Identify the Need

Main Idea: There is a great need in our lives and in the world…The 5 needs of people 1. Reconciliation with God (forgiveness) 2. Holy Spirit Fruit and power (freedom) 3. Belonging in the church (family) 4. Physiological provision (Family support and Filled with daily needs) 5. Purpose and meaning (Filled with vision and calling)

Opening Line: What do you need today?

Maybe your need is economical?

Maybe your need is physical?

Maybe your need is relational?

Maybe your need is emotional?

The definition of need is…To require (something) because it is essential or very important.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Introduction

Identify the Needs

In life we have so many things that we feel like we need.

This verse has often been used to say that each one of us has a special plan and will prosper with a hope and a future that will always be better.

But the context is Israel in captivity in Babylon and there was a prophet who had been telling them lies and causing division.

Looking at the next few verses we can better understand what this verse means and why it is important foundation to identifying the needs of people.

Jeremiah 29:12–14 NIV

12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

YHWH was encouraging the people and us that there is freedom from the captivity. They were longing for physical freedom and often we desire that also.

We, like Israel believe our greatest need the money, relationship, or friendship, but our greatest need is salvation or reconciliation to God.

I believe Jeremiah 29 is a message from God to His people encouraging them as He did many times before even from the beginning.

Genesis 3:14–15 NIV

14 So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

It seems that the promise and future has less to do with the physical need they were hoping for and more the spiritual need they and we have.

For I know the plans I have for you, Declares the Lord, “plans for a reward to live in the eternal Promised land with the Father, and not for you to be separated for eternity in Hell, plans to give you Hope of a Messiah to come and make that future set and secure in paradise.

There are 5 different needs we see in the Christian Walk. This is the foundation of that journey.

Without YHWH’s plan for us we would not be able to have any need met.

Main Point

God will supply ALL of your Needs

Identify The Pyramid of Need

1. Reconciliation with God (Forgiveness)

This is the most important need we all have

Without this first step

Like Jeremiah wrote: God has a plan to bring you back from exile or the bondage of sin and death. into the place of promise.

John 3:16–21 NIV

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

This is the foundation of everything in life. So many people are attempting to fill their lives with other things, but everything must start by Forgiveness through Jesus Christ alone!

ABC reported

in 2003 83% of Americans claimed to be Christian

In 2017 72% of Americans claimed to be Christian

Over the last few decades we have seen a drop in a desire for true stability in this country.

People have forgotten the greatest need and the beginning of our needs being met

- The sin that clouds and controls and separates from God.

I will be sharing more statistics in each of the areas of need, but all the rest where done, by Lifeway.

Out of the 72% who profess Christianity 46% of them believe Jesus isn’t the only way to get to Heaven.

The Need for Jesus is not clear even for people who claim to follow Him.

John 14:5–6 NIV

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

2. Holy Spirit Regeneration (Freedom)

The work of the Holy Spirit is what gives us the ability to live in freedom from guilt and shame, joy, peace, and hope

Once Reconciliation takes place the Holy Spirit takes residences within the person,

But there is the work of Freeing from sin, shame and guilt or sanctifying the person

Once that work is completed then Love, Joy, Peace, Freedom, and Hope take the place of that sin, shame and guilt

Just like Jeremiah there was a freedom that was coming and through the Holy Spirit you too can be freed from that captivity.

But this need of living free from shame and guilt is not a reality for many people

They may have taken the first step into reconciliation with God, but stop there with a very shallow understanding and faith in God.

Lifeway found: 48% of Christians do not believe the Bible is true and can be trusted.

John 14:25–27 NIV

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Lifeway also found: whether they believe the Bible is true or not - 64% of Christians believe the Holy Spirit is simply a force or a feeling not a person.

Romans 15:13–16 NIV

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

3. Belonging in the Church Gathering (Family)

Everyone longs to belong to a family or community that accepts them and helps them to be better than they were.

1 Peter 2:17 NIV

17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

We are called to be a family.

Lifeway reports : 58% of Americans believe you don’t need to gather with a church community or family.

Lifeway also found : 56% of Americans say Pastor’s sermons have no authority in their life

We have a wrong idea of the gathering of believers.

To many are thinking it is all about the pastor or sermon, but they don’t believe that is important for their life so they don’t gather at all

But a worship service is as much about the music and message to refocus and change your life as the people sitting next to you to create a place of belonging and family.

To many Christians/people aren’t having their need of belonging in the family of God met they get stuck on tier 2 or revert back to 1.

The last few weeks we have identified each of these, but they must be the foundation we build and disciple or mentor others begin walking in

4. Natural Provision (Family)

I believe it is after you have come to a place of reconciliation with God, regeneration of the Holy Spirit and belonging in a family will you start to see God moving in mighty ways in your life.

The needs from the beginning will begin to be met if you have placed the proper needs in the proper order.

Maybe your need is economical?

Maybe your need is physical?

Maybe your need is relational?

Maybe your need is emotional?

Acts 2:42–47 NIV

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The Bible teaches that miraculous provision happens, but it also teaches that it is through the family of God more often that people are cared and provided for.

If you are longing for something and haven’t seen it come yet, maybe its because you haven’t become a full active member of a church family yet.

The normal hierarchy of need places this tier as #1, but as believers we must seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness first.

His Kingdom and Righteousness is His power working in your life and His church bringing strength and glory to Him, then those smaller needs you have will be provided for.

Maybe by the person sitting next to you or maybe you will meet their needs.

Are you willing to open up to the family of Christ in a way that will give to everyone who has need.

Once this happens you will find you have a stronger and more powerful Faith seeing God move in your life and in the lives around you.

You will be open to seeing the hurts and needs of others to reach them first with God’s Reconciliation power and be a miracle in their life.

Philippians 4:10–13 NIV

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

When you belong to the family of God your natural provision becomes intertwined with your families that you find yourselves becoming content to meet others natural needs because you know that they will meet yours when you are in need.

Philippians 2:3–5 NIV

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

5. Purpose and Meaning (Filled)

The Highest tier in your Christian walk of needs to be met

Do you have purpose and meaning in life?

What is it that you believe you are put here to do?

If you don’t have a purpose in life you may have all your spiritual, relational, and physical needs met, but are still loosing your joy and hope and passion for life.

Proverbs 29:18 NIV

18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

Proverbs 29:18 NLT

18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.

Proverbs 29:18 ESV

18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Where

Romans 8:28 NIV

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Matthew 28:17–20 NIV

17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

77% of Americans regularly think about finding more meaning and purpose in life

What is your purpose?

Are you Sharing with others the Good news?

Are you creating a place of belong for people?

Are you helping to meet the needs of those around you?

Are you discipling newer believer or people who don’t have a faith yet?

It doesn’t take a special person to do these it just take a willing person who wants to begin living in Purpose

Philippians 4:19–20 NIV

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

How Do we have out needs met and meet others needs

Working together in unity.

Jeremiah 29:11–14 (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Begin by seeking God

His forgiveness

His wisdom and guidance

His Family (and your part in it)

His provision for others then yourself

His purpose and calling for your life

If you will seek me you will find me when you seek me with your whole heart.

Half hearted faith, passion, seeking will leave you wanting.

We must be willing to be His sheep who simply follow and trust.

Worship Team

When it comes to need we must begin by letting go of our effort and allowing God to be everything to us

Psalm 23:1–6 NIV

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Is the Bottom Line Clear?

Closing Line: