Part 02: He Waits to Be Wanted
Sermon Summary
This message from Pastor Carl Gulley invites us into a powerful truth that the God of the universe does not force His presence on humanity. Instead, He waits to be wanted.
Drawing from Isaiah 44:3 and the pattern of God's movement throughout history, we're reminded that revival and fresh outpourings of God's Spirit come when people genuinely hunger for His presence.
Key Scriptures
Isaiah 44:3 (NIV) "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your descendants."
James 4:8a (NIV) "Come near to God and he will come near to you."
Habakkuk 3:2 (ESV) "O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy."
Ephesians 5:14 (NIV) "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Instructions for Groups
Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice. You don't need to answer every question. Select the ones that will best help your group engage with God's Word and apply it to your lives.
Discussion Questions
Scripture Study & Deeper Understanding
1. What is the context surrounding Isaiah 44:3, and what situation were God's people facing when He spoke these words through the prophet?
Look at Isaiah 44:1-5 together. God is speaking to Jacob/Israel, His servant and chosen people. What specific promises does God make in verses 1-2 before the promise of verse 3? Notice the progression: He identifies them as His servant, reminds them He made them and formed them in the womb, promises to help them, and tells them not to be afraid. The imagery of water on thirsty land and streams on dry ground follows these relational promises. What does this tell us about God's character and how He relates to His people before He moves?
2. In James 4:8, what comes before and after this promise that "if you draw near to God, He will draw near to you"?
Read James 4:1-10 together to understand the full context. Before verse 8, James addresses quarrels, wrong motives, friendship with the world, and pride. After verse 8, he calls for purification, mourning, and humility. The call to "draw near to God" is sandwiched between confronting sin and submitting to God. What does this reveal about the conditions or posture required for experiencing God's nearness? How does this passage challenge any notion that God's presence comes without our response?
3. When Habakkuk prays "repeat them in our day" (Habakkuk 3:2), what specific deeds of God is he referring to that he wants repeated?
Look back at Habakkuk chapters 1-2 to understand what the prophet had heard and seen. Habakkuk had received a vision of God's judgment and deliverance. He stood in awe of God's deeds throughout Israel's history, including the Exodus, the wilderness wanderings, and God's power displayed in creation. What specific attributes of God does Habakkuk describe in chapter 3:3-15? When he asks God to "repeat" these deeds, what is he asking for? How does remembering God's past faithfulness inform our prayers for His present movement?
Encouragement, Challenge & Personal Testimony
4. The sermon emphasizes that "God waits to be wanted" rather than forcing His presence on people. What does this reveal about God's character and how He values genuine relationship over coercion?
Reflect on the reality that the God who could do anything, anytime, in any way He wants chooses to wait for authentic desire from His people. What does this teach us about how God values our freedom and genuine affection? How is this different from worldly power or how human leaders often operate? Share about a time when you experienced the difference between going through religious motions versus genuinely wanting God's presence.
5. The message challenges the lie that "to live is gain, to die is Christ," meaning we squeeze every pleasure out of this life and barely make it to heaven. How does flipping this to Paul's actual words "to live is Christ, to die is gain" change everything about how we approach daily life?
The sermon confronts our tendency to see this life as the main event and heaven as a distant backup plan. When we truly believe "to live is Christ," what shifts in our priorities, decisions, and daily rhythms? What would it look like for your week ahead to be marked by living for Christ rather than just surviving or maximizing comfort? Be honest about areas where you've bought into the "live for today, worry about eternity later" mentality.
6. Carl shared about people at Asbury who felt they were in a "winter season," unable to remember the last time God spoke or touched them. Can you relate to seasons of spiritual dryness, and what has helped you recognize your need for God's fresh touch?
Winter seasons are part of every believer's journey. The sermon suggests these dry times aren't necessarily caused by sin but can simply be seasons where we need fresh streams to flow our direction. Share honestly about a time you felt distant from God or spiritually dry. What awakened you to your need? How did you move from just surviving that season to genuinely crying out for God to revive you? What comfort do you find in knowing others experience these seasons too?
Putting it into Practice
7. Based on tonight's message, what specific practice could you implement this week to position yourself to "draw near to God" so that He will "draw near to you"?
This isn't about earning God's presence through works, but about creating space and expressing genuine desire for Him. Consider: Could you start your day differently, perhaps with five minutes of simply saying "I want You, God"? Could you turn off distractions during a commute to pray Habakkuk's prayer? Could you gather with a friend specifically to seek God's face together? Be specific about one tangible way you'll express your want for God this week, and share it with the group for accountability.
8. The sermon invites us to move from a posture of "surviving December" to "asking God to revive it." What would it look like practically for you to approach this Christmas season as an opportunity for fresh encounter with God rather than just another month to get through?
Advent means "arrival" or "to come," and historically God has moved powerfully during this season. Instead of focusing on all you need to accomplish or survive, how could you intentionally pause to celebrate "then He came" and pray for Him to come again in your life? This might mean saying no to some traditions that leave you exhausted, creating new rhythms that foster hunger for God, or being intentional about where you're looking for satisfaction. What one thing could you release or add to your December schedule to make more room for genuine encounter with God's presence?
Prayer
9. Listening to the Holy Spirit
We're going to take focused time to listen to the Holy Spirit and what He wants to speak to us personally based on our time in Scripture and discussion tonight. Let's sit in silence for 60 seconds and ask the Spirit to speak to each one of us.
[After the minute of silence] What do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or speaking to you as we prayed?
10. Prayer Requests from Tonight's Study
What prayer requests come up for you based on our Scripture study and discussion tonight? How can we pray for you as you seek to apply what God has shown you?