Hear AND Heed! What could you do if you hear God‘s voice but do not heat it? … Do not obey. Direction change Repentance One of the most dramatic examples of God’s transforming power at work - Act 9:1-9 Paul was strong willed - it took significant input to change his direction Bottom line is he did change direction. Hear AND Heed! - Act 9:1 (ESV) But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest Saul was powerfully motivated - he felt he was doing this to honor God! Jer 17:9 (ESV) 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Hear AND Heed! - Act 9:2 (ESV) and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Act 9:3 (ESV) Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. Act 9:4 (ESV) And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Rom 14:4 (ESV) 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 1Co 10:13 (ESV) 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Hear AND Heed! - Act 9:5 (ESV) And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. God got Saul’s attention enough that Saul started asking questions… 1Jn 4:1-3 (ESV) 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Hear AND Heed! - Act 9:6 (ESV) But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Act 9:7 (ESV) The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Act 9:8 (ESV) Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. Hear AND Heed! - Act 9:9 (ESV) And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. = Count the cost but heed the call!! Mat 16:24-27 (ESV) Hear AND Heed! Php 3:1-15 (ESV) Paul counted the cost! He willingly gave up all that he had gained in the world’s eyes in order to attain what was really valuable – those things in eternity! Hear AND Heed!

In Pursuit of Knowing Him CAMP in the Word The Bible was given to us to change our lives not just to increase our knowledge… Getting to know God thru studying His Word How is God revealing himself to me through his word today? Joh 17:3 (ESV) 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. Capture a key thought or thoughts Analyze it Meditate on it Pass it on ——————————————————— Read Act 8:26-40 Capture a key thought or thoughts Analyze it Meditate on it Pass it on ——————————————————— Act 8:26 (ESV) Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. ——————————————————— Act 8:27 (ESV) And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship ——————————————————— Act 8:28 (ESV) and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Act 8:29 (ESV) And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” ——————————————————— Act 8:30 (ESV) So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” ——————————————————— Act 8:31 (ESV) And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Act 8:32 (ESV) Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. Act 8:33 (ESV) In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” Act 8:34 (ESV) And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Act 8:35 (ESV) Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 2Ti 4:2 (ESV) 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. ——————————————————— Act 8:36 (ESV) And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” ——————————————————— Act 8:38 (ESV) And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. Act 8:39 (ESV) And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. Act 8:40 (ESV) But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. ============================ Capture Key Thought(s): - God gave specific yet open-ended direction to Philip - Philip obeyed - Philip acted on what he knew with what he had - God used Philip’s obedience to open the door for the eunuch Analyze the Key What eternal principles does this show me? - Obedience isn’t knowing everything then acting - God is looking for faith in action - God can use our finite capabilities to accomplish His infinite and perfect plans Meditate on the Key What am I going to do about this? Jas 1:22 (ESV) 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Act boldly in obedience Walk confidently in faith Ask “What would God have me do here and now?” Then do it!! Pass it on Heb 10:24-25 (ESV) 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Share what you learn - in an encouraging way - with those God brings into your life

Receive His Power! Receiving versus filled God grants each one of us His spirit, fully indwelling in us at the point where He determines our hearts are fully His. Eph 1:13-14 (ESV) 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Receive His Power! From there filling is an ongoing process - maintenance is required because we live in a sin-filled world the world and where is this down and distracts us from the eternal truth of God. — Read Act 8:14-25 Receive His Power! — Act 8:14 (ESV) Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, Now the adventure begins… Receive His Power! — Act 8:15 (ESV) who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, They knees the process was not completed. Receive His Power! — Act 8:16 (ESV) for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. This is the start but God has more Receive His Power! — Act 8:17 (ESV) Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. God set this up at the outset to confirm his actions… From there we see that it’s without man intermediary. Ethiopian eunuch — Act 8:18 (ESV) Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, Men believe that there is power but are unwilling to submit to the source - they try to control it… Joh 2:23-24 (ESV) 23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people Do what is necessary to Receive His Power! — Act 8:19 (ESV) saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Human nature desires power. Supernatural power is very tempting. Receive His Power! — Act 8:20 (ESV) But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! God grants His Spirit as a gift. Delivery mechanism varies. Pray to Receive His Power! — Act 8:21 (ESV) You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. God’s Spirit comes not by the will of man but by God’s will and discretion Receive His Power! — Act 8:22 (ESV) Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. God examines the heart Our only hope is true repentance… Receive His Power! — Act 8:23 (ESV) For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” Get your heart right Receive His Power! — Act 8:24 (ESV) And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” — Act 8:25 (ESV) Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. = God has granted us the blessing of living with a direct connection to Him through his spirit indwelling in us! Zec 4:6 (ESV) Isa 30:21 (ESV) Receive His Power! 1Co 12:11-13 (ESV) His spirit is where we get the power to accomplish things have eternal consequence… Receive His Power! 2Ti 1:7 (ESV) Eph 6:12 (ESV) Receive His Power!

