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What Do You Really Need?
Acts 18:24–19:7 – Sermon Notes
Welcome, church family! As we dive into Acts 18:24–19:7, I want to share my key sermon notes and reflections for you to revisit and reflect on during the week. Whether you’re watching the video for the first time or reviewing what God is teaching you, may these thoughts strengthen and encourage your journey of faith.
The Central Question: What Do You Really Need?
Let’s start with a question inspired by a wise preschool teacher, Miss Vanessa, who would ask her students:
"Do you want me to help you, hear you, or hug you?"
This simple question is deeply profound, especially as we wrestle with spiritual needs. Often, we wonder:Do I need information?
Do I need understanding?
Or do I simply need an experience of God’s presence and love?
Context: The City of Ephesus
As we walk with Paul in this passage, we arrive in Ephesus—a major city in the Roman empire, influential, wealthy, and cosmopolitan. Here, the gospel confronts religious tradition, superstition, and idolatry. It’s in this diverse, spiritually hungry place that God works in two very different kinds of people: Apollos and the twelve Ephesian disciples.
1. Apollos: A Promise to Understand
Meet Apollos:
A Jew from Alexandria, educated, eloquent, fervent in spirit, well-versed in the Scriptures
Taught accurately about Jesus, but only knew the baptism of John
What was Apollos missing?
He didn’t yet fully understand God’s promises in Jesus. Priscilla and Aquila—faithful everyday believers—gently took him aside and “explained to him the way of God more accurately.”
The lesson: Even the most gifted among us need room to grow and receive correction in community. Apollos was teachable, and that humility allowed him to become even more effective for the kingdom.
Reflection:
Are you open to being taught?
When was the last time God used someone to deepen your understanding of His Word?
2. The Ephesian Disciples: A Power to Experience
Paul encounters twelve disciples in Ephesus. His first question is striking:
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
Their answer:
“We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
They had received John’s baptism, a baptism of repentance, but hadn’t yet experienced the fulfillment of God’s promise through Jesus—the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s response: He explains that John’s baptism pointed to Jesus, the one who gives the Spirit. Upon hearing the gospel, they are baptized in Jesus’ name, and the Holy Spirit comes upon them powerfully.
Big Truth:The Holy Spirit is not an “upgrade” for advanced believers—He is central to the Christian life!
God’s Spirit brings new life, assurance, power, and the very presence of Christ with us.
Reflection:
Are you living as if the Spirit’s power is just a distant promise, or are you walking in the reality of His presence right now?
What Does This Mean for Us?
You never outgrow your need to grow deeper in Jesus—His love, work, and promises.
Sometimes we need understanding, sometimes we need assurance, and sometimes we just need to experience the overwhelming love of the Father.
The gospel is not just about what God wants from us, but what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
Ask Yourself:
Do you need help—deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what He’s done?
Do you need to be heard—to pour out your struggles and doubts?
Or do you long for a hug—a fresh experience of God’s love and assurance by His Spirit?
Practical Next Steps
Reflect: What am I really seeking from God right now?
Pray: Lord, show me what I need—help, to be heard, or a fresh experience of You.
Engage: Don’t walk alone! Reach out to your church family or small group. You are not meant to carry these burdens alone.
Come to the Table: Communion is our weekly reminder that Jesus’ body was broken, His blood was shed, so you could be part of His family and receive His Spirit.
May the risen Christ, by His Word and Spirit, meet every need at the deepest level—helping, hearing, and embracing you with the love only He can provide.
Blessings,
Pastor Ben -
Discussion Guide: What Do You Really Need? | Acts 18:24–19:7
Introduction
This discussion guide is designed to facilitate thoughtful reflection and conversation on the passage of Acts 18:24–19:7, as explored in the sermon. The focus is on discerning our true spiritual needs, the role of the Holy Spirit, the importance of teachability, and what it means to rest in the finished work of Christ. The questions and prompts are crafted in line with the theology of the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians, emphasizing core gospel truths and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives.
1. Icebreaker
Share about a time in your life when you realized you didn’t know what you really needed. What helped clarify your need for you?
2. Understanding Our Needs
Scriptural Focus
The sermon opens with the story of Miss Vanessa, who would ask her students, “Honey, do you want me to help you, hear you, or hug you?”
The preacher applies this beautifully: “And so often in life, it’s hard to determine, all right, what do I actually need?...Do I need to be heard? Do I need to be hugged and have an experience of love at the moment?”
Questions for Discussion:
Why do you think it is often difficult for us to name what we need spiritually or emotionally?
How might you discern what you most need from God in times of struggle—help/information, to be heard, or to experience His love?
3. The Story of Apollos: The Need for Better Understanding
Key Points
Apollos is described as “an eloquent man, competent in Scriptures…fervent in spirit…he spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.”
“But notice Luke adds one little qualification. He knew only the baptism of John.”
Questions for Discussion:
What does the example of Apollos teach us about knowledge, humility, and teachability in Christian growth?
When was the last time you changed your mind or deepened your understanding about something in the faith? What was that like for you?
Discuss: “One of the dangers…is sometimes we can confuse familiarity with maturity.”
What helps you remain teachable before God and others? What hinders you?
4. The Disciples in Ephesus: The Need for the Holy Spirit
Key Points
The Ephesians say, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
The preacher notes, “I think they probably knew something about the promise. They just didn't know that it had been fulfilled.”
The sermon emphasizes: “The Holy Spirit is not an optional addition to Christianity…It's a gift for everyone who belongs to Jesus.”
Questions for Discussion:
How have you experienced the Holy Spirit in your life? In what ways might we “not live into” the reality of the Spirit whom God has already given?
What does it mean to rely on the power of the Spirit instead of our own efforts? Where do you see this dynamic in your life right now?
How do we easily lose a “sense of wonder” at the gift of God’s Spirit and presence with us?
5. Living in the Light of Christ’s Finished Work
Key Points
The message reminds us: “You’re not left to manufacture enough strength, enough faith, enough love, enough courage, enough holiness to make yourself acceptable in his sight.”
“What you need most in your life is not a tweak, or an improvement, or an adjustment. You need a Savior.”
Questions for Discussion:
In what areas of your life do you find yourself trying to “manufacture” what you need rather than receiving from Christ?
What does it look like, practically, to rest in the finished work of Christ?
How can our group encourage one another to live as those who are continually receiving God’s help, care, and love?
6. Closing Reflection and Prayer
Ask each person to quietly reflect:
What is my truest need from God right now—help, to be heard, or to be embraced by His love?
Invite the group to pray for one another, asking the Holy Spirit to meet each person in that need, and to deepen the reality of Christ’s love, presence, and power in every life.
Optional Memory Verse
“If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9)
Practical Application
This week, spend time each day honestly bringing your needs before God. Use the prayer prompt from the sermon: “What do you need? Do you need me to help you? Do you need me to hear you? Or do you need me to hug you?”
Consider journaling about the ways you sense God answering that prayer.
“So what do you really need? Maybe you can imagine her standing here asking you that question. Or better yet, imagine what if Jesus asked you the same question. What do you need?”
What Do You Really Need? | Acts 18:24-19:7
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