When I think about it, the happiest and most successful people I know don’t just love what they do, they’re obsessed with solving an important problem, something that matters to them. They remind me of a dog chasing a tennis ball: Their eyes go a little crazy, the leash snaps and they go bounding off, plowing through whatever gets in the way … So it’s not about pushing yourself; it’s about finding your tennis ball, the thing that pulls you. ~ Drew Houston, founder of Dropbox

If you are a person who is passionate about something, people know it. What would the people you work with or do life with in some way say if you asked them to describe what they’ve observed about your passion?

We’re going to be continuing our study in the book of Acts this Sunday (it’s good to be back, by the by!) and in chapter 20, v 17-38, Paul describes how he had lived his passion for God out before the Ephesian people.

Paul starts off by challenging the elders of Ephesus, saying “you know how I lived among you the whole time I was with you.” – What does that tell us about Paul’s life when he wasn’t teaching in church?

Paul also describes his passion for humble service among the people he ministered to. What did his service look like, and how would it look in our church as we serve each other?

In v22 Paul makes it clear how he could serve and endure so consistently: he saw his life as belonging to Christ. He says that he was “constrained” by the Spirit. The word for that in the Greek is “deo”. The meaning of that word is found HERE. What picture does that word create in describing Paul’s relationship to Christ? How can we see ourselves the same way?

Paul warned of predators threatening the church he planted. What sort of wolves would you consider a threat to the church in our culture and time?

I’m really looking forward to digging into the Word with you all again – hope to see you this Sunday! Don’t forget Surf-N-Grill happens this Sunday, weather permitting!