Reading today’s sermon title — “Where have all the hungry people gone?” — may have prompted you to make this statement: “What does this pastor mean by what he’s saying? There are plenty of hungry people everywhere in the world today.” You might even be able to provide a list of third-world countries where people are actually dying of starvation.

Well, that’s not the type of hunger I’m talking about. I’m speaking about a hunger for the word of God, a hunger for God’s Spirit.

We live in a society where people are hungrier for gold than they are for God. This is what Jesus said concerning ungodly gain: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36 — please take time to read; maybe there can be a citywide discussion on the scripture, or just ask a minister or a Christian).

The Father is always seeking for those who are hungry to worship him, in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).

May I ask a question? We have all heard this before: “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” Let me ask you a question: If God were to pass through this Earth and no one had a desire (hunger) to praise him, would there be praise to God?

I would say yes. Jesus said that if we held back our praise and worship from him, the stones of this world would cry out to God in praise and worship (Luke 19:40).

It’s time for the hungry people of this world to come out of the woodwork, come out of the forest, come out of themselves and say: “Jesus, I’m hungry for you, more than I’ve ever been. I’m hungry for your Spirit; I’m hungry for the pure, righteous, holy word of God.”

When is the last time you said to your family, “Hey, I’m hungry, let’s go to church and eat”?

Friend, God’s word is waiting for you. Are you hungry?

The Rev. Edward Jimenez is pastor of Pentecostals of Patterson. Sermon Notes is a column by local religious leaders.