This week's passage focuses on the description of the very first church. Their fellowship is a model of church and life that we should all emulate

The Spirit has come! The church is on the move. Peter and the other apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, address thousands and begin the church as we know it.

Reading through the first chapter of Acts we see Jesus getting His followers ready to start the church. Their expectation of the Holy Spirit is the same expectation we should have.

Why does Paul ask so much? His discipleship is costly and better. In our series conclusion, we see why the challenge of belonging to God's kingdom is far better

Paul asks a lot of Philemon when he expects him to take back his runaway slave, Onesimus. Although difficult, Paul's request shows us each that through hardship there is much to gain.

The tension between being a Christian and living in this world is growing. In the book of Philemon the author, Paul, shows us how God's Kingdom and it's expectations are greater than this world's expectations.

Having a tangible connection with God can be difficult. Fellowship was made by God because "it isn't good for man to be alone". In our pursuit of a stronger relationship with God, we can use our human relationships to understand how much grander and amazing God is and will be when we are reconciled to Him.

God intentionally created an intricately exquisite setting for humankind to enter. His grand design points to His Majesty and by taking it in we ENCOUNTER God. We are careful, however, not to worship creation itself, but the One who arranged it.

All other spiritual disciplines outside of tithes and offerings require very little risk. There is a chance of losing small amounts of time, but tithes and offerings require actual sacrifice. This risk can provide a chance to Encounter God in a unique and different way.

Singing may not be for everyone, but worship is. By glorifying God through worship we Encounter Him as we join all of creation in "crying out" His greatness.