Lesson 5
September 10, 2025
What Do You Seek?
John 1:38 (ESV) 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
Adapted from Polishing the Pulpit, Branson 2025, presented by Greg Dismuke
Class Overview
What Do You Seek?
What Do You Seek?
What Do You Seek? (John 1:38)
- The identity of Jesus is affirmed by multiple witnesses, including God the Father, John the Baptist, and the Apostles.
- It is crucial to examine our true intentions for seeking Jesus, moving beyond selfish or superficial motives.
- In Jesus, we find reconciliation with God, justification, sanctification, and fulfillment of our deepest spiritual needs.
- We should seek Jesus through His word, in the present moment, and out of a genuine need for salvation.
Jesus challenges everyone to examine their true intentions. We are called to seek Him not for signs or selfish gain, but for salvation and a restored relationship with God.
The Testimony of Jesus' Identity
The identity of Jesus Christ is not a matter of opinion but is confirmed by powerful testimonies throughout Scripture. God the Father testified at both His baptism and transfiguration. John the Baptist declared Him the pre-existent Son of God. The Apostle John identified Him as the eternal Word made flesh, and Paul stated He is the very image of God. Even His enemies, in accusing Him of blasphemy for forgiving sins, inadvertently acknowledged His divine authority.
Why Do We Seek Jesus?
People sought Jesus for many reasons. Some sought Him for physical needs like food after the feeding of the 5,000. Others sought spectacular signs and miracles. Still others sought Him with malicious intent. Jesus challenges every person to look inward and honestly answer the question, "What do you seek?" Are our motives centered on what we can get from Him, or on who He is?
What Is Found in Jesus?
When we seek Jesus for the right reasons, we find everything we truly need. In Him, we find:
- Reconciliation: He restores our broken relationship with God.
- Justification: Through Him, we are declared righteous and saved from wrath.
- Sanctification: He makes us holy and sets us apart through His truth.
- Fulfillment: He is the Savior, healer, high priest, shepherd, and the way to the Father. He is the source of peace and the Lord of all.
How Should We Seek Jesus?
Scripture provides clear instructions on how to properly seek Jesus. We are to seek His kingdom and righteousness first (Matthew 6:33). We should seek Him through His revealed word, not by demanding personal signs or visions. Critically, we must seek Him now, in the present moment, for there is no guarantee of tomorrow (2 Corinthians 6:2). The path to Him involves hearing the gospel, believing, repenting of our sins, confessing Him as the Son of God, and being baptized for the forgiveness of those sins.
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Study Game and Interactive Study Questions
Quiz: What Do You Seek?
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