What Does God Want? (From our 6-29-25 Worship)

Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/hxZqZLBXcTQ

Summary:
Main Questions:

• What do you want?
  Not just short-term desires, but ultimately—at the end of your life—what do you truly want?
• What does God want?
  This is the central question the lesson seeks to answer.

Scripture Foundation: Isaiah 53–57 (ESV excerpts)

• Isaiah 53: The prophecy of the Suffering Servant (Jesus), who bore our griefs, carried our sorrows, was pierced for our transgressions, and brought us peace through His wounds.
• Isaiah 54–55: A message of restoration, covenant love, and invitation to come to God freely:
  • “Fear not…your Maker is your husband” (Isaiah 54:4–5)
  • “Come, everyone who thirsts…without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1)
  • “Seek the Lord while He may be found…” (Isaiah 55:6)
• Isaiah 56: A declaration that even foreigners and eunuchs (outsiders) who seek the Lord will be accepted and given an everlasting name.
• Isaiah 57: A contrast between the righteous, who enter peace, and the wicked, who find no rest. God is high and holy but draws near to the contrite and lowly.

Key Themes:

• God’s Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53):
  Jesus willingly suffered and died for our sins—not for His own benefit, but because God wants us.
• God’s Desire for Relationship (Isaiah 54–55):
  Despite our past, God desires to restore, gather, and bless His people.
  He calls us to come freely, to return to Him, and to receive compassion and pardon.
• God Welcomes the Outsider (Isaiah 56):
  All who choose what pleases Him—regardless of background—are welcomed into His presence.
• God Revives the Broken (Isaiah 57):
  God does not dwell only in heaven, but with the one who is “contrite and lowly.”
  He sees, heals, and restores those who turn back to Him.

Final Message:

• What does God want?
  He wants you.
  From Genesis to Revelation, from Isaiah’s time to today, God has always wanted His people—His creation—to come back to Him.
• No matter how far you've wandered, no matter how broken you've been, God still wants you.
  His love is steadfast, His call is open, and His promise is everlasting.

Closing Appeal:

“I don’t know what you need this morning, but if we can help you in any way…”

A call to respond—whether it be repentance, baptism, prayer, or simply returning to the Lord.

Let me know if you’d like this turned into a sermon outline, discussion guide, or PowerPoint.