Pastor Matt talked about what it looks like to thirst after God, and to finally find that one thing for which we long deeply.
MY STORY
What something meaningful you've experienced in the past that you long to experience again—even just one more time?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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.
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12)
Name all the commands in Romans 12. How will following these directives satisfy our longing for God and the desire to connect deeply with others?
How has God made members of the body of Christ interdependent by the way he has distributed various gifts? How do you see this played out at Crossroads?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passage and the questions above, what "takeaways" do you think God has revealed to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
Pastor Matt asked, "What does it take to experience that thing we long for the most … a deep sense of well-being that never evaporates?"
What is the difference between happiness and a deep sense of well-being?
Why does abiding in God keep feeding that sense of well-being, no matter our circumstances, or emotions we might be experiencing?
How do you know when your will, and the will of God, are in close alignment?
What does it look like when two or more believers are trying to out-serve one another (in a good way)?
How do you define "an enemy"? What's challenging about showing genuine love to someone like this?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit's leading, call us to?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Pastor Matt said, "God's grace and mercy doesn't produce in us self-righteousness. It produces in us a spirit of humility because I'm merely the recipient of the mercies of God."
How has the mercy of God impacted your ability to have compassion toward others?
What does it look like for you to thirst after God? How does this thirst impact the quality of your relationships—both with "friendly's" and "hostiles"?
Out-serve another believer this week, expecting nothing in return.
Pray for your enemies this week, asking God to be merciful to them.
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?
Message Notes
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