Within the human heart there is a notion of someone or something greater than our self.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
God has put eternity into our hearts.
Because of this notion, there should be a greater longing to discover spiritual things.
Acts 17:16-31
I am fiercely pursuing spiritual things (ultimate truth, certain hope, perfect love)
Follow Up Questions to the Message: 9/10 people express believing that some sort of spiritual reality exists. Do you think that statement is true of the people you know? Why or why not? What do most people you know feel about God/spiritual things?
God has put eternity into our hearts. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Have you had life experiences that stirred up the idea of eternity within you? What things in life have pointed you toward him?
Read through the Act 17:16-31 again. Imagine you were a citizen in Athens hearing Paul say these things. What would you be thinking? How would you react/respond?
The people of Athens were distracted and pulled away from the one true God by the many religious temples, false gods and idols that they worshipped. What things tend to distract you and pull you away? How strongly are they affecting you?
I am fiercely pursuing spiritual things. Would you agree with this statement? Would you describe your pursuit of spiritual things (ultimate truth, certain hope, perfect love) as “fierce”? If not, what word would best describe your pursuit of the spiritual?
Romans 16:17-18 Luke 17:1-2 James 3:1 Romans 16:19 Philippians 4:8-9 Romans 16:20 Romans 16:25 Romans 16:26 Romans 16:27 Who gets the final word in your life? Romans 16:27 Glory be to God forevermore though Jesus!
What is clear from all of this is that Phoebe was a wealthy woman who used her wealth, her mobility and her personal resources to care for the saints and to assist in the spread of the Gospel.
Her example should inspire all of us to consider how we can leverage our advantages and opportunities to do the same. ~ The Gospel Coalition
Connection Community “the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.” ~ Oxford Dictionary Communion
We have a hope that carries us, and we carry that hope for the world. Romans 15:14-19 Acts 1:8 “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Romans 15:20-22 Romans 1:13-15 Romans 1:16-17 Romans 15:23-31 Sometimes the greatest end-result is accomplished through the greatest difficulty.
Romans 15:4 The scriptures were written for our: (progressive) instruction endurance encouragement hope
Romans 15:5-6 Romans 15:7 Romans 15:8-12 Romans 15:13 The hope of God carries us, and we carry that hope for the world. Isaiah 56:3, 6-8 Video Clip: Jesus Revolution The hope of God carries us, and we carry that hope for the world. Isaiah 15:13
Key Idea: We do all this for the sake of others, because that’s what love does. Romans 14:1-23 Romans 14:23 NLT Romans 14:14 If you are convinced something is sinful, don’t do it.
Romans 14:22
“Do not obtrude your faith or opinion on others. Be satisfied with cherishing the opinion, and acting on it in private, without bringing it forward to produce disturbance in the church.”
