The Affection of Desire

The Affection of Desire Christlike Affections in 2025 • In our first sermon, we learned of Christ’s singleminded zeal for God and His people. • Of this type of zeal, Christian thinkers have referred to it as “affection” Jonathan Edwards coined the phrase “Religious Affections” and many have followed suit. • Let’s define “affection.” Definition of Affection • Edwards: “Vigorous and sensible exercises of the inclination and will of the soul. … That religion that God requires, and will accept, does not consist in weak, dull, and lifeless wishes, raising us but a little above a state of indifference: God, in his word, greatly insists upon it, that we be good in earnest, ‘fervent in spirit,’ and our hearts vigorously engaged in religion.” • Simplified: Deep and lasting transformation of the soul that results in the zealous pursuit of God, overflowing love for God’s people, and joyful service in God. The Foundational Affection • A Determined Pursuit of the Knowledge of God • Today’s Sermon: 1. Determined Pursuit: Biblical Proof 2. Waging War: Thoughts that Hold us Captive 3. Taking Action: Applications for Pursuit Determined Pursuit: Biblical Proof “And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt” (Exodus 29:46) “You have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name” (Exodus 33:17) “Know, therefore today, and lay it to your heart, the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other” (Deuteronomy 4:39) Determined Pursuit: Biblical Proof “And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10) “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.” (1 Chronicles 28:9) Determined Pursuit: Biblical Proof “‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the LORD, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he’” (Isaiah 43:10) “Then they shall know that I am the LORD their God” (Ezekiel 39:28) – Ezekiel preaches about the knowledge of God ~75x, by far the chief theme of his book. Determined Pursuit: Biblical Proof “Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD” (Hosea 6:3) “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. … Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider to have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind, straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:814) Waging War: Thoughts that Hold us Captive 1. Seasons of Spiritual Fervor (see Psalm 73) 2. Spiritual fervor is mostly out of our control – a trait, skill, or circumstance (Revelation 3:15-16). 3. Laziness of mind that leads to Spiritual lethargy (Hebrews 6:11-12) 4. Spiritual fervor is often drowned out by the love of money (Matthew 6:24) 5. Love for the world pushes out love for God (1 John 2:15) Taking Action: Application for Pursuit “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love that you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand, unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:5)