Be Amazed By God! Spiritual Inertia Be amazed by God! What amazes you? 1) to throw out of position, displace 1a) to amaze, to astonish, throw into wonderment 1b) to be amazed, astounded 1c) to be out of one’s mind, besides one’s self, insane Part of Speech: verb What breaks you out of your normal mode of thinking? ——————————————————— Read Act 8:9-13 Inertia - A body at rest will stay at rest until acted upon by an outside force. Physical and spiritual inertia Friction and our external environment will suck energy out of us… Spiritual inertia - sitting in one position, avoiding getting “rocked” or impacted by anything. In order to make significant change I need to be seeking external input, external energy that will move me in the right direction. Change requires and implies displacement, a change of position or perspective. The enemy of transformed thinking is complacency… Be amazed by God! ——————————————————— Act 8:9 (ESV) But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. Inputs in our lives can be good or bad. Those things that move us need to be monitored closely – make sure they are moving us in the right direction! Be amazed by God! ——————————————————— Act 8:10 (ESV) They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” The world will need us AWAY from God. It will either slowest down or change your direction. Don’t let it! Be amazed by God! ——————————————————— Act 8:11 (ESV) And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. Magic is a façade! It looks good but it has no substance. It’s just an illusion. This is similar to the promises of the world end they look good but have no substance, they will never truly satisfy you just leave you hungering for more. Work to be amazed by God! ——————————————————— Act 8:12 (ESV) But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Bapti ——————————————————— Act 8:13 (ESV) Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. ============================ What can we do to be amazed by God? Rom 10:17 (ESV) 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Heb 10:24-25 (ESV) 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. God has put eternity in the hearts of men - don’t allow that desire for external input to be misapplied! Seek His input, not the world’s! What amazes you about God? Joh 17:3 (ESV) 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. God has called us to continually pursue understanding and knowing him because that is how we change – we are amazed when we get to know him better. Rom 12:2 (ESV) 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Don’t allow yourself to be complacent, to be “comfortable“ Constantly ask what you can learn about God. Praising God it’s an act that exercises our amazement. As we look at the good that he does we begin to see that it is not normal. It displaces are thinking, shifts are minds, and energizes us to appreciate him more. Be amazed by God!

Joy of our salvation Our joy is proportional to our comprehension of what God has done The Word What is the Word? What is the Gospel? What is the Good News? ——————————————————— Act 8:4 (ESV) Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. ——————————————————— Act 8:5 (ESV) Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. ——————————————————— Act 8:6 (ESV) And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. Act 8:7 (ESV) For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. Act 8:8 (ESV) So there was much joy in that city. What was the source of joy? ============================ The more we comprehend the truth of the Kingdom of God, the more we value it. Our joy is proportional to our comprehension of what God has done Mat 13:44-46 (ESV) 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl out f great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Our joy is proportional to our comprehension of what God has done Eph 2:1-10 (ESV) 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Understanding the truth of the Gospel brings joy Our joy is proportional to our comprehension of what God has done

Real Victory! Total submission to God’s Spirit! Death and imprisonment… Where is the victory? It is in overcoming our flesh and it’s control of us. Sin destroys man which is why God is destroying sin. Victory is in freedom from the control of the flesh and total submission to the control of the Spirit. This is what we were created for and this is where we will find true fulfillment. Without a comprehension of God, this life quickly turns into an empty, meaningless exercise in self-fulfillment and empty desire appeasement. Our victory is in breaking free from this temporal lie and captivity to self and soaring on into eternity with God! Act 5:41 (ESV) 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. — Read Act 8:1-3 Victory is in freedom from the control of the flesh and total submission to the control of the Spirit. — Act 8:1 (ESV) And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. — Act 8:2 (ESV) Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. — Act 8:3 (ESV) But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. = Eternal perspective! Victory is in freedom from the control of the flesh and total submission to the control of the Spirit. This is what we were created for and this is where we will find true fulfillment. From God‘s perspective, imprisonment is not a bad thing. God is in TOTAL control! These circumstances are all part of his plan. If you can comprehend and live with this truth in mind, life is an awesome adventure! If you cannot comprehend this truth then life is a terrible tragedy. So it becomes a truism that the joy in your life is directly proportional to your faith in God! Proportional… Remember that God is meting out every circumstance with purpose. 1Co 10:13 (ESV) This doesn’t mean that we will “escape“ every temptation… Look at Peter denial of Jesus. Luk 22:31-32 (ESV) Victory is in freedom from the control of the flesh and total submission to the control of the Spirit. Rom 8:28 (ESV) What are “all things“? Things that make us uncomfortable, things that challenge us, things that force us to rely on God more… Victory is in freedom from the control of the flesh and total submission to the control of the Spirit. Php 4:6-8 (ESV) “These things…” are the things that are from God, not from the world. Rom 5:3-5 (ESV) Victory is in freedom from the control of the flesh and total submission to the control of the Spirit. Strive for THIS victory in your life today!

Fruit of faith Transformed by God’s Spirit! This is what it looks like to live life to the full! Focus on The transforming power of God that flows from a total focus and worship of God! Christ in you the hope of glory! God’s character and His Spirit flowing through Steven in ACTION! Living life so full of the Spirit that you walk right thru circumstances and temptations that normally derail mankind. Over the last several days we’ve been walking through Steven’s speech, seeing some of the characteristics and underlying Biblical and eternal principles that God is revealing in it. - Be who God called you to be - Issues of the heart - Stay on target! Focus on honoring and glorifying God - The Perfect Script - Trusting the Master weaver - Growing to know Him - Created to worship Worship is the fruit of a heart seeking to honor and glorify God - Signs of life! Faith = action Now we see Steven, FULL of the Holy Spirit, living out the heart character of God! Now we see the fruit of faith! — Read Act 7:55-60 This is what being transformed by God’s Spirit looks like! God has given us many examples of commitment to him. Two examples are the statement by Job and the three Hebrew children before the fiery furnace. Job 13:15 (ESV) 15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. These are more than words - Job lived this out. This IS the Fruit of faith! Dan 3:15-18 (ESV) 15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn…. ….who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” This is the Fruit of faith It is my desire to live AND die with this heart attitude, with this total focus on honoring and glorifying God. Wouldn’t it be awesome to live in this world with such a direct and solid connection with God that the circumstances of this world are irrelevant and have no impact on your state of mind? — Act 7:55 (ESV) But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. The crowd is going crazy and about to rush in and kill him but Stephen is steadfast in his course, completely unaffected by anything in the worldly realm… This is the Fruit of faith — Act 7:56 (ESV) And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Stevens eyes were NOT on his circumstances… This is the Fruit of faith — Act 7:57 (ESV) But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Act 7:58 (ESV) Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. Act 7:59 (ESV) And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Steven was totally focused on the eternal. He was literally being stoned when he said these words! This is the Fruit of faith — Act 7:60 (ESV) And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. His actions are COMPLETELY different and contrast sharply with the normal human response. This IS the outward sign of inward change! Christ in you transforms your response from a worldly selfish one to a Godly selfLESS response. = This is the life God has called us to - to live so full of his presence, his spirit, his power, that we are completely unaffected by the circumstances around us. Unaffected by… …the Temptations that surround us …our flesh’s demands and desires…Totally focused on honoring and glorifying him in EVERY thought and action

