Satisfied in Christ

What's the purpose of life? And what's the purpose of the church? The answer to both these questions is the same: to glorify God.

We exist to bring God glory, pleasure, and honor, and to reflect His beauty to others. But how do we bring God the greatest glory? The answer may be surprising to you. We bring God the greatest glory by enjoying Him. By really loving Him more than anything else. John Piper says it this way: "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

Last Sunday, our church studied Psalm 63. It's the heartfelt song of King David, a man after God's own heart, who found his joy and satisfaction in God. We saw three reasons we too can be satisfied in God (who, this side of the cross, finds His fullest expression in Jesus Christ):

1. Christ Satisfies our Thirst (Ps. 63:1-5). David, writing in a barren Judean wasteland (see picture above), speaks of a deep thirst and craving for God. He longs for God even more than his body cries for water. And his soul is deeply satisfied in God alone (v. 5). Jesus says something very similar to the Samaritan woman in John 3:13-14. Those who believe and drink deeply of Jesus will never thirst again, but will have a well of water springing up to eternal life.
2. Christ Saves our Life (Ps. 63:6-8). David thinks back on the night before. As he lay on his bed, his mind had been occupied with the goodness of God. God had been David's help (v. 7) in many ways, and David had learned to cling to Him alone (v. 8).
3. Christ Settles our Account (Ps. 63:9-11). Though his enemies were seeking his utter ruin, David had learned to find refuge in God. He knew that the Lord would one day intervene. What a comfort to know God will one day bring justice upon all His enemies. Vengeance is God's; He will repay. Our responsibility is to treat our enemies with love (Romans 12:14-21).

Based on Psalm 63, here are several discussion starters you could use around the Thanksgiving table or while traveling with family this week:

• v. 2 - How did you "see God in the sanctuary" this year? What was one of your highlights at church in 2009?
• v. 3 - God's lovingkindess is described as "better than life" (health, longevity, success). Can you think of someone who has exemplified this attitude in the last year? What can you learn from them?
  
• v. 7 - How has God been your help in the last couple months? (Be specific)
  
• v. 8 - Is there a time this year when you could really sense God holding you up?
  
• v. 9 - Has anyone mistreated you this year? How did it make you feel? (Don't spend too much time dwelling on this, because love covers many sins and does not take account of wrong suffered. 1 Peter 4:8; 1 Cor. 13:5). Have you given this over to God, or are you still seething with anger? How does God want you to treat this person? (Rom. 12:14-21)

Sunday's sermon will be uploaded next week to our podcast site for free download.