Pastor Bailey Delivers Message on the Intentional Pursuit of God
In a sermon titled “Seeking Is Not Accidental,” Pastor Paul Bailey of The Modern Pew challenged his audience to examine whether they are truly pursuing God—or simply going through the motions. Drawing from Scripture and real-life reflections, Bailey emphasized that seeking God is a deliberate act, not something that happens by chance.
Opening with personal transparency, Bailey admitted that at times, believers may resist hearing from God—not because He is silent, but because His direction might require change or discomfort. “There are times we pray for guidance but don’t actually want to hear what He says,” he remarked.
The sermon drew from the post-resurrection account where Jesus told His disciples to go to Galilee. While this might sound like a simple instruction, Bailey reminded listeners that Galilee was roughly 70–80 miles from Jerusalem—a four-day walk. “Jesus didn’t say why—just said go. And they went. That’s what seeking looks like,” Bailey explained.
He taught that obedience and spiritual pursuit must be intentional. Using Psalm 10:4, Bailey warned how pride blinds people from seeking God: “The wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” Expounding on the Hebrew meaning, Bailey explained this isn’t about casually forgetting God—it’s about entirely excluding Him from one’s plans, decisions, and desires.
Further supporting his point, Bailey referenced 2 Chronicles 12:14, which describes how King Rehoboam “did evil because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord.” The issue wasn’t ignorance but a lack of preparation. “You don’t just stumble into spiritual growth,” Bailey said. “You have to plan for it.”
Bailey illustrated the principle with relatable humor. “You can accidentally gain weight—but you won’t accidentally live righteous. It takes effort.” He challenged believers not to rely solely on Sunday worship but to develop a daily relationship with God. “God didn’t want to meet Adam weekly; He walked with him daily in the garden.”
Referencing Psalm 119:105, Bailey closed by urging the congregation to let God’s Word serve as both a lamp to their feet and a light to their path. “Seeking God is not about wishful thinking—it’s a choice. A daily, purposeful pursuit.”
