get in the work. I've got to do this thing over here first. And then you know what? It's like the Song of Solomon 5. By the time you get to the door, he's gone.
Don't do that. When he bids you come, go. If you feel Him moving you to pray, run to the place of prayer.
If you feel Him, go to the Word. Get in the Psalms or wherever it is. Get in the Gospels.
Don't resist it. You say, well, what if I've got to take care of my children? What if I'm in the office? Look, he obviously understands those things. But I'm saying this, you know this full well.
How often would we have to hang our heads in shame at the times we did feel some bidding, some burden, and like a cold glass of water working the opposite way, we poured it on the fire. That's one thing you don't want to do with water is you're thinking about what it portrays. Water can also be a fire quencher.
Brethren, train your ear. Because that Song of Solomon, there's reality. Come, my love, my dove, come away.
Your Savior calls you to that if you've got an ear to hear. And sometimes we've got so much noise, or His voice even penetrates the noise, but we're distracted by the cares and the concerns. We mean to get there, and we do.
But you know what? The preciousness we would have had and the increase of thirst that would have attended our lives, it's gone. And we get to the door. Where's my Beloved? He's not there.
And now I have to spend a lot of time looking for Him. You can think this graphic, but that picture, He was wanting to make love to your soul. And your feet were dirty, and you were already in bed.
Sermon Outline
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I. Recognizing the Spirit’s Thirst
- The Spirit intensifies spiritual thirst
- Resisting the Spirit quenches this thirst
- Urgency to respond immediately
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II. The Danger of Delay
- Delaying prayer leads to missing God’s presence
- Illustration from Song of Solomon 5
- Consequences of ignoring the Spirit’s promptings
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III. Practical Responses to the Spirit
- Go to prayer when prompted
- Engage with the Word—Psalms and Gospels
- Overcome distractions and cares
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IV. The Reward of Immediate Obedience
- Experiencing divine intimacy
- Increasing spiritual thirst and growth
- Avoiding regret and spiritual dryness
Key Quotes
“When he bids you come, go.” — Tim Conway
“Brethren, train your ear. Because that Song of Solomon, there's reality. Come, my love, my dove, come away.” — Tim Conway
“Like a cold glass of water working the opposite way, we poured it on the fire.” — Tim Conway
Application Points
- Respond immediately when you feel the Spirit prompting you to pray or read Scripture.
- Prioritize quiet time with God despite daily responsibilities and distractions.
- Train yourself to recognize and obey God’s voice to deepen your spiritual intimacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be 'thirsting after God'?
It means having a deep spiritual longing and desire to connect with God through prayer and His Word.
Why should I respond immediately when I feel prompted to pray?
Delaying can cause you to miss God’s presence and the precious moments of intimacy He desires to share with you.
What if I am busy with responsibilities when I feel the Spirit’s call?
God understands your responsibilities, but you should prioritize responding to His promptings as best as you can.
How can I train my ear to hear God’s voice?
By reducing distractions, being attentive to the Spirit, and cultivating regular times of prayer and Bible reading.
What is the significance of Song of Solomon 5 in this sermon?
It illustrates the urgency of responding to God’s invitation and the loss experienced when we delay.