Stephen spoke this morning from Acts 17:24-28. So often we take God for granted and our Christian life becomes mere habit. In this passage, Paul explores God’s greatness and omnipotence, reminding us that He is the creator of the whole world (Acts 17:24) and is not dependent on us or on our achievements (Acts 17:24-25). He has a purpose for our lives and is in full control (Acts 17:26-27), part of that purpose being that we come to know Him (Acts 17:26-28).
Jesus died so we can have a personal relationship with Him. Before His death and resurrection, the temple was looked on as God’s dwelling-place, with God ‘situated’ in the Holy of Holies, hidden behind a heavy curtain. When Christ died, that curtain was torn in two from top to bottom, symbolising that we now have free access to the presence of God. God does not need our service, butHe longs for our fellowship and desires to meet with us.
So often, we restrict God to certain times and places (‘coming to church’ being one way we organise Him to fit in with our lives.) However, He wants to be with us in all places and at all times. He wants to change our lives irrevocably, so that we flourish from being in contact with the source of all life. We are meant to draw from this source as the river draws from a source. We are meant to live in this source of life, to flourish in God.
God has plans and purposes for us: ‘he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.’ (Acts 17;26) We are not here by accident, but can live in the plans and purposes of God, being shaped and influenced by Him in everything.