Signs of life! Faith = action Having a truth without living it is worse than not having it Stephen has walked through the history of the Jews and their consistent rejections of God‘s spokes people. Joseph is rejected by his brothers end of our founding fathers of the Israelite nation. Moses was rejected by the Israelites when he first tried to work on their behalf. The Israelites again rejected Moses while he was on the mountain speaking to God – they asked for guards that would go before them. They limited God‘s influence in their life to the temple – they lived their life as they wanted to outside of that The old testament shows us the tendency of mankind through the actions of the Israelites. Israelites rejected God’s leading and direction consistently throughout their history. Their claim to faith in God was proved false by the way they lived Is there a sign of life – eternal life – in your life? Looking for signs of life! ——————————————————— Read Act 7:51-54 Having the truth but not living it is worse than not having it. ——————————————————— Act 7:51 (ESV) “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. What is circumcision? An outward sign of an inward change… What are actions? Outward signs of inward change Looking for signs of life! ——————————————————— Act 7:52 (ESV) Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, ——————————————————— Act 7:53 (ESV) you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.” to keep from being snatched away, preserve safe and unimpaired The Israelites were given the privilege of the revelation of God’s character but they did not hold it in higher steam or keep it pure and holy. They used it for their own and rather than for the purpose God intended ——————————————————— Act 7:54 (ESV) Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. ============================ Stephen spoke the truth and the response of the council revealed their heart… Was not one of repentance but of anger and self righteous indignation 2Co 7:10 (ESV) 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. Jas 1:22-25 (ESV) 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. Rom 2:28-29 (ESV) 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Signs of life! Faith = action Having a truth without living it is worse than not having it Stephen has walked through the history of the Jews and their consistent rejections of God‘s spokes people. Joseph is rejected by his brothers end of our founding fathers of the Israelite nation. Moses was rejected by the Israelites when he first tried to work on their behalf. The Israelites again rejected Moses while he was on the mountain speaking to God – they asked for guards that would go before them. They limited God‘s influence in their life to the temple – they lived their life as they wanted to outside of that The old testament shows us the tendency of mankind through the actions of the Israelites. Israelites rejected God’s leading and direction consistently throughout their history. Their claim to faith in God was proved false by the way they lived Is there a sign of life – eternal life – in your life? Looking for signs of life! ——————————————————— Read Act 7:51-54 Having the truth but not living it is worse than not having it. ——————————————————— Act 7:51 (ESV) “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. What is circumcision? An outward sign of an inward change… What are actions? Outward signs of inward change Looking for signs of life! ——————————————————— Act 7:52 (ESV) Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, ——————————————————— Act 7:53 (ESV) you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.” to keep from being snatched away, preserve safe and unimpaired The Israelites were given the privilege of the revelation of God’s character but they did not hold it in higher steam or keep it pure and holy. They used it for their own and rather than for the purpose God intended ——————————————————— Act 7:54 (ESV) Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. ============================ Stephen spoke the truth and the response of the council revealed their heart… Was not one of repentance but of anger and self righteous indignation 2Co 7:10 (ESV) 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. Jas 1:22-25 (ESV) 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. Rom 2:28-29 (ESV) 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Created to Worship! Ecc 3:11 (ESV) 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. We are aware that there is an eternity and God has put a hunger in our heart to discover it, to discover HIM! Psa 16:11 (ESV) 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. We were created to live in the presence of, and fellowship with, God. We were created to worship God Worship is really the expression of our priorities - what is most important We were created to KNOW God! Constantly and continually pursue a better understanding of him and who he is, his character. The more we understand who He is, the more we desire to honor and glorify Him, which is the end purpose of all creation. The more we know Him the more we want to honor and glorify him, the more we will put Him and His honor and glory as our top priority. The more we will WORSHIP him. ——————————————————— Act 7:37 (ESV) This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ This was an overt, straightforward prophecy of Jesus coming ——————————————————— Act 7:38 (ESV) This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us. Act 7:39 (ESV) Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, Act 7:40 (ESV) saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ We were created to worship ——————————————————— Act 7:41 (ESV) And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. ============================ What does it mean to worship something? Worship is really the expression of our priorities - what is most important… What motivates you? What is most important to you? Are you motivated by God? Psa 29:1-2 (ESV) 1 A Psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. Or are you motivated by some THING? What god’s are you serving? It really boils down to one of two things: self or God! Gal 5:19-24 (ESV) 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Slave to that which you obey/WORSHIP Rom 6:16 (ESV) 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 1Co 10:31 (ESV) 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.