3 Minute Church: Hunger & Thirst for More
This blog unpacks Pastor Lee Cummings’ Sermon from January 26, 2025
“If you aim for a purpose, you'll miss God. But if you aim for God, you'll find your purpose.”
Pastor Lee Cummings
We hunger and thirst for love, belonging, security, and answers. But what if the very thing we're looking for is right in front of us?
LET'S BREAK IT DOWN:
The story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well is one of the most notable stories in the Bible. As Jesus sat weary by the well, He encountered a woman seeking physical water. Yet, He saw beyond her immediate need and offered her something far greater: living water that would quench her deepest thirst.
This encounter wasn't just about satisfying physical needs. It was about recognizing the core longing of the human soul. Jesus revealed the deepest ache in her heart, exposing her desire for love, belonging, and connection with God. At that moment, she discovered that true satisfaction comes not from worldly pursuits but from an intimate relationship with the Messiah.
But the story doesn't end there. As the disciples returned with food in hand for Jesus, they were confused to find Him talking with a Samaritan woman—a cultural taboo—and missed the significance of the moment. When they urged Jesus to eat, His response was profound: "I have food to eat that you know nothing about. My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work" (John 4:32-34).
This statement challenges us to reconsider what is truly satisfying: Are we content with merely fulfilling our physical and emotional needs, or are we hungry for something more—the very purpose for which we were created?
Jesus' life mirrored the will of God above all else. From His temptation in the wilderness to His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, Jesus consistently chose obedience to the Father over personal comfort or popularity. He understood that true satisfaction comes not from engaging in fleeting desires but from aligning our lives with eternal purpose.
The Psalmist encourages us to "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8). This invitation isn't just about momentary or fleeting experiences but developing a constant hunger to seek God’s presence and purpose. Like newborn infants longing for pure milk, we're called to crave the spiritual nourishment that leads to growth in our faith.
How do we cultivate this hunger for God? It starts with recognizing our spiritual poverty apart from Him. Just as physical hunger urges every part of us to seek food, fostering our spiritual hunger propels us to seek God with greater intensity. It involves prioritizing time in God's Word, prayer, and worship—not as a religious duty but as an opportunity to feast on God’s goodness and presence.
As we grow in our relationship with God, we begin to see the world through His eyes. Jesus looked at the fields around Him and saw a harvest ready to be reaped. He saw beyond the cultural barriers and social norms to the spiritual hunger in people's hearts.
Are we developing this same perspective?
Do we see our workplaces, neighborhoods, and cities as fields ripe for harvest?
The challenge before us is clear: Will we settle for a comfortable Christianity that merely adds Jesus as an accessory to our lives? Or will we pursue Him as the "pearl of great price," willing to surrender everything to gain Him?
This pursuit isn't always easy. It might involve sacrificing worldly pleasures, popular opinions, or the easy path to success. But the reward is incomparable: knowing we're fulfilling our God-given purpose by obediently following our hunger and thirst for the Lord.
As we consider this, let's ask ourselves:
1. What am I truly hungry for in life?
2. Am I willing to fully surrender my life to His will?
3. How can I develop a greater appetite for God's Word and presence?
4. In what ways can I align my daily choices with God's purposes?
5. How can I begin to see the people around me as a harvest field, ready for God's love?
This life is but a vapor compared to eternity. The choices we make today have eternal ramifications. Ten thousand years from now, what will matter most: the temporary pleasures we pursued or the lives we impacted for God's kingdom?
May we echo Jesus' words, declaring with our lives, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me."
In this, we'll find not just momentary satisfaction but an eternal feast that truly satisfies the soul.
Tap to watch Pastor Lee Cummings' full sermon on Youtube.
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on this sermon:
Day 1: Thirsting for Living Water
Reading: John 4:1-26
Devotional: Just as Jesus offered living water to the Samaritan woman, He offers us the same today. This living water represents the Holy Spirit, who quenches our deepest spiritual thirst. Reflect on areas in your life where you feel spiritually dry or unfulfilled. How might you be seeking fulfillment from worldly sources instead of God? Today, invite Jesus to fill you with His living water. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you in a fresh way, just as He did with the Samaritan woman. Consider how you can open your heart to receive more of God's presence and allow His Spirit to flow through you to others.
Day 2: Hunger for God's Will
Reading: John 4:27-38
Devotional: Jesus said, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work." This reveals His deep hunger and passion for fulfilling God's purpose. How hungry are you for God's will in your life? Often, we focus on our own plans and desires, but true satisfaction comes from aligning ourselves with God's purposes. Today, ask God to increase your hunger for His will. Seek His guidance in your daily decisions and commit to being obedient, even when it's challenging. Consider how you can be more intentional about seeking God's will through prayer, Scripture, and godly counsel.
Day 3: Known and Loved by God
Reading: Psalm 139:1-18
Devotional: The Samaritan woman was amazed that Jesus knew everything about her yet still offered her grace and salvation. This passage in Psalms reminds us that God knows us intimately and loves us completely. Reflect on the depth of God's knowledge of you - your thoughts, fears, dreams, and struggles. How does it make you feel to know that God is fully aware of every aspect of your life? Instead of hiding from God, allow His perfect love to cast out fear. Embrace the freedom that comes from being fully known and fully loved. Today, open up to God about an area of your life you've been hesitant to share, trusting in His unconditional love.
Day 4: Becoming Living Water for Others
Reading: John 7:37-39
Devotional: After encountering Jesus, the Samaritan woman immediately shared her experience with others, becoming a source of living water herself. Jesus promises that those who believe in Him will have "rivers of living water" flowing from within them. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, not just for our benefit but to impact others. How can you be a channel of God's love and grace to those around you? Consider the people in your life who might be spiritually thirsty. Pray for opportunities to share your faith story and the hope you have in Christ. Ask God to fill you afresh with His Spirit so that His love can overflow from your life to others.
Day 5: Hungering for More of God
Reading: Matthew 5:6
Devotional: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." This beatitude echoes the theme of spiritual hunger and thirst we've explored this week. True satisfaction comes not from pursuing worldly pleasures or accomplishments but from seeking God and His righteousness. Reflect on your current spiritual appetite. Are you content with where you are, or do you long for more of God? Challenge yourself to cultivate a deeper hunger for God's presence and His Word. Consider fasting from something that typically occupies your time and attention, replacing it with prayer, Bible study, or worship. Ask God to increase your spiritual hunger and to satisfy you with His presence